Inherited to-20

Hey everyone! I think I inherited a old TO-20 Tractor. I don't know any history about it. I do know the tires are flat, the battery is dead, and it hasn't started in years. I'm very mechanically apt. (I haven't been to a repair shop in years for my car). I've found the owners manual online in PDF.

Basically what I'm looking for is how do I check to see if this is running 12v or 6v and other odd bits to check before I try to start this thing.

Should I drain and fill the engine oil? I was thinking of pulling the plugs and dropping in a bit of oil in the cylinders before start cranking.

How about general operation procedures? Anything I should be cautioned about? I've never commanded one of these before! Eventually I'll need to figure out how to attach a field mower!

Welcome to the Ferguson world. They are great machines and a lot of fun. And if you can fix a car, you'll be fine.

The owner's manual is good. That ought to answer many or most of your questions about using the tractor. Find a service manual as well. It will help you a lot when something needs to be repaired.

Is it wired for negative or positive ground? Alternator or generator? It seems most people who switch to 12 go with an alternator and negative ground. But that's not a guarantee. If it has a generator and voltage regulator and is positive ground I'd guess 6 volts. If the reverse of all that, then probably 12. Someone else will give you even better information though.

It's the same starter either way in nearly all cases.

Mostly I'm here to say welcome to the world of Fergusons.

I just picked up a tractor on Monday and it had not been run in a lot of years. The first thing I did when I got home was to do a compression check and when I did that I kept a eye on the oil pressure gauge to see if it was building oil pressure. I then found out that I had gas to the carb but not out the bottom of the carb. Took the carb off and took it apart and cleaned it and put it back on and got it started and backed it off the trailer. Your tractor came with a 6 volt system but some one could of switch it to 12 volt. What does it have for a battery and also what does it have generator or a alt. Have fun with it they are simple to work on.

Bob

Welcome to the site and congratulations.
I would do like you want to do. Pull the plugs and put in some
oil, marvel mystery, or automatic transmission fluid.

Drain engine oil and put in a new oil filter. If it is a TO20 the
filter is on the bottom of the pan, remove the bolt in center of
large disc for it.

Try to put air in tires, gives you something to do while oil is
draining and sitting on pistons.

With a good battery try to turn over with the plugs out.

If all is well so far time for gas and maybe a start.

Let us know

Welcome to the site! You'll find a world of experience here, glad to share with you!

Since you don't know any history on the tractor, I would start with the least expensive attempts first.

A physical exam would be first, look for evidence of really bad stuff, like freeze cracked block, missing or damaged major components, etc. You said you "may" have inherited it... Is there a question of ownership? Now would be the time to find that out! LOL

This is where you decide how far you want to go with this project. If there is sentimental value, go for it! Otherwise it's economically impossible to bring one of these back to life without investing much more than can be expected to be recouped. Look at it as a hobby, not an investment!

Oiling the cylinders is a good idea. Instead of buying a battery, borrow a 12v from something, just to see if the engine will crank over.

If it's not stuck, and has compression, and the oil isn't full of water or antifreeze, be sure you have spark... Try to start it on carb spray. You just want to hear it run and see if it gets oil pressure.

Some things to expect... Unless the radiator and fuel tank have been replaced, both will likely be bad. The transmission will be full of water if it's been sitting outside. It gets in around the shifter boot. It doesn't usually hurt the transmission just sitting, but will need changing before running it. The hydraulic pump will probably need rebuilding. Anything paper, rubber or cloth will be rotten or gone. The wheels will be rusted, be careful airing them up!

Not trying to scare you, this is just the way it is dealing with an antique... These tractors are easy to work on, fully rebuildable, parts are available both used and aftermarket. Beware of the aftermarket stuff though, it may be wrong. Seek out reputable dealers over lowest price!

Let us know how it goes. Take some before pictures. Invest in a shop manual, it will be the best money you spend!

Thanks everyone for the great input! Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to put some time into it.

Here's some quick pics I took of it the otherday.
http://i.imgur.com/bpFXLrA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PWJ9pal.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KKOVJTu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KTQeD2I.jpg

Here are your pictures:

Is that a patch welded on the left side of the oil pan? And is that a line running to it?

(quoted from post at 11:02:33 09/26/14) Is that a patch welded on the left side of the oil pan? And is that a line running to it?

Click to expand...

It's a patch job, looks like jb weld. It looks like there's electrical cord going into it (the patch job). I'll have to trace it out and see where it goes.

(quoted from post at 08:02:33 09/26/14) Is that a patch welded on the left side of the oil pan? And is that a line running to it?

Click to expand...

Could it be a glued on oil heater?
BillL

(quoted from post at 13:35:30 09/26/14)

(quoted from post at 08:02:33 09/26/14) Is that a patch welded on the left side of the oil pan? And is that a line running to it?

Click to expand...

Could it be a glued on oil heater?
BillL

Click to expand...

That's exactly what it is. Block/ oil heater of some sorts.

I also looked at the fluids. No milkshakes. Engine was a black color and trans/hydraulic/diff was a nice amber color.

Sediment bowl was full of gas. Gas tank is half full.
http://i.imgur.com/GNnD4Nb.png

I played around with all the engine linkages and they all seem to be working. I pushed down on the master brake and the left side didn't spring back when released. Pushed down on the left side brake and its floored. I'm thinking it's getting jammed up in the drum.

I don't have air tools.How difficult is it going to be to remove the wheel and drum assy on this tank?

The rear end on this is covered in grease and grime. There's even a wet spot under the rear end. Looks like the pto output is leaking. Any guesses on if I'm right?

http://i.imgur.com/YqgqOsm.png