Barn Fire

[Drake Pa]

Hi all. This past weekend my barn burnt down and in it was my brother and I"s 1955 TO-35 that had been my grandfathers. My question is how far gone can a tractor be till its unrestorable? Has anyone ever fixed up a tractor that had been in a fire?
Thanks,
Drake

 

[Jeff Z.]

If the metal didn't warp or melt it probably can be rebuilt.
I think you might get another tractor cheaper than a rebuild job of a burnt tractor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I hope that you and your brother can see past this and bring back your grandpa's tractor. It would mean more to you than getting another.

 

[Drake Pa]

Thats what I was thinking. I would never think of doing this but, the tractor has a lot of sentilmental value to my whole family. The heat was bad enough to cause the front axle to melt somewhat. I pulled the dipstick on the tractor and saw no oil on it. The transmission gears did not look that bad though. In general the front seems to be worse off than the rear of the tractor. I was just wondering if there is anything to look for.

Thanks,
Drake

 

[Savinsam]

I've seen rebuilds from fires. It's amazing what heat will do to so many parts that you'd never think of. With the damage you've mentioned, you've got a big uphill battle ahead of you. How about another tractor like it that needs parts that can be used from the burnt one? I'm not saying you can't do it, but be prepared!

 

[trac]

I'm real sorry to hear that to me it is like losing your best friend .I hope the insurance from the barn will help?

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Usually barn fires aren't as bad as they could be on metal- heat goes uphill. Sheet metal and rubber pieces are probably the worst off, the castings, and alot of they rest you don't think of might have got thru OK to clean up and ... here's the bad part... take it down to the last nut and bolt and rebuild from scratch. Time, lots of hours, money?... you might get away lucky, if it is an hierloom, worth a try atleast. That's the trouble with any tractor, the tires are 50% of the value, and little possibly cooked rubber bits are deep in the clockworks. Want some advise from someone who's been there done that? Don't keep any equipment in a building. Tarps are cheap and easy to deal with. My insurance man told me this... after the fire....

 

[Anonymous-0]

a burnt tractor should be dismantled the next day. all bolts will sieze. I have very BAD luck with burnt machines

 

[Drake Pa]

This week I did find out that if my brother and I find we are in over our head with this project, the local Massey Ferguson dealer will buy it for salvage. It is like losing a best friend because it was the first tractor I ever drove and grew up with it. It was always there when ever something needed pulled or moved or cleared. I'm planing on keeping the hood to put on another tractor if mine is to far gone.
Thanks again,
Drake