Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Getting my feet wet...

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Josh Lafond

06-12-2006 15:08:25




Report to Moderator

Hi,
I've been to a lot of antique tractor pulls, and I can't hold it back anymore. I've seen some tractors for sale here and there, but never investigated. Well, I want to now. I'd like to buy my first tractor to restore for showing and pulling.

Engines and such don't bother me, what I'm more concerned with is buying the right tractor. What should I be looking for in a first time test it out see what happens easiest to find kind of tractor? I'm just looking to relax and have some fun, not spend 9 years looking for that one obscure expensive part that no one has.

Any ideas?

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
davpal

06-15-2006 00:47:38




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
Get yourself a Ford 9n. They can pull very competively and they are easy to haul, and can brushog, finish mow, scrape the drive, use with a dirt scoop, disk, plow gardens, you name it, and they are very easy to get on and off. Probably one of the most overall usefull antique tractors you can buy. Many parts available too. Resale value is great. Good luck.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
big jt

06-13-2006 08:02:01




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
I would tend to agree with the suggestions of AC WC,WD,WD45 and the IH M or H.

Actually there are a couple of questions first. How are you going to haul this rig to shows? If you are using a 1/2 ton pickup with a car trailer you better stick with the H or maybe the WC. Everything else is to heavy. If you have a 3/4 ton or heavier that opens things up.

Question 2 What area of the country are you in? What I have seen in AZ the pulls aren't super competitive just a bunch of guys and gals having some fun. I think it is similiar in the FLA area also. I am in the Midwest and there are a lot of guys that will spend $20,000 to win a $5 trophy.

I should qualify my statement by saying I am not a puller but have friends that are.

Just remember to have fun no matter where you place.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Josh Lafond

06-13-2006 12:51:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to big jt, 06-13-2006 08:02:01  
I don't think I'd be able to get a big honkin' tractor, prolly going to have to stay small. I'd be using an 05 Tacoma to haul it, so I can't haul much... Unless I drive it to the haul, muhahaha...

I'm in the Northeast, Massachusetts to be exact. It's pretty relaxed here, just people having fun, or at least that's how it is at the pulls I go to.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
big jt

06-13-2006 22:25:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-13-2006 12:51:30  
I agree with Jonfarmer. You could possibly sneak away with a Farmall H but no bigger. Other possibilities would be Allis B, C, or CA; JD H another would be a N series ford.

have fun

jt



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jonfarmer

06-13-2006 15:25:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-13-2006 12:51:30  
Ok, your truck really limits you down to a Farmall C or smaller.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
NcNE

06-12-2006 21:33:03




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
I agree with the others about the farmalls making great starter tractors. Allis Chalmers WC, WD, WD-45's are also good choices. Farmalls will probably have the best parts/accessories availability. Another tractor you might consider would be a Minneapolis-Moline. They are a really simple tractor and are really strong pullers. A good z,u,or a g would make a great starter tractor. There is the issue of parts availability but many of the MM parts are interchangable. Many of their power units will bolt in with little or no modification. They are also really easy to "soup up" as well. Whatever make of tractor you get make sure it has good rims and tires because it would more than likely cost twice or three times the price of the tractor to put new or decent rubber on it. Pulling also will put added stress on tires. Good luck and best wishes.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DigDugNC

06-12-2006 21:09:57




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
Josh, I just started pulling antique tractors myself. I bought a 47 Farmall M, from a farmer that had a homemade 3pt on it. I took off the 3pt and put the original drawbar back on, and using a borrowed welder and some scrap iron I built some wheelie bars that meet the specs of a local tractor club. And now I'm pulling!! I think it is more fun to just get a plain ole stock tractor and just do want modifications you have too, to make it legal for your area's clubs(e.g. wheelie bars, and kill switches) and then hook it to the original draw bar and GO!!!!!
You will find out real quick what that ole tractor has once you put the weight behind it. But once you've done that then you are "Hooked" and now you have a better idea of what type building(motor, tires, hitch set up, etc..) you want to do to the tractor and the type of classes you want to run in.
As for the size of tractor you get remember you will probably be adding extra weights to advance in heavier classes and you have to haul all that weight plus the tractor with you to the pull so don't start out with a tractor that will exceed you truck and trailer's hauling capacity unless you are planning to upgrade or have someone to haul it for you.
P.S. Just my $.02 but I would suggest a Farmall C,SC,H,SH,M,SM,or 300 to 450 series to start with depending on how heavy you want to pull.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
johndeerejon

06-12-2006 19:15:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
Josh, my advise to you is to find something simple to work on. Pulling tractors can cost you some bucks! If your just going to show and play a little here and there, you would be fine with just about any brand. The biggest thing is to find the right tractor for you!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dave Sherburne NY

06-12-2006 18:44:58




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
My CO-OP E#/Cockshutt 30 has placed in the top
3 everytime it pulls.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jonfarmer

06-12-2006 18:41:25




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
Anything with a 6 cylinder engine does the best right out of the box because they have excellent lugging ability and will hang in there that extra distance. Oilver 70, 77, 770, 88, 880, some of the Cockshutts had 6 cylinders as well, like a 570 turbo, now thats a puller!. Farmall H's and M's do good as well. I doubt you want a small one like a C or smaller like someone mentioned, those don't have much power or make much noise and thats part of the excitment for me. The Allis Chalmers WD and WD45 make excellent pullers too. The 2cyl JD make poor pullers in my opinion, they don't have much lugging ability like the others and depend on that big flywheel to keep going, but usually a good 4cyl Farmall of the same size (Farmall M V.S JD A or Farmall H V.S JD B)will beat it unless alot of money is spent modifying the Deere. The right tractor for you is what ever it is that you like, you say that you have been to the pulls and watched, so you must have an idea of a certain model tractor you would like. Now even if you follow my suggestions and buy yourself a good puller, you more than likely will not win the first pull you go to, since pulling is actually a bit of a science as well, you need to find where to put your weights for the best effects, finding the right gear, play around with the tire pressure, different width and tread tires, get your hitch within the rules and the most beneficial to the tractor, alittle luck sure helps too as you need to find some good traction to the track to effectivly get your horsepower to the ground. The key is to have fun, the prizes are not much and it's usually a $5 plastic trophy or a ribbon, or a t-shirt, and about $20 cash for first place, so buy what you like because it is not so much about winning.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

06-12-2006 17:45:07




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
Good old farmall H or M and or an Oliver 77 or 88 any of them make good pullers. Shoot I have a farmall H and an Oliver for sale at this time. Both need some work but either would make good tractors with a little TLC. E-mail is open



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Don L C

06-12-2006 17:25:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
It is easy to see....your looking for a good FARMALL M or SUPER M .,..... .take your time , don't buy a piece of junk....expect to spend $2500 or $3000 ..... you buy junk and you will wind up with more money than this in it and a lot of work..... .Don



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mike in Ind.

06-12-2006 15:22:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
I would have to say the easist and most popular way to go would be a an H or M model farmall. You can pick up a good runner to start with for a good price, make it legal, Wheele bars and such, and start pulling after that. You can upgrade stuff as time and money allow. Although I like all pulling tractors I think the two cylinder john deeres are the best. I think they also get the most attention at pulls around here. Mike.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
HAS

06-12-2006 15:12:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: Getting my feet wet... in reply to Josh Lafond, 06-12-2006 15:08:25  
I'd recommend something small - Maybe a Farmall letter series C or smaller. Or maybe a Deere Model, A, B, L, or M, something like that. All of these are fairly easy to find parts for and are easy to work on.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


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. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 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