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WeirdDeere 09-09-2012 00:22:18 199.87.177.187 Report to Moderator	Been working on our VAC #5351064, and hurrying to finish before our local show next weekend! While not quite finished with every detail, I thought I could share some pictures. This board has been very helpful, I may not have asked many questions, because most were already answered in the archives! This tractor was bought by my great grandfather new in 1948 from the dealership in New London, OH. Yes, it IS 1949 model, but the family all swears it was delivered in '48, probably just like the model years with new cars. When he died, it was given to his son in law, my grandpa. The tractor was used for cultivating, buzz saw work, planting, running the hay elevator, lots of small jobs. Eventually it was parked in the old (former) chicken coop next to an old JD D. My grandpa, planting with the VAC and duals for better traction! Eventually the chicken coop was falling down, and the tractor was given to my father in 1998 under the condition that it be fixed up, and it became our project. The first old tractor I'd messed with, and it got me hooked, to say the least at the age of 14! Was a fun project, and quite the learning experience, though I didn't really do too much the first time around (my dad did). Mechanically it was still in decent shape, we've never done any work to the engine or transmission, if you don't count rewelding the block (has been broken and welded multiple times since the 1960s!), a radiator, water pump, etc. Was a nice little tractor for running a 5 foot brushhog, at least until we broke a PTO gear tooth. Fast forward a few years and it'd been a long time since it was fixed, and it was looking pretty rough. Rear rims were soft, and needed rear tires too as they were getting pretty dry rotted. I started tinkering last year, working on the brakes, replacing a PTO gear, seal in the torque tube, etc. I know it's strange, but I really wanted to get the authentic style rear tires, and bought new reproductions, probably spending more than the tractor was worth just doing that. Most of the work this time around was cosmetic. Paint, gauges, wiring. It's amazing how well the tractor turns over with a RIGHT sized battery cable. It was a slow cranker before. My great grandmother died just this summer, and I'd hope she's happy in some way that one of her husband's tractors is still going strong. If I could find one of his DCs, it'd be even better. He seemed to like putting Dodge front axles under them. #5515651 was one. Another was XXX0679 (mouse chewed away the first numbers). If anyone knows of the whereabouts of these tractors, LET ME KNOW, please! Hope you enjoy, I can answer any questions if necessary! I'm hoping to get the cultivators pulled out of the weeds, painted and back into place too. Ran out of time this year. We'll see about next ;) Brandon [Reply]   [No Email]
Clayton Spencer 09-10-2012 07:54:20 204.29.75.126 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   I just hope my "51 VAC, will look that good when we get through with it, this winter. Thanks for the beautifull pictures. I haven"t quit drooling yet. I believe that Flamebeau Red, is the prettiest color, used by any tractor company.   [Reply]  [No Email]
NickatKY 09-10-2012 07:15:54 98.93.216.176 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Great pictures/story!!!!!!!!! Do you have any old pics of the DC"s? I really like seeing pictures from "back in the day" Thanks for posting" Nick   [Reply]  [No Email]
Straw Boss 09-10-2012 06:56:41 74.221.167.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   I love those tires. Just like the originals. Looks great.   [Reply]  [No Email]
KEN IND. 09-10-2012 01:57:27 199.189.61.37 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Thats awesome that you can trace the tractor to its original oweners and in your own family. I cant trace 5 out of 6 tractors. The only one I can is a 1940 IH H .   [Reply]  [No Email]
mike plotner 09-09-2012 16:42:07 71.50.34.3 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Nice tractor! we have a set of duals for our VAC that we use when running the corn planter   [Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro 09-09-2012 07:21:40 108.3.143.30 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Your tractor probably looks better now than when new. Hal   [Reply]  [No Email]
Don Rudolph 09-09-2012 07:16:16 142.11.6.235 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Great story and great looking restoration work! I've never seen duals on a VAC before. Thanks for posting and Good Luck finding the other 2. Don   [Reply]  [No Email]
casenut1 09-09-2012 07:04:22 107.8.39.45 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   thanks for the pics. and great job on the tractor.might get to see it at Plain City some day? Thanks, Bill   [Reply]  [No Email]
Michael Beeker 09-09-2012 06:51:36 98.30.195.117 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   GREAT looking VAC!!! You should be very proud of your hard work. Am looking for the rear ties like you have for my 48' VAC, could you tell me where you bought them from. Thanks Mike   [Reply]  [No Email]
WeirdDeere 09-09-2012 12:06:46 199.87.176.137 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to Michael Beeker, 09-09-2012 06:51:36   Thanks everyone for the comments!! Mike, I got the tires from Miller Tire in Wauseon, OH. 10x28 Firestone Champion Ground Grip http://www.millertire.com/products/tractor-tires/rear-tractor-tires/11-2-28_-10-28/10-28-firestone-champion-ground-grip/ Found out after buying that they were made in China, that sucked, but they have to get them made somewhere Brandon   [Reply]  [No Email]
JohnDY 09-09-2012 06:51:34 99.149.175.151 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   I think everyone would be proud to display that one!! Great job and it is also special that it was a family unit to begin with.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Adirondack case guy 09-09-2012 06:18:51 67.246.153.242 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Just as the rest have said, very nice restoration and story. This invoice might be of interest to you. Not your tractor, but very similar. These were shipped to our dealership via rail from Rock Island to The south side rail yard in Amsterdam NY., about 37 miles from us. These tractors were invoiced through the Syracuse NY. branch house, on 3/23/48, as you can see. Loren   [Reply]  [No Email]
NickatKY 09-10-2012 07:46:35 98.93.216.176 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to Adirondack case guy, 09-09-2012 06:18:51   Loren, Thanks for posting. I really enjoy looking at old Case papers. Nick   [Reply]  [No Email]
SDLars 09-09-2012 05:53:17 68.69.66.20 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Way to go Brandon! Excellent job and the family history that goes along with it is priceless. Thanks for sharing.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Case Nutty 1660 09-09-2012 05:06:03 75.127.24.27 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   as the others have said GREAT job and the story is top notch also, as for the tractor is looks far better than when new any one would be very proud to own her again great job!!! thank you for sharing cnt   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stumpy(NH) 09-09-2012 04:30:38 64.222.175.85 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Thanks for sharing! Stumpy   [Reply]  [No Email]
jon f mn 09-09-2012 04:12:00 70.192.131.253 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   What a beauty, and a great story!   [Reply]  [No Email]
Rich10e 09-09-2012 04:11:36 184.94.132.94 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Great story and a very nice looking tractor!   [Reply]  [No Email]
53dc 09-09-2012 02:48:56 24.170.247.194 Report to Moderator	Re: Restored Family tractor, 1949 VAC in reply to WeirdDeere, 09-09-2012 00:22:18   Good job Brandon! I'm sure all of the family would be proud of that one!   [Reply]  [No Email]