TE-20 Scares Me

Ramrod · Nov 17, 2010

I hope this doesn't double post, it didn't show up in modern view, so I have switched oved and reposted...

Hi guys, first time in this forum, and have a couple questions.
I"m a NAA driver and have been for several years. I have completed (is it really ever complete?) a ground up restoration/rebuild/upgrade of my '53 Jubilee, and it is a fine working tractor. I also have worked on a couple of 8N's for the church.

Here"s the deal. My buddy across the street just brought home his grampa's '48 TE-20 and I have volunteered to help him with the new project. It looks all original, and might still run, grammy says it does. It looks like a N tractor to me, but I know enough to realize that it is not close except in appearance.

Questions...

1. Am I qualified to proceed assuming we get a couple of manuals?
2. Is parts availability as good as N tractor parts? Can I still get OEM parts?
3. Will my NAA tool set suffice?
4. Will it handle a 5" bush hog easily if at spec?
5. And his question - Can I afford a Harley, a tractor, and two girls?

TIA

fred goodrich · Nov 17, 2010

I can get you anything you might need parts wise. I am at 6076423293 Thanx, Fred

John (AR) · Nov 17, 2010

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and probably not! If he has a Harley and 2 girlfriends he's already in trouble!

Hodgy · Nov 17, 2010

I have had two TE-20's, one with a Continental and my current one has a Standard engine. Both are easy to work on and I have ran a bush hog and currently have a 6' single stage snowblower hooked up. Lots of power for that.

Mark from the Fort · Nov 17, 2010

get rid of everything and keep the harley--you can replace the two girls periodically. If you've got a harley. Ha ha.

samn40 · Nov 17, 2010

The standard motor was more reliable but will be more difficult to
get parts in the U,S, But they will be available mail order from
Britain and nearly every part is reproduced. These tractors are easy
to work on. Go on Utube...Ferguson tractor rebuild in Ireland It
takes just about 9 minutes from start to finish!!!
Sam

trac · Nov 17, 2010

Ramrod i happen to like fords & fergusons Henry s flat head motors to Harry s 3pth.The te20 will pull and cut real well with the 5foot brush hog

Bob (Aust) · Nov 17, 2010

Will it handle a 5" bush hog easily if at spec?

Most definately - 5" should be no problem. I pull a 60" brush hog with my TEA20 with no problems and you could probably go to 72".

And his question - Can I afford a Harley, a tractor, and two girls?

That would depend upon how good each girl's tractor and harley is. Don't cheapen yourself - accept nothing but the best from the girls! There is plenty more fish in the sea!

trac · Nov 18, 2010

I own a TE20 1948 it has the continental motor i am pretty sure all the TE s shipped to the states had the cont. motor expect the TEA s i have them both im a fregie nut.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 18, 2010

The TE 20 is almost the same as a to 20, both are almost copies of the 2n Ford. Repairs are simple, and I have most parts. The engine is a normal continental, with its own foibles. The clutch, differential and hyds are just 9n. A restored TE is very reliable. Do not use China parts,,,

Ramrod · Nov 18, 2010

Thanks guys. I'll proceed with full bravado. Unfortunately, the girls are his daughters, so he can't get rid of them, well he can, but they keep coming back, and the Harley is going nowhere, so he will just have to get used to being poor until the project is completed.

I'll see if I can make it long term and keep the ferg working so it won't be too painful, plus my best advice will be issued - keep no records, you don't want to know how much money you have sunk into the tractor.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 18, 2010

1. Harry Ferguson was a firm believer in simplicity of design. He wanted tractors that the average guy could work on with a handful of basic tools. Get the manuals and go at it. You'll do just fine

2. Parts availability is excellent. Massey Ferguson/AGCO has their "Heritage" parts line for all the older tractors. Used parts are easy to come by. (look on Ebay)

3. If you had the tools to rebuild a Jube, you'll be OK with the Fergie

4. It'll handle a light duty to medium duty 5'er without a whimper. Some of the extreme duty 5'ers can get HEAVY.

5. Assuming he's talking about raising two daughters, there is no such thing as having "enough" money....(Since no man in his right mind would have two girlfriends at the same time. That's a good way to get yourself shot) ) I raised 2 daughters and a son to boot. I've got a Harley too. Just don't get caught up in all the "bling" that some think they have to have. (ie leather, 7000 tee-shirts, ect) and they aren't too bad. If he can swing 2 daughters and a Harley, a tractor is just chump change.

DON TX · Nov 18, 2010

Does it take metric wrenches to work on the TE 20? I've found the distributor takes a 13mm? to remove it. I removed the starter with sae.
DON TX

Bob (Aust) · Nov 19, 2010

Does it take metric wrenches to work on the TE 20?

No. It is all imperial.

If he can swing 2 daughters and a Harley, a tractor is just chump change.

So with three daughters, two sons, five grand daughters, two grand sons and one great grand son, does that make me a Master Mechanic? :lol:

Crem · Nov 23, 2010

samn40,
Is this the video? They are a lot faster than the thirty some minutes it took us in Michigan this year at the Ferguson EXPO.
Ferguson tractor re build

Crem · Nov 23, 2010

Sorry I posted the wrong link for the re-build. I see that there are a number of videos out there but here is one. I looked at another one earlier and it was faster.
Ferguson tractor re build

TE-20 Scares Me

Ramrod

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fred goodrich

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John (AR)

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Hodgy

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Mark from the Fort

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samn40

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trac

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Bob (Aust)

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trac

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Anonymous-0

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Ramrod

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Anonymous-0

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DON TX

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Bob (Aust)

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Crem

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Crem

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