Restoration Project?

Clambering around in an old barn, belonging to a relation, I found the tractor shown in the attached pictures. I took them because it was too dark to see anything.

It has certainly not run in the last 24 years and probably a couple of years longer. The starter motor is off, but I suspect it is otherwise pretty much all there. At a guess it is perhaps 50 years old, but perhaps someone knows?

I have several questions:

1. Would I be mad to consider restoring it? It does have more than a little rust as you can see! I am moderatly mechanical. I build aeroplanes for a hobby normally, but have no restoration experience.

2. Is there anything like a guide I can find on the net as to how to approach the task?

3. I have no idea of its value now, cost of restoration, its value once restored, if done well?

4. Are the parts I would need typically available?

5. Can anyone identify it? Make, it says Ferguson, Model, year etc.

6. If restored what would I run it on?

Any pointers would be a great help. Thanks, Steve.

PS I have put some pictures here. For more detail, double click them. http://gikontractor.blogspot.com/

• Restoration Project?

Thanks, Steve.

I will get myself a manual and let oyu know what the data plate story is.

And yes, its a PA18. 40 this year, but its had rather more love care and attention. Its at the URLs below.

Thanks.

• Supercub

The idea that the engine will rotate after such a period I would have thought would be minimal. It is just sitting in a drafty barn 5 miles from the sea where it was last shut down probably in the late '70s.

My concern is that before I start restoring it on little more than the tires alone, I will have spent more than it is worth restored. Perhaps I should view it that the costs are irrelevant, however I find that hard to do.

Please dont think me negative, I am just trying to get a handle on how things might work out, hence my origional post.

BOB (AUST). Being new I have a question. When I first saw the picture of the dash and noticed the air screen I automatically thought it had to be a TE 30. I was under the impression the air screens on the dash showed that was a TO or TE 30. Can you explain where I am thinking wrong. I really enjoy reading these messages as I like to think I am learning something. Thanks everyone. Richard L

The TE-20's and TO-20's do not have a dash air screen. Both are strictly under hood.

Jeff

I am in the UK, but it is in mainland Europe, so it will be a while before I am back there to look at the data plate. At least I now know where to look in the dark. It is good to hear that the UK is a good spares location.

Presumably the cost of tyres/tubes will be high assuming it needs them. Presumably after nearly 30 years standing they will have to be replaced?

I suspect, as you say, the rest of the work will just be graft plus seals and rings etc., provided the inside of the engine is not a complete mess.

It will be a while before i have a chance to investigate further. At least I have found it.