Jim Krapf wrote on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 (PST): Excellent story! I like to hear the ones about people who don't have all the toys or the knowhow. But have the one main ingredient needed to restore a classic old tractor (determination) and a willingness to learn by trial and error. Anyone with a pocketfull of cash can get a nicely restored tractor but there is no better satisfaction than knowing that,that old piece of classic mechanical art all shiney and looking brand new was actually the product of your own sweat and skinned knuckles. Sincerely; Jim Krapf Bill Parker wrote on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 (PST): Although I dont have a tractor, rather a hitNmiss, I have run into the same troubles. But you know what, nevertheless, I am having the time of my life restoring it. And no matter what you do, there are always people around who will tell you " YOU should have done this or that..." remember, it is YOUR pride and joy and you can do anything you want to it--- Enjoy the pastime ;) Walt wrote on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 (PST): Well said. Anyone who has tackled a project like this can sympathize with the actions taken. Haybaler wrote on Wednesday, November 01, 2000 (PST): You mean it is supposed to be any other way except what is depicted in the story??? The Red wrote on Wednesday, November 01, 2000 (PST): Great story Ian! I have a John Deere 4400 combine I am slowly getting back into shape. That project is well over my head but I keep working at it. I hope to have it back in the field in 2001 or 2002. Kimk wrote on Wednesday, November 01, 2000 (PST): Nice piece! Sounds like you are enjoying the ride, and unless you NEED a tractor to turn a living, enjoyment is what it's all about. ( If you need it for a living a project tractor is not the way to go). As far as knowing what we are doing--- heck , if I knew what I was doing what would be the fun in that. (Besides which if I knew what I was doing I would probably know better than to get all wound up in old iron to begin with) Enjoy! Paul Stanley wrote on Thursday, November 02, 2000 (PST): I think a lot of us work the same way. I bout my tractor on a sunny day though. Didn't matter, I was delerious with Tractor Fever, besides it was an Oliver Super 55 which I have never seen another one for sale in this area for the last three years. First thing I had to have done was a split so it would hold transmission oil. Got it home and used it around the property and started a brake job, which turned into a brake, axle seal job, which turned into a brake, axle seal and main drive seal and bearing replacement job. The only trouble is I am back to teaching and can't touch it until Christmas break But the important thing is it is fun, it helps maintain a part of history, it's tremendously educational, and it is VERY fullfilling when each step gets me a little closer to a restoration. I bet you love tooling around on your tractor. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing. Curtis Nichols wrote on Saturday, November 04, 2000 (PST): You are not alone. I restored a 1953 Jubilee last year and went through the same disappointments. I did find a wealth of information and help on discussion boards at Yesterday's Tractors. I would not take anything for her now. tractorboy wrote on Sunday, November 05, 2000 (PST): great story . Just want tolet you know that I too enjoy doing my own work even to making valves and turning cranks and doing all kinds of machine work and making all kinds of parts for all my tractors . That is the satisfaction I get from dragging old iron out of the woods and making it go again . When you do it this way you can surely say that you have saved it from the torches or from becoming another parts tractor . I too have had my share of boo boos and have had to redo over until I get it right . Thats my 2 cents worth. Ira wrote on Sunday, November 12, 2000 (PST): Great story. Just acquired a '48 8N last week. Seems to be in OK running shape but smokes a bit when running awhile. Not a problem for me. I'm sure it will be quite an experience snow plowing in reverse this winter. Anyone out there with any tips? Please no giggles. Doug wrote on Thursday, November 16, 2000 (PST): Thanks for your story. I have been a tractor owner for two months now and am still optomistic. My AC model "c" starts and runs well after sitting in a field for 12 years. I'm optomistic that it will run fine without any problems for years, at least after I get the radiator back in once it is de-leaked, and get that new rim and the electical fixed and find out what kind of oil to put in it and figure out where that oil is coming from and.......anyway, I'm having fun. Edward E. Londt wrote on Sunday, November 19, 2000 (PST): Enjoyed this article. Sounds just like the kind of "real-life" adventures that I have come to expect. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Provided some smiles and chuckles and brought back some memories. Thanks. Rick wrote on Sunday, November 19, 2000 (PST): It is refressing to know that I am not the only one that has had these kind of problems.I was looking for a riding mower to help out my back with the yard work, stumbled across a case VAI at a local car dealer, 400.00 bought it 20.00 delivered it to my driveway.I do not know if it was the paint under the finger nails, or the exhaust in the face, but i was hooked. Thought that it would be fun for the children and I to collect and restore a couple. The next one that I bought was, in the ad mechanicaly stuck. The seller did not know what it was, just Case.After getting it home, and checking it out, found out that it was more than stuck. Anti freeze in the oil, bent push rods, and lots of wrong parts.Well after a year and lots of searchingI found enough parts and info to attemt repairs. There is quite a feeling of satisfaction when the engine rolls over and fires for the first time, with the knowlage that YOU did it. Jim Beard wrote on Tuesday, November 21, 2000 (PST): Ah,but Ian, you had fun and now you have a wonderful old machine to show your kids and grandkids. Could we have some of your Devon rain in Texas please? Jim Swan B. Babb wrote on Wednesday, November 22, 2000 (PST): I realy enjoyed your story I am geting ready to go down the same road.My father had a Case back in the 50's it was small and worked well but I was in love with my uncle's John Deere G.I all ways wanted one but had no reason to have one. This year I retired and decided before my time runs out to get one and try to restore it.Your story had enough hope to keep an untalented amature going. matt jones wrote on Friday, November 24, 2000 (PST): I enjoyed reading your article. let me first say by the looks of the pictures and the smile on your face it was worth it, you have a beatiful tractor that you must take alot of pride in. I am in the middle of rebuilding a 56 massey 1st deisel i have ever worked on and my 1st tractor it alot of trial and error but i can't wait to fire it up. Owen Kraus wrote on Wednesday, May 02, 2001 (PDT): Great story. I like you, am not a professional. All of my experience is with cars. I now have a 1923 Fordson Model F I am still in the parts collecting phase at this time. she needs a TOTAL resoration. Engine is seized, the entire fuel system is missing, except for the air cleaner, and it look kinda scary inside. I will be pulling the head off this weekend, so I can fill the engine with oil.. its been seized for about 30 years, so I have no idea what this is going to take! So.. you are not the only one who is doing this with out the special shops, tools and know how.. I am flying blind, and I still love it! Keep 'em rolling!! Owen Kraus Uxbridge, Massachussetts Greaseman wrote on Friday, June 15, 2001 (PDT): I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that got it stuck too. I collected my first problem child from a person in a near by town for $2,000 and drove it home quite smoothly, then had to leave it because of significant health problems. When going to start it, it wouldn't turn over! Problem 1; engine stuck and weak battery. Problem 2; head corner cracked while removing (problem solved via welder) Problem 3;I am unable to lift greater than 30 pounds. (problem 3 solved via family members with muscles) greaseman LANE wrote on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 (PST): Yes, Sir, there are thousands of us out here that don't know what we are doing. And thousands that eventually learn how to do it right. Isn't that "gaining of expertise as we go" what makes it so rewarding to say "We did it ourselves". Murray wrote on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 (PDT): Hi Ian, This is quite an interesting story. Always a few surprises when you start a project on these old tractors. I had the opportunity to purchase a 39/b model AC about 15 months ago. Have not started the restoration on this tractor as of this date Will probably contact you at a later date seeking information for a successful restoration. Cheers Murray Keith Bracken wrote on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 (PST): Nice story,great photos,and you enjoy your tractor. Thats as good as it gets. I have a 1948 Allis-Chalmers C. I cleaned it up, put some new parts in and painted it myself. I should have redone the valves and put on a new ringeer but I didn't have the tools and the know how but I enjoy this little tractor just the same. I take it to prades and shows. It has a seat wide enough for both my wife and I to ride at the same time and my grand kids enjoy it also. I don't have lots of tools,years worth of mechinacl experience, large sheads, lots of money, or time but I go right ahead and have a good time anyway.Thanks for writeing in. Scott M. wrote on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 (PDT): Ah...old iron fever. Great to see someone just jump in and go at it. I purchased 2 tractors, 1 Deere and 1 Farmall and can't wait to drag those rusting hunks into my tiny 1 bay garage and scrape a knuckle or two. The joy is in the learning. Thanks for the inspiration. marcus wrote on Friday, September 22, 2006 (PDT): Thanks for the intresting article, i am 15 and have just restored a b myself. I encountered a problem with the water pump shooting water out of the side. I thus had to buy a new one. Other than that she is in good nick. I am trying to trace a mower for it, doe you know of any? Thanks. ssss wrote on Saturday, September 12, 2009 (PDT): Been there, for a restoration book not from expert machanic try reading some of Roger Welsch's books. Also very good laughs.

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