Please help me find a tractor

Hey guys. I teach ag at a high school in SE Ohio and got an idea for a class project for this year. I want a couple of my classes to build a pulling tractor to compete locally somewhere in the 4500-6500 classes. The goal is for me to buy the tractor and parts and have the kids help me with the build and share driving duties.

While I wear a jd hat, I like all tractors. I also realize the lower cost advantages and ease of ih over a two cylinder. I am looking for a Farmall M for my classes to build. I thought finding an M for scrap price would be easy, but it's proven somewhat difficult. Most want $1500-2000 for a running M, but since we will be doing an OH it's not that important that it runs ( although it would give me more peace of mind to be able to drive it in all gears).

It needs to be cheap since this is my first year and a teacher's salary leaves something to be desired. If you know of any located in SE Ohio or surrounding area, let me know. Thanks.

Forgot to mention, I would prefer to find a complete tractor since this will be my first red tractor and I have no spare parts.

Also, my phone number is 740-607-1034. Please leave a message if no answer.

John, I know where there is an M, I'll see what the guy wants for it. I would be happy to help haul it if it's for the kids classroom. I am in western Pa, and SE Ohio is not a problem.

I'll check on the M and keep my eyes open You ought to call Burgh implements. Ask for JOhn, tell him I sent you. He has a number of M's in various shape from running to basket case. He might make you a deal if it is for a school project.

http://www.burghtractorparts.com/default.htm

john,

give me a call.

rusty davis. weldons son in law.


i've an m you should look at.

thx, rusty

i'm in the perry county phone book. its up at weldons shop sitting outside if you want to see it.

Thanks for the info Tom. I'll give that a try.

Rusty, good to hear from you. I'll get ahold of you soon.

If it were me I would find a decent old M that doesn't run that
you and your students can bring back to life as a stock
tractor. When you start trying to build a pulling tractor you will
run into money quick. It will be costly enough just building it
back to stock. When you start trying to get a bunch of kids
involved you are opening up a big can of worms not the least
of which would be liability. Restore the tractor and perhaps
do a big raffle to raise money to cover costs and give the
tractor away to some lucky person. Any money left over use
it to buy tools for the school shop or throw the kids a party. If
you want to get involved in tractor pulling on your own then
go for it. I would however leave the kids out of it. JMHO.

I'd say be very careful how cheap you go with the purchase.

It's usually much cheaper to buy more tractor up front, than it is to buy cheap and replace lots of parts later.

An $800 tractor will cost you $3000 to get it to the same condition you could have bought one for at $2000.

Parts are always MUCH cheaper when they're already on the tractor.

Good luck with your project, keep us updated.

I'm restoring a super A with a small group of 4H kids. So I'm especially interested in hearing how you're doing.

We've really just started, but already it's been a fantastic experience watching these kids learn. I try to stay totally hands off, let the kids do everything. Great watching them work out problems on their own.

You're a teacher, so you probably already get that, but even so, I'm sure you'll really enjoy this project.

I can no longer look at an old tractor without thinking of it in terms of how good of a project it would be for the club.

Baelee,
I appreciate your advice. Our FFA already does a tractor raffle each year. A JD B in the past, last year a Leader, and this year's tractor is a Ferguson 30. I have found that doing a decent restoration on a tractor can easily exceed double the value of the tractor. Part of the reason I wanted to build a puller at school with my kids is to peak the interest of some of them in antique pulling. Since I have to come up with things for the kids to do in my ag power class, and I have been wanting to build a puller anyway, I though this would kill two birds. Even though I envisioned the kids helping me with the build, since I will be footing the bill, I will keeping close watch over how things get worked on. BTW, I was thinking more along the lines of a stock class type of tractor that would keep costs down and allow the kids to get their feet wet with antique pulling.

JR,
I love doing these types of projects, and the type of kids I get in class really
enjoy them also. The last tractor that I bought that was loose, ended up needing a block, head and pistons. So much for an easy restore. I swore I would never buy another non-running tractor, I should stick to it. It's just a little easier to pass a few hundred dollars past the wife than a few thousand dollars.

John

Rusty,
I called you tonight, but you weren't home. Give me a call sometime. BTW, where were you for the tug pull last weekend at the pc fairgrounds?