[AT] Misc tractor recommendations?

[Stephen Offiler]

Since Dean mentioned that it's not critical to stick with Farmall, I wonder
if anybody has mentioned a Ford 860 yet:   45HP, 3-point hitch, 2-stage
clutch providing a form of live PTO.  The basic foundations of useful
tractor features even in the modern day.

SO


On Wed, Nov 6, 2013 at 7:40 PM, Len Rugen <rugenl at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I have an H with an M & W Clutch.  It is a hand clutch that replaces the
> left brake housing and drum.  I've never looked inside to see what it does,
> but it gives you live power, like an AC WD-45.  You can't really change
> gears, there is enough drag, at least in mine, that if you take it out of
> gear, everything spins up and grinds trying to pick a new gear.  There were
> popular around here when AC dealers were trying to sell Roto-balers to IH
> tractor owners.  I will say, that running a roto-baler with my H and hand
> clutch on the left is much more comfortable than running it with the
> WD-45.  My H did OK in 3rd gear, but 4th lacked power.
>
>
>
> Len Rugen
>
> rugenl at yahoo.com - May also be used when responding as
> rugenl at prairiehome.k12.mo.us
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, November 6, 2013 5:59 PM, Carl Gogol <cgogol at twcny.rr.com>
> wrote:
>
> Dean-  Seems like there were conversion kits to convert an M from the
> transmission driven PTO to engine driven, or maybe it was just available on
> later Ms and 300s - perhaps one of the red fanatics can add to or correct
> this for me and you.  There are 3 point hitch conversions available today
> and it seems like hydraulics can be made live too.
> Who needs a newer tractor when an old reliable M can be made to have the
> new
> useful goodies?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dean Vinson
> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 6:30 PM
> To: 'Antique tractor email discussion group'
> Subject: Re: [AT] Misc tractor recommendations?
>
> Lots of good thoughts, folks, thanks very much.
>
> It's not really important to me to "stay red" as in Farmall, but I had been
> thinking of getting an older tractor.  Partly out of initial cost concerns,
> but also out of admiration for the solid old machines that were built so
> well that they're still a plausible option several decades later.  While
> visiting a Deere dealership several months ago to look for some lawnmower
> parts, I checked out a new modestly-sized farm tractor in the front display
> lot.  I don't remember what model it was, but it was about the size of a
> 3020.  What sticks in my mind, though, is the sense that everything seemed
> very lightweight and would look like crap after a few decades--if the
> tractor itself even lasted that long.
>
> That said, I certainly appreciate the benefits of a versatile machine like
> one of the modern compact diesel tractors, and generally have a good
> impression of the reliability of Kubota and New Holland equipment, and I
> like the idea of buying the right thing one time and then keeping it for
> the
> next 30 years.  So I'll spend some time looking at the new compacts.
>
> (Anyone have any experience with Apple Farm Service, in western Ohio?
> Google led me to their website but I haven't been there in person).
>
> The Super M will be a working tractor, too, despite the shiny paint job.  I
> love having it but *working* with it would be even more fun.  I can
> envision
> it on brush hog duty with an overrunning clutch on the PTO shaft, to really
> get it run out now and then, as well as lighter chores like raking hay or
> pulling a wagon.  (And Charlie, you raise a good point about the spinner
> knob, but I love that thing.  I hope I don't have to sheepishly come back
> next year and type a two-fingered update while my hand is in a cast...).
>
> Good points also about learning the property and keeping an eye out for
> holes and piles.  I should have the coming winter months available to walk
> around and learn the land in more detail while vegetation is at a minimum.
>
> Dean Vinson
> Dayton, Ohio
> www.vinsonfarm.net
>
>
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