Topic: vintage tractor

[dhall57]

 !
This is what came out when I removed the drain plug.

[BenelliSEI]

Is that coolant or water on top of oil? Good news is it didn’t leak out through any cracks or splits!

[Alan F.]

Is that coolant or water on top of oil? Good news is it didn’t leak out through any cracks or splits!

That's a good point there.

[SanDogDewey]

Nice tractor! I had a ‘47 John Deere M a few years back and a ‘41 John Deere B. Does this one run? I flushed everything on mine with kerosene. Crankcase, transmission and gearbox. Gets all the crud out and then you can start with fresh fluids. My rear rims had been filled with fluid and completely rusted through. I cut the outer rims off and welded new centers on them. I had a sickle bar mower with mine that did well mowing the weeds out of the ditches along our road.

[dhall57]

Just oil and water the best I can tell. More water than oil. This tractor set out in the elements for years and a lot of those years the exhaust stack wasn't cover. When first took out the drain plug the for the first 5 seconds or so it was nothing but clear water and than thick, gummy oil started coming out. as you can see nearly filling up a 5 gal bucket. I've took out many of spark plugs in my life time but this old JD is giving me some trouble. Socket size is 13/16 but the way the 2 plugs are recessed in the head their is no clearance for the socket to slide down over the plugs far enough to get a good grip. Ive got a thin wall socket and even did some grinding to make it thinner. Any suggestions?

[dhall57]

No SanDog it doesn't. That's great you've got knowledge on these old tractors. Hope you don't mind me asking questions now and then

[SanDogDewey]

Don’t recall the spark plugs being difficult to remove. Everything on tractors is big and clunky. Most things can be removed in the field with a pair of pliers or crescent wrench…back in the day lol. Of course, 70 year old tractors are rusty. I used Kroil and heat on the tough stuff. I replaced the exhaust manifold on mine and the bolts took a week of soaking and heating to get them out. Yesterday’s Tractors is a great source of information. Those guys can figure just about anything out.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/boards.cgi

You can still get all new blades and guards for that sickle mower. Does the motor turn over? If so, I’ll bet she fires right up with a new set of plugs and battery. Might have to clean the points up a bit.

[Bailgang]

Here's a 1920 sumtin Farmall F20 that a brother of mine picked up last summer. Our grandfather had one just like it when we were all kids and it's the tractor that we remember the most. My brother got it for "yard art" while giving a nod to memories of our grandfather as well. The engine is locked up tight and my brother has no plans to get it running but I've been bugging him to get it running anyhow. Money pit it may be to get it running but I'd try if it was mine because old tractor are cool plus it would bring back so many memories.

[SanDogDewey]

Here's a 1920 sumtin Farmall F20 that a brother of mine picked up last summer. Our grandfather had one just like it when we were all kids and it's the tractor that we remember the most. My brother got it for "yard art" while giving a nod to memories of our grandfather as well. The engine is locked up tight and my brother has no plans to get it running but I've been bugging him to get it running anyhow. Money pit it may be to get it running but I'd try if it was mine because old tractor are cool plus it would bring back so many memories.

They’re simple, easy and fun to get up and running. The tires are expensive though…

[Kelly E]

Here's a 1920 sumtin Farmall F20 that a brother of mine picked up last summer. Our grandfather had one just like it when we were all kids and it's the tractor that we remember the most. My brother got it for "yard art" while giving a nod to memories of our grandfather as well. The engine is locked up tight and my brother has no plans to get it running but I've been bugging him to get it running anyhow. Money pit it may be to get it running but I'd try if it was mine because old tractor are cool plus it would bring back so many memories.

They’re simple, easy and fun to get up and running. The tires are expensive though…

Yes they are. I spent $1000 for all new tires on my 76' Yanmar YM1300D and it's a small tractor.

[BenelliSEI]

Here's a 1920 sumtin Farmall F20 that a brother of mine picked up last summer. Our grandfather had one just like it when we were all kids and it's the tractor that we remember the most. My brother got it for "yard art" while giving a nod to memories of our grandfather as well. The engine is locked up tight and my brother has no plans to get it running but I've been bugging him to get it running anyhow. Money pit it may be to get it running but I'd try if it was mine because old tractor are cool plus it would bring back so many memories.

They’re simple, easy and fun to get up and running. The tires are expensive though…

Yes they are. I spent $1000 for all new tires on my 76' Yanmar YM1300D and it's a small tractor.

Just did the rears on the M135. Loaded, they were even more! This tread is offered between turf and real “lug” tires. They gave excellent traction in snow, but do little damage to the lawns. Very happy with them!

[Kelly E]

Here's a 1920 sumtin Farmall F20 that a brother of mine picked up last summer. Our grandfather had one just like it when we were all kids and it's the tractor that we remember the most. My brother got it for "yard art" while giving a nod to memories of our grandfather as well. The engine is locked up tight and my brother has no plans to get it running but I've been bugging him to get it running anyhow. Money pit it may be to get it running but I'd try if it was mine because old tractor are cool plus it would bring back so many memories.

They’re simple, easy and fun to get up and running. The tires are expensive though…

Yes they are. I spent $1000 for all new tires on my 76' Yanmar YM1300D and it's a small tractor.

Just did the rears on the M135. Loaded, they were even more! This tread is offered between turf and real “lug” tires. They gave excellent traction in snow, but do little damage to the lawns. Very happy with them!

Those tires look good. My tractor is small and needs all the advantage it can get. Sometimes when I am dragging logs up the hill to the shop I have to have my big buddy Bill sit in the the loader bucket to keep the front wheels on the ground and pulling.