For those more wise than me.....

[Joshua Rod]

I spend what little spare time I have on here and other places looking at tractor ads (bbalert, cl, etc), just a habit I guess. Why is it that a lot of ads say 'new motor' or less than xxx hours on engine overhaul? Isn't the point of rebuilding it to use it again? Maybe it was done badly or they didn't get rid of the issues they had?

I look at that and think they just threw a lot of money at it and now give up but they won't say that in the ads.....

What are your opinions out there?
 

[CNKS]

They overhaul them with the idea of getting more money for them. For a gas tractor if they do the labor themselves, and include the machine work done by a machine shop, you can completely rebuild a gas engine for about $1000. I "restore" old letter and early hundred series tractors, and I only have about 4 acres -- no place to use them. I also have not sold any as yet. But for ads such as you quoted, it is still buyer beware.
 

[Janicholson]

Tractor engines, (with a few exceptions) are literally able to be made new. All wear parts can be replaced with ease and though not strictly a factory new engine, for all practical sense of the words, it can be done. The definition of New is defined by the seller. Some are very fresh, some have paint. Sellers as always present their pride and joy (that they are only willing to part with due to serious situational rationale) with a touch of extended positivism. Jim
 

[Brownie 450]

A former landlord used to "restore" letter series J.D. tractors. His idea of "restore" meant painting them after cleaning & fixing any oil leaks. He never even changed the 90 wt. gear oil in the transmission.
He sold them as fully restored, & some of them even went as far as Holland---to be used in everyday farming on small plots such as they have over there.
So, restored is a word that has many definitions.
 

[willie in mn]

For some people, it is a winter hobby to rebuild/replace a motor. The challenge of taking something with major problems & getting it running like new is priceless.
I bought such a tractor at auction a few years ago, an Allis CA. Several trustworthy people who knew the seller verified that it had approx 1 hour engine time on it. Hand clutch & hyd valve were stuck, no big deal. I also removed & painted all the tinwork. Has been a good investment for me. Every winter the seller takes a fencerow derelict & rebuilds motor, sells it & does another next winter.
Willie
 

[MoMac]

Fixing minor faults,oil leaks and a paint job is more like a " refresh " rather than a restoration. To restore is more like bringing the mechanical and cosmetics back to factory specs or better. I just enjoy bringing them back to life after they have been neglected. I like the better than factory finishes and realize the effort but I really like seeing them in their work clothes earning a living.
Overhaul is for worn out to the point of not being economical or safe to use.
 

[tntleake]

I just bought 2-D236 diesel engines for a couple tractor projects. One of the engines has a 3300.00 dollar rebuild in it with 40 hours on it. Both 460 tractors came from the same farmer and the guy I bought the engines from pulled the stock engines in order to install gas engines for pulling tractors. I got 450.00 in both engines. Can I tell someone the engine was refreshed, no, can I tell them the has been rebuilt, yes. It is evident by looking, hearing it start and seeing it run, that recent work has been completed on it