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Complete newbie considering restoring 560 farmall

C

Chris in Indiana

New User
Thanks for this forum, I am learning a ton!

I grew up on a farm, but never really used the tractors. Dad always was worried about safety... didn't want me to farm and wanted me to hit the books! So I became a doctor instead. But I love these old machines and the connection to the past. I actually spent a few hours at the Clinton County fair last night looking at them!

There are a couple of machines still on the farm from my Grandpa's days. One is a farmall H which runs well and is still doing chores like mowing roadsides. The other is a Farmall 560 which may have run some last season but now doesn't start. I have no idea what's wrong with it.

I would love to restore it in honor of Dad and Grandpa who are both deceased. I look at Colby64's progress and salivate - MAN that is a sweet-looking tractor!

However,
- I've never done this before. Hell, I haven't changed the oil in my own car before.
- Like I said, complete newbie. I'm not sure of even the basics of tractor restoration.

But,
- The 560 is "free" (heh heh, until I get started...). It's just sitting there collecting dust in the barn.
- My brother and cousin both farm. Although they don't restore tractors, they still know more than me and are available for "muscle."
- I'm not on any deadline, and could probably spend the money to get it done, within reason.
- I'm pretty motivated.

What do you think? Am I biting off more than I can chew? How did all of you get started with this? Any advice?

So far, the only thing I've done is dream and buy some Therran Gaines books from Amazon, eagerly awaiting their arrival.
 
I would start with the H. I started off with a harder restoration and I am regretting it. The 560 is 3xs the project of the H even if the H is used and abused.

There are people that will custom restore them for you as well. Sometimes that is the better way to go if you don't have the time, knowledge, shop space, tools, and saftey equipment. Just something to think about.
 
I have to agree... start with the H. Very simple to work on, and very satisfying driving around on your completed work.
 
Thats great that you would restore the tractor your father and grandfather used. Dont be afriad of doing that just jump in and go for it. First try and get it running and fix what needs to be fixed. Than remove the sheet metal and preasure wash it and get all the grease of it. Do what i do if you want take all the sheet metal to a body shop and let them do that.Then either use a brush or spray the cast with a spray bomb or a regular paint sprayer. You will be happy when you have it all done and some day your kids will be driving it around.
 
I felt the same way when I began working on the M that my wife inherited after her father past. I married into a farming family (im a teacher and my wifes a banker but grew up farming) so I had no clue about tractors either, I did have a basic knowledge of how engines work but i had never worked on them. What I can tell you is that I have learned a great deal from the gentlemen on this site and just diving right in. I know that an M is a pretty basic and easy machine to work on and my brother in law has a 560 and he says its not much more difficult than my M...Just remember that there is no such thing as free, im finding that out right now as I diganose an engine problem, BUT it is a lot of fun.

My advise, learn as much as you can about Farmall 560's, read-research-ask questions, then go to your 560 and check to make sure your engine is not stuck, check power going to the entire electrical system with a good battery, make sure you have fuel moving through the carb, make sure the starter is not stuck, and make sure you have a very good ground from the battery. Once you get it running you'll be hooked, trust me!! Id also pick colby's brain a bit, hes doing one hell of a job on his 560!! Best of luck....~Anthony
 
9149.jpg
9150.jpg
 
The main thing is desire , next is a good place to work on it with lots of elbow room , good lighting , heat for them cold days when ya want to work on it and TOOLS . Ya got to have GOOD TOOLS and atleast a I T manual and set down and read. Next thing is splitting stands and jacks and blocking and a Cherry picker , air compressor and don't skimp on that get a good one . As for welding and cutting best to have someone teach ya before ya go and by those toys . And when ya run into problems ya can always get on here and YELL HELP!!!!!!
 
If you can make it through the riga-marole of becoming a doctor then you can learn to work on tractors!

Sflem is right though, an H is significantly simpler from a mechanical standpoint and will teach you the basics. From a physical standpoint, the 560 is the ultimate evolution of an M, and an M is almost literally a 30% enlarged H.

I agree to start with the H; it already runs and you can get your feet wet and find out if you really enjoy it or not. I think you will though.

A restored 560 is a handsome tractor indeed! As long as it's not a basket case and since the price is right, you are good to go. Is it gas or diesel?

I started with a plain old M that ran with a little tinkering and got it figured out pretty quickly. The disease can spread quickly though, Now I have a yard full of red beasts.
 
It is a very rewarding hobby or should I say
"fever". Unlike today's tractors and vehicles, it
doesn't take too much savy to work on them. Best
thing to do is get yourself a complete set of
manuals after you are committed to a particular
tractor. Most everybody who has this "fever" will
be more than willing to give advise and help.
Parts are readily available from sources like OEM
Tractor Parts, Bates Co., Steiner Tractor Parts,
Joe's Tractor Parts, The Brillman Co., and the
list goes on. An absolutely great publication for
those of us who bleed red is Red Power Magazine.
So,...get your tractor, grab some tools, dive in
and Good Luck and Welcome!
 
Hire a mechanic to get it started. Have the battery checked to see if it just needs charging.
Buy a new battery and if you have a gas engine it needs battery voltage for the ignition. It probably needs the fuel tank drained and cleaned if it's gummed up or has dirt. The carburetor may need cleaning too.

There's a man in western IN that paints tractors
and has the equipment to handle them. He also has the supplied air system for breathing while spraying. You don't want to inhale any of that paint hardener. Post your phone number if interested in him and I'll have him contact you. Here's a tractor he painted several years ago. Hal
a75931.jpg

a75932.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 07:51:07 07/12/12)
9150.jpg
Click to expand...

Weird...I'm wearing that shirt right now!

I can see why you want to tear into the 560 first. I still think bringing that H back to factory would be a good start before you take on a 560. I agree, the 560 isn't much harder to work on than an M (mechanically) but there are a lot more things everywhere on a 560. Like hydraulic hoses, power steering, live hyds, etc, etc. To start with you can ditch the duct tape dust cover on the H starter. :lol:
 
Hi, Chris.

I'd recommend you read two or three of Roger Welsch's tractor books. (Check for them at a TSC store if you have them there.) They're entertaining, and I think they paint a fairly accurate picture of what you can expect.

Mark W. in MI
 
What part of Indiana are you in, I"m in Clark
County, and could lend a hand and help fill in the
blanks along the way.
 
I guess it depends on what you mean by "restore".
It also depends on your mechanical abilities.

To be honest, it raises an eyebrow when you say you haven't even changed oil in a car.

If you're born with the ability, it usually leads to you doing mechanical work your whole life. Not necessarily as a profession, but you tend to be the one people turn to for advice when something breaks.

Some people simply don't have it. There's more there than can simply be learned. You have to have it in you.

I'm in software development, and I know some ridiculously smart people who I wouldn't trust changing spark plugs.

It may be that you do have it in you, and your appreciation of old tractors would be a strong motivator to learn quickly as you go...

But, even with natural ability, there's a lot of learning that can only be done through ripping your knuckles apart over the course of many years. You have to build up a mental database of tips and tricks to make things work.

A tractor's going to have a lot of parts that don't come apart easily, or aren't obvious how they come apart. What makes that particularly problematic is that it also involves heavy parts that can cause some serious injury if you don't know what you're doing.

Not to mention obsolete parts that are hard to find when you destroy one.

AND it's one of those things that can be a real let down if you sink all the time and money into it, get it all together all shiny and nice, fire it up and throw a rod through the block because you did something foolish.

I'd HIGHLY recommend you go to a few local tractor shows first. Get to know a few local "tractor guys" and get friendly with some.

Let them know you're thinking of restoring one, have the cash to sink into it, and could use a little assistance and guidance.

For a lot of guys, the biggest hurdle to restoring tractors is the money. Getting to work on one with a guy who doesn't mind throwing a little more at it than normal can be a refreshing treat - (provided you're working too!)

The bottom line is that this is far from rocket science, but there's still no substitute for experience.

If your idea of a restoration goes any further than power washing and painting - you'll save alot of time, money, and headaches if you bring some experience into the project with you.
 
That is just what I was thinking too ! Roger Welsch hadn t ever changed oil in his car either before starting work on tractors. I enjoy his writing, and while it isn t technical info, it shows a novice can do it , and have fun at it ! If you were able to have the fortitude to become a doctor, you surely can restore a 560 ! Buy GOOD tools, and enjoy !
 
Chris, I really don't know where to start except to mention the Red Power Round-up is next week in Du Quoin, Illinois at the state fairgrounds. It is our (IHC and Farmall) annual national tractor show. Not knowing where you live in Indiana but if possible you could spend a day or two at the show and gather a ton of information just walking around and listening, talking to some of the vendors, etc. Hotel or motel rooms at this point are most likely non-existant but the show runs from July 19th (Thursday) through Saturday July 21st.
I would highly recommend starting with the H as more of them were made then any other Farmall so parts which are needed will not be a problem. A helping hand from someone would be a big plus to help you get started and whenever difficulties pop-up. A mechanical aptitude is certainly helpful to understand the workings and issues you will encounter. The folks on this forum come from all kinds of previous work experiences and some probably have never really spent any real farm time but are like yourself admire the beauty of these relics of the past in operation and want to become involved. We all would welcome your involvement in this wonderful activity which I have found very rewarding in my retirement years (I grew up on a farm as a youth as you did but had to work the dirt), Hal.
 
(quoted from post at 09:07:40 07/12/12) Chris, I really don't know where to start except to mention the Red Power Round-up is next week in Du Quoin, Illinois at the state fairgrounds. It is our (IHC and Farmall) annual national tractor show. Not knowing where you live in Indiana but if possible you could spend a day or two at the show and gather a ton of information just walking around and listening, talking to some of the vendors, etc. Hotel or motel rooms at this point are most likely non-existant but the show runs from July 19th (Thursday) through Saturday July 21st.
I would highly recommend starting with the H as more of them were made then any other Farmall so parts which are needed will not be a problem. A helping hand from someone would be a big plus to help you get started and whenever difficulties pop-up. A mechanical aptitude is certainly helpful to understand the workings and issues you will encounter. The folks on this forum come from all kinds of previous work experiences and some probably have never really spent any real farm time but are like yourself admire the beauty of these relics of the past in operation and want to become involved. We all would welcome your involvement in this wonderful activity which I have found very rewarding in my retirement years (I grew up on a farm as a youth as you did but had to work the dirt), Hal.
Click to expand...

He lives in Clarks Hill, IN according to his profile. Only 5 hours and 270 miles from him.
 
I would be happy to help you.... everyone's comments are 100% right.

What did I learn? depends what you want, right or wrong I wanted the best, period. It took a LOT of time and MORE $$$$ then I expected too.

You started at the right place here on this forum, get it mechanically perfect 1st before you go on. Paint and prep is the biggest wild card, where do you draw the line? Paint, clear coat, metal work, etc etc I know my paint/prep was well, expensive.

ask away, lots of guys here will help you!

Also attend more shows to see what "look" you like... it helped me

Dont rush it, take your time... we started last July and will be done 3-4 weeks.

Link below has over 200 photos on my project.
http://colby560.shutterfly.com
 
Sounds like somebody has got the fever...it happens!

Welcome to the board. I agree with sentiments of others, I'd start with the "H" if you can get it. Get your hands on, get the manuals for it and get to know it...real well. If you have the mechanical aptitude for it, and only you can be the judge of that, go for it. I wouldn't make the mistake of buying a running tractor and then start tearing into it. Tinker with it, enjoy it a while, run it and piddle around doing small odds and ends that can be done and still keep it running. A huge pile of heavy, non working parts get's old and you'll likely become discouraged.

When I got my ol' "M" I had it for almost two years before I tore into it. I used that time to do things like bearings, seals, brakes, electrical odds and ends and buy and install missing components.

Let us know how we can help! Good Luck!
 
Go for it. As a Doctor you've got the skill set just not the technical training, yet. This would be an on the job training project for you.

Research and be sure you understand the safety issues. You can hurt yourself badly and quickly if you don't know what your doing.
 
I couldn't live that close and know what was going on only 5 hours away and not be there. I certainly remember my first RPRU in 2005 and haven't missed one since. Attending the RPRU will turn into an epidemic as Chris already has been infected.
The H looks like a very nice starter project as it looks good already. Should be a very good restoration learner and most are brought back from far worse condition, Hal.
 
Sflem - That's actually my cousin in that photo. I don't have any IH or Farmall gear (yet). I have a kubota hat and a JD hat. They were really expensive, but when you buy them they give you a free BX25 and a free Ztrack mower. :lol: I know, I know... orange, green, maybe red soon... my shed will look like the Tractor United Nations.

JRSutton - Thanks for the honest concern, and believe me, I share it. I don't plan on getting stupid and crushing my hands or killing myself. I have no problem getting a "second opinion" and saving my soft, uncalloused, grease free hands.

The only thing I'm doing right now is reading and reading.
 
You should contact Tom Schulein in Iowa as he's a retired dental professor and get his opinion
on restoring that 560. He has a 22-36 McCormick Deering tractor he was trying to restore. He also bought another 22-36 for parts. I don't think it was ever finished. He said he has over 10 grand in the tractor. Send him an email at [email protected]
or call him at 319-351-6598. Hal
 
Just start out researching first. get manuals for the tractor, study them. I would purchase the book restoring farmall tractors, it can give insight to a newbie. I would also check this forum daily to see if there are any posts pretaining to your tractor and you will learn alot, quickly. If you know anyone who works on tractors pick their brain and maybe ask for their help. I second what colby64 said. fix it mechanically before worrying about paint. When you start tearing into things and you cant figure something out post your question on this forum and go slow and do not rush things. Remember an engine needs fuel, air, compression and spark (if its gas) to run.

I am 18 and have restored several implements, one tractor and am finishing a second. I started working on tractors about 3 years ago. Good luck!
 
Go for the 560. They are not hard, have a wiring system that has about a dozen wire, and a little more advanced hydraulic system then the H. If they are using the H for chores I don't think they would be willing to lose the tractor so you can work on it.


If you can learn the pulmonary system you can learn the hydraulic system.

Rick
 
I grew up up on a farm and ended up as a Research Agronomist for Kansas State University, so I have been around agriculture and farm machinery all my life. When I retired 10 years ago I took up tractor restoration as a hobby. I did a C and then a Super H. Then I started on an International 460 Hi Utility. That is an entirely different tractor (yes, I know the trans and diff are basically an H). Hydraulics, steering, engine are very different. The tractor is much more sophisticated. Many times as I was disassembling it I asked myself if I really wanted to take such and such off, but except for the transmission, which didn't need anything, I completely disassembled it. Engine, power steering, hydraulics, etc were rebuilt. I would recommend that unless you have a lot of help to start with a smaller tractor, then move up. I don't do halfway jobs and it took me 2 years to do the 460. I sure wouldn't start with one.
 
Do the 560. Nothing like listening to that smooth sounding 6
cylinder. Part of the fun will scrounging parts, learning new
skills, making new friends, and spending money on your
hobby.
 
When I read the title to your post I thought " I gotta tell him to see a doctor to cure his Farmall Fever" Then I read your post. Guess seeing a doctor wont help.

Good luck, Gene
 
Chris, statements like this worry me: "I grew up on a farm, but never really used the tractors. Now, I want to overhaul Dad's old tractor." Kinda like me saying: "I grew up in a Doctor's office, but never learned anything about the practice. Instead, I became a farmer. Now, I'm retired and, I want to open a Doctor's office and see patients." Both have the potential of being dangerous. I have seen too many people killed operating tractors and farm equipment because they were totally lacking the experience to do so. Two that I knew personally had absolutely no experience. For safety, I believe that in addition to experience some mechanical ability is just about a requirement. My suggestion is never to get it in your head that you are going to operate this tractor unless you agree to let me give you a tetanus shot and suture up your wounds. It's not a toy. I'm 100% in favor of your restoration plan, provided you hire someone else to do the work while you observe and learn. There's surely a local, retired farmer or mechanic that would love to make a little spending money. Be sure to pay him "Doctor wages". You can do all the manual reading, parts ordering, etc. When they start to split the machine, go off and play a game of golf. Just some advice from an Engineer to a Doctor. But, I was raised on tractors and powered farm equipment. During your restoration, for your many questions you will have, the guys on here REALLY know their tractors and will help you all they can.
 
I appreciate the concern, but that seems a little dramatic. I have a Kubota that I use to plant trees, PTO till, "putter around." I should have been more clear in my opening post - I have actually touched a tractor before.

It is true, I've never driven this Farmall H before, but like I said, my cousin and brother both farm and will show me the ropes with it. They will show me how to use it safely, just like I could show you how to safely administer a tetanus shot. I haven't been too mechanically inclined in my life, but no disrespect - it can't be THAT hard, can it?

On the positive side, you all were mentioning looking for a mentor. So I was at the Clinton County fair and noticed some beautiful Co-ops and ACs from a guy who lives in Clarks Hill. So I take out my local farm plot book and what do you know? He lives on the farm around the corner :) I think I'll give him a call!
 
go for it
it's a fun hobby, good stress relief

You already have an advantage, in your
obviously good reading comprehension skills.
(becoming a doctor and all)

Reading the manuals and better yet, the archives here
will describe any job you are attempting.
The archives are full of stories on the exact repair
you are doing at the time.
I work alone 99% of the time and the
archives are my 'invisible' assistant.
Keep reading til you understand HOW the assembly
you are working on works.
piece of cake then

remember, even for the most talented wrench in the
world.......there was a 'first' oil change

ps modern mechanix style gloves will protect your hands
I've been wrenching a long time and will admit to some
loss of delicate feeling in my fingertips. my fault, using fingers
when a wrench was needed.
With your profession, something to watch out for, and prevent
 
(quoted from post at 05:51:42 07/13/12) go for it
it's a fun hobby, good stress relief

You already have an advantage, in your
obviously good reading comprehension skills.
(becoming a doctor and all)
...
ps modern mechanix style gloves will protect your hands
I've been wrenching a long time and will admit to some
loss of delicate feeling in my fingertips. my fault, using fingers
when a wrench was needed.
With your profession, something to watch out for, and prevent
Click to expand...

Fine, I'll say it since nobody will. You do have one huge advantage in the tractor restoring hobby. Disposable income!!! To make one nice it takes big money.

You better wear gloves so you can get the grease off your hands also. Your patients aren't going to like black grease in all the cracks of your hands and wedged into your fingernails.
 
sflem849 comment is 100% right.

if your going all they way it will take much more $$$$ no question about it.

My tractor is an example of
"if it's worth re-doing, then it's worth OVER doing." as some said last week :)

But that was what I wanted in my project!

http://colby560.shutterfly.com

Read about it there.. that is just SOME of the stuff we did. Doesn't show all the other little things... Example is the PTO lever, it was loose like most are, has play side to side. So we sent it to machine shop and they added a bushing, so now it's perfect. We did a number of things like that... just adds to the overall quality of the project.
 
I'm currently knee-deep in my first "restoration". The biggest problem I've had is having enough garage space for a torn apart tractor, and still having enough room to work in. And an angry wife complaining about me taking up the whole garage with my project. The second biggest obstacle has been the small amount of time I can spend working on it. I think I would have been better off if I had just paid someone else to do it. But you say you've got the money, and if you have the time and space, and good help available, you'll probably be OK.
 
I would agree with WI Dave... it does take a LOT of time and huge amount of space.

Like many have said here it just depends on how you want it to look when it's done. There is a local guy here in central IL, that will do a VERY nice job for 2000-3000. BUT for example, my paint and labor to do a VERY high quality paint work/sheet metal prep was double that amount. And we did a LOT of prep before it when to them.

Hope it helps... this place here is AWESOME, I started here to :)

this is example of the quality... they look sharp. Believed they charged $2500 for this plus and replacement parts. They have been doing tractors for 20yrs... I hired them to do my sheet metal/fender paint/prep on my 560.

9168.jpg
 
Wow, beautiful.

I'm getting the picture - I do plan to start with the Farmall H if my uncle doesn't mind letting it go for a year or so. I don't think he will. It seems to be mechanically sound, but I'm going to get the farm hands to show me everything about it, run it for awhile, get it hot, and see what leaks and how it looks.

I'll try to get a youtube video of it running so you tractor doctors can listen to the heart and lungs and tell me if the patient is terminal or not.

Once mechanically perfect, I do want to make it shine. Colby, that 560... that is incredible. I want it to pop like that. Sounds like it will be pricey but if you're gonna do it, why not do it right? That's what grandpa used to say, and after all, it is HIS tractor.
 


Yes... as many of us know if you are doing "all in" on your rebuild it will show when your done but you kinda have to though the budget out.

I just did not want another 560... it's in memory of my dad, and goes without saying how much he meant to me.
 
Here's another tractor painted by the farmer in Ohio. He also makes repairs before starting the restoration. Hal
a76086.jpg

a76087.jpg

a76087.jpg

a76089.jpg
 

Chris,
My mechanical ability is limited.
Took me 17 mounths to complete my 560 gas.
Like others have said if you have the resources for help, when needed ,Its very gradifing.
I have the shop, Lucky to have a retired mechanic that works with me once a week and have a retired painter that does my work.
This is my lastest restorations .Finished 560 4/12 and #39 rollover plow yesterday.
My e-mail is opened if you would like additional discussion.
Best , Tony
a76092.jpg
 

Tony,

Can you post a photo from the back of your tractor, I'm considering moving out my fenders. Im set on wide rows and it might look little better...

thx
 
Your tractor is AWESOME!!!!

I had to rebuild the drawbar, what do you think? it's all pretty red now, have not yet had it on tractor.

9169.jpg
 
One reason I enjoy restoring tractors is compared to any newer equipment, they are very easy to work on. The trick is to realize when you are in over your head & seek professional help. Is has been my experience any fellow tractor collector is more than willing to help, since at one time or another we have all been there, staring at a rust bucket trying to figure out where to start. Your tractor looks to be in very good condition, compared to some.
Experience is the best teacher, do what you can and are comfortable with. If you aren't sure, or have no idea where to begin, it is money & time saved to ask someone with more experience. Service & owners manuals certainly help establish a basic knowledge of the tractor you are working on, but I am afraid jumping in & getting your feet "wet" is about the only way to learn.
There are inherant dangers when dealing with these beasts, they were designed & manufactured to last long after they were paid for, and heavy metal is the rule. A part or piece may look light enough to handle, but beleive me..THEY AREN"T.
A vast array of large wooden blocks, a heavy cherry picker, and a stout hydraulic floor jack would be meager beginings after a handy set of both hand & air tools. BUT if it was easy everyone would be doing it, if you want a tractor the caliber of Colby's excellent restoration seek professional mechanical & paint help.
I don't think you will have any problems with redoing the sheet metal, electrical, and minor repairs. If you mess it up seek experienced help. Like my Dad used to say "Some things in life are "better" learned the hard way."
I don't quite agree with the frustration that comes along with that, but one thing is for sure, you never forget something you learned in this fashion. It takes a lot of patience, some things you may have to tear apart three or four times to get it right, but be cautious, after you finish the first one, you will start looking for another project.
So look her over carefully, find a place to start & dig in.
 
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