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Happy New Year!

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In honor of new beginnings, here are 5 new year’s resolutions that you’ll be happy to keep:

1.Drive your tractor once a week.

Even show tractors like to get out every once and awhile! The whole point of having gorgeous tractor collections is to enjoy them, so take the tractor for a spin. Not only is it good for your tractors (some especially need to be worked hard in order to stay in good condition), it’s good for your spirits to get outside in the fresh air. Need something to do? Add a blade and do some good deeds plowing snow in your neighborhood.

2. Get better deals on parts.

Let’s face it: owning tractors can be expensive. That’s why Steiner is here to help! Save money on parts by ordering aftermarket – we’d love to help you with your next project.

3.Take your tractor somewhere fun.

A show, a parade, a drive through the countryside – you decide! Your tractor doesn’t have to be parade-perfect to get out and have some fun. If you aren’t ready to take your tractor to a show, how about some community service? A local youth group might enjoy a hayride, or you could pull a float in a parade.

4. Join a club.

If you aren’t a member of a local tractor club, you could be missing out on some great friendships (like my friends Louis and Linda pictured above)! Get to know others in your community by joining a local association. You might even make an expert mechanic friend that can help you with that tricky problem you’ve been having. 

5. Share the joy with someone else.

Now more than ever, children and teens need adults in their lives who care about them and teach them useful skills. Plenty of young people are gifted at working with their hands but lack the tools and teachers they need to be successful. You can help by coming alongside a young tinkerer and showing them the ropes. There’s no way I would be the mechanic I am today if it wasn’t for my dad, grandpa, and family friends giving generously of their time to teach me. You can do the same for a young person you know!

How about you – what are your tractor-related New Year’s Resolutions? Share yours in the comments below.

Retirement Gift: JD 4020 Diesel

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When my friend Stacy Stimson retired from our local police force, his son knew just what to get to honor his father: a restored 4020 John Deere Diesel. The goal: to find and restore the original family tractor in complete secrecy. Here’s how he pulled it off.

Stacy and his son Brandon Stimson are both police officers in my small town. They’ve been friends of our family for a long time. Years ago, when Stacy’s father (a retired farmer) passed away, my dad helped them sell the family’s 4020 John Deere. At the time, no one in the family was interested in using it at the farm, so it made sense to sell the valuable tractor. A few years later, though, Stacy and Brandon began to wonder what had happened to the tractor their family had known for so long. Brandon just knew that finding this tractor again would be the perfect gift, so he called my dad for help.

Amazingly, my dad remembered exactly who had purchased the 4020 John Deere all those years ago. Brandon got in touch with the farmer and tried his best to persuade him to sell the tractor back to the Stimson family. Unfortunately for Brandon, though, the farmer had fallen in love with the faithful 4020 and wouldn’t part with it. Time for plan B.

Time was running short when Brandon found a 4020 Diesel with a syncro-shift transmission at an auction sale in Indiana. The tractor was in excellent mechanical condition, with a full overhaul completed just 300 hours ago. Cosmetically, though, the tractor was a different story. Brandon brought the tractor home with just one month to go before his dad’s retirement party.

In order to finish the project on time, Brandon enlisted the help of a friend who paints cars professionally. (I wish I had a friend like this!). The two of them tore the tractor down to the bare frame and meticulously restored every square inch. As the day of the retirement party drew near, Brandon and his friend worked even harder to get the tractor done in time. To make things even more difficult, Brandon couldn’t let his Dad know why he was spending so many evenings in the shop. His plan required complete secrecy – and it was worth it!

The day of the party, Brandon rushed to finish off the tractor. A few small details were missing – the headlights, for example, were on but weren’t wired yet. It looked fabulous, though, so Brandon set off on a one-man parade to the party, driving the 4020.

Brandon arrived just in time. The look on his father’s face when he realized the old 4020 was for him was priceless.

In the following days, Brandon took the tractor back to his home to finish off those final details – but before long, it was back at Stacy Stimson’s farm where it belonged. Stacy is already planning on putting lots of hours on the tractor in the field this next summer.

I’m so thankful to live in a community with Stacy and Brandon as our police officers. Way to go, Brandon, for honoring your dad with such a special gift!

How to Build a Champion Pulling Tractor

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Did you know that with enough time, parts, and creativity any tractor can become a champion pulling tractor? My competitive side might make me regret sharing this information, but here are my favorite upgrades to stock tractors.

Let’s take the 560 Farmall for example. On its own, the 560 is a good but not particularly beefy tractor. A few changes, though, can make it a real powerhouse.

First, lighten up the tractor. Replace the heavy-duty cast iron wheels with tin wheels. Get rid of the wide front end and replace it with a narrow front. Remove the 2 point hitch and use just the draw bar.

With all the weight you save by making these switches, you can have fun with the engine. I’d start with a 301 combine engine (non-sleeved). Put in some 806 pop-up pistons with domes. They’ll fit without the sleeves and be very powerful.

Carburation is a game-changer. If the club you’re pulling with doesn’t require a stock manifold, then switch to a combine manifold. If this is against your club’s rules, use the 806 manifold and carburetor on the 301 combine engine.

Putting in hotter plugs is a common mistake, however, the spark plug needs to be the plug that was originally engineered for the tractor (the combine engine used the same spark plugs as the tractor engine originally).

Be sure to run the biggest tire that the club allows. If allowed by your club’s rules, cut tires are a big advantage over standard tires.

A few more details: Put a straight pipe on. Keep the radiator from the 560. Add weight brackets on the back of this model.

This tractor would pull in the 5500-6500 farm pulling class. As pulling tractors go, this one would be very affordable to build and run. It would be a fun project, too! If you’re still looking for a winter project this year, try this one and send us pictures.

Thanks, Brandon Cooley, for the photo.

Tips for Wiring Your Tractor

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I just finished up a massive re-wiring project on this New Holland tractor. Mice had burrowed their way under the hood and gnawed at the wires. What a mess! Along the way to fixing this tractor up, I learned a lot about wiring problems from my Dad (in addition to being a great mechanic, he’s also a licensed electrician. Winning combo!). Here are some of our best tips for tractor electrical work:

1. When you’re installing a new harness, no need to start from scratch: firmly tape the new wires to the old wires, and pull through the loom. Voila! No need to thread individual wires through tight spots.
2. Some harnesses come with additional wire that you might not use. That’s okay – but be sure to seal off unused wires properly. Cut the wire flush, then put same tape or a wire nut over the end.
3. In the same way that you wouldn’t change the oil in your car without also replacing the filter, you should change your battery cables when you replace the harness. Battery cables need to be clean and in good condition.

4. If the wires are stiff, try putting a little bit of dish soap on the wires to help them slide through easier.

There you have it! These are my best tips for tractor electrical work. How about you – do you know any (safe!) shortcuts or tricks to make these difficult jobs go a little easier? If so, share in the comments below.

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