1955 TO35 value

CK 58' · Jul 24, 2016

I found a non-runner and would like thoughts on value. has the following "good" parts:

Front tires are a few years old and in very good shape
Unit has tight front end W/power steering
rear tires have one new rim and very good tread (side walls have weather checking)
has complete breather tube (mines broken)
Has all gauges including original proofmeter with good glass
has front and rear light brackets
radiator looks good and full of coolant
gas tank

Brakes and clutch feel good and no leaks around drums

Tractor was running less than two years ago but engine appears to be stuck.

Would like thoughts on as-is price and parts matching my 58'

Thanks,

Steve@Advance · Jul 24, 2016

It all sounds good except for the "stuck" engine.

Engines typically don't stick in 2 years unless they sit outside with an open upright exhaust, it was submerged in a flood, or was parked with a bad head gasket and cylinders full of coolant.

The other very real possibility is the engine is seized, a much more serious condition, usually caused by running out of oil, running with no oil pressure, or extreme overheating. Any reason is bad and expensive to repair.

Unless you know the history, best to assume the worst, offer just over scrap value and hope he's not insulted. Depending on where you are, $300-600.

CK 58' · Jul 24, 2016

(quoted from post at 23:56:52 07/24/16) It all sounds good except for the "stuck" engine.

Engines typically don't stick in 2 years unless they sit outside with an open upright exhaust, it was submerged in a flood, or was parked with a bad head gasket and cylinders full of coolant.

The other very real possibility is the engine is seized, a much more serious condition, usually caused by running out of oil, running with no oil pressure, or extreme overheating. Any reason is bad and expensive to repair.

Unless you know the history, best to assume the worst, offer just over scrap value and hope he's not insulted. Depending on where you are, $300-600.

He is asking $750.00, I was thinking this is a little high.

Richard L · Jul 24, 2016

Wow a 1955 with P/S? I think that is rare but good for you.

Steve@Advance · Jul 24, 2016

The power steering option means it's a "Deluxe". It also should have dual clutch, some had spin out wheels.

But was Deluxe offered in 55? Thinking not until 58 or so, but could be wrong. Need a serial number to research it.

CK 58' · Jul 24, 2016

It does have dual clutch and power steering. Parts manual does not show P/S in 1955 but does in 1956. Serial # TO35 162843. There are no letters or prefix before the #. I was looking to see if the steering assembly is the same as my 1958 Deluxe.

Tom H. · Jul 24, 2016

I bought a TO30 with a stuck motor that was supposed to have run within the last few months and have had very good luck with it. Yes the
motor was stuck we put Marvel mystery oil down all four cylinders through the spark plug holes. Let it sit overnight agreed it up by prying on
the flywheel, I kno not the best idea but when we tried the crank nut it just tightened. Needless to say the motor unstuck and actually fired right
up. An oil change and it has been a work horse since. So you may have found a gem. Good luck

phil(va) · Jul 24, 2016

I recently bought one very similar, Deluxe, not running. Mine would fire, however, with starter fluid in the intake, so I knew it not
only wasn't stuck, but the ignition was working. Mine looks terrible, bad sheet metal, tach busted, oil pressure gauge works but is
cloudy, ammeter appears stuck, tires decent but not great, hydraulics work good (but I didn't know that when I bought it), brakes are
good, steering is pretty bad. I gave $700 and had mine running in a few hours. Hope that helps. Yours looks much better and is
apparently in better shape by far than mine except you don't know about your engine. I think you have a reasonable gamble. It's worth
quite a bit for parts, so you wouldn't be gambling that much if you had to give $700. Heck the steering gear alone is worth half that
or more if it's good (I need one).

steve19438 · Jul 24, 2016

my 1955 ferguson 35 manual does refer to a "deluxe" model when discussing the dual clutch. the engine block did not have a provision to mount a pwr steering pump on the early 35's.

Richard L · Jul 25, 2016

After a lot of looking I see where P/S became an option in late 1955 as steve19438 mentioned. Could this have happened around the same time they changed to 12 volt? I do not know. Also a Deluxe did not have to have P/S to be a Deluxe. P/S was an option on any of the models. In 1958 both Gas and Diesel Deluxe were available at a reduced price with the single stage clutch. These were labeled as Gas Standard & Diesel Standard. (Per Evolution of the TO 35 to the MF 35).

CK 58' · Jul 25, 2016

I picked it up tonight. Engine will not turn over. Scoped cylinders and they look good. Drained oil, very dirty no water or coolant. I mixed diesel fuel and ATF and added to each cylinder. Mixture stayed on top of each cylinder. Attempted to break free with prying on ring gear and rocking tractor back and forth and dumping clutch, no luck. Ideas on valve train causing issue? Will be picking up mystery oil and seeing what she does tomorrow evening.

beige35 · Jul 25, 2016

(quoted from post at 14:05:00 07/24/16) I found a non-runner and would like thoughts on value. has the following "good" parts:

Front tires are a few years old and in very good shape
Unit has tight front end W/power steering
rear tires have one new rim and very good tread (side walls have weather checking)
has complete breather tube (mines broken)
Has all gauges including original proofmeter with good glass
has front and rear light brackets
radiator looks good and full of coolant
gas tank

Brakes and clutch feel good and no leaks around drums

Tractor was running less than two years ago but engine appears to be stuck.

Would like thoughts on as-is price and parts matching my 58'

Thanks,

ere is one in trafalgar Indiana for 750 its on Indianapolis craigs list

Tom H. · Jul 31, 2016

I think you are on the right track, let the atf and or mystery oil set for a few days and let it do the work of de gumming the rings to the cylinders.
Be careful prying on the flywheel teeth and patient, I think you might have a winner when it does loosen up.

Tony in Mass. · Jul 31, 2016

Oh yes, a stuck valve guide, seat, rusted stem or something tiny bound up will act like stuck rings. Try tapping everything, and see what doesn't wiggle with pliers...

CK 58' · Jul 31, 2016

So far no luck.... ATF/diesel, two cans of PB blaster and ATF/acetone mix every other day along with a long pry bar with weights adding pressure to the crank pulley. Removed valve cover to check valves and found that head looks very good. Springs and shaft are still silver and look new. I will give it another week of lubing the cylinders and will pull the front cover. I also removed the PS pump to make sure that wasn't the issue.

CK 58' · Aug 2, 2016

50/50 mix of ATF and acetone did the trick. The front pulley has four bolt holes and I was able to install bolts and use a pry bar to rotate engine back and forth. It took several hours and lots of fluid and it finally broke free. Fresh oil and gas and we will see if she runs.

1955 TO35 value

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