[AT] here I go again

[Ron Cook]

John,
     My Super A did not come from tobacco country so it is not suffering 
from the maladies that would result from hours and hours of that kind of 
work.  As a matter of fact, I don't think it ever did much of anything 
except sit in a shed somewhere and probably run a feed grinder or 
something on a belt.  The cultivator is a little worn, but there is no 
way knowing how long it has actually been on that tractor.   It really 
is a very nice little machine.  Just old. But much younger than I:-) :-) .
     I got a chance to check the left fender.  I see it is a place to 
collect problems as you say.  Mine is good, so far anyway.  As far as 
bedding, that is not done in this part of the country.  While I don't 
currently have any, my choice will be disc hillers.  I have them for my 
John Deere cultivator, but those shanks are 1 3/8 diameter, and likely 
will be in use when I need some for the Farmall S A.  Hillers are used 
to hill the corn during lay-by and large diameter hillers would work 
good for hilling potatoes.  Those wide sweeps are probably available 
around these parts although I have not used any that wide.  The ones I 
have are more like 12 inches or so. I like the cultivation to happen 
ahead of the tires  so I will have one 1/2 sweep or hiller and two 
sweeps on each side of the row.   I plan to use the two spring tooth 
shovels on the rear gang to scratch out the wheel tracks.  Mine are John 
Deere and are larger than what the A would use, but I think I can make 
things work alright.  If not, I could use shanks and sweeps or find some 
smaller spring tooth units from a salvage yard or parts place.  My rows 
are 40 inch.  I have a feeling this little unit is going to turn into 
just what I need.  Especially for the potatoes.  I currently cultivate 
the sweetcorn with a 2-row John Deere.  And.....it might get replaced on 
the smaller patches.  We will find out next year.

Are there any suppliers that offer a standard diameter PTO shaft to 
install in the Super A?  Or would I need to use an adapter like I did on 
my Allis Chalmers B?  I would use the Super A to power a grain auger 
from time to time, I think.  Of course it needs repairs somewhere in 
there so it will stay in gear.  Probably some bad bearings from either 
low oil level or water rusting things or both. All other things that are 
in motion... finals, transmission gears, etc. seem to be fine.

Ron Cook
Salix, IA
On 7/23/2014 4:54 PM, jtchall at nc.rr.com wrote:
> Don't ever recall seeing one with a temp gauge. Most of the hydraulic temp
> gauges can't be read and have had the cable cut so it was easier to work on
> the reservoir. Dad told me he only saw the gauge go up one time and that was
> when using a 2 row horse drawn corn planter he had rigged up in some very
> short rows.
>
> You should be able to get a seat cover for around $20.
>
> Agri-suply is a good place for rear sweeps. Not familiar enough with ag
> practices in other areas to know how readily available the big sweeps are--I
> think we run something in the 18-22" range. What do you have for bedding
> rows, disc hillers or "buzzard wings".
>
> Take a look where your left fender bolts to the transmission. There is a
> pocket between the fender and trans housing that will collect trash and then
> water. This is made worse if the tractor was used to put out fertilizer in
> big fields and the operator rode a spare bag of fertilizer by the gearshift.
> If your fender is blistered or cracked you can fix it by welding a
> reinforcement plate to it. Its in behind the tire so you don't really notice
> it unless you are looking for it. This was a real problem on fast hitch
> tractors using heavy implements--theer is a LOT of stress on that fender.
>
> John
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron Cook
> Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 1:08 AM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] here I go again
>
> John,
>       Once again, thanks for the information.  I, no doubt, will have
> some questions on down the line.
> This tractor will not be working all that hard, but I do want it up in
> good shape.  So far everything is pretty good that I have looked at,
> with the exception of the pto/belt pully not staying in gear. Something
> is worn in there.  Rocking the tractor revealed very little play in the
> axle bearings.  You can hear a clunk but not see much movement.  There
> has to be some,  however.  The steering gearbox is tight with no up and
> down movement where the tie rods attach.  It is, however leaking some
> lube at the bottom.  Brakes seem quite good.  The radiator has been to a
> radiator shop and is very nice with perfect straight fins.  New belts
> installed and evidence the fan has been oiled.  I will, however check
> that.  There is no water pump.  It seems odd to me that there is not a
> temperature gauge for coolant.  It must have been discarded for some
> reason.  I assume it came with one.  There is a temp gauge for the
> hydraulic oil.  It may not work, though.  It looks pretty tough, but I
> have not worked it enough for it to be showing any temperature. The
> engine does smoke just a little until it is warmed up, so it probably
> uses a little oil.  The ring gear has a bad spot.  The fuse holder cap
> and fuse are gone.  The bad headlight wiring is probably the reason for
> that.  The tractor came to NW Iowa from Michigan. That is all the
> history I have.  I don't think it has done a tremendous amount of field
> work, but maybe quite a bit of belt work and a whole bunch of sitting in
> a shed.  Everything is fairly tight and straight, including the
> cultivator but not a thing is shiny. The sweeps are worn, but not really
> worn out.  The steering wheel is even very good with the exception of
> someone's initials carved into it.  Not much wear on the pedals or the
> platform or the notches on the throttle.  Seat covering is gone.  Car
> tires on the front but I have a good set of tractor fronts for it.
> Rears are very good. More info as I get the time to spend on it.
>
> Ron Cook
> Salix, IA
>
>
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