Farmall Questions

[8nsyes]

Hello one and all;

Some of you may be wondering why I (8nsyes) have been asking seemingly dumb questions concerning my farmall.

I lived and worked three jobs for over 50 years. Then I suffered a massive heart attack. I had five by-passes. I also have other health problems. I refuse to go to bed and die, I am up and moving about pretty good. I am a dis-abled Army veteran, an Army Ranger with the 82nd Division, Vietnam era. I learned to go through hard times and never give up. Back on the farm as a youngster I drove and loved these Farmall's and the "N' ford series tractors


I wanted to find a "sick" tractor and try to bring it back to good health. This means very much to me as I somehow in a peculiar way relate it to my own sickness.

So now you have an idea of where I'm at and where I'm going with these questions.

sincerely,
walt

 

[Janicholson]

I am making the effort to be clear and helpful as I can. There is good reason to get friendly help, (here and in person) getting into it and having no success is marginal getting
into it and having success is marvelous. Jim

 

[8nsyes]

Jim;

You are right on target, a great tool for fellows such as I. This is a valuable source to me and many others, I know.

I agree, I can't do anything half way. It must be a nice finished product to be worthy of your time and others (like yourself) who give us good solid information. I love working together to accomplish things properly.
walt

 

[fastfarmall]

There's nothing i wouldn't do for a veteran, wish you the very best.

 

[Charlie M]

I personally would rather see "dumb" tractor questions than some of the other non tractor crap that shows up here occasionally. In addition I don't know if there is such a thing as a "dumb" tractor question. There are questions from people without experience but that doesn't make them dumb. Many people would use your situation as an excuse, not motivation. Glas you got interest in the old machines.

 

[8nsyes]

Charlie, thank you very much for your words of encouragement, I do appreciate it. I love these old machines, they were for real!!!
walt

 

[todd hamilton]

Smell gas, fresh dirt, real sheepskin padding the seat and a Marlboro - that was plowing

 

[8nsyes]

Hey Todd;

I've surely got my Marlboro, I do smell gas and oil but it's different than padding that seat and driving each day with the wind in your face and enjoying God's green earth. Wonderful times!
Thanks for your words, brings back many good memories!
walt

 

[8nsyes]

Hey Fastfarmall;

Thank you kindly. Your words are priceless to me and to the veterans that I know!
walt

 

[James Williams]

Dear sir,Im just like you.I grew up on Hs&Ms,and I actually have no intrest in them.I have a intrest in pre 39 IH tractors.I always look for junk that's locked up and parts missing so I can bring them back to life.Whats the use of collecting tractors if you have never been inside of them.

jimmy

 

[WellWorn]

(quoted (with spelling and spacing edits) ) Dear sir, I'm just like you. I grew up on Hs & Ms, and I actually have no interest in them. I have a interest in pre '39 IH tractors. I always look for junk that's locked up and have parts missing so I can bring them back to life. Whats the use of collecting tractors if you have never been inside of them?

jimmy

immy, I appreciate your opinion and hands-on efforts to keep things were exceptionally well made and that can be fixed, from being left to rust away, or melted down for something throwaway. There are however, a bunch of folks that don't "collect" them so much as use them, sometimes daily, regardless of what year they were made. They are still USEFUL, and there is a certain satisfaction in being able to use a tool as it was intended and still needed. Yes, there are some people who collect museum pieces and never put a wrench to them, but I suspect these are the exception. I believe most who own these relics have had their hands on practically every bolt on the machine.

Then there are those who are still using these antiques and wearing them out. These are the folks driving the demand for replacement parts, which keeps salvage yards holding on to equipment that is 50+ years old, and still others making new replacement parts which makes it easier, if possible at all, for those wanting to keep their old iron going. If I had unlimited funds and time, I'd be buying up all kinds of stuck, worn out, closer to the smelter than the field stuff, and making it not "like new", but functionally usable again, which in some cases may be better than when made. After all, what is usable gets used, and when it's used, there will still be a demand for parts, which keeps the cycle going. A thousand 10-20's in museums are worth less to someone making parts, than 10 of them still pulling a plow. This is why my old iron isn't just 'usable', it's still used. Often.

WellWorn

 

[KENIND]

(reply to post at 15:19:14 06/12/15)

ello 8nsyes, I want to THANK you for your service for our freedom to do what we do , as in working on and farming and playing with old tractors. And, there is no thing as a dumb question!!! Just want to throw my 2 cents in. Again, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! Kenny

 

[8nsyes]

Hello Jimmy;

I enjoy these old durable machines, I well remember when they were new durable machines. I love to, (what I call tinker with them), and when one comes to life it sure is a sweet sound. Thank you for your comment.

walt

 

[8nsyes]

Hello WellWorn;

I agree with you all the way. These old machines are durable, strong and have stood the test of time. I personally desire to have my machine looking, running nice and then use it. I have some 20 acres that I bush hog with my Ford 8N, before that I had a Farmall Super C. (I'm still kicking myself for selling it in a weak moment.

You know, it hurts to think of an old piece of equipment that was used when raising families and to keep things going only to be melted down. I wish we in America had more tractor and other old machines Salvage Yards. I believe that the Salvage Yards would be busy and as you said, keep the cycle going. There is a demand for these parts by many.

My tractor(s) are used for working purposes. It wouldn't be any joy just to have something to stare at. I enjoyed your comment!
walt

 

[8nsyes]

Hello Kenny;

I truly appreciate your comments and it is such a pleasure to be on this Forum to share ideas and the knowledge that all of you have is something money can't buy. I personally cherish all the knowledge shared to me because it is a great help to know "where to start", then move on from there to successfully repair a "down and out" tractor or other old machine.

In our little town there is a Machine Shop. The owner left Germany with his family in 1938, shipped all the shop tools his money could afford. He has passed and his son is still operating the shop with the same tools (as well as newer tools) that came from Germany. I enjoy going by to say hello and see these old shop machines working so precise. Words just can't explain the joy.

The best to you and yours

walt

 

[sully231]

First of all 8n, thank you for your service. I was US Army from 1970 - 1976. I have been a member of this forum for a lot of years and very rarely have I seen anybody disparage someone for asking a "stupid" question. If I can help somebody with the knowledge that I have, then I am more than happy to do that. I especially like it when someone is new to the restoration game. Several years ago, there were a couple of youngsters on this forum and everybody treated them with the utmost respect regardless of the question. Best of luck with your health and hope your restoration goes well.

Dan

 

[8nsyes]

Hello Dan;

In return, sir, thank you for your service to our country. Dan being able to ask questions when I'm looking at something with the "deer in the headlight" stare then going to this Forum and someone having the answers are a blessing. I hope to soon post a picture of the head off of my Farmall that was tanked for a while and to say the least it is interesting since a lot of the gunk had been taken off. Well, wait and see the picture and you will know what I'm talking about.

walt

 

[AlanA]

(quoted from post at 02:33:58 06/13/15) Hello Dan;

In return, sir, thank you for your service to our country. Dan being able to ask questions when I'm looking at something with the "deer in the headlight" stare then going to this Forum and someone having the answers are a blessing. I hope to soon post a picture of the head off of my Farmall that was tanked for a while and to say the least it is interesting since a lot of the gunk had been taken off. Well, wait and see the picture and you will know what I'm talking about.

walt

8ns,

Thank you for your service to our country sir!

I beg to differ with these gentlemen on the "dumb question" issue. I frequent firearms and hunting related net forums, and have said many times "Yes, there are dumb questions! They are the ones you wait to ask 'til the ambulance is on the way." Anything else is not a dumb question.

Alan

 

[8nsyes]

Hello Alan;

I typed this message once I hope that I am not repeating myself.You know what they say about people that do such things!!!
Anyway, from my heart I thank you for your Comment to me it means much more than words can express.
All of my sons are veterans, my first grandson has just returned from Afghanistan after serving two tours in Iraq. They are into the guns and the like and at this time they are working on Mosin Nagants. It is amazing how pretty those weapons look after a little loving care and much elbow grease. Plus they seem to be fine weapons for their time.
Thanks again!
best regards,
walt