[AT] Goodbye 430V - and more

[drgerber at bright.net]

Spencer:  Wow, you have been through a lot.  I appreciate your story more than you know.  Your survival instincts, determination to stay in the "fight" are admirable.  Glad you pulled through.  Been there, done that, different ailments and injuries from Army duties, and was much younger.  Now the battle is staying on top with the after affects.  

Just picked up a 320 utility; nice little tractor, a few warts and scars, but it will come alive again this summer.  Cracked block, but came with a correct donor block.  I have a rebuild kit for it, so will disassemble and get the engine to the machine shop to have it bored 125 over, sweeten up the cam and deck the block to pick up the compression a tad, and have a much stronger engine.   I intend to use it as I do all my tractors, then sell them off in ten or so years.  It has factory rear remotes, quite a rare option for a 320. 

You should have RFD TV do a video on your story about the illness and recovery, especially since it was during the covid nonsense.  It would be an inspiration to others, and represent the character of those in the farming community.

Dave Gerber in Ohio.

-----Original Message-----
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of Spencer Yost
Sent: Friday, July 9, 2021 11:44 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: [AT] Goodbye 430V - and more

Where do I start?  Not exactly sure but I know I won't be able to tell this story properly if I start with the tractor so hang in there


I haven't been exactly talkative for a while and have been holding quite 
a bit back.  Its been a wild ride for me over the last 10-ish months.   
I got meningitis last fall, got thrown in the hospital in October, had a 
craniotomy(broken sinus bone allowed a pathways for pathogens, hence the 
meningitis and craniotomy to repair the sinus), recovered, all the while 
missing only 2-3 weeks of work (thank goodness for work-from-home), 
continuing my work on my masters degree, and meeting my farm obligations 
(also thank goodness all this happened in the late fall and winter where 
chores and obligations are few and minor).

So I've been busy....

By the time they figured out my health issues, I had become quite ill.  
Meningitis is serious shit and I became so ill I also started getting 
secondary infections(pneumonia, etc).   Hearing I was two shakes from 
death and then hearing they have to lift the lid to fix it .


All that and then requiring 6 months to feel "normal" reordered my 
priorities.


How does this relate to the 430V?   Glad you asked.   One of my projects 
is a 1957 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup.   It is a very low mileage, very nice 
original truck with minimal rust.  I took it apart in the early oughts 
and stored every piece carefully on shelves in my shop.  The cab is on 
blocks in front of my Pacer's parking place.   It was always going to be 
a long and expensive project that also would require lots of shop 
space;  but time, money and space have all been in short supply for 
years.  So the project never got off the ground.   I have decided to 
prioritize it.   One solution to opening up space and money  is to sell 
a tractor.   Selling the John Deere 430V as opposed to the Pacer opens 
up the most funds and space.

So I spoke with Debbie Polk (Polk Auctions) and they are going to 
include my tractor in the upcoming Labor day auction.   I chose Polk 
because I have done tons of business with them over the years - mainly 
on behalf of other folks but also myself personally. This is probably my 
last chance to do business with them as a consignor.   Also they have 
always been great to do business with.


So there you have it.   A lot in a nutshell and probably more than you 
wanted to know.  I felt like it was time to come clean about all I have 
been through over the last many months and to also announce my recent 
decision to sell the 430V.


Have a great weekend!


-- 
Spencer Yost

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