(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Old tractor lament

T

tedregentin

Member
Twenty some years ago, when my brother in Michigan passed away, I had his 445 Moline shipped to Oregon. Fortunately, I haven't kept track of how much money I've spent on this tractor. Repair rear rims, tires, radiator, alternator, starter, rewire it, on and on. I added a loader that I got from my neighbor. I have also replaced the clutch twice. The first time that I replaced the clutch, one of the levers in the pressure plate broke shortly after installation. Now the clutch is not working again. I use the tractor very little. I used to own an automotive repair shop with an overhead hoist, so it was not a big deal to replace the clutch. Now at my house with a small shop, it is a lot of work to pull the whole loader assembly off and split the tractor to change the clutch. I ask myself, do I really want to do this? I mentioned to one of my sons that I might just put an ad on C-list and sell it as is. My son got all upset and said that it was a family heirloom and I couldn't sell it. he did not volunteer to help repair it. Just venting, thanks for listening.
 
Many families have encountered this conundrum. I think your best bet is to offer it for sale to the family first, with the understanding that it WILL be sold to someone sooner or later. I'm struggling with something similar regarding family photos and memorabilia that is approaching 100 years old.

This post was edited by timcasbolt on 08/19/2023 at 07:00 am.
 
I am the owner of three old Farmall M tractors. Right now they are all doing really well, I farm with them. When things go wrong I get really depressed and usually tell my wife I am going to sell three and buy a new utility tractor. She will encourage me to wait a few days and see how I feel and I always get better. Ask your son if he will help you from time to time work on the tractor to keep from selling it. It might be a good father/son project. I hope things work out for you. Ellis
 
And that he will be the person getting it. (then if he still hesitates helping he really does not want it (enough). Jim
 
Good read, thanks for the laugh, it hits home with so many of us. Every tractor I get my hands on seems to need separation at some time, one I hate to admit, I split 8 times.
 
I would get a quote or two of what local tractor repair shop need to haul the tractor in and fix the clutch. Then ask the son and the rest of the family if they will pitch in to pay for that repair in order to keep the tractor in the family. The responses might make it easier for you to decide what to do with the tractor.
 
Dont feel bad. I have had the engine rebuilt twice and transmission rebuilt. Did the clutch while we were in there the first time.

Vito
 
I know this is more about the reaction of your son, but in what way is the clutch not working? If it is not releasing and it has sat a long time the lined plate may just be rusted or stuck to the pressure plate or flywheel surface.
 
Ever notice how older houses were tiny even though large families were raised in them? In this culture we seem to cherish stuff more than relationships. I have family members that would not visit our elders when they were alive, only to hoard their possessions once the elder had passed. Now all that stuff is piled in their basement to be dealt with by a younger generation.

I snagged a few of my grandfathers tools. Not because I needed a reminder of him, but they were useful to me. Im sure he would be pleased that the tools are still in use, and not just piled in a basement corner.

If your family doesnt want to step up and help/fund the repair it might be best to let it go.
 
I'm thinking you have two strikes against you already.
First is that you saved your brother's tractor, hauled it across the country and then spent a bunch of money on it.
For what?
For sentimentalism.
Second strike is you are expecting your son to have the same attachment to it as you do.
Why?
For sentimentalism.
If the tractor doesn't serve your needs and is going to cause hard feelings between the two of it sell it and be done with it.
Why carry this millstone around your neck and expect your son to carry one too.
Sentimentalism is for the birds.
 
(quoted from post at 06:56:03 08/19/23) I am the owner of three old Farmall M tractors. Right now they are all doing really well, I farm with them. When things go wrong I get really depressed and usually tell my wife I am going to sell three and buy a new utility tractor. She will encourage me to wait a few days and see how I feel and I always get better. Ask your son if he will help you from time to time work on the tractor to keep from selling it. It might be a good father/son project. I hope things work out for you. Ellis
Click to expand...

Occasionally I have the same thoughts, but then I remember that a NEW utility tractor would be loaded with electronics that I do NOT understand.

I have no issues with understanding a Farmall H or M.
 
If you use the tractor then it has been worth it. I have been preached to about the folly of owning a 45 hp utility tractor with loader for years...it'll never pay for itself, blah, blah, blah....after every hurricane for the last 25 years it has shouldered the burden of cleanup, how much would that of cost? It cuts around 10 acres 2-3 times in the growing season-how much would that have cost? Working on vehicles and equipment can be a pain, if parts and shop availability are a problem yeah maybe time to give it up. But if you own property, and have to maintain it you need to consider the down side of not owning the means to do the work. As to sentimentalism...well maybe nobody wants to get into the ugliness of hearing that tractors mine not yours...and the family knows that once that equipment leaves the family they will never be able to acquire their own. Seen that a lot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Deutz Allis 7085 Service Manual
Replies
4
Views
207
DRussell
D
S
695 case tractor clutch problem
Replies
6
Views
566
Texasmark
T
G
John deere 4020 LP shifting issues.
Replies
1
Views
154
tomstractorsandtoys
tomstractorsandtoys
Ellis Kinney
Truck clutch
Replies
7
Views
551
mechanicfred
M
T
Advise splitting a tractor
Replies
6
Views
416
wp6529
W
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top