fixerupper
Well-known Member
I've always proclaimed myself to be a good maintenance man when it comes to my machinery. Oil changes done on time, worn parts fixed before they break and things like that. And I chastise farmers who let their machinery fall apart.
Today I started analyzing my 630 Deere and I had to eat some crow so to speak.
Dad bought this tractor new in the fall of 1960. Deere was having a sale to get rid of the two bangers and dad wasn't too sure about these new funny looking tractors Deere had just come out with so he decided on this 630. It was our main tractor for 11 years on 240 acres, then another 320 acres was purchased, requiring a bigger tractor and the 630 was moved into lighter duty, mowing hay, raking and cultivating row crops. A loader was hung on it in 1971 and stayed on for 39 years of hard use.
Now it's set free from the confines of the loader and it's mainly used to bushog. This summer before I put it into duty I drove it in the shop for a little upkeep. Main reason was the plugged line going to the oil pressure gauge but by the time I drove it back out I was a little ashamed at how much I had to do to put it back into fairly workable condition. The clutch was grabby as all get out so I pulled it apart. A little shy of $1000 later it feels like a new one. It was THAT worn out. Next came the blown manifold gasket that had been making noise for way too long. The left brake pedal has hanging up and I'd have to pull it back with my foot. Pulled it off and the pedal pivot was rusty and dry as a bone. There's a zerk there, you know!! Started bushogging yesterday in some heavy Bromegrass and the PTO clutch started slipping. I know the pedal hasn't wanted to stay engaged for a few years because it barely locked in, but it did work. Right? Today I adjusted the PTO clutch and it was WAY loose. It's about an hour's job with the Three point arm and sway block that need to be removed but it's still not THAT bad of a job. When I have the PTO drive engaged with the lever by the gear shift there's a rattling noise down deep in the tranny so that needs to be addressed but it's a little more involved. I can attend to that when I split the tractor to replace the leaking gasket between the rear end housing and transmission.
So the moral of the story is; we sometimes criticize other tractor owners for not taking care of things but sometimes our own fleet isn't especially in good shape either. How good is your fleet, maintenance-wise?
Oh yes, I changed engine oil. Last time it was changed was March of 2011. It's nowhere near the 150 hour oil change period but it should be done every year nonetheless.Jim
Today I started analyzing my 630 Deere and I had to eat some crow so to speak.
Dad bought this tractor new in the fall of 1960. Deere was having a sale to get rid of the two bangers and dad wasn't too sure about these new funny looking tractors Deere had just come out with so he decided on this 630. It was our main tractor for 11 years on 240 acres, then another 320 acres was purchased, requiring a bigger tractor and the 630 was moved into lighter duty, mowing hay, raking and cultivating row crops. A loader was hung on it in 1971 and stayed on for 39 years of hard use.
Now it's set free from the confines of the loader and it's mainly used to bushog. This summer before I put it into duty I drove it in the shop for a little upkeep. Main reason was the plugged line going to the oil pressure gauge but by the time I drove it back out I was a little ashamed at how much I had to do to put it back into fairly workable condition. The clutch was grabby as all get out so I pulled it apart. A little shy of $1000 later it feels like a new one. It was THAT worn out. Next came the blown manifold gasket that had been making noise for way too long. The left brake pedal has hanging up and I'd have to pull it back with my foot. Pulled it off and the pedal pivot was rusty and dry as a bone. There's a zerk there, you know!! Started bushogging yesterday in some heavy Bromegrass and the PTO clutch started slipping. I know the pedal hasn't wanted to stay engaged for a few years because it barely locked in, but it did work. Right? Today I adjusted the PTO clutch and it was WAY loose. It's about an hour's job with the Three point arm and sway block that need to be removed but it's still not THAT bad of a job. When I have the PTO drive engaged with the lever by the gear shift there's a rattling noise down deep in the tranny so that needs to be addressed but it's a little more involved. I can attend to that when I split the tractor to replace the leaking gasket between the rear end housing and transmission.
So the moral of the story is; we sometimes criticize other tractor owners for not taking care of things but sometimes our own fleet isn't especially in good shape either. How good is your fleet, maintenance-wise?
Oh yes, I changed engine oil. Last time it was changed was March of 2011. It's nowhere near the 150 hour oil change period but it should be done every year nonetheless.Jim
