Time to restore my first tractor

[Anonymous-0]

I have been part time farming for 5 years now-and working on the shop for last 3. Shop is now finished and all my equipment is in decent condition so not much to do.

Farming/wrenching are my stress relievers and I am not realizing that next winter I am going to need a project. I have always wanted to restore an old tractor but never had the time-so now is the time.

I am looking for advice on what your recomendations are for where to start. I have average mechanical abilities-but have zero Diesel experience so really want to do a gas tractor.

Will probably have local body shop do painting but I will do all the rest. Not looking for a showpiece but will just be used for parades, hayrides, and maybe sickle mower around the farm.

My closest dealer is John Deere (Sloans), and I love the green iron but I grew up on a farm with a couple MM U's and Farmall H so those kind of interest me. Not really into the Fords.

So taking into consideration-in order:
A) Parts availability
B) Parts and initial machine costs
C) Ease of restoration

What models would you recommend? I am thinking JD 620,720 or B, MM U, Farmall H. Any of those you would avoid for the reasons above? Any others you would recommend?

 

[Tom N OK]

Paul
Any of those would be good to restore. Maybe pick one to begin with that doesn't need a lot of work just to get your feet wet. You might consider one that was built the same year as you were born.
Tom

 

[Hoss In ME]

All are excellant selectionsbut you realize that once you start there is no turning back dont you? Youll be adding to your shop in a couple years for more projects away from home for long hours hunting for that special tractor,the fights over money,[whats more important tractors or the mortgage]and the ever impending divorce.But I wouldnt trade it for anything! Hoss

 

[Nebraska Cowman]

You will get a pile of money in a 20 series. A and B are plentiful and cheap. Parts not hard to come by if you know where to look. Farmall H is another good choice. The little Fords are very plentiful and parts are everywhere. The smaller Farmalls, A B , & C would be good choices too. If you like old there are plenty of Farmall F20s and Regulars out there yet. Someone told me Darrell Alderson is making sleeves. Used pistons are not hard to find and you can get rings and gaskets easy enough.

 

[dhermesc]

From the list I'd go with the H. Cheaper up front cost than anything green, and the parts are more readily available (at least in my limited experiance) than a MM.


Actually I'd look a lot harder at a 300 or 350 instead of an H due to the modern features (like live PTO and live hydrolics, 2 point hitch) for only a fractional increase in cost. Won't mean much in a parade but it makes the tractor a lot handier around the farm.

 

[Paul from MI]

Another consideration would be what you intend to do with it after you're done. If you are going to parade or show it, how are you going to haul it? If you already have a 3/4 ton truck it probably doesn't make much difference, but keep in mind the limits of whatever you will use to haul it. I personally don't have a big truck and therefore limit myself to what I can tow with a 1/2 ton. John Deere B or Farmall H would probably be OK and parts are easy to find for them. Pretty simple mechanically too.
Just a thought. Have fun!!
Paul

 

[Mike M]

I think you might start by whatever tractor you find closest to home and cheapest to buy.

 

[Paul from MN]

From your list and based on your criteria, the JD B or the Farmall H.

The 620 and 720 are going to cost a whole lot more and are more complex machines to restore.

The Minnie Mo's are going to be more difficult to find parts for.

You also might want to consider the JD A and Farmall M. Aprox same price as the JD B or Farmall H. The M can be a pain in the neck to take to shows if you do not have a deck over trailer.

 

[old]

Farmall Hs are very common and parts for the most part are easy to come by. Plus you can pick up a running H for less then $1000. Now depending on where you are I know of 4 farmall Hs that are for sale and all are under $1000. Oh by the way 3 of them run
Hobby farm

 

[Ken 46]

I started out wanting an Unstyled JD D - Ended with an Oliver 77 - Have Not looked back.Seemed like the price was right- tractor was good - everything fit for me.
E-mail if you end up looking for an Oliver - I happen to have an extra!!!

 

[Kestrel in CT]

And don't underestimate the visual effect, not just parts availability, etc. Like a painting or sculpture, it has to be pleasing to the artist.

Get something that looks good to you and if your lucky your wife too. It's a little extra insurance if future money issues arise.

 

[craftsman]

oliver 66's,and 77's are very eazy to come by and can be had pretty cheap,and parts are still around for them.---craftsman

 

[Lanse]

Just look around and you'll find something you like. I was pretty bent on getting an h. I still am, but i got this nice little Allis B first. H comes this summer. (dont look at me like that)

 

[Don L C]

Paul ---

Pick one you like and can use.....first tractor should be one that has had tender loving care over the years.......how do you tell wish I knew......

I look for for a tractor (take my 1951 Farmall M)for example.....I dont like junk....I would rather pay more ,than tare down an fix one thing after a nother.....and wind up with as much oe more money in it than a better one to start with...

My '51 M was not repainted since the factory....yet it still had most of its orignal paint....a small dent , even a scratch....All of the grill parts and sheet metal fit good.....finders on the tractor not laying in the shead.All lights and must work....they can cost 50 to 90 $ ea.PTO and good Shield.....Good battery box and lid...Belt pully would be nice.....all drawbar parts , no welds or bent = tractor abuce.....drawbar holes OK.....no serous oil leaks......no cracks or welds.....Tires and tubes rears must look near new .....New about $1,000...mine look nearly new....all around... rear rims had been replaced 5 yr. back.....I gave $2500 for it delivered to my shop, 2004....

By the yime I go over it Ill paint it, change and flush all the fluids, Ill have $3,000 in it......I'll have a great tractor.......I also have a Farmall H -- John Deere LA -- Alis G -- Red cub cadet and a 1620 Power King I bought new.......

Good luck Don .....e-mail open......

 

[RodinNS]

I'd suspect that the Deere's will cost more to buy and get parts for... and the MM will probably be harder to get parts for... but it's really a matter of which one strikes your fancy. You're addmittedly not doing this to have a tractor that you plan to use a lot so the functionality isn't all that important. It's really about what makes you happy.... Any of them could likely do that.

Rod

 

[Andy Motteberg]

I recommend the Farmall H. Easy to work on, easy to get parts and they are great tractors, we have 3 H's.

Andy.

 

[bradk]

A very nice lookin' and affordable tractor(since ya like green) is an older Oliver 77/Super 77,Oliver 88/Super 88.

Oliver part are actually easier and faster to get than when Oliver was still in business today.Actuallly,Oliver is alive and well in the form of AGCO inc.(maybe you've heard of 'em)!!

 

[Rusty wheel]

They're all great. They're like your kids, all unique in their own way and you'll love all of them equally. One word of advise. Buy a complete tractor, one with a serial number in tact. You'll need one if you plan to search the history of the tractor. Happy wrenching...rw PS Whatever you pick, get a parts book and a service manual for it.