I'm looking at a couple of those ragged-out deep south tractors now and trying to decide which, if either, I want.
Both are 600s. One is a '57 red Workmaster that probably was not used a lot in its lifetime, but neither was it taken care of. It spent most of its life outside in the Louisiana weather, but rust is confined to the fenders. Hood tin is fair to good, minor dings. Looks like it had a brush paint job in the past. Runs well, no obvious leaks. Lift seems ok, pto runs quiet. Motor has probably never been opened. Has a governor problem present owner (a buyer/reseller) says he'll fix. Rear tires are shot, fronts are fair.
The other is a a grey 600, 4-speed, Pto, present owner (also a buyer/reseller) has covered up with paint for cosmetic purposes. Engine sounds very good; he says it has 140 compression. It appears that a some point a rod came through the left rear corner of the engine just above the oil pan. It has been heavily brazed in that area, but it appears to have sealed the side. I found no waterjacket leaks in either tractor. This 600 (which has a 620 serial prefix, erroneously indicating it has no pto or 3-point, per John Smith), has pretty good hood tin, one 600 fender and one 8N fender. Rubber is very good all around. Lift leaks down within 15 seconds of killing engine.
Both come with comparable rotary cutters (that I don't need.)
I'm thinking that either one will suit my purposes, which means it will be used around my place to clip grass, haul firewood, lift heavy stuff, etc. Prices are about the same (probably a bit on the high side with the 600 being the higher of the two--$3200. I would like to hear opinions and impressions of both these tractors, particularly if there are any differences between the 600 and the Workmaster that make one a better choice than the other. I'm probably going to get one of these machines within the next few days. I'm leaning toward the 600, mainly because of the rubber.
Both are 600s. One is a '57 red Workmaster that probably was not used a lot in its lifetime, but neither was it taken care of. It spent most of its life outside in the Louisiana weather, but rust is confined to the fenders. Hood tin is fair to good, minor dings. Looks like it had a brush paint job in the past. Runs well, no obvious leaks. Lift seems ok, pto runs quiet. Motor has probably never been opened. Has a governor problem present owner (a buyer/reseller) says he'll fix. Rear tires are shot, fronts are fair.
The other is a a grey 600, 4-speed, Pto, present owner (also a buyer/reseller) has covered up with paint for cosmetic purposes. Engine sounds very good; he says it has 140 compression. It appears that a some point a rod came through the left rear corner of the engine just above the oil pan. It has been heavily brazed in that area, but it appears to have sealed the side. I found no waterjacket leaks in either tractor. This 600 (which has a 620 serial prefix, erroneously indicating it has no pto or 3-point, per John Smith), has pretty good hood tin, one 600 fender and one 8N fender. Rubber is very good all around. Lift leaks down within 15 seconds of killing engine.
Both come with comparable rotary cutters (that I don't need.)
I'm thinking that either one will suit my purposes, which means it will be used around my place to clip grass, haul firewood, lift heavy stuff, etc. Prices are about the same (probably a bit on the high side with the 600 being the higher of the two--$3200. I would like to hear opinions and impressions of both these tractors, particularly if there are any differences between the 600 and the Workmaster that make one a better choice than the other. I'm probably going to get one of these machines within the next few days. I'm leaning toward the 600, mainly because of the rubber.