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Tractor Restoration

P

Perry Ausbrooks

New User
Just bought a tractor in southern WI and I am
looking at getting it repainted. I need it done
before March. There is hardly any sheet metal work
that needs done and no mechanical problems. Just
basic seals, gaskets, muffler, steering wheel and
other misc. parts. Please email pictures of past
restoration and I will give you the details.
 
To clarify what we do on this forum (not a flame, just info) 90% of us are either farmers or tractor friendly folk that work on our own tractors. We do restore tractors and equipment but not as a "job". There are exceptions to this, but rare. Generally restorations require intense stripping to the castings and complete disassembly with replacement of and inspection of every item. This brings the unit back to factory fresh condition (or in many cases better regarding paint because the old easily faded paint, sprayed on after assembly, methods are not used). My observations are my own, but there is no money to be made on 98% of the tractors made. The 2 % that are so rare or unique are never used but put into collections and taken to shows.
We can probably assist your quest if you let us know exactly what you have to work with, where you are located, and what your expectations are.
We probably know people that are professional paint applicators to recommend. They will not be cheap. I am not trying to discourage you, just let you know that we need much more information before we can give you much assistance. Jim
 
"Just basic seals, gaskets, muffler, steering wheel and other misc. parts." This amounts to nearly a complete teardown and rebuild. The last tractor that I did a minor tune up and paint job like that, a 1947 JD B w/o electric start, cost the customer $6,000. Of course the tractor looked and ran like a new machine, but it is time consuming. You can paint a tractor with a brush and a gallon of paint for under $100. A good job will cost $2,000 and up. A complete redo to new condition will be $6,000 at least. Of course in 50 years it well still be runable and look good. Who knows about the hand job.

I would love to do another tractor, but I am two and a half tractors and a plow behind now. (The plow will cost $3,000 to become "new".)

Good Luck on your renew project. Dr Ed
 
There's a guy that does the paint/body work in my area(central Michigan). He us normally backed up 5-6 months. Just giving you an idea on time. I think he had my Cockshutt for 2 weeks on top of that, and that's 2-3 guys working on it only doing cosmetic stuff and minimal cleaning on it.
 
Sorry, I don't have any close ties to restorers, and no further suggestions. Explain what you have in the post and others may chime in with local sources. Jim
 
You don't say what kind or size tractor you have, makes a lot of difference. Unless you have a rare tractor or one with a lot of sentimental value it's hard to justify the cost.You will probably end up with at least two times as much in it as you can ever hope to get out of it. Good primer and paint to paint a tractor will now run you $600.00 bare min. I just did this one for a customer(sentimental-Dad bought it new)Bill was $5500.00. Took 5 months,in my spare time.
a142297.jpg
 
$6000 in a field Harley? $3000 to redo a plow? Let me guess, every bolt taken out, blah blah? He looking at a new set of rings bearings and gaskets to make the thing run good, a little paint to make it look good. Back in the real world try not to discourage the guy.
 
Real world? The guy wants the tractor done in 5 weeks. A restoration you can be proud of will cost you at least $6000 in labor plus parts and paint. If you are going to do a proper job, it needs to be leak free. That means axle seals, engine seals, brake seals, PTO seal, all new gaskets, etc.
 
I would be ashamed to say I've got six grand in my tractor not
proud. People would walk away from me calling me a fool. I
guess I'm glad I work mine not show them. For that kind of
money I could buy a few more. Neighbor had his cab painted
and he spent almost a grand. A lot of jokes at his expense
after that.
 
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