Looking for a pedal tractor restorer in Michigan. Found an o

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Nick m

Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

I went to buy a tiller from a guy and spotted this on his scrap pile. From what I can find, it's either an oliver 1800,1850, or 1855. Needs everything, but it'll be worth it. My son is already in love. Looking for someone in Michigan that restores these.

 

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Dave H (MI)

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

If it were me, I would fix it up and rattle can paint it. Then let him have fun with it knowing it matters not if he scratches it.

 

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Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

Why not fix it up yourself. You should be able to find the parts that you need at Dakotah Toys. (dakotahtoyparts.com)
Loren

 

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Nick m

Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

I don't want to do it myself and want it done right. Thanks

 

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Mike Groom

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

It will run $200 to $300 to restore it,as stated before check Dakota for parts and do it yourself,you're son will enjoy it just as much if not more that dad did it.

 

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greg oliver

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

Nick, I responded to you on the other forum last night. The White pedal tractor was restored by Brian Vanburen of NY. He did an excellent job! I had 2 pedal tractors and rattle can sprayed one to be more like the tractor I have but my daughter didn't ride on it much. I looked up online and Scale Models have an 1850 pedal tractor for probably less money than you'll have in that one. Just an option and Joe Ertl owns the company.

 

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Nick m

Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

There were two runs of these it looks like. One back in the 60's and one recently. This is a 60's one. I've been told worth north of 1000 if restored right. Have no interest in selling it, but still want done right. If I can ask, how much did you have into the one you hired done? From some quick searches, it looks like I'm going to have 2-300, as others have stated, into parts alone, which us fine. Just not sure how much labor is involved. That's why I'm looking for someone that restores these. Get an estimate or 2 and if I think it's reasonable, I'll hire it done. Just don't have the space and time right now. Probably wouldn't get to it until next winter and would like it done sooner.

 

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Nick m

Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

After another search, looks like 1k is on the high end. Closer to 700 is more realistic.

 

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greg oliver

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

Nick, I am sure that's original from the 60's and mine was from 1989. I was just thinking out loud that you might want a tractor for now they are less than 300 dollars new. A friend owns the fixed White now but he just asked if I want it back he sell it to me. He owns the tractors on the wagon so he wouldn't miss one! I looked online and they have a purple 1850, red Cockshutt 1650, green 1550 and a cool 1950T 4wd then you can restore the other one at your leisure.

 

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gab

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

Isn't too hard to do it yourself, I did an old Massey 44 and a J D and trailer, drove over to Dyersville, about 60 miles, and got the parts from Samuelsons I think was the name. I think I called and he sent me a parts list with prices. The Massey original style rear rims were a little pricier so I did a little brazing, grinding and a spoon full of mud. Take every part off of it, clean, sand, wire brush, prime and paint, it'll come out nice. The John Deer I rattle canned, The Massey I used automotive paint.

 

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rrlund

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

Let me do some thinking. Rich Recker over by Riverdale restored my Oliver 88,but he's not around anymore. I'm not as tuned in to the toy community as I used to be.

 

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rrlund

Well-known Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

Just a thought,how about Tom's Auto Body on Grand River east of 66? They restore the real ones,maybe they can do a pedal.

 

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Dave Sherburne, NY

Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

There's a guy in Curtiss Wi. who restores toy tractors and he does an excellent job. Curtiss is right in the middle of Wi. about 1 mile north of Highway 29. Don Walters.

 

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Nick m

Member

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

I'll have to check with tom. I know he stays quite busy with the full size stuff, but definitely worth checking.

 

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Mark-Mi

Well-known Member

Location

S.E. Mi.

• Feb 25, 2018

• #1

This guy has talent. Milan Mi.
Little Tractor

 

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SDMike

Member

• Feb 26, 2018

• #1

Nick, I would also like to add that you should do this yourself. If you pay someone to professionally restore it, you probably aren't going to let your boy play with it. Fix it up, paint it with a rattle can, let him ride the wheels off of it for the next 4 years or so, then restore it. These are not difficult. My kids restore them as 4H projects, with a little help from me. Here is the Oliver 1850 my daughter restored 5 years ago.

Mike

 

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rrlund

Well-known Member

• Feb 26, 2018

• #1

Geez,before I'd see him paint it with a rattle can I'd have him bring it up and I'd shoot the paint for him when I paint my 500.

 

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David G

Well-known Member

• Feb 26, 2018

• #1

I appreciate your intent, but agree with the others.

Get it sandblasted, primed, replace defective components, shoot a nice coat of paint on it and let him ride it.

You will just spend a ton of money and worry if you get it restored, he will actually appreciate it more if you do it and let him help.

I would paint it for free, and bet others here would too.

 

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Nick m

Member

• Feb 26, 2018

• #1

Be careful. I may take you up on that.