Ran When Parked

[Jim in Western MI]

After nearly 10 years of looking, finally bought some land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, though I cannot really call it a farm. It has two well-established meadows with a few apple trees, about four and three acres, in Alleghany County, NC. It's mostly mountainous with old timber; and I hope it will one day be my primary residence. Down in a hollow was a 601 Workmaster that "ran when parked" and it came with the farm. Looks like an 8N on steroids! The battery was doorknob dead with a 2009 date, the gas tank had an oily residue in the bottom, and it was covered with blue spaghetti that had once been a blue plastic tarp. It had been rewired at least a couple of times from all the disconnected wires in evidence, the safety-start switch had no wire going to it. The key switch rotated 360.

After cutting all the blue fibers off, I put in a new battery, disconnected the gas line at the carb and purged the tank with non-ethanol gas through the lines from the tank, polished the points with a new bill, turned the key and had 12v at the coil, and found another starter button to press. Cranking for about ten seconds showed oil pressure on the gauge, pulled the choke..., and it cranked. Ran it for 20 minutes at various speeds, all seemed well, no leaks, no adverse smells, and mowed one of the meadows with the 72" mower that also came with it.

Thanks to all you guys for tips over these years. I felt halfway confident I could get it started. Now I can tune it up one thing at the time.

 

[Jim in Western MI]

Ran reliably for someone!

 

[Ultradog MN]

Great post.
In the right hands they'll always run again.
And in experienced hands it often doesn't take much.
I like the part about an N on steroids.
Good luck with it. And good luck with your dreams.

 

[tractorguy2]

AlwAys good to save one. I notice the dash has an amp meter. The 641 I'm working on does not. It has a light. I'm guessing the meter has been added?

 

[tracto-man]

That looks pretty good for a ran when parked! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jim in Western MI]

It appears the amp meter has a different mount than the oil pressure gauge and fuel level indicator, so I agree with you that it is newer. The amp meter and pressure gauge work fine, the fuel level indicator does not work. Since I can keep up with the fuel quantity easily enough without a gauge, I'll replace that with either a voltmeter or a temp gauge, there seems to be fittings all over and one will surely be a tap for a temperature gauge.

 

[Tiger Joe]

(quoted from post at 19:34:32 05/31/16) It appears the amp meter has a different mount than the oil pressure gauge and fuel level indicator, so I agree with you that it is newer. The amp meter and pressure gauge work fine, the fuel level indicator does not work. Since I can keep up with the fuel quantity easily enough without a gauge, I'll replace that with either a voltmeter or a temp gauge, there seems to be fittings all over and one will surely be a tap for a temperature gauge.

Originally there was a temp gauge where the ammeter is on your tractor.

The more common swap is to replace the fuel gauge with the ammeter.

 

[GarryinNC]

Jim, That is a good looking tractor/mower. Not every one gets that when they buy property! My in-laws have a cabin on Farmer's Fish Camp Road, which is off NC 93. I love it up there. We live a few counties southeast, 70 miles away in Davie County. I do not know my way around Allegany very well.

Garry

 

[Big Trees]

Great story with a happy ending. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Hobo,NC]

In my younger days of playing scooter trash my buds took off for the beach I took off to the NC, mountains... I never could understand why my buds were hooked on the beach when you got there you were there with no were to go other than turn around and come home

You done good

 

[Benj R]

Nice story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[souNdguy]

She looks great for setting!

 

[Tall T]

Jim,

Sounds like a dream come true.
No doubt it was the 601 that cemented your decision to buy!

Interestingly about the Workmaster and Powermasters that followed the Jubilee, I have only seen one come up for sale in these parts since I bought mine and joined the forum . . . and believe me I have scoured all the farm equipment sites, not for another tractor but for implements.

The one that did show up was a narrow front and so far gone it was barely standing on its own three feet.

Somebody up there likes you.

T

 

[GAJIM]

Great looking tractor. I'm jealous. I did not get a bonus tractor when I picked up my mountain place in Haywood County, NC last year. So I guess I will have to stick with my 52 8N. GAJIM