Looking at a TO-35 tomorrow

[Inno]

So the serial number tells me it's a 1959 TO35 Deluxe (2 stage clutch), standard/utility chassis with gas engine. It has a Davis 101 loader as well.
My father in law had a look at it for me and says it looks to be in very good shape, good tires, all operational (3pt and loader hydraulics), no major leaks and pretty clean. The only thing is that it apparently doesn't run too well but the owner doesn't seem to know a whole lot about it. He tells me he tinkered with the distributor and it ran much better for a short amount of time. I don't think it's going to need much.
I will remove the loader and use it on my 202 as the one I have is pretty beat up. Then I will use it just for 3pt work. Better that way as it does not have power steering.
I'm going to take the drive and look at it tomorrow evening. Not going to reveal the price or location just in case..........
Aside from the obvious things, fluids,3pt, clutch, brakes, steering, tires, leaks etc. what else should I be looking for? I have owned a 202 for 3-4 years now so I'm pretty familiar with this style of tractor.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

I don't think you have to worry about a forum lurker scooping it up before you... you are so far back in the wopwops no one would ever find it...but divulging information brings out the Murphy's Law affect. As for the price...cripes! you are in Canada! so all bets are off...
awhile ago someone... Sam? John? David? posted dozens of pics of fergies of all sorts of models and colors... with a 'u'. I have a feeling they all left the factory a shade of grey - and combo of the day, but as a yellow loader went on, so went the rest of the machine. I wouldn't worry about paint, but that skip, altho as I follow your repair projects, there is nothing on that engine you can't tackle and beat. Loaders on these things are such a pain, to work around? behind? it probably never had a proper tune up.
Have a good trip, good luck!
 

[2tractors]

I bet it's popping and skipping from trashy gas. The fe I bought had the main jet 5 turns out along with the air. Good luck
 

[Inno]

Thanks guys. Well the guy has had it on Kijiji since July and seemed VERY happy to have some interest in it so I'm sure there aren't any lurkers that would jump on it if they haven't already found it.
He was asking $2250 in his ad and has already come down from that without me asking (I'd hate to jinx the whole thing and I know how Murphy comes around and bites one in the behind) so I'm thinking I might be able to get it for $1500 or so.......Most others I have looked at without even a loader are asking at least $2000.
As for working on it, the loader will be coming off first to donate parts for my 202. I'm used to working around the loader on mine so everything after that should be dead simple.
Well I'll keep y'all posted and try to get some good pictures if I get there soon enough before dark. The work day is probably gonna go by sllloooowwwwlyyyy today.
 

[2tractors]

Inno, shouldn't take me but a day or 2 to get there with the trailer and Tony said he's willing to put me up on the way up and back and I'm gonna bring him some Jawja melons for his troubles!! Don't procrastinate!!
 

[Tony in Mass.]

You ain't stayin' here 2- neither am I! We are both going to help Inno.... with my campervan... you get to sleeep above the cab. It's the kinda thing.. I can up there... but I can't get back down... and yeah... it's a Ford....
 

[Inno]

Hehehe, thanks guys. Well I locked it down, it's mine......just have to find $1700 now.
The tractor itself is all in decent shape. Right axle seal is leaking, a bit of leaking around PTO shaft and some leaking around the PTO selector and the left side of the engine is pretty grimy. The loader is so so. The bucket looks almost home made and is pretty light duty. Hydraulics show no leaks and all seem to work ok. The 3pt lifts as it should, couldn't try the draft control without an implement on there but I've got a tractor full of new parts to throw at it if necessary. We were able to get the engine running but it would only stay running at idle and only with the choke on fully, no big surprise there! It sounds GREAT!! Can't wait to get it home and get it the fuel it deserves and really see what it can do. The hour meter shows around 3500 hours but of course it's no longer operational so the only thing for sure is that it broke after 3500 hours of use (real helpful).
Now.......how 'bout some pictures?
 

[2tractors]

We'll never make it.
 

[Inno]

Well if you left now........I won't be picking it up for a week or so. You guys can help me get it on the trailer. Probably going to bring the carb off my 202 and order a new sediment bowl just to get it running enough to get it on the trailer.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

Hummm. Except for the ridges pressed in the arms, the loader looks just like the one on my 30. Tires look fine. 3 hours away? Why is everything in Canada measured in hours???
I tripped across an ol 35 orange and grey, with what was left of a 'see the 1964 New York World's Fair' sticker... I presume the highway dept stuck that on there for the long haul- it was one of the last batch before 135's came out too. Like my big blue 2165 was probably the last gasoline highway mowers for New York state. Atleast these things had a maintanance routine, and not so energetic operators, not like a farmer's kid playing hot rod all day. I'd say you did very well! Good thing it wasn't all for nothing... that must have been a really long day for you...
 

[Inno]

Yes it was a pretty long day.........not to mention also my anniversary........my wife is very understanding!
The loader looks like the 102 on my 202 but it seems to me a bit lighter material. I will have to look into this a bit more. The brackets aren't there for the backhoe either and of course the mounts up front are different because it's on a 35 not a 202.
Just ordered a new sediment bowl and carb kit so that should be here before I pick it up. I want this thing going on the trailer with some dignity.

Oh, and we measure things in hours because it doesn't seem to matter how far it is, it always takes longer to get a certain distance around here. From the gas station I filled up at to my doorstep was just over 200km which should (if I drive 100km/h) take two hours. But it generally takes 2.25 to 2.5 hours to complete the trip.