I'm coming around full circle in my later years. I've been watching older tractors in the this HP range and received some good advice on here when asking about going to look at a Ford, since I ain't a diesel expert. Folks who went from mules to tractors many years ago told me they weren't worried about brand, since you can get a bad one from any of them. Find a good one. I was not looking at a 135. I had a gas version when I was a teen and sold it to my BIL 30 years ago. His son called in the spring and wanted to know if I was interested before they put it up for sale, but I didn't want another gas version.
Went and looked at a Ford 3000. Looked great and looked like it had been barn kept with all gauges working. Grandson of owner was questioned on the phone and told him I was picky, so didn't want to look at it unless in excellent shape. He said it was, so drove 1.5 hrs to look at it. It wouldn't crank. Looked great, not cleaned up, just clean. His younger grandson called me after I was several miles away and said they went and bought fuel and had it running, so it must have been low. I was too far to be interested in turning around.
Saw a 135 early one morning and thought I should probably look at it, since it was clean and a diesel, but owner didn't get back to me until after bedtime. Called the next morning, but he didn't answer and didn't call back until I was on my way to buy the one I bought.
Last one I checked on owner responded quick, so I hit the road. Looked like someone did a great job cleaning it up and then it was kept clean. Was about $400 more than the non-cranking 3000 I looked at. The person that sold it was the 3rd owner and has had it about 2-3 yrs. Lived over an hour from his property where he had it and was having to travel more for work, so no reason to keep it for a garden. I like that there is wear after being painted, so not a recent quick cleanup. Starts immediately. No smoke at start or running. Only issue was guinea wasp nest I think I shed on the drive back. My last antique for a while.
Maybe a little Divine intervention to make it work. I don't say that lightly. Everything lined up and I'm as happy as a kid on Christmas morning with this one.
Went and looked at a Ford 3000. Looked great and looked like it had been barn kept with all gauges working. Grandson of owner was questioned on the phone and told him I was picky, so didn't want to look at it unless in excellent shape. He said it was, so drove 1.5 hrs to look at it. It wouldn't crank. Looked great, not cleaned up, just clean. His younger grandson called me after I was several miles away and said they went and bought fuel and had it running, so it must have been low. I was too far to be interested in turning around.
Saw a 135 early one morning and thought I should probably look at it, since it was clean and a diesel, but owner didn't get back to me until after bedtime. Called the next morning, but he didn't answer and didn't call back until I was on my way to buy the one I bought.
Last one I checked on owner responded quick, so I hit the road. Looked like someone did a great job cleaning it up and then it was kept clean. Was about $400 more than the non-cranking 3000 I looked at. The person that sold it was the 3rd owner and has had it about 2-3 yrs. Lived over an hour from his property where he had it and was having to travel more for work, so no reason to keep it for a garden. I like that there is wear after being painted, so not a recent quick cleanup. Starts immediately. No smoke at start or running. Only issue was guinea wasp nest I think I shed on the drive back. My last antique for a while.
Maybe a little Divine intervention to make it work. I don't say that lightly. Everything lined up and I'm as happy as a kid on Christmas morning with this one.
