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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor...

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42FarmallH

12-10-2003 18:29:33




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It can be VERY expensive to repair the engine, probably more than the whole tractor is worth. In my area, it is very hard to find a running H or M for sale -- everyone is still using them for mowing, raking, or running the grain auger. So I bought a stuck H from a relative, then needed another H for parts, then I STILL needed another block because both of mine were cracked. So as long as I'm rebuilding the engine, I just as well fix the other stuff, right? WOW that adds up fast - a wiring harness here, a fan belt there, oops that seal is leaking, better have good brakes, etc...

All said and done I have a lot of money tied up in my 1942 Farmall H w/IH 1110 belly mount sickle mower. Will I ever sell it for what's invested? No. Do I want to sell it? Of course not! The sentimental value of that tractor is all the reason I need to hang on to it. The other day I fired it up just to putter around the yard for a while, sounds great! I enjoy this hobby and nothing can replace the feeling of driving a tractor that is older than my parents and getting a good day's work done with it.

Anyways, thanks for letting me let off a little steam... Oh yeah, the power steering torque motor and flow divider are here - now to find the time to install all of it! Hoping to work on it over Christmas break, will update my website when I get something done.

Steven@nd

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Gibby

12-11-2003 20:40:22




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
Steven, I too have a project tractor that has / is costing me more than it is worth. It has now reached a point of principle - I will get this tractor finished even if it kills me. But what I have learned from this tractor is worth so much that I cann't begin to put a price on it. I did the same thing when I rebuilt a 300 I had earlier. The big pay off is when I see the young gentleman (begining farmer) that bought it doing his daily chores with her. Yep I lost a ton on her too, but get paid back everytime I see the old girl purring away helping that young kid get started. It's kind of like raising a child, it costs a ton, gets easier everytime you do it, and you enjoy it when they go down the road starting their own life. What you have learned rebuilding your tractor will be with you for a life time. What you learned will pay you back so much over the next forty years. Think of it this way - change a water pump at the local car dearlership 210.00 for the pump 460.00 in labor. Doing it yourself 115.00 (at the local parts place) for the pump = 555.00 savings for knowing how to work on things like that. Yep you lost money on the tractor, but think of how much you will be able to save with you new skills you have developed.

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John in Ne.

12-11-2003 16:22:41




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
I've read your post over several times and I'm not quite sure what point you're trying to make. When I look at a project tractor (stuck or not)I have an idea what it is worth then ,and what it will cost to fix it up or get it running.At least within,say $250.00 or so.Your tractor,in the photo ads says " For sale,Best offer", On the auction site,you have a very generous offer,but want more.There are not very many Farmall H's that will bring that kind of money on an auction here in central Ne. I haven't seen one bring over $1000.00 in two years on an auction.I looked at (and enjoyed) your website,it looks like you had a good time repairing and using your H,that should be worth something to you.I have never made any money rebuilding an old tractor,but I have had alot of fun and met alot of great people because of old tractors.They're not worth the dollars we put in them,but not many of us do it for the money. John

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F-Dean

12-12-2003 04:43:54




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 Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to John in Ne., 12-11-2003 16:22:41  
It's a hobby! It is cheaper than fishing and golf plus it keeps me out of the taverns!



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42FarmallH

12-11-2003 21:33:45




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 Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to John in Ne., 12-11-2003 16:22:41  
The point I was trying to make is that it cost a lot to do, I'll never get my money back, but in the long run I'm satisfied and happy that I did it. That's what restoring tractors is all about. If you want profit, find a different career - hobbies are called hobbies for a reason.

Plus I just needed to rant, because if I could get my money back out of it, I could really use it for college :o)



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John in NE

12-12-2003 06:38:32




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 Re: Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor. in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-11-2003 21:33:45  
Steven,If I needed money for college,my tractors would be gone in a minute.Your education is more important than any tractor. At the least, I would stop putting more money into it. John



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Hugh MacKay

12-11-2003 17:05:13




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 Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to John in Ne., 12-11-2003 16:22:41  
EXACTLY!!!!



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Bill Smith

12-11-2003 12:32:16




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
I wouldn't nescisarily rule out buying a tractor that is froze up. The problem is, is making up your mind what you are going to do with it before you even get it home. That is what will get you into trouble, especially if you got restoring in your mind. Here are some steps to follow that you might consider. 1.Always investigate the over all condition of tractor. This can really mes you up if you don't. Bought one, one time that was suppose to be froze (the owner even thought it was) and it wasn't. Bought one another time and the owner said it was froze but he didn't think it was froze very bad, turned out it was froze on all cylinders. 2.Never pay more than what you know you can get back by parting it out when buying a tractor that is known to be froze. This doesn't mean the tractor cannot be restored back to life again. I have restored a couple tractors myself that were froze and done it very cheaply. On the other hand, I have had to part out a couple becuase it wasn't justifyable to spend the money to restore it. 3.Be very patient. I never find exactly what I am looking for when in a hury. If I be patient, I will generally find precisely what I am looking for and often times pretty cheap. For instance, you might find a frozen tractor tomarrow for sale, but if you hold off you might very well find one 6 months from now that runs for the same amount of money.

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Hugh MacKay

12-11-2003 16:05:00




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 Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to Bill Smith, 12-11-2003 12:32:16  
Bill: You are correct on every count, patience is number one in dealing with old iron. Stuck engines or cracked blocks clearly make it parts tractor prices, and wholesale at that. One policy I have is NEVER set out to buy a particular tractor. Put yourself in a position, so you never are in a hurry for parts.



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BlueLite

12-11-2003 05:02:38




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
Don't buy one that has the air breather missing or disconnected, or one with the exhaust stem isn't protected, water can get in the exhaust system. No telling how long that sand paper/water mix has been in there.

You can buy it and it'll be running good, but there's no way you can get that sand out between the rings without a ring job.



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Nebraska Cowman

12-11-2003 04:49:12




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
Right, I buy stuck tractors all the time but I won't give much for them. Even at that sometimes it is better to part them out.



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Dieselrider

12-10-2003 20:05:45




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
If it was easy or cheap all the welfare folks would have one.



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jf

12-11-2003 03:04:25




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 Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to Dieselrider, 12-10-2003 20:05:45  
Watch what you say or the government will start an entitlement program to ensure equality in tractor restoration.



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old

12-10-2003 18:36:24




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 Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:29:33  
Should have told me about it I have an H engine that ran a few years ago till some one stole the carb but its still free and could be fixed up easyly but I don't have any thing but the engine



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42FarmallH

12-10-2003 18:40:57




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 Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor... in reply to old, 12-10-2003 18:36:24  
Yes I should have, would have been much easier! If I find another H in need of an engine, I'll sure keep you in mind. Thanks.



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Zak

12-10-2003 19:42:30




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 Re: Re: Re: Why you shouldn't buy a stuck tractor. in reply to 42FarmallH, 12-10-2003 18:40:57  
Why you should buy a stuck tractor...Ok this tractor is 'off brand' but here goes anyway. My friend bought a late model JD B that I found while exploring the farms in my area. Thing was totally stuck...motor, clutch, everything. Owner said it had sat for 30 years since he parked it (he is 90 something years old!). Long story short, I put about a quart of kero in each cylinder last May. She sat there until we picked it up a month ago. Pulled the head, gave the psitons a whack with the mallet, they came loose! Week later she was running for the cost of a carb kit. Ya win some, ya lose some. I hear what yer saying though, having just done a ground up resotration on a 34' F-12 that was broken everyway possible, and a few new ways to me! Talk about $$$

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