Best modification made to your tractor?

bigboreG

Member
Thru the years I have seen many tractors with owner added modifications. I too have added my fair share to my herd of iron. Whether it be something as simple as a step, or a hand hold, paint scheme or personalized decals, to something complex like David did with FI on a Massey. To me this adds character to what would otherwise be just another tractor. I enjoy the shows with the perfect, pristine examples of American history just as much as the next guy, but I also like seeing the "Farmerized" pieces too. So which, if any, is your favorite modification you have made to your tractor?
 
At the moment all I can think if is lengthening the hydraulic levers in the 1086. No more reaching down to use the hydraulics. Jim
 
Added hand holds to the right fender of the MF 2635 and both fenders of the MF 533.

Dean
 
When I worked on a farmall M. I was reconditioning and doing the wireing up. The best thing I ever did to the tractor that size is change it over to a 12 volt system. When puting pop up pistons in the engine requires the more voltage to spin engine because there is more compression in engine.The six volts would drag the engine and not turn it fast enough.Yes I even change it to a 12 volt generator.To try to keep it looking that year of tractor.
 
1 - 12V - no more expensive batteries to buy, plus can use "hand me down" car batteries that are not "reliable" enough for a car

2 - Cup holder (actually the previous owner added this one)
 
Yes David I left out the electronic didn't i lol. Sorry. I have a longing to put EFI on a late styled JD A . . . .but I have a feeling it would be more of a challenge on a two cylinder.
 
Well I'm kinda deputized by the
"correct police" LOL So I pretty much stick with original, but there are a few things I do that don't really alter anything. Like those wire style hose clamps. I hate them. On the 2 cyl. I add a wire clip to hold the brake pedal latches up in a handier position. Old car door panel clips snap onto the platform easily. Same with the numbers on the gearshift quadrant very hard to see what gear you are going into at night so I highlight them with some yellow paint.
That's some of the main ones I can think of for now.
 
Converted 4 from generator to alternator. Two of these were also converted from 6v to 12v. CORRECT POLICE BE D----d. My tractors will start and have GOOD lights. Enough juice to run the lights, three sprayer boom valves, and foam marker all at once. Try that with a 6v generator system.
 
Add power steering and live hyd to DC Case loader tractor. Use two hyd mag drive pumps between drive and mag and Hyd steering linkage valve from case self propelled combine
 
a home-made tool box bolted to the side of frame rail. complete with a slanted lid, and a little whole in the bottom so ice water can drain out for when you ice down your beverages in there.
 
Putting a 6 cylinder engine out of a 4230 into a 3020 JD. It's a blast to drive. "Stretch"
Ron
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aux. steps.Put em on all 3 tractors for my dad.Made em to take off.20 years later dad's gone but the steps are still on the tractors.I'm gettin old.LOL.
 
I would have also listed 12V conversion, power steering and live hydraulic, if we were allowed more than one.
 
Put a 1066 engine in my 766, made it a lot better tractor. Also a 4430 engine in my 4020. This winter a 1086 engine in my 886. I like peppy tractors.
 
I keep my restored tractors as close as I can to original. The ones I use are different, but I never do anything that can't be reversed easily. My 1941 John Deere A plows snow and splits wood all winter. It's 12V with an alternator and has a Pertronix ignition. Made it even more reliable and very smooth running with much reduced plug fouling, and it's never been bored or had the crankshaft ground. Pretty good for 73 years old.
 
I need to do that to my Super C Farmall, Dad will be mad as we got it restored to original a few years ago, but original sitting in the barn with the battery always dead isn't much good to me, might as well not even have it.
 
Added steps from an Allis XT190 cab tractor(salvage yard find) to an open station tractor. Much easier and safer to mount and dismount.

Also added electronic ignition to a 2N Ford, points are a nightmare to adjust on these.

Lots of low cost things you can do to make life easier.
 
Added a set of steps from Abilene Machine and a surrey top to my 2520, and an extra step to my 4240 and 2-70. Sure helps save the knees, and cuts off about 15 degrees on a hot day......
 
Skid steer quick-attach on the front end loader.

Next I am adding aux hydraulics so I can run more attachments.

Love it.

Rick
 
Added a real nice step on the 664. Have built and added toolboxes on most all the side-frame tractors.
 
I added PS to my Ford Jubilee loader tractor.
Runs off the same hydraulic pump and reservoir as the loader.
 
Not much of a modification but, putting a hydraulic top link on my sons 4320 compact JD. Makes the 3 point quick-coupler really work great.
 
Swapping a 1850 cockshutt wheatland front axle to replace the OEM crappy one under my Belarus 800 was the best mod i made.
 
I guess there are many things, from hand holds,
steps that look like factory , charlynn p/s,
U shaped strap steel hangers to carry a log
chains, so they don"t fall off & loose or
scratch the paint up, tool box"s easy access
& still out of the way, a grab hook that mounts
in the front hole of the drawbar in case you get
hung up or need a tow & won"t hurt the paint.
Brake lock stops on all these John Deere 2
Cylinders that keep the lock from riding on
the axle housing & you don"t hafta reach down
as far to set the brakes. Last 2 things bye far
not the least, Oval quiet mufflers & float
ride seats on tractor that weren"t
originally equipted with one.
 
Added a running board or step on my old Nuffield make it easier to clime up, added handholds on the Leland, and a shovel holder .
 
My Farmall B has the most modifications. It has loader , buzz saw mounted on back of tractor , warm air intake for winter,tail lights and flashing light and rearview mirror.
 

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