Tractors back from the dead

Earlier this year I was looking for a parts tractor to use as parts for the 3 1550 I have. I found a 1555 on CL and called about it not thinking it would still be for sale after a month. As luck would have it, It was. Went and looked at it and it was rough, One new tire the other 3 were junk. Motor was locked up and the oil pan was off sitting out side for 3 years. With one new tire a new intake and exhust manifold and new clutch pressure plate and throw out bearing and the radiator rebuilt the year before it locked up I bought it for good or bad.

Once at home I looked at it hard and just had to see if I could get it running again. I tore into it and found #2 rod was seazed tight. Took the rod loose and found it was goulded up at the oil galley but the crank was not hurt. Cleaned it up and put in a new bearing (standard). A gallon of mineral spirits to wash out the bottom half and 8 cans of brake cleaner and it was clean. Took the oil pump off and cleaned it as well as the oil galley to the filter. I fixed #3 intake valve spring keeper washer that was broken.

I put it all back together and got it running like a mouse chewing on corn bread. It really ran smooth and started so easy. Now to get it looking good. A little wiring a lot of elbow grease and polish and 3 new tires and she was done. I used it for a month bush hogging to make sure it was going to stay together and was right, And she was. Now I don't want to get rid of it, But it has to go. I took it to an auction and sold it to a good Oliver guy that wanted one.

I could have waited and got more money for it but I bought it for parts and it was running again, Time to let go. I made a little money but I got more satisfaction in knowing she was running and lookin good again and back to work as she should be. Sometimes money aint everything, I do love a challenge and this was a good one and I won! Now I still have 3 more to work on this winter. It really bugs me to see good tractors get junked so I had to try to save this one. How many of you guys do this too? Bandit

I'd like to find one like that for a good price. I'd put the loader on it then put the narrow front from a parts tractor under my 1600. I always wanted a narrow front 4 digit just for the looks of it.

I understand exactly how you feel. I get a great feeling of accomplishment when I am able to get an old piece of equipment running, and it matters not to me if it is a tractor, car, truck, or just a piece of lawn or garden equipment.

Looks good to me!
I brought two fence row tractors back to life this year.
It's a great feeling.
I had to part out a third one. Didn't really like to, but it
just wasn't worth the cost of fixing it. And that one ran!

I just bought a $400 SMTA Perfect tin,wd front,3 point. Stuck motor. Gonna do the same as you.Maybe I can even make some money.........

Sounds like you got a good deal. About every tractor I buy is not running. My MF 203 came with a rod through the block. A block patch job, and a new engine kit, a couple rods, and crank It has been running for a lot of hours. My JD 401 industrial came with water in the pan. a complete engine kit a couple main bearing caps, a line bore and it has also been a good running tractor. Both tractors were 500.00 each. My free MF industrial just had a lot of issues. It also did a lot of mowing. Still runs, but is not used. I really enjoy making something run again, that should have been scrapped. My motorcycles included. Stan

Let me get this straight... You were able to clean up the crank, put a new bearing in the burned out rod, replace the valve spring keeper, the valve wasn't bent.... And you got away with all that!

Never in a million years could I do that and have it work! LOL
You must be living right!

I was just thinking the same, Wonder if he's
looking for a job as a mechanic. I got customers
want me to pull these miracles, out of a hat here.
With no budget on plain worn out tractors. I
think he should pick my lotto numbers this week
with that luck.
Regards Robert

Yup! I had looked long and hard at it and it was pretty strait original tractor and I just had a gut feeling it would run again. Now to be honest its been 30+ years sense I have done anything with a crank shaft and with this being a one shot deal to get it right, I had a friend help me get it right. Bearing had not spun it was just gaulded about 3/16" in the center of the bearing. The bearing was a thousand off and standard bearing so we went for it and I guess things just fell together.

I could have just as easy parted it out and said it just needed to much work, But I just had that gut feeling it would run again. My granddad told me to trust my gut feelings it will serve you well. He was right. This is nothing new to me as I have done this all my life, Make something from nothing. Bandit

Well Done Bandit. Great job! You saved one, for a productive life again, use and provide for someone's family. Or at least: their pleasure!

Your skills are remarkable. You've got gumption to try something and see it through. Glad you didn't quit and part it out!
Thank you for sharing the photos of the old girl. She'd thank you if she could talk!

Sadly in my case after I go through all the work of getting one going it's tough to let it go! Plus it's more fun to brag about bringing a tractor back from the dead when your standing next to it in your own shed telling the story of what you went through to revive it!

Good for you!

I've 'brought back' a couple. The one I'm currently working on looked like this when it got here. Hopefully I'll have time to finish it soon.

Here's the next "project" yes it is defiantly dead, hopefully by next spring it will at some life in it and be running, I doubt I'll be driving it around by then but who knows maybe it'll be a good winter!!