Lee_
New User
- Location
- Appalachia
Howdy, y'all. I'm Lee, from West Virginia.
Grew up on a dairy farm, which later turned into a cow/calf operation. Went to skool and was a software engineer for a while, then came back to the farm when the old folks started getting old.
We were always IH folks. Had a 574, 856, and 1066 for as long as I can remember. Still used the 856 to grind feed and the 1066 to mow hay.
Anyway, then a few years ago my old man died suddenly, unexpectedly. They'd divided up the land, but not any of the equipment. I kept helping my uncle until he got sick, although we never got along very well (an understatement lol), because it's what my old man would have wanted.
He ended up getting better. My uncle I mean. Or at least went into remission. He and my cousins are kinda running a few cows down there still so he has something to do until his time with us is past. I went back into software engineering somewhat for now just to make a few bucks, but here in a few years I 'spect that me and a buddy are going to try to reboot things down there and I'll get back into it. I'm just kind of waiting around for that because none of it is worth having a falling out with any of the extended family over, and that's definitely where things were headed.
Moral of the story is I guess, have your ducks all lined up before you croak! And make sure there is a workable succession plan in place.
Anyway, I am rambling. Sorry! Like I was saying, I have no time for all the dumb drama and gave my sister my 1/4 claim on the equipment and told her to do whatever she wants. It's not worth fighting with anyone about, because most of that stuff is beyond junk anyway, except for maybe the 1066.
To that end I just bought a 1969 Ford 4400 gasser, with the 735 loader, independent pto, dual remotes, and the foot throttle. Basically everything I'd want on a 4400. My buddy has a diesel 4400 that I really like a lot, which is why I decided I wanted one. I figured I'd go for gas though, because I am soon to go off-grid and won't have enough electricity to run a block heater too much in the dead of winter.
Hour meter says 2400, which I don't believe, but that all does still appear to work. Engine doesn't smoke though, so even if it is 12400 I guess the engine was rebuilt at some point. Seat is pretty bad. Cab has some significant rust and missing some glass. Bucket and the rest of the tractor are really nice for their age. Pretty sure it is former state road equipment. Came with rear chains and a grader blade for the 3-pt. Yellow of course.
No pics yet. Going to take the trailer and haul it home sometime towards the beginning of the week I think.
I'm definitely going to remove the cab and put regular fenders on it. Will probably keep the lights off the cab, but the rest of it will be free for the taking to anyone who wants to come get it. I hate to throw it on the junk pile, but I can't say I'm a fan of a cab on those kind of tractor.
Nice to meet y'all. I have a set of used FSMs on the way, but I am sure I'll still have plenty of dumb questions to ask when I get into going through the thing good.
Grew up on a dairy farm, which later turned into a cow/calf operation. Went to skool and was a software engineer for a while, then came back to the farm when the old folks started getting old.
We were always IH folks. Had a 574, 856, and 1066 for as long as I can remember. Still used the 856 to grind feed and the 1066 to mow hay.
Anyway, then a few years ago my old man died suddenly, unexpectedly. They'd divided up the land, but not any of the equipment. I kept helping my uncle until he got sick, although we never got along very well (an understatement lol), because it's what my old man would have wanted.
He ended up getting better. My uncle I mean. Or at least went into remission. He and my cousins are kinda running a few cows down there still so he has something to do until his time with us is past. I went back into software engineering somewhat for now just to make a few bucks, but here in a few years I 'spect that me and a buddy are going to try to reboot things down there and I'll get back into it. I'm just kind of waiting around for that because none of it is worth having a falling out with any of the extended family over, and that's definitely where things were headed.
Moral of the story is I guess, have your ducks all lined up before you croak! And make sure there is a workable succession plan in place.
Anyway, I am rambling. Sorry! Like I was saying, I have no time for all the dumb drama and gave my sister my 1/4 claim on the equipment and told her to do whatever she wants. It's not worth fighting with anyone about, because most of that stuff is beyond junk anyway, except for maybe the 1066.
To that end I just bought a 1969 Ford 4400 gasser, with the 735 loader, independent pto, dual remotes, and the foot throttle. Basically everything I'd want on a 4400. My buddy has a diesel 4400 that I really like a lot, which is why I decided I wanted one. I figured I'd go for gas though, because I am soon to go off-grid and won't have enough electricity to run a block heater too much in the dead of winter.
Hour meter says 2400, which I don't believe, but that all does still appear to work. Engine doesn't smoke though, so even if it is 12400 I guess the engine was rebuilt at some point. Seat is pretty bad. Cab has some significant rust and missing some glass. Bucket and the rest of the tractor are really nice for their age. Pretty sure it is former state road equipment. Came with rear chains and a grader blade for the 3-pt. Yellow of course.
No pics yet. Going to take the trailer and haul it home sometime towards the beginning of the week I think.
I'm definitely going to remove the cab and put regular fenders on it. Will probably keep the lights off the cab, but the rest of it will be free for the taking to anyone who wants to come get it. I hate to throw it on the junk pile, but I can't say I'm a fan of a cab on those kind of tractor.
Nice to meet y'all. I have a set of used FSMs on the way, but I am sure I'll still have plenty of dumb questions to ask when I get into going through the thing good.
