Tom Jerry

Lots of folks must cross this site....just found out one of my links (horses) didn't work so good...think I got it fixed!! amazing how that html will work from your own machine, but not someone else's!!

Tom - the 'parked' 542 is as close to you as it is me..... a couple of miles before you get into Cushing from the Nacogdoches side, setting on the right hand side, be looking or you will miss it looking through the grownup fence line, about 50 yards or so past (to the westerly side) a brick house with a concrete drive and superbly kept front yard. Been close on to 2 years since I was there, so don't know if it is still there. Knotters (billhooks badly rusted - surprised at that- thought they were stainless steel??), needles, feed forks, and plunger were still intack, forget the pickup assembly except might salvage a few spring tines (which would be more econimical to just go buy!)

As for NH's all I've seen or come across (of the older models) are still running and/or the owner's are hanging on for the same reason. Have been looking for a 273 for a salvage unit to mine, but havn't came a cross one!! imagine that.....

Garry

Currently don't need any parts for my 273, she's ready to bale, (but that could change on the next bale through!). Was just meaning that, having been associated with farm life for a while, have seen times when a 'used - get me back to running in a coupl'a 3 hours part', rather than a 'new - be here in 3 or 4 days part' was really good insurance to have....old habits, learned young, are hard to break, even when the years' wages are not depending on it!

As for trading a ford for a 273, will have to wait and see!! I really like that little 273, but also know what this old Ford is capable of. After replacing the bad bearings and bushings and doing some past due adjustments, and the feeder fork renovation, (thanks to Jerry D), other than a little more slack/slop of being close to wornout, in the movement of the inside knife/wiper arm that I am unsure of, can't see no reason she ain't a 'keeper'. (Will let ya know!)

Garry