Thinking About a Tractor

Gotta run it lean of peak :D

My plan was to add distributorless ignition and multipoint fuel injection with a wide band oxygen sensor. Add 10:1 pistons and LOP should be easy.
 
Oh hey. One other thing.

If you don't have side markers on your road that stand up tall and you have ditches, get them installed now before it snows. :)

I pull mine out to mow every summer and put them back about now when the grass won't be growing enough to mow again along the road and in the ditches on either side.

Last year I used some electrical conduit that would let you push those $15 packs of five or six LED solar walkway lights on top of the conduit to make a stake about a foot and a half tall.

Lighted taxiway. ;)

They were up on the edges of the road. This year I'm going to make them taller and pound the conduit in down in the ditches so they're just off of the road. Easier to miss them that way and maybe just leave them in the summer.

Sounds like lots of prep for eastern Kansas. It doesn't snow there but maybe once a year. The rest is rain and ice.
 
My front tires are falling apart, so they need to be changed. They're 6.00-16 tires, but I'm not sure what else I should be looking for like number of plys. This tractor will be getting light duty use and certainly not professional. I do plan on putting a front end loader on it. I see most as 6-ply tires. Any thoughts on whether I need something with more plys? Brand? Tubes or not? etc. I see what look like some good deals on eBay, but thought I'd ask first. This one caught my eye:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-6-00-...4443&clkid=9047929417659823298&_qi=RTM2067267
 
Are ya dealing with brush and flint or just grass? I think you are east of the flint so you should be okay with lighter tires but maybe ask around a bit.
 
Are ya dealing with brush and flint or just grass? I think you are east of the flint so you should be okay with lighter tires but maybe ask around a bit.

Basically just grass, although also some gravel and pavement.
 
Ted, you're 30 years too late. From where you are, you used to be able to drive up to the TWA overhaul base at MCI and ask if they'd let you rummage through their tires that were headed back for recapping. DC9 tires made excellent tractor tires for use with a heavy front loader.
 
Basically just grass, although also some gravel and pavement.

Gravel and pavement usually aren't a problem. My experience is that the only reason to go with a higher ply rating is to prevent penetration.
 
Ted, you're 30 years too late. From where you are, you used to be able to drive up to the TWA overhaul base at MCI and ask if they'd let you rummage through their tires that were headed back for recapping. DC9 tires made excellent tractor tires for use with a heavy front loader.

I've often thought I was born 30 years too late. You've just given me another reason to believe that.
 
My front tires are falling apart, so they need to be changed. They're 6.00-16 tires, but I'm not sure what else I should be looking for like number of plys. This tractor will be getting light duty use and certainly not professional. I do plan on putting a front end loader on it. I see most as 6-ply tires. Any thoughts on whether I need something with more plys? Brand? Tubes or not? etc. I see what look like some good deals on eBay, but thought I'd ask first. This one caught my eye:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-6-00-...4443&clkid=9047929417659823298&_qi=RTM2067267

Those look a little high, especially when you add on shipping. Call a local commercial truck tire shop and see what they can do for you on a cash 'n carry basis, or even a TSC store. Those tires'll be plenty stout for what you need to do. Most of them all come from China anyway.

BTW, a good way to break the bead if you're going to do it yourself is lay the wheel on the ground and run over the tire as close to the rim as you can with your truck. squeezing the tire off the bead. Turn the steering wheel a few times while the tire is being crushed if it need a bit of persuasion.

Then go after it with spoons.

We'll make a country boy outta you yet....
 
We'll make a country boy outta you yet....

I've said my whole life that I was born in the wrong place (NYC). My grandmother was raised on a dairy farm, but never taught her kids anything useful she learned from that.

So I may be behind on my edumacation, but I'm a fast learner. ;)

Going to TSC today anyway (in my BMW Z4 - that blends right in), I'll ask about tires.
 
I've said my whole life that I was born in the wrong place (NYC). My grandmother was raised on a dairy farm, but never taught her kids anything useful she learned from that.

So I may be behind on my edumacation, but I'm a fast learner. ;)

Going to TSC today anyway (in my BMW Z4 - that blends right in), I'll ask about tires.

Ha....

They will laugh you right back out the front door...

Please post pics sir...:redface:
 
Ha....

They will laugh you right back out the front door...

Please post pics sir...:redface:

I've been there at least half a dozen times in said car. They're nice and friendly here.

Put my PTO driveshaft, 5 gallon tub of hydraulic fluid, etc. in said car, drive off.

But it doesn't blend in too well with the duallies. ;)
 
I've been there at least half a dozen times in said car. They're nice and friendly here.

Put my PTO driveshaft, 5 gallon tub of hydraulic fluid, etc. in said car, drive off.

But it doesn't blend in too well with the duallies. ;)

Try showing up once in a red Ferrari cabrio, in TX, in a small town. I get some funny looks hopping out in khaki shorts and a polo shirt.
 
BTW, a good way to break the bead if you're going to do it yourself is lay the wheel on the ground and run over the tire as close to the rim as you can with your truck. squeezing the tire off the bead. Turn the steering wheel a few times while the tire is being crushed if it need a bit of persuasion.

Then go after it with spoons.

We'll make a country boy outta you yet....
If I had a dollar for every time....
 
Try showing up once in a red Ferrari cabrio, in TX, in a small town. I get some funny looks hopping out in khaki shorts and a polo shirt.

I show up usually on my lunch break. So it's jeans and a button down shirt. Don't fit the stereotype, but they don't much care. My money's still good.
 
I show up usually on my lunch break. So it's jeans and a button down shirt. Don't fit the stereotype, but they don't much care. My money's still good.
You'll know when you're there too often when they give you a free TSC cap. Was back at the local store a couple weeks ago and they offered me a new one saying the old TSC cap looks like it was under the tractor a bit too long.
Accepted the new cap but told them the sweat, dirt, oil and grease stains were earned, not given :D
 
As requested:

IMG_20150917_113603.jpg

No luck on tires, though. Got a recommendation for who might have them.
 
Ok, another question. Looking at front tires, there's the more traditional older style (three deep ribs, closer to an aircraft tire), or the newer "turf" style, looks more like a lawn tractor tire. The latter is cheaper.

For my application (mostly grass and pavement), which am I better off with? Does it matter?
 
You are telling me now ? :)



At the tender age of 13 I took out the back wall of a shed with a tractor. The farmer was very nice about it.

At about the same age I ran my Grandpa's Allis-chalmers B through grandma's garden. He laughed and told me to try the clutch next time, she b!tched me out for a week. :lol:
 
Ok, another question. Looking at front tires, there's the more traditional older style (three deep ribs, closer to an aircraft tire), or the newer "turf" style, looks more like a lawn tractor tire. The latter is cheaper.

For my application (mostly grass and pavement), which am I better off with? Does it matter?

Turf tires are fine on grass but absolutely suck in loose dirt and mud. Ribbed tires are good both on grass and loose dirt or mud, but they will cut the turf a bit if you try and turn too sharp going too fast. They also help you turn a bit if you have a heavy load on the drawbar.

So, if the plan is to ever plow up some of that ground into a good-sized garden, you'll probably want ribbed.
 
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So, there I was, toying with the idea of getting another tractor for some heavier moving, and maybe keep one in CO for snow.

I come across something that look like it might do, and I think I'll get more info.

http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/5219125066.html

Hmmmmmmm, what's wrong with this picture?
 
So, there I was, toying with the idea of getting another tractor for some heavier moving, and maybe keep one in CO for snow.

I come across something that look like it might do, and I think I'll get more info.

http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/5219125066.html

Hmmmmmmm, what's wrong with this picture?

Umm, dunno. Looks like a nice MF industrial to me, based on a 65 maybe? Yes, it has a seat...Can't tell if that's a crack in the loader frame, or just dirt. Tires are good, and if that is a crack, couple hours of heavy welding would take care of it. For $2,500 what's not to like? I'm not seeing the issue.
 
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Umm, dunno. Looks like a nice MF industrial to me, based on a 65 maybe? Yes, it has a seat...Can't tell if that's a crack in the loader frame, or just dirt. Tires are good, and if that is a crack, couple hours of heavy welding would take care of it. For $2,500 what's not to like? I'm not seeing the issue.

Yup, that's what I thought. So, I tried to call. Or email. Or send smoke signals. Or...
 
So the other day my wife tells me that she saw an old Allis Chalmers with a front end loader for sale a few miles from our house. Today I went by and ended up buying it. It's a D17 with a gasser (~250 cubic inch 4 cylinder, 60-some HP, rated at 1650 RPM).

Now I have two tractors, but I only want and need one. Since this one has the front end loader on it, I'm figuring I'll pull the nice seat off the Massey Ferguson 165 I bought first and then sell it.
 
So the other day my wife tells me that she saw an old Allis Chalmers with a front end loader for sale a few miles from our house. Today I went by and ended up buying it. It's a D17 with a gasser (~250 cubic inch 4 cylinder, 60-some HP, rated at 1650 RPM).

Now I have two tractors, but I only want and need one. Since this one has the front end loader on it, I'm figuring I'll pull the nice seat off the Massey Ferguson 165 I bought first and then sell it.

May as well if you only need one. The Chalmers should make a nice machine for you assuming it's not an old three point (never saw one with a loader.)
 
May as well if you only need one. The Chalmers should make a nice machine for you assuming it's not an old three point (never saw one with a loader.)

It has a 3 point with a 540 PTO. I'm not certain what an "old" 3-point is.
 
Tricycle gear configuration with the narrow front wheel track.

Oh, I thought you were talking about the 3-point on back.

No, it's got a wide front end. Wouldn't buy a tricycle with a front end loader.
 
Oh, I thought you were talking about the 3-point on back.

No, it's got a wide front end. Wouldn't buy a tricycle with a front end loader.

I have only come across one old tricycle tractor with a loader cobbled onto it. Not stable at all wth a hay bale.
 
Some of the allies tractor had what they called a snap hitch. Little different than regular 3 point. As I remember the arms wouldn't swing. Not aure which of the two I would rather have. They both have plus and minus,s.
 
What's a diesel 160 Allis Chalmers with factory loader worth? It's rough, runs great, decent tires. I think it leaks about everything except maybe fuel and coolant.

Allways been the go-to tractor on the farm to push snow mainly because it always starts and with chains on the back tires it does a good job.
 
Some of the allies tractor had what they called a snap hitch. Little different than regular 3 point. As I remember the arms wouldn't swing. Not aure which of the two I would rather have. They both have plus and minus,s.

I need to look at the 3-point a bit closer and try hooking up some accessories. There are definitely things I like better about each. I think swapping the loader would be way too much work, which would either mean keep the Allis or keep both.
 
Oh, keep both. You know you wanna...it's a lot easier than changing implements.
 
Oh, keep both. You know you wanna...it's a lot easier than changing implements.

While I do kinda want to keep both, I end up having to change implements anyway. Got half a dozen or so implements for the 3-point.

The only negative is that the front end loader really messes up forward visibility.
 
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