I like to read all the comments about this tractor, it does bring out emotions that's for sure.
Interesting to read all the comments, as I have already been approached from several mag to write article about it. With help of forums like this, it makes the process of repairing/rebuilding a old tractor lots easier. I would HIGHLY suggest anyone to use this when rebuilding projects like this.
The whole "trailer queen" or "never will be used again" comment thing does also create emotions no question about it. Guess the way I look at is simple, this tractor is retired and rather than let it sit back it in the corner somewhere I decided to create something special that can be shared.
Also like to mention this tractor will now be preserved for a LONG time
No question that some people will not like or approved of this project and honestly friends that is fine with me.
Basically this tractor was going to be a normal restoration, and we just decided to rebuild it with 2012 technology.
To see the tractor in person it's amazing....
Tomorrow we are going to do some airbrushing and few other things that aren't completed. Cant wait to get some high quality photos.
Best part was last night I sent few photos to close friends of my dad's... you could hear the excitement in there voice this morning. Some of your might not know the whole story:
It start with our family's 560 is one we purchased 1984 (I believe), we got rid of a none 2pt 560 and upgraded to this one. It's always been VERY well maintained, kept inside, etc. Had under 1000hr when we brought it.
Tractor wasn't kept inside before we bought it, so in 85' we repainted it. I do remember taking this tractor to shop class in high school & do few little things on it that were needed (added tach that is still in it today). Check out the rear of the tractor, notice the two lights? Our neighbor had 460 that had light on the rear he never used and Larry gave me the housing, so I added it to mine. cool I know, our had 2 LIGHTS!!... ha ha
Personally I have done about everything you can do on the farm on this tractor.... planted corn (for several years we had one 20 acre field we couldn't get to with the big iron), grinded feed, hauled manure, disked (helped a small farmer in high school who had a disk I could use), LOTS of mowing/raking of hay..... and it's major job when our farming operation was in full swing, we had big auger always hooked to it. We even had a front hitch so we could pull it with pickups.
Fast forward to present
In June of 2010 my dad and I attended Heritage Tractor Drive in Hennepin IL.... after we decided it was time to seriously re-do our 560. Dad had retired from farming, but was still helping every spring & fall with the guys who farmed his former land. He thought he might like going to some tractor drives. Sad part is in July 2010 he passed away unexpected from a heart attack.
So in July 4th 2011 I started my 560 project... it began as just simple restoration. BUT oh my did that change. We attended the Half Century of Progress Farm Show in Rantoul IL last summer and then we decided we were going to make this tractor special!
The original goal was to have it our wedding, Sept of 2011 but once we started on this project we knew is was going to take longer because of the level of quality we wanted. It's important to know EVERYTHING worked on this tractor to start with. But we did LOTS to make sure it was perfect... generator, starter, radiator, water pump, engine, all wires, hoses, carb, etc etc
Next friday night we are having a baby shower (couples) and all my friends & family will be over. Nice to know the ol' 560 will be parked there too.
Cant thank my friends and wife for the support on this!
Chad Colby
Bloomington IL
