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Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advice?

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Mike CA

07-10-2007 08:28:25




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The next chapter of the Tractor Soap Opera: Is there hope ahead?


I joined my chapter of IHC back in April. They know I've been looking for an H, and I've gotten lots of encouragement from them. But they also know I'm broke. So, last month I got an e-mail from one of the IHC members. He is moving his tractors into a new shop and his '42 H just isn't going to fit. He doesn't want it to sit outside and turn to junk, so he wants a new home for it. That's great, but I'm broke. Well, last night he e-mailed me again and told me it's crunch time, and that the tractor has to go. The price: Free to me with one condition: I bring it to the big antique tractor show in April and he gets to drive it, once I have it running and pretty again.

Wife says: "We have no money, and we have no room for a tractor!" Which is true. I did finally get the garage straightened out, but with all the family bikes, I need to find a way to squeeze it in the 3rd car spot. But where there is a will... I'll make it happen. As far as money, yes, we are broke, and a tractor is low on the priority list. But hey, starting with a free tractor puts me ahead of the game, right?

So what is the downside to all this? What am I missing? Or am I worrying too much, should stop blubbering and should go pick up this '42 right away?

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GA Dave

07-10-2007 20:34:03




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Maybe the chapter members would agree to a barn building (H rebuilding) over several weekends like the Amish do. I'd bet if they don't have most of the parts laying around you need they know someone who does. Tires, paint etc. included. Just furnish the cookout and keg. Something to think about. David.



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HENRY E NC

07-10-2007 14:22:58




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Well now, I seem to remember several months ago that I had pledges of $800 to help you buy a tractor and you would not tell us how to send it. I have a feeling that those same guys may help you maybe not with so much money but parts etc. As for your wife,women do not understand mens needs to hold a wrench (not a wench) and mine was not on my side at first but now she is as much entrenched as I and is waiting for her??? A to be ready for the labor day parade. She is 72 and a city girl but old tractors like old men geet the girls. GO GET IT FOR HEAVENS SAKE. DONE WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW. TODAY IS THE TOMORROW YOU WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY. yOU CAN DO IT. Henry

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Andy Motteberg

07-10-2007 16:55:43




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to HENRY E NC, 07-10-2007 14:22:58  
If it is free, pick it up right now.



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Mike CA

07-10-2007 14:53:46




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to HENRY E NC, 07-10-2007 14:22:58  
You know darn good and well why I didn't feel comfortable about accepting that money. Although the whole thought and generosity of it still tickles me.

Thanks Henry.



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LittleMackinawFarmall

07-10-2007 12:55:24




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Mike knowing some of the story would be glad to send along some of my collection of excess H parts..and I am sure for shipping alone quite a few that were willing to donate to the cause would do the same...Let us all know what you may need.



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Mike CA

07-10-2007 12:45:39




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Thanks for all the replies. I'll be calling him this afternoon and discussing his expectations for a timeline of completiton, if any. Because as many of you have pointed out, it's not going to happen with any sort of speed.

As far as condition. He says: "It was stored inside since restored. But several months ago I moved into a new shop... No space, so it has been under a tarp at a friends place since mid Feb. It was in fair shape, but when I went to try to start it several years ago, I found a problem. I had installed sealer in the gas tank and the sealer had migrated into the fuel line. So, a few weeks ago I paid $150 for an off-the-shelf-never- installed gas tank. (NOS) Needs installation and painting. The tractor was restored when I brought it to California in late ‘80’s. It also needs new tires and one rim is rusted out. No battery.

I have not seen it at all yet. I just have his description. It's about 3 hours north of me.

As far as parts, I think the IHC members would be very willing to help me find some cheap usable items. They jumped at the chance with that stuck-engine '44 I picked up, but then gave back. So i'm sure if I gave them a list, they could see what they have and help come up with a good price. And of course that will be all in due time.

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wengner

07-10-2007 11:53:26




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
You can get a divorce over the deal for $99.00 and then have a extra car space to!! I say go for it you must not love her.



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brainerd dave

07-10-2007 10:21:52




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Mike,
It seems to me that the main reason you're interested in having a tractor in the first place is that grandpa had one. Maybe ask yourself what the old man would have said about spending money you don't have for something that in this point in time - young kids and all - you want just to drive in a parade. If he was anything like mine, he'd have kicked my butt just for thinking about it. There will always be expenses that come ahead of a tractor, but considering that you're not only going to have to put money in parts but tools as well, it may not be worth the pain right now.
Ask one of your new IHC pals if they might have a tractor they would let you drive in that parade and get it out of your system until you're in a better financial position.
Just my 2 cents. Take it for what it's worth.

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BF8690

07-10-2007 10:18:34




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 Get it in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
as long as he understands that it will take you quite a while to make it run good and look pretty. Do you know what is wrong with it? I guess it doesn't run? I bought an H from a guy a few months ago. It wouldn't run. I got a new Mag cap, wires, plugs and a carb rebuild kit. I rebuilt the carb in his drive way and drove it on to the trailer. My nephew drives that thing almost daily now. I have a total of $600 hundred in it including the purchase price. So if it's free and the motor ain't stuck you'll be suprised how inexpensively you can get it running depending on it's condition.

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Ron in Nebr

07-10-2007 10:02:38




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
The way I see it, the guy knows you dont have money to buy one and he"s trying to do you a favor, a favor that will no doubt give him alot of satisfaction too- helping someone, especially someone in the military.

I"d be willing to bet that since he knows your financial situation, that he"s not gonna come take the tractor away if it isn"t restored by a certian date. As long as he can see that you"re working on it(note- working on it doesn"t HAVE to mean spending money) he"ll be happy.

Oh, and getcha some of those big screw-in hooks and hang them bikes on the walls! There"s TONS of products on the market these days to help free up space in a garage.

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City-Boy McCoy

07-10-2007 10:00:51




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Mike:
It scares me too. But, you asked....
The downside is this: If you agree to his terms, then you need to be fairly certain you can honor them. That means you need to come up with the $$$ to have that H "running and pretty again" (your words) as well as a way to get it to and from the show next April, wherever that may be. That is going to involve some fairly significant amount of money that you say you do not have - and which you are going to have to come up with in less than a year. So, if you don't perform, are you going to be ready to hand his tractor back to him in one piece?
Is it not more important to be a man of your word than to possess something you probably can't afford right now anyway? Put another way: Don't promise a man to do something if you don't stand a good chance of actually doing it - and from what you have said, you don't stand much of a chance of doing it.
mike durhan

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moll

07-10-2007 09:58:35




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
I would go for it. If you find that you need parts you can't afford, i'll bet the club will help out if they catch wind of it. I know i would. Friendships have cost me a lot of money and time over the years if i wrote it all down or thought about it. I don't. :^D Friends are more valuable than a pile of money.



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Pair-a-dice farm

07-10-2007 09:15:26




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
The price: Free to me with one condition: I bring it to the big antique tractor show in April and he gets to drive it, once I have it running and pretty again.

I would clarify this and determine how much this is going to cost and how soon you need this completed. If the cost and time frame suits you, go for it.



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georgeky

07-10-2007 09:12:06




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Mike, where is the dilemma, you want an H and he is offering one, it won't cost much to store it until you can work on it. There is lots of things that can be done that don't cost a nickel, just time and elbow grease. My wife has given me fits for years about all these old tractors, but I mention selling one and she has second thoughts about it. She knows what some of them mean to me. If it were me instead of typing I would be going after the tractor before the deal falls through. As for money, I have been broke all my life and it hasn't stopped me from enjoying my tractors. You could open a savings account and put 10 or 20 bucks in it from time to time and one day the money will be there. My dad ask me 3 years ago if I wanted his old M and he didn't have to ask twice, I went the next day and fetched it home before he changed his mind. I didn't need it, but it is a good one. It does need a rear seal, but I don't use it much so it is on the waiting list. Quit worrying and reading this and go get your tractor!!!! Good Luck.

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D Slater

07-10-2007 08:45:53




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Only downside I see is you will have to chose between your wife or tractor. Hope you enjoy the tractor. Just kidding.



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glennster

07-10-2007 08:43:06




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
better grab it mike.....my motto "if its free, its for me!!!" you cant beat the price, and, it wont cost you anything sitting there until you decide to work on it.tell the mrs your gonna get a mower for it so you can cut grass real quick and spend more quality time with HER!!! chicks love that stuff. or....tell her you are thinking of buying a harley to ride with the gang, but with the tractor you could stay at home. guy toys rule!!!

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BF8690

07-10-2007 09:57:06




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 Glennster in reply to glennster, 07-10-2007 08:43:06  
I like your philosophy. I told my ol' lady that I was going to sell our place and buy a house in town because of all of the work I have to do out there. She got so desperate she told me that she would buy me another tractor just to keep the place. I jumped on that immediately. I told I want a 560 and it must be a diesel. She's a good woman. Right now I have 4 tractors. We have a 1944 M that pulls like a champ, a 1945 H that my nephew has been pulling pretty good with in the 4000 lb class and I just brought home a '53 Super C that needs some work. The SC can sit there until I have the time and money to make her pretty again. I want to get a belly mower for it. My fourth tractor is a 1985 Ford model 1910 four wheel drive with a loader. That one is my everyday working tractor. Man I wish I had some drawbar attachments then I could use my Farmalls more often.

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Wardner

07-10-2007 09:05:09




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to glennster, 07-10-2007 08:43:06  
Do they actually cut grass in the Mojave desert?

The "no money-no space" argument is hard to beat. When the kids need shoes and that money was spent on a gasket set, there will be hell to pay.

Mike, you already let one tractor go down the road for lack of interest. After you start stacking bikes on top of the disassembled H parts, are you really going to put it back together?

You are in the USN. You have no permanent address. Get your DD214, a job in the real world, and a life without dependents. There will still be plenty of H's around.

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IH2444

07-10-2007 08:36:20




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Mike CA, 07-10-2007 08:28:25  
Only downside I see is that it WILL cost money to fix up the tractor to meet your commitment for the show and ride....



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Ebbsspeed

07-10-2007 08:46:23




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to IH2444, 07-10-2007 08:36:20  
What condition is it in now? As we all know, the initial purchase price is usually a fairly small percentage of the total amount spent on getting these tractors running well and looking pretty. So how much money is that going to take? If you're broke, don't spend money on it that you should be using for mortgage/rent/food and other household expenses. Is he going to take it away from you if you don't get it "running and pretty" by April?

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GeneMO

07-10-2007 11:03:42




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 Re: Well, I don't see the downside... which scares me. Advi in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-10-2007 08:46:23  
Hi Mike, I am always a little skeptical. I paid $1300 for a Super H and will probably spend That much or more to "fix it up". I also know of a guy who lost his tractor over a missunderstanding. He was storing it at a neighbors place when it disappeared. Neighbor said he hadn't paid his storage fee, which the tractor owner claims was never discussed and the neighbor sold his tractor. Just be cautious.


Gene

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