How long do you let them sit???

I've got two tractors out by the workshop that I will eventually get to, but it just occurred to me that they've been sitting for at least a few years without being touched.

So I was wondering, how long do you usually let something sit (not necessarily a tractor, could be implement, etc.) before you get around to restoring/fixing it up?

Christopher

As long as it takes. If you have lost interest, however, it could be time to let someone else have a go at it.

For me, the answer is, "as long as it takes." If it is paid for and is not eating money and I don't need money, sooner or later I will get to it. I have a Farmall H that I dragged out of a fence row and rolled into the barn almost 10 years ago. It had a frozen engine. Took the head off and soaked it with every mix of chemicals known to man. Guess it is about time to "git 'r done".

I have a number of things that have sat for years and may or may not ever get worked on. As for a tractor I would at least fill the cylinders with ATF just so they do not lock up and if they are locked up doing that might free them up by the time you get a round to it. I have at least 2 tractors sitting like that right now

i have a super m thats been sitting for about 10 years, but finally am getting around to it. have the short block all done, need to get the rest of the tractor done, then all ya gotta do is put it together!!

i seem to get right on them at least tinkering with little things till i get money to do things right i had my 43 jd b done except for paint in 6 months on a 15 y/o salery off workin the farm before and after school the rest get done quicker cause i make more money lol

Not to get religious on you here.
But one of my favorite quotes in the New Testament is from Galatians 4:4
"And in the fullness of time..."
Meaning when conditions were right, etc. etc.
More than once when someone was questioning me about getting something done I would say I would have it done in the fullness of time.
Though they didn't know exactly what that meant, they rarely argued about my answer.
That's pretty much how I approach my tractors.

I usually start to work on them before they get unloaded. 13 tractors, 1 truck, 3 corvette, and about 20 implements.

I've had some since 92. Probably still be unrestored 42, (2042) thatis. Not enough time in the day/year.

All of us have some "list" we try to follow to get our work/projects done in a timely manner.

Disclaimer: keep in mind that the "honey do" list superceeds everything.

Keep in mind the <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~bobnet/redgreen/">man's prayer</a> [b:654c4848f0]"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess"[/b:654c4848f0].

Write down your work/projects and get your wife to prioritize them for you.

That way if "they've (tractors) been sitting for at least a few years without being touched" ever comes up in a conversation, you can ask for them to be moved higher on the priority list.

We work on tractors/equipment on a priority basis.

The priority is based on seasonal requirements.

Since the haying season is over, some of the lower priority items make their way to the top of the list.

The focus this weekend will be on "1011" our '53 model 70 getting it "set up" to handle the log splitter.

Yeah I know, its been over 70^o all week here in Texas and will be over 80^o this weekend; why should I worry about next year's firewood!

Another example is having the power steering repaired on "Big John" our '55 model 70 diesel.

As we all know there is always work to be done.

If at all possible, refrain from ever saying "someday I'll get a round to it".

Some day someone may give you one.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/?action=view¤t=ARound2It.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>

A guy my wife used to work with years ago had a sign in his office. It read:

"You want it bad, you'll get it bad. The worse you want it, the worse you'll get it."

Christopher

I have a super a and a a that have been in a barn for 14 years. I put some ATF fluid in them 10 years ago.

I have lots of someday projects, I at least try to get them inside to prevent any more rusting. Tractors I try to start or turn over once or twice a month.

Dave, you get to work on them before they are ever unloaded, but, the question is do you ever finish them. I have worked on all of mine for years but I have never completely finished one yet. Next year I am giving up about one half of my hay so maybe next year I will finish one. It is time I do some things I WANT to do rather than those I HAVE to do.

Long time. Have started selling off stuff I realized I would never get too. Lets me concentrate on what I really want to do.