All about tractors Archives - Page 4 of 45

1951 John Deere B

08/08/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

This is my 1951 John Deere B. I bought it in February 2022. After searching for over a year for an antique tractor to use on my family’s hobby farm I decided to post a “looking for ad” online. Within an hour a nearby farmer messaged me with some pictures and his phone number.

I contacted him and we got talking. It was an older restore he used on his farm to pull tobacco wagons into the barn. He bought it more so for his grandson but he lost interest in it so decided to sell it. After doing a test drive in the door yard we agreed on a price shook hands and it was mine.

This tractor is used on my family’s 7-acre hobby farm where we grow, corn, soybeans, and sunflowers for wildlife, and grow decorative corn and pumpkins we sell along the roadside in the Fall. This tractor fits in with the farm very well. My dad and I collect and restored two John Deere garden tractors, and we set all tractors up along the roadside with lights and flags on them for patriotic holidays. My goal is to fully restore this tractor someday and hand it down to my son.

Tony Voigt
Fox Lake, Wisconsin

If you would like to submit a story with photo(s) about an experience with your tractor, interesting facts about its history, or a restoration project, please go to Tractor Story Submissions. If your story is picked to appear on the blog you will receive a FREE Steiner hat. Some stories will also go on to be published in our quarterly magazine. We look forward to hearing your story!

Featured Photo – 1944 Farmall BN

08/02/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

Nothing makes a Grandpa happier than posing with his granddaughters on his 1944 Farmall BN.

Charlene Shumaker
Bellevue, Michigan
2022 Tractor Photo Contest Winner

1946 Farmall H

08/01/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

1946 Farmall H tractor owned by Chris Brady in Lebanon, Kentucky. I enjoy driving my tractor on country roads in Marion county. I plan on showing my tractor at an antique tractor show and driving my tractor in a parade at the local festival Marion County Country Ham Days in Lebanon, Kentucky the last weekend in September.

I did not restore it myself. I bought it after it had been restored. Not sure how many years ago it was restored. My dad and I have done a lot of work to my tractor.

Chris Brady
Lebanon, Kentucky

1941 Ford 9N

07/28/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

My tractor is a 1941 Ford 9N, six-volt system. I’ve done some repair work on it, front axle pivot pin, wheel bearings, left spindle, carb rebuild, a new gas tank, and right 3-point rocker lift arm.

I have three implements for her a Ferguson 14-inch double bottom plow, a Ferguson 5-foot pull behind the disc, and a John Deere back blade. Her name is Edna.

Joel Pfrang
Lake City, Michigan

Allis Chalmers WF45 Restoration

07/14/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

My Allis Chalmers WF45 is a custom-built restoration project. The tractor began life in 1949 as an Allis Chalmers WD. But by the time I received it around 2013, it was in really bad shape. All the sheet metal was missing, and the engine was locked up from water getting down the exhaust. The transmission and rear end were locked up as well due to the gear shift being removed and mice making a nest in the diff that locked up the ring and pinion. It was missing many other parts, governor, tires, original rims drawbar, starter, and distributor. It did come with a parts tractor with no motor and with bad rear rims that didn’t at all complete the other tractor. I paid $150 for both machines. When I got the tractor I had this crazy idea to lower it and make it a standard tread tractor. On my property is a 2-acre pasture field with many trees and I wanted something shorter to mow under the trees with. But I’m a die-hard Allis fan and the only tractor that really would work would be an IB or a WF and neither of those has a good three-point lift or live hydraulics or PTO. Both of those tractors are rather rare to find too and usually come with a $2,000 or more price tag. So I thought I could build one out of this WD cheaper.

It took a few years to get started on the tractor but in 2015 I started working on it and it took 2 years to fully finish it. I started by getting the transmission loose and lowering the tractor. I pulled the final drives (which was not easy as the break pins wouldn’t come out) and drilled new break pin holes and spun the final drives up one bolt. I then repaired the rims on the parts tractor, one of which I had to cut out 1/4 of it and replace with a new section. Then I mounted the smallest 28in tires I could find 11.2 x 28 in rims. I then leveled the tractor to start working on the front axle. I dropped the tricycle front pedestal, cut the end of the frame rails, and then began fabricating the front axle. Most of it is made from scratch but it is made to fit many Allis parts. I pulled the axle pieces out of the tricycle front and fabricated the wide front to fit these parts. The steering arms are off an Allis B and the drag link is off of a B. The steering box is off of a 1954 Chevy 2-ton truck. The steering wheel and the seat were lowered. I also had to make new fender brackets and decided to fabricate a full platform to resemble the wf and the U. And of course find many of the missing parts. After that was all done, I then started the engine. I couldn’t get the motor free so I did a full overhaul on the motor, new piston sleeve kit with overbore and got a 226cuin crank and new bearings, and refaced all the valves and seats. I decided to go to 226 cranks because by then I wanted to dub the tractor the WF45 and wanted to make it such. I thought about finding a WD45 block too but I had to move the oil filter to fit the steering box and that was much easier with the valve guide plate on the wd block. Ultimately the longer I worked on the tractor, the more it made me want to do it right and make the tractor look like it could be factory-made.

So ultimately my cheap standard tread tractor quickly became pretty expensive. It wound up costing me over $3500 to complete and tons of hours of labor. But I think it turned out really nice. We now use it actively on the farm. It bush-hogs the pasture each year and is the backup tractor for baling and many other tasks.

David Kasler
Ashville, Ohio

“Clara stays in the family”

07/12/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

This 1955 Ford 860 was used by my grandfather until he retired from farming in 1963. My father purchased the tractor from him so he could use it on his seven-acre farm. He also used the tractor to plow many gardens for friends and neighbors over the years.

The tractor was retired to the barn in the early nineties where it sat until this year. With the help of my son Evan, my nephew Nathan, and Steiner we were able to find all the parts we needed to get it running again. I decided to nickname the tractor “Clara” after Henry Ford’s wife. Today we are now using the tractor for enjoyment on the property it once farmed fifty-five years ago. My dream (after the pandemic) is to display its durability and share its history.

Gary Armstrong
Columbus, Ohio

Allis Chalmers WCs

07/08/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

This photo is our 1933 Allis Chalmers WC, serial number 14, It is the oldest known to exist at this time. Along with the 1948 Allis Chalmers WC, serial number 178202, it is the last WC made according to the serial number listings. The next tractor off the line was WD #1.

We have a few other unique pieces also. An Allis/Dodge M7 snow tractor in its Army uniform. We have 2 WC maintainers, an unstyled 1938 and a later styled one as well. We have an unstyled wide front WC. Also, another interesting piece is a Plymouth tractor. Thank you for your interest.

Fred & BJ Wilke
Hanover, Pennsylvania

June Customer Review Winner

07/07/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

My tractor is nothing special in the grand world of John Deere’s but it is certainly special to me.

It is a 1948 model M “standard” that was first acquired by my grandfather- Hobart Koontz. As my grandfather had quite a few two-cylinder tractors, most of them were well used while this one fell to the wayside. Over the years it had fallen into a state of disrepair and needed a little attention. My dad (Larry) brought it home when I was about 10 years old and that became my summer project. Together we made all of the necessary repairs and even added some shiny new green paint. For a short time, this one saw a few tractor shows and parades and then settled into a life of small gardening. My dad and I shared a passion for the “putt-putt” tractors and together we have owned models A, H, M, MT, 430, LA, and 1010.

As life happens too often, this little M once again fell into a state of disrepair. My son is now 15 and we have embarked on another journey to restore this little tractor to its former glory. Not nearly the same level as the original task my dad and I took on when I was 10, but still a worthy project for a father and son. I grew up in a very mechanically gifted family and this project will certainly afford me the opportunity to share this same knowledge and passion with my son.

Thanks for providing a great service to the “old tractor” hobby! And thanks for letting me share a little bit about this special little John Deere M.

Greg Koontz
Clemmons, North Carolina

Each month we randomly select one of our customer reviews to receive a $25 Steiner Tractor Parts gift card. This month’s winner was Greg Koontz. Congratulations Greg, and thank you for purchasing your tractor parts at Steiner.

July Featured Photo

07/06/2022 by RT Leave a Comment

“Our family always has a tractor day in October. Three generations of our family come together to share their love of old John Deere tractors and the great outdoors. We have fun driving the John Deere’s around the countryside and enjoy listening to the mechanical music of the old two-cylinder engines and appreciating the beautiful Fall colors of the trees. Of course, it would not be October without fresh sugar-cinnamon donuts and Apple Cider after the ride. The stars of the event are a 1953 John Deere 50 and a 1959 John Deere 530.”

Gary Field of Gaines, Michigan
2022 Tractor Photo Contest Winner

The Old Ponderosa, Farmall F-12 !

06/27/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

Back around 1950, the boys were mowing hay at Lake Tahoe when the motor started to overheat and steam. They tried to get back to the ranch house for water but did not make it. They burned a hole through the cylinder wall and there she sat for a year or two.

The Ponderosa Museum took the tractor and put it under a big old tree for the kids to play on. She sat there for about 70 years and then was headed for the junkyard. My son, Bill Jr. saw it and knew his Dad had to have it out on the ranch. I think he paid $50.00 for it and sent it out to me in 2019.

I had rebuilt an F-12 before so this was not new to me. However, I was 83 years old at that time and I sure had my hands full. Two years later, in late 2021 I had it all back together but was not strong enough to crank it! So step two was to install the Flex plate, starter, and then alternator and a small dashboard. Now WOW, just touch the pedal, and off she goes.

Bill Watson Sr.
Lamoille, Nevada

1951 Massey Harris 30

06/15/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

The tractor is a 1951 Massey Harris model 30. It has the original F162 Continental Engine. It is owned by Paul Moroni of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. It was purchased locally from the original owner.

Paul has restored it and owned it for over 20 years now. It has become part of the family. It will someday be passed down to his daughters.

Lynda Ellis
Middleboro, Massachusetts
Tractor Photo Contest Winner

Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition

06/10/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

The Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition (formerly known as Delo TRC) is celebrating its 25th year and now accepting entries for the 2022 competition!

This prestigious national competition, open to high-school students across the US, is a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun, and provides the opportunity to learn and grow — both professionally and personally — with hands-on exposure to real world skills! The competition awards prizes totaling up to $20,000. For more information, visit ChevronTRC.com

June Featured Photo

06/02/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

Grandpa’s Red Fever Tractor Collection

Front Row – Right to Left – Farmall Super AV High Crop, Farmall H, Farmall Super H, Farmall Super HTA, Farmall M, Farmall MTA, Farmall 300.
Back Row – Right to Left – Farmall 350 Diesel, Farmall 450 Diesel, Farmall 460 Diesel, Farmall 504, 544 International Harvester, International Harvester 656 Hydro.

My father-in-law, Dennis White, retired in 2013. He decided he needed a hobby and took an interest in locating tractors to restore. To date, he has fully restored 13 tractors and is currently working on his 14^th.

Dennis retired from being a mechanic at a tractor implement dealership where he worked on farmers’ tractors every day. So, it only makes sense that his love for tractors did not stop at retirement. He continues to add additional tractors to his collection as he comes across tractors that need to be restored. As a family, we enjoy sharing these tractors with others by riding in numerous tractor rides, parades, and sometimes just a stroll around our town on a nice day.

Dena White
Osceola, Iowa
2022 Tractor Photo Contest Winner

Parade Tractor

05/31/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

My husband, David, purchased this 1941 SC Case at an auction 6 years ago. Since he purchased it, it has been in numerous parades and displayed in our front yard for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekends. It has also participated in the Mackinaw Bridge Drive twice. He uses it around the farm for light-duty jobs. If you mention a parade or tractor show, David will be there to participate.

Charlene Shumaker
Bellevue, Michigan
2022 Tractor Photo Contest Winner

1950 CO-OP E-4 Buda 262 motor

05/26/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

Originally utilized at a farm located near Ann Arbor, Michigan. As technology brought new tractors, this Co-Op was then utilized to haul crops from the field to the farm for storage. The tractor was discovered in the field row, almost out of life, and purchased. It was re-built to the current condition by Gary Baker and Warren Townsend. In its new life, it is a Division 2 puller and has won numerous pulls it has entered. It will spend the rest of its life within our family.

Bill Parker
Goodrich, Michigan
2022 Tractor Photo Contest Winner

May $200 Gift Card Winner

05/23/2022 by RT Leave a Comment

The lucky winner of May’s $200 Steiner gift card is Dale Lambert of Bennett, North Carolina. Dale has been a subscriber since 2020 and his favorite tractor brands are International and John Deere. Congratulations, Dale!

Attached are some older pics of my tractor and the family history that goes along with it. I hope you’re able to use this info. I was going to take some new pics but it was storming this weekend. I have also included a pic I took of the A and a 1948 Farmall H owned by my brother-in-law, both were purchased new in our family, as we loaded to go to a tractor show this month. As you can see, the A is still looking good.
Dale Lambert

Future Farmer and Tractor Guy

05/12/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

My name is Mason Smoker and I am 14 years old. I have a dream of farming for my whole life. I just bought a Farmall M to farm and pull with. It is a fairly stock tractor, but some little upgrades. It has an M&W live hydraulic kit on it, a homemade hitch, and front/back weight bracket. I have taken it to the antique tractor pull and it did well. I love antique tractors and will always do it the old way.

Mason Smoker
Parkesburg, Pennsylvania

1954 Allis Chalmers WD-45

05/04/2022 by ST Leave a Comment

My tractor is a 1954 Allis Chalmers WD-45. It’s been in our family since the late 1970s or early 1980s (not exactly sure when it was acquired). I use it for planting food plots and general tasks around my 40-acre hunting parcel in Gladwin County, Michigan. It’s definitely an old workhorse!

Darren Bartnik

Darren was our April 2022 monthly review winner, he received a $25 Steiner Tractor Parts gift card. A winner is drawn from all of the reviews submitted to us in the previous month. Congratulations Darren!

May Featured Photo

05/03/2022 by ST 3 Comments

This is my grandfather’s 1947 Case VAC. My grandfather retired in the early 2000s from dairy farming. Once retired, he was not very active, and my family knew this would be a problem. As a solution, my family purchased this tractor and presented it to him for Father’s Day. The plan was to help him restore the tractor, and he could then take it to the local fairs to show and pull it in the antique tractor pulls.

He pulled this tractor for many years and won many trophies with it. It helped him get out of the house and stay active, especially during the Summer months. Unfortunately, he is no longer able to use the tractor due to his age and health, so I have taken the tractor under my wing and started pulling it and having fun with it as he did for many years.

Brad Turner
Wattsburg, Pennsylvania
2022 Tractor Photo Contest Winner

1953 Ford Jubilee

04/27/2022 by ST 1 Comment

1953 Ford Jubilee, with Davis Loader. I have owned this for 21 years! Great little tractor.
About 19 years ago, I completely disassembled and rebuilt everything. It has been fun using it in tractor pulls, putting in lawns, pulling firewood, plowing snow, plowing, and discing. I have the original bucket, but use the bigger one I designed and built.

Scott Andrews

Scott was our March 2022 monthly review winner, he received a $25 Steiner Tractor Parts gift card. A winner is drawn from all of the reviews submitted to us in the previous month. Congratulations Scott!