Rescuing 5 DCs #5

Over the years, I saw this DC with a loader in the next county over. It looked sad but showed signs of being used. In Sept 2004, I was at a salvage yard nearby looking for something else. There it sat with the loader and still complete. Now it needed to be rescued. This DC came to my barn without the loader.






A few weeks earlier, I had seen a “for sale” ad in my area’s weekly newspaper “DC Case with loader---new pistons and sleeves”. This indicated to me it was not ready for the junk yard and no need for me to rescue it.

Things to do near the top of my list for refurbishing a DC include “check the crankcase for sludge”. Taking a side cover off, I could see the oil was “white”---antifreeze in the oil. Upon further inspection, I found antifreeze oozing down on the outside of #1 sleeve.

That meant to me that one of the big o-rings for the recent new sleeves had not sealed. Costing only a few bucks and nothing to loose, I put two jars of Bars Leak in the radiator. I was a bit surprised when that stopped the leak. Years later when I found this DC a good home, I made a point to tell the new owner how I had stopped this leak.

Another problem was not as easy to fix. The foot clutch would not release properly when starting the engine. It had to be started in gear. Applying brakes after starting, the engine's torque could release the clutch. Then the clutch would work okay until it remained parked for a while.

I split the tractor looking for the foot clutch’s problem. Crud had built up in the groove indicated below. Over time with no clearance, the crud was somehow bonding lightly to the OD of the clutch disc. Removing the crud fixed the problem.







I failed to make videos of this DC being refurbished. My love for the AWF on the other tractor kept increasing. I found this AWF axle assembly for sale on the Internet 500 miles away. My half ton pickup and I got a workout. I installed it on this tractor.






I have video of #5 plowing but unable to upload the video onto YouTube. Sorry.

Your posting on the foot clutch issue Ron is priceless. Many fellows for years will benefit. If all rolls well ,my hope is to bring home a 53 DC-4 later this fall. Thankyou Ron .CM

Another great rescue Ron!

Those wet sleeves do pose a problem from time to time. My SC after sitting all winter likes to weep antifreeze into the crankcase. I take care to change the oil first thing in the spring before I even start it up. Once I get the oil changed and get it warmed up I’m fine for the year.
I have a special love for those Letter Series tractors.

Ron, I have a similar problem with my 53, My pulley shaft will not stop immediately when I push the clutch but if I blip the throttle it breaks loose, I suppose it will be needin split at some point but it does not get used so it'll be a while, only reason I bought it was it had been sold at our dealership in the 50s and I went to school with the kid whose dad bought it, Years ago I told him if it ever was sold I'd like first chance, he remembered that and called.

Hello Ron. In the one picture where you show the AWF I notice what looks like a DCS in the background. Would you be able to tell me where that is and do you happen to know if it would be for sale? Thanks

Tom, This transaction took place by email in July 2011. Here is the info from one of the emails. I Googled " Vaughn Powell" and got a list of 56 people. One is from Riley Kansas so he may still live at the same place. No complete phone #. Good luck.

Vaughn & Kerrie Powell" [email protected]

Address is Vaughn Powell, 10220 N 60th St,
Riley, Ks 66531.

PS Tom, You probably know this but you can copy/save the picture in this post and then attach to an email to Vaughn to jog his memory.

Chuck, When I was growing up in the early 50s on the farm, the DC (especially the DC-4) was my dream about tractor.

In the 50s, this old 38 C was the best dad could afford. We were the poorest family in the school district. Pictures were almost non existent and poor quality. I eventually owned and refurbished 5 of my dream tractors 50 years later. LOL Good luck getting a DC-4.