To "Part out" or restore???????????

[nighteye]

When does a tractor die enough to become a donor of parts? I am being tormented by this question every time I walk into the barn. I have a few that need new hearts(Engines). They can be saved but if one needs a heart, legs and a complete facelift, do you pull its plug and donate the rest of its organs? xx( I love these old Orange and Yellow tractors and want to save every one I can, but where do you draw the line? Tormentedly Ken :o)

[Kent]

Ken, Think of it another way. A dead tractor can become the "organ donor" that helps bring several other tractors back to life... I just went through this with a 3210v that I bought to remove the Hydraulic Lift and convert it to manual, so I could put the hydrolift on my 3112V. When I tore it down far enough to remove that rear mounting bracket, I found that the front bearing in the BGB is VERY BAD. Since these variable speed BGBs use a different cross-shaft, and good BGBs for them are hard to find, I think this one just got categorized as an "organ donor"... Something else will likely end up with its 12HP engine, and the sheet metal (solid with surface rust) will likely go in the classifieds...

[D-17_Dave]

Ken, I think Kents on the right track on this. I take the stance that as long as I can get out of the tractor around what I invest it's worth saveing. However when it becomes apparent that it will need major funds to even get it dependable, then add time and materials to put in into show clothes it becomes apparent that it should go to parts so that others may live. Good luck with your predicament. It's one that we all go through sometime in this or most any hobbie.

[samson]

on another note; Every one that dies means theres one less in the universe.

[toad270]

I agree with Samson after all they don't make these anymore If it needs a new engine maybe a new and inproved engine will make it even a better tractor then it was before.

[dlcentral]

Most of the stuff I can get ia mostly ALL donors as they are in very bad cond.none hardly ever run and tin is poor,,I recently had to decide whichof 3 'junkers' to save to restore,,,a Big-10 to do a quality job,, it took 3 1/4 of them!,,

[dlcentral]

Here's the finished product,and I'm still looking for little stuff for it!,,:o)

[Kent]

Dave, that Big Ten story kinda reminds me of another one put together from parts tractors... Since the rolling chassis came from you! :D

[D-17_Dave]

I'm not saying that they all can'y be saved. It's just that time, effort, money, and resorces verses what you have when you finish sometimes involves more than was orriginally thought and you can certainly sink massive amounts into a tractor and still not be finished. The up sid eto this is once your finished and see your creation, you seem to be ready to start on another.lol

[Orange]

Ken, I'm not much of a poet, but a "parted tractor" is just the "rain" that many project tractors needed to grow. You aren't necessarily ending up with your Simplicity or Allis gone forever. Some of those parts might go to people who actually reconstitute a tractor from carcasses that others left behind. Not all parts are used as replacements or spares, some go to make whole new tractors. So the net Simplicity - AC gain/loss isn't always -1, it could be +2 or +3. Thanks to all of you who have the guts to part out a tractor, all of mine appreciate the rain.

[rokon2813]

quote:

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Originally posted by Orange
Ken, I'm not much of a poet, but a "parted tractor" is just the "rain" that many project tractors needed to grow. You aren't necessarily ending up with your Simplicity or Allis gone forever. Some of those parts might go to people who actually reconstitute a tractor from carcasses that others left behind. Not all parts are used as replacements or spares, some go to make whole new tractors. So the net Simplicity - AC gain/loss isn't always -1, it could be +2 or +3. Thanks to all of you who have the guts to part out a tractor, all of mine appreciate the rain.

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Guess I've created some downpours in my time. :D If I think they are worth fixing, I try to let them go in one piece, but if its gonna be major just to get them useable I do part out many. Judging by the aprreciative customers I've had here, and ebay, I would say mine have gone toward saving a good many. ;)

[comet66]

Nice work Dave!! You can't tell me that one wasn't worth the effort and donor parts.

[SmilinSam]

You're not going to like me.... ...but I've taken nice looking yellow ones that ran Ok but needed adjustments here and there, tightening up and such, rolled them into the shop and scattered em all over from the Mississippi river to the Atlantic ocean....8)

[KenK]

I would say that putting them back together,the worse the better,gives me some kind of satisfaction.It's funny you said you have tractors with bad or missing engines.I've got 5 good engines ranging from 10hp-14hp that I've been looking to put in tractors.

[firefoxz1]

If it's only and engine get an engine, but I would tear the pure thing down and examine everything else before making an engine purchase. You may find other things that need attention also then make a list/estimate before you spent to much. I usually go by (if the price of parts exceed what I could sell it for) then it becomes a donor, The time part is just a labor of love.

[MDB]

quote:

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Originally posted by SmilinSam
You're not going to like me.... ...but I've taken nice looking yellow ones that ran Ok but needed adjustments here and there, tightening up and such, rolled them into the shop and scattered em all over from the Mississippi river to the Atlantic ocean....8)

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I like ya Sam, Just about every one of my tractors has at least one part from your scattering....:D

[dlcentral]

Oh yes,, I do get great satifaction out of doing these for sure,knowing that I in a small way am perpetuating these fine old machines just a small bit for my grandkids,and hopefully for future generations to enjoy and to see and use,and beings I am home most all the time it gets me out of wifeys hair!I've got my 700 Sim. and now this I guess thats all I'll do,,and yes Kent I do remember that rusty thing in my woods thats now the talk of central Mass. over there!lol,,

[HubbardRA]

My AC713S has parts from at least 8 tractors. It was a real pile of parts when I started. This is why I have previously called it "The tractor that never was". I get a lot of satisfaction from reviving this old iron. But I also couldn't find all of the parts that I need if someone didn't part out some tractors.

[dirtsaver]

"Parting out is such sweet sorrow"...... or something along those lines. But seriously folks, the decision to part out or rebuild really is a hard one. I guess that's why I have all the non-running tractors sitting around. I just know that someday I'll get around to finding everything I need and put each of them in good working order. Yeah Right!! Truth is,I'd love to restore them all,but there will be only four running tractors when I'm done. Everything else will be on the spare parts shelf to keep those four running for several more years. UNLESS..... someone has a Landlord 101 or 2012 and a B-10/12 running and complete they'd like to trade for several B-series rolling chassis,a some cast iron Briggs engines and a Allis 919 frame with the hydro pump and tranny....? Didn't think so! LOL! guess I'll just keep on tearing things apart and putting parts together.

[Vinnie_A]

Think before you restore about the costs involved. If you are sure it is a keeper fine but if you want to turn it over down the line you may be out some money. After not seeing any usable mower decks available for my 3410( it seems there are very few still on tractors and I assumed that most of these are rotted out) Here are the costs on my 3410 deck restoration: Deck shell $200 Bearings washers & spacers $60 Belts 40 Shipping $25 Paint $20 Misc. Welding $25 TOTAL $ 370 If you are a true collector your labor doesent come into play here ( 14 hours). Oh, I forgot the my original cost for the deck.

[nighteye]

Thank you all for the enlightening information. You have given me a lot to think about. I was worried about feeling guilty about parting out but but your right about maybe bringing some more out there back to life. And why should I feel guilty when we have Frankenstien's and Rain-man and Sam The Ripper out there (ha ha) You guys have inspired me. Thanks alot, Ken