Case 1030 story

Story time... I purchased an engine in Wisconsin for a 930 and a guy was already going there to get parts from the same gentleman, paid him some money for grabbing it. You know got there to pick it up, got talking about these old tractors and said he's still got an old 1030 in the barn, been sitting for some years he said, was used for a chicken coop more than anything lol. Asked if it was for sale, right? You all know the response, nope goona do something with it someday. No problem doesn't hurt to ask. About 2 or 3 years later lone and behold here it be the same tractor! 2 grand firm. Of course lots of people jumping on it, he said I get first dibs because of past dealing with each other. What a wonderful person to do that for me, what are the odds. Got it loaded up ready to go home and the poor guy had water in his eyes, we shook hands and I promised him I will take great care of it. Anyways got the beast home. Took the "blue tip wrench" and cut the rotted out cab off, and took and oil can and squirted tranny fluid and brake fluid mix in each injector hole and let it sit for a day or so, repeat for about a week or so. Took the starter off and used a pry bar, wow it moved okay I got excited at this point rolled over but not all the way, repeat again with the soaking, took the farmall H and pulled it very gently back and forth until it rolled completely over. Put all Injectors back in after taking them all apart and cleaning and scrubbing them and bought a working I injection pump for 200$, new fuel filters cleaned all the lines drained all the old fuel out and put new in and primed the system . 2 new batteries, It rolled over and rolled over it caught and took right off I couldn't believe it! Man did it ever smoke! For about 15 minutes then shut it off and checked all the fluids and again. Couldn't believe how well it ran for being a stuck motor! Months later afree tinkering with it, new water pump, and hoses etc... we wanted to see what it still had. Hooked it up to the big ole field cultivator and my second it pass it blew a head gasket. Oh well! Now it is second in line for a complete bare case restoration. I'm sorry if this is too long of a story! Anyone else have a similar story? Love hearing back.

Nice story. Not too long, if somebody thought it was tool I guess they didn't have to keep reading it.

Mike,
I really enjoyed the story, and some history how you got it. Looks like the same cab mine I had on, and I took off right away. Looks like a 66-67? But see it has a transmission cooler on it. (good thing)
I always thought and still think the "1030" was a big tractor. Lots of stories on that. Told a few on YT, and to friends. "The 7 plow Tractor"

Below is how mine looked when I finally got her home again.

Dan

Not near long enough! I love reading these stories! Thanks for sharing.

Dan, I was told this old 1030 of mine used to pull a 7 bottom plow, wish thesee old machines could tell stories like ours! Also yes it's a 1967

Bought a 1030 at auction to donate to ted in Cambodia. Just after the sale I was looking the beast over when owner came up. Wanted to know what I was going to use it for. Told him going in a container destined to Cambodian orphanage . His eyes got VERY wet as well as his wife's.

The history and stories of these tractor are what make them so fun and interesting, thanks. Rod.

Mike,

Great story! I have a 930 story. My grandfather bought a 930 diesel back in the early 80's. That was a big tractor for the farm (for us, anyhow...) back then. He bought it with a FIVE bottom plow. The big dog on the farm previously was a Deere 730 (three bottom). In the meantime my Dad had bought a 930 gas. Well, after about 10 years the Diesel developed a very leaky axle. The gas acquired a burnt piston. Neither 930 was fixed. They both sat. Outside. Grandpa was a depression era guy. Cost too much to fix...buy something cheap at a sale as a replacement. A Ford...ahem. Anyhow, after siting outside for 23 years (and sadly Grandpa was gone by then) I decided to get the Diesel going. Was stuck. Tranny fluid & brake fluid combo is a wonderful elixir. Filled the cylinders with that, and got it freed up. Injector pump rack was stuck (fortunately in shut-off). Pulled it and freed that up. Like you said, Mike - smoked like crazy. After multiple issues (dirty fuel tank, holes in fuel tank, rusted out filter cans, stuck DOM valve, brakes stuck, etc. etc.)it was time to deal with the axle seal. Pulled the axle housing - and with the PTO housing off - discovered a big patch over a large hole in the bottom of the rear-end casting. At one point (before we bought it) a bull gear must have busted and got shoved through the casting. It was a fine patch. Someone had shaped a 1/4" plate to the contour of the casting bottom, and drilled and tapped about 20 screws to hold it in place. Sooo....after seeing that and noting the patch was weeping oil a bit, I decided to go look at the old gas 930. Engine shot in the gasser. Grandpa left the heads unbolted after discovering the piston problem. Got full of water. But, same transmission. I ended up swapping the entire rear -ends between the diesel and gas. I was afraid that patch (as nice as it was) would cause grief down the road. Swapped many other parts too. Gauges, fenders, grilles. That old 401 runs like a top after sitting stuck. Burns no oil. Wont start worth a darn in cooler temps, but runs great.

Pic is of the 930 hauling (to the pasture) my 970's cab. As you can see, haven't done much cosmetic work on the 930 yet. The 970 is my current project and a similar story I will post about very soon. Need a little advice from the experts here about that one. RPS34 time. Thanks for the story, Mike, and thanks to all of the good help on this site.

Well I need to review the upload process....

Yes Mike, at the introduction of the "1030" it was introduced as the "7 plow" tractor

My "1030" we sold new,(I think it was the first one we sold) and it has a long history, and she has over 18,000 hours on her, one of her owners treated her badly. but I'm trying to help her back all I can.

I love to hear stories about ole cases given new life. I like the idea of using Brake fluid and transmission oil.