Retired -1850 Diesel

1 - My wife's dad's 1850 (gas) sat unused in a shed for about 5 years. After draining a VERY stale 3 gallon heel of gas from the tank, we dumped in fresh gas, replaced the old battery (which had frozen and split) and cranked her up. Took a while to get it to fire, then it ran rough at first - a couple valves obviously stuck. But after warming 10 minutes or so it settled down and ran fairly well. It required a carb rebuild to get it really running really good again.

Problems? Clutch - the disk had stuck fast to the flywheel and would not disengage. However by starting the tractor in gear, taking it out on the road (sparsely traveled!), then snap shifting it up thru the gears into 6 direct and jumping on the brakes, the clutch did suddenly break free. Tires - had some nasty flat spotting from sitting so long. However after airing them up then driving the tractor a couple miles on a hard road the flat spots gradually went away. Other - Had a few minor leaks power steering, fuel filter bowl, etc. when first run. But they pretty much dissappeared after a few hours of use - I presume as the seals became wetted in use.

2 - A couple years ago I purchased an old Kenworth 10 wheeler (Cummins 855 diesel). It had been parked outside for at least 4 years - maybe longer. After checking the fluids and determining the 50 gallons or so of fuel left in the tank did not have algae, we replaced the fuel filter and stuck in fresh batteries. Then disconnected the fuel solenoid at the pump and cranked the engine until oil pressure showed on the gage. Finally we reconnected the fuel solenoid and cranked her again. To my surprise and great delight it started right up and ran fine. Had some initial troubles with sticky spring (parking) brakes that didn't want to release, but after we got those working I was able to drive the truck several miles home.

I would guess that if the 1850 you are looking at was reasonably cared for during it's working life, it'll not likely give you any major problems now. Hope it works out for you - the 1850 is a great tractor!!

But you're right about the sticky valves! We've got 3 Olivers with Waukesha-built gas motors. If they sit for more than a few months you can always count on at least couple stuck valves. The good news is once they get running and warmed up the valves always seem to free up by themselves.

Our 1650 let go a brake shaft seal a couple years with the expected result. Now one of the rockshaft seals is leaking. And we've got a 1600 industrial with a Reverse-O-Torq transmission that leaks ATF at a furious rate once it warms up.

I know how it can go!!

Also, query for 1850 in the archives, tons of stuff.

HTH

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