(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Why do we mess with this stuff?

R

rrlund

Well-known Member
These old tractors can be so blasted exasperating! I messed with the Super 55 Friday afternoon getting the steering box put together,then yesterday afternoon when I got home from an auction timing the gears and arms on it,then an hour this morning putting the gas tank on and stitching things up so I could get it out of the way to get the 1365 in and drop the transfer case out to put a new snap ring in it.

I drove the 55 around the yard and everything worked OK except that it was toed in a little. After I got the 1365 done,I adjusted the toe in and took it out again. It wouldn't turn left all the way. I backed it in,jacked the front wheels up and turned it around,then it completely locked up. I've got a strong suspicion that one or two of those little balls in the worm gear and nut rolled up and over the top where they didn't belong when I was trying to get them all in and now they're wedged tight. The shaft was lifting up some when I was trying it,so I wouldn't be shocked if I've messed up another one of those $24 bearings.
 
I do this because I like doing mechanical type stuff. I enjoy making old tractors run. I do not need a computer to work on the tractor except to ask a question when I get stumped. I have 4 Farmalls, 1 Case and 1 John Deere now. If I had more storage space I would probably have more. I had to give up motorcycles because of balance issues from heart problems.
( Getting old is not for wimps. Quote from my dad. )
 
Myself I don't have 30-50 grand to spend on a new tractor and even if I did don't like the environmental crackpot electronics they put on the new tractors.
 
Just when you think you can come in the house at night feeling like you accomplished something,this danged old stuff gives you one more reason to kick the dog or be snappy with the wife.

At least the transfer case on the 1365 seems to be fixed,and that's the one I need to use.
 
Can you imagine (do not do this) what we would do if we had noting to do and someone saw us doing nothing. Yikes!!! Jim
 
This thing ain't even a user. It was an anniversary present for the wife because she wanted one. While I was still cussing,I asked her how bad she really wanted this thing fixed. I think she could fix a 1365 transfer case by herself by now,maybe it's time she got good with a Saginaw steering box.
 
We have a very small operation. Newest tractor is my brothers 1755. We do it because we love the tractors we have for what ever reason. I do not watch sports on tv, I do not go to sporting events. I do not stop after work with the other guys for a couple beers. I usually have at least one iron in the fire and others that need attention. It's actually something I like doing, and when not under pressure it's relaxing for me. I do know about having things not quite right the first time and that is frustrating for sure ! You'll get it !
 
I tell my kids that's their inheritance sitting in a pile in the back yard. They should pray it gains in value before I die. LOL I guess I like them because I'm saving a piece of history. I enjoy taking a tractor others have given up on, bring it back to life and making it do what it was intended to do 50-70 years ago. I don't smoke, drink very little or chase women and everyone needs some place to toss money down a hole so it might as well be a tractor in my opinion.
 
The ?newer ?computerized,electronic,and def exhaust system machines are NOT better.sure when they are new they work great,then......give me a early 60?s to late 80?s tractor any day!my point is your old tractor is cheaper and easier to fix overall
 
300, that's exactly how I feel about it. Very relaxing to me as long as I am not under pressure to get something fixed.
 
Re: Why do we mess with this stuff?
I would love to buy a new tractor. Money isn't the issue. I can't stand the smell of diesel. MY back won't handle a lawn mower, bounces too much. So I use old gas tractors as lawnmowers, Farmall C and Jubilee. I like the because I can easily repair them.
 
Don't feel bad, I did exactly the same thing with mine. And it did exactly as you think yours may have, one of the rollers dropped out of the bearing cage and jammed it up so it wouldn't turn all the way one way. The next time, I took and bent the little tabs out a little bit where they hold the rollers into place. Helped keep them from wandering out of place. After fixing it the second time, I cranked the wheel back and forth a hundred or so times before putting the dash back in it.
 
So I was just thinking about this subject this morning. For one thing it takes me back to my younger years. I have been into some kind of equipment repair all my life so it is just normal to me. Now I have 20 old ones and need about two. I can't help but like someone that messes with old tractors, they are my kind of folks. For a few years now I have wondered if I will make it to heaven and if I did the first place there I would want to see is Jesus's tractor shop. You know he has every tool he needs and the shop will be well lit. Can't wait to work on one with him and see what he says when he smashes a knuckle!!! Hope my outlook helps.
 
The only reason I tolerate it is because that?s what pencils out on our farm. However, we have one new (2014) tractor. It?s nice to have one tractor on the place that starts every time and doesn?t have a flat tire...

Bill
 
(quoted from post at 14:29:10 04/07/19) Can you imagine (do not do this) what we would do if we had noting to do and someone saw us doing nothing. Yikes!!! Jim
Click to expand...
Working on a half a dozen was fun...now that I have about 20 it's more like a job. As for now they dont get much attention . I dont have anyone to watch me sit on my arse so that's what I'm doing.
 
I don't think one of those fell out to start with. Kent told me to make a disc and rivet it to the bottom of the shaft to hold the bearing tight to the end of the shaft to keep it straight. I don't know if you've ever had that big "nut" off the shaft or not,the one with the cogs that turn the gears,but there's about three dozen little balls in there that run in the worm gear and the threads in the nut to eliminate friction. There are two arched hollow pieces on top of it to make a track for them to keep recirculating.

When you put them back in,everything has to be squeaky clean so they drop in and roll around the threads without binding up. When I was putting them in one end after I'd put them in the other,I suspect one or two rolled up and over and went in the next thread where it or they shouldn't be and now they're stuck between the worm gear and nut. I reefed on it pretty hard trying to turn it though and I think I bunged up a bearing in the process. It can sit there until I'm in a little more of a mood to take it apart again.
 
Ya,it sat there all winter just waiting for warmer weather so I could have a little "relaxing fun" and fix it. I got under the gun though when it was in the way of getting a daily user in so I could fix that,then it wasn't so much fun anymore.
 
The only thing worse than fixing a new one is making the Payment on a new one have it break down just out of warranty only to find out fiat doesn?t stock it you?ve got hay to cut and the brain is out of your brand new New Holland swather . Another thing to be thankful for you are not standing on your head or on your already bad back working on a junk car or truck
 
Yep, I've had the recirculating balls out... yes, those have been a pain before trying to get them all together correctly as well. I let mine set for a long time as well until I felt like dealing with it. Now that that part of it is all back together and working correctly, it sure feels good to be done with the steering part of it. Almost done with the PTO clutch, but I'm like you, 20 other projects to do as well that are more important.
 
I just need another shop. One to leave this junk in and another one to work on the things I really need fixed. lol
 
Or you could ?upgrade?. To a newer new Holland combine and find out fiat no longer keeps parts in the USA for It either and takes 3 weeks but row boat out of Australia .
 
So far, this sounds like a recirculating ball steering gear. Back in the day before rack and pinion steering, I rebuilt many Saginaw steering boxes. As I recall, the balls went around the worm and the nut and worm had a bulkhead in the housing in between them. We used a dummy shaft to stack the balls in, then twisted the worm into them from the inside of the housing. Sounds like you got one of the balls out of place.

also, there were two sets of balls - one was shiny bright while the other had a dark cast to it. They were to be alternated in the nut. Dark, light, dark, light, and so on. It has been a long time since I had one apart, but as I remember, without the dummy shaft, it was near impossible to get them right.
 
Hey Randy---Boy did this topic go all over the place!!--Give me a call when you & the wife get ready to go back into it---I'm pretty sure that I know what the problem is---Kent Gordon
 
Well the last few days I realized that it's been many years since I changed the fuel filters on my tractors so I decided to do it. As you would expect, Murphy was right there screwing up everything he could. But I got-r-done in spite of him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

super99
What a Mess!!!
Replies
15
Views
2K
sonnythomas
S
O
Odd running problem
Replies
16
Views
942
cjunrau
C
D
What is is this flare fitting called - Delphi injection pump
Replies
13
Views
823
Dan S (NY)
D
3
Scrap prices today, on the west coast near San Diego
Replies
3
Views
995
37chief
3
J
Another Ford 801 fuel return line thead
Replies
13
Views
536
showcrop
showcrop
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top