Reckless Abandon (pic)

[Kestrel in CT]

While out on a friend's property this morning I stopped to snap a few photos of this old Case.

The farmer gave the owner of this relic permission to park it here last summer. He's a Navy Seal deployed to Iraq.

The poor thing needs some TLC quick before it seizes up and gets beyond salvation, if it isn't already.

Can someone ID this and give an approximate year ? I'd like to turn the engine over at least and charge the battery for him.

 

[Old Rusty]

That is a DI. Built somewhere in the fortys

 

[Gene Dotson]

This is a Case SI. Probably early 40's and likely originally a military tractor. Battery will be a 6 volt negative ground system.
Maybe do the guy a favor and remove the spark plugs and squirt some oil in the cylinders and turn it over to spread the oil. Maybe coat the exposed cylinder rods with grease to protect them from rust. Check the cluthh to see if it is disengeged to prevent it from sticking.
Got to take care of our troops... Gene

 

[Gene Dotson]

The DI has the battery behind and above the gas tank and has the straight squared off gas tank. This tractor has the teardrop gas tank and the battery is below the gas tank. The air cleaner is the stamped steel one while the DI had a cast iron air cleaner... Gene

 

[Dug F.]

You're right Gene This is a SI. I have one just like it only mine has a Lull loader on it. One very powerfull little tractor! I use it every day. It had POWERLOADER 30 decals on the loader when I got it.We had a paper on it that stated the last year Case built these they were marketed as a Powerloader 30 instead of SI. Sure wish I could find that paper tonight , I would post it!Also would like to find onother one someday!!! Later Doug

 

[Kestrel in CT]

Interesting information. Thanks.

Good idea about squirting some oil around. Next decent day I'll go over and perform a little first-aid.

Have to remember to leave my sandpaper and paint home-this could get out of hand. My wife says I have dangerously too much time on my hands.

I met the owner a year ago and he's real decent chap...just not much on cosmetics.

I'm sure he wouldn't mind me keeping the 'ol girl alive, especially considering his "unavailability".

 

[Anonymous-0]

Is there a reason for the loader being up in the air like that? The best protection for the shafts is having them fully retracted into the cylinders out of the weather.

Joe

 

[MGTPa]

Might be a good idea to put something over the magneto to keep the rain off it. Maybe the starter motor too if you an get to it.

 

[Harry J. Case]

Hey Kestrel
That SI is certainly worth saving. I would suggest while removing the spark plugs and oiling the cylinders get a good battery and spin the engine enough to build enough oil pressure to lube the valve train, the top end is important too of course. I have acquired a couple of engines that had oil in the cylinders but the valve trains were totally seized and could not be salvaged. This gets expensive very quickly.
Just my $00.02 worth, Harry Case, Allis, Moline nut
,

 

[Kestrel in CT]

I think I'm gonna have to pack a lunch and a small toolbox for this house call.

Great tips..I'm on a mission now.

 

[IBorange in TX]

That sure looks like my SI. The serial number is on a small tag on the dash. Subtract 4 from the first 2 digits in the number and that will give the year, ex 4758....would be a 43 model. Also on the end of the serial number it will have the letters SI stamped in the tag. Really a tuff tractor with a lot of power.
HTH
mb

 

[Larry59]

Now that is a real nice thing your doing for someone fighting for us. Way to go! Sure he will apperiate what you are doing.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The clutches on these tractors run in oil, but they are bad about sticking if they set for a while. I don't know if the SI has a hand or foot clutch? If it's a hand clutch, I would definately want to park it with the clutch disengaged (lever pulled toward rear of tractor). If it's a foot clutch, I'm not sure that you would want to block the clutch pedal in the down position? Better get a second opinion on this.

 

[LarryNeohiocase]

As former military myself, like I'm sure alot of other folks on here, can I suggest that if at all possible that you move this lil gem inside of some kind of shed? I'm not sure how practical that would be for you but DAMN I'd sure try to for the guy...

Just my $0.02 also.
Larry

 

[TripleRange]

Perhaps they don't go back up without help....in that case....if they wanted to move the tractor they'd have to block up the loader so it don't drag. Judging by the picture, I'd say it my be a tad heavy ;-)

 

[Aaron Ford]

I was looking at the way that the loader is elevated and was curious if it could be tarped. Not totally to the ground, but maybe halfway down the wheels. There would not be a lot of contact due to the loader structure, steering wheel and seat. Greasing the cylinders might not be a bad idea. Keeping water out of the tranny and engine would be the key.

HTH

Aaron

 

[Kestrel in CT]

I don't no know why it was left elevated but I was thinking the same thing myself. A well secured tarp after a little grease on the rams would go a long way. If it ever drys out here long enough, I'll be going over it all as best I can.
Thanks all for tips.