[AT] TMCOTKU tractor count is down by one.

[charliehill]

I agree with you about the transmission case Cecil.  It did get a bit warm 
sitting straddle of it.  Too bad it didn't get hot in the winter and stay 
cool in the summer.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cecil Bearden" <crbearden at copper.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 8:07 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] TMCOTKU tractor count is down by one.


>I grew up with Massey Fergusons, from a to-35 to a MF50D, to a MF65, to
> both Diesel and LP MF85's, a MF1100, and then finally a MF1155.  The
> 1100 was the best of all of them.  The 1155 was built when Massey had
> some union problems and that tractor was the worst about keeping
> hydraulics working of any one I owned.  It seemed like overnight it
> would either drop a gallon of fluid or just stop working. The Multi
> Power would quit at the drop of a hat.  The PTO never worked from the
> day it was new.  I pulled the top deck and found a missing snap ring
> when it was 11 years old.
>
> When I got on a 930 c ase after being away from one for over 20 years, I
> was plowing with a 5 bottom case plow working up terraces.  I had
> forgotten what fresh earth smelled like.  The old small MF tractors had
> you sitting straddling the transmission.  You had all that heat from the
> trans and the engine all day long.  That housing got pretty warm after a
> day of plowing.  I had forgotten how enjoyable driving a tractor was
> when you sat on top of it instead of down in it.  However for utility
> work you still cannot beat them for size and maneuverability.  I wish I
> had one to run the grain wagon while I plant some oats.   I gt to go and
> get some parts right now for the TYE drill I bought.  I am going to use
> it to plant my wheat field in oats and just let the frost get the weeds
> this time.  I don't have time to do much now since I am the nurse for my
> DAD who is bedfast.  2 days a week I get relief, then I have to feed and
> change him every 2 to 3 hours.  That can really screw up a working day...
>
> Cecil in OKla
>
> Steve W. wrote:
>> Al Jones wrote:
>>> Well yes, they cast a very similar shadow.  But the IH was built so much
>>> better.  I believe you could drop a 424 or 444 IH off the side of the 
>>> grand
>>> canyon, and once it hit bottom, you could crank it up and drive it out.
>>> (Unless it landed in the river in which case you would have to dry it 
>>> out
>>> first!)  Then, you got an 8 speed transmission.  And better hydraulics. 
>>> Etc.
>>
>> If I showed you my 35 you might just think it made that trip.....
>> It's had it's (and a few others) share of abuse.
>> When it was on the farm it was THE tractor, anything done on the farm it
>> did (even after he got a low hour TO-20). Not sure how many hours are on
>> it but he bought it new and ran it until about 1998.
>>
>>> What I have been trying to say is, Ford/ Ferg. might have pioneered the
>>> small, light weight, low-bodied tractor, but IH, JD, and others 
>>> "refined"
>>> it and made it something way more useful. With the other choices on the
>>> market now, similarly priced, and many now old enough to be called a
>>> "classic," I just can't understand why somebody would spend the money on
>>> the Ferd/Furg.
>>>
>>> But, to each his own! :)
>>>
>>> Al
>>
>> The main reason I like them is simple, I grew up with them. :-)
>> The TO-20 was MY tractor on the farm, I used it a bunch and even skidded
>> more than a few LARGE logs with it. (most were large enough that to
>> steer it down out of the woods and up to the drop I never touched the
>> steering wheel, But I did wear out 2 sets of brake shoes!!!)
>>
>>
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