How to start model B?

I am 19 and I never owned a tractor. I still don't own one. I have lived in maine 18 years so I grew up next door to a farm. So I have wonderfull memories growing up with tractors. So I have always loved old tractors.

I have been living in Florida for over a year. I came across a Model B Row Crop. I don't know the year, but theres no starter, but it does have this strange hydraulic lift right below where the seat attaches. Its also got a PTO.

The guy who ownes it ownes a Farmers market. He has such a huge area. His model b has no rust(exept for the entire exhaust system)The guy has something covering the exhaust to prevent rain into the exhaust valves. But it hasn't run in 3 years. The gas in the tank and glass fuel bowl looks all orange. I doubt its gas anymore!

I've yet to meet this guy(I will friday) but one of the workers said if he did sell it it would be $7000 dollars. Thats pretty darn foolish for a B that doesn't even run!! What made him think its worth that much?

Well back to my subject- -How do I start this thing? It has a magneto, no starter. Just that flywheel thingy.

Whats that smaller wheel on the opposite side(sittin on seat right hand side) that has like a lever and brake on it? Whats that all about?

How do I drive it? I've driven a farmall cub before and that was it. The is a gearshift with 1, 2 and reverse. There is another lever with I think low and high? And another lever that has nothing written on it? Wheres the stinken clutch on this thing? I see two brake pedals no clutch pedal.

I know its not going to run if I try. I just want to know the process to start one of these. It needs a carb rebuild kit(jets are probley clogged and gaskets are all dried up)

I'll talk to the owner friday as I have no school then. I want to get to see if he wants to fix it to get it to run. Sure would be fun to drive around that field and trails!

Anyone else live in Fort myers, SW Florida?\
Regards
Matt Davala

Regarding the price, your right. $7000 seems way too high. I just bought a 44 JD B with good paint, straight sheet metal, good tires and a clean carb for $1400. Only problem is starting, which may be the magneto (see previous thread for comments to my magneto question). Starting is by hand turning the flywheel or ( as in the case of my tractor) pulling it with another tractor:>)

KEG

I'm not an expert, but I think I can give you a couple of answers...

~The "strange hydrolic thing" under the seat is probably the Power-Trol, to hook up 3 point hitch etc.

~Not sure on the specifics of how to start the older ones, but I think it is basically the same as an electric, but instead of having a battery turn the flywheel, you do it by hand. Turn the switch, gas, choke etc. on, and spin the flywheel til she fires.

~The small wheel on the right hand side is the clutch/belt pulley. The lever coming out of it is the clutch. It is a hand operated clutch, not a pedal clutch.

~You are right about the gear selector...1,2,and R, plus high and low range for each forward gear (The lever will automatcally go from H to L when you put it in reverse)

~It drives just like any other tractor pretty much. The only major difference is that you control the clutch with your right hand instead of your foot.

Hope this helps you.

Jericho