1950's Dearborn cultivator find and rebuild

sixdogs · May 15, 2014

Found this 8 ft wide Dearborn cultivator at a local auction about 10 miles away. They forgot it and it was almost the last to sell so I got a good deal. These are great cultivators for the small tractor. There was no loader tractor so I just decided to drive over with my JD5520 and bring it back in the loader. 20 miles in an open station tractor on a windy and cool day is no fun.

20 miles like this on the back roads. Never passed a car.

The prior owner did some dumb stuff to it and shovels were not correct and were blocked up or bent to change operating angle. That's a no-no.

I corrected the spacing for starters but some things were stuck and needed heat. All the washers got replaced and everything got loosened with oil and threads cleaned up.

Got a can of genuine Dearborn Ford Red acrylic enamel from my New Holland dealer. This is the correct--and only--brand and color for this cultivator and it looks like a million bucks. Lookee here.

EDIT--Note this is 1950's Ford Red and not more modern New Holland Red.

...more in next post

tcreeley · May 15, 2014

sixdogs said:
Found this 8 ft wide Dearborn cultivator at a local auction about 10 miles away. They forgot it and it was almost the last to sell so I got a good deal. These are great cultivators for the small tractor. There was no loader tractor so I just decided to drive over with my JD5520 and bring it back in the loader. 20 miles in an open station tractor on a windy and cool day is no fun.

View attachment 375331

20 miles like this on the back roads. Never passed a car.

View attachment 375332

The prior owner did some dumb stuff to it and shovels were not correct and were blocked up or bent to change operating angle. That's a no-no.

View attachment 375333

I corrected the spacing for starters but some things were stuck and needed heat. All the washers got replaced and everything got loosened with oil and threads cleaned up.

View attachment 375334 View attachment 375336 View attachment 375339 View attachment 375340

Got a can of genuine Dearborn Ford Red acrylic enamel from my New Holland dealer. This is the correct--and only--brand and color for this cultivator and it looks like a million bucks. Lookee here.

...more in next post

looks nice!

HEC · May 15, 2014

great find as that will do a nice job

sixdogs · May 15, 2014

......continued...

Final picture with new and correct angle shovels. I'm going to use this setup to keep weeds down but I could also use narrow shovels as well. These are very useful, made of quality steel and fit the compact tractors most of us have. I wouldn't be afraid to use it on a 50 HP tractor either.
I used to use one of these to pull big rocks (25-75 lbs, etc) out of the ground in gravel New England soil and never even broke a tine despite great abuse.

Briar Hill Brittanys · May 15, 2014

Now you just need this to complete the package. :thumbsup:

http://www.ntractorclub.com/manuals...tor - Assembly and Operating Instructions.pdf

sixdogs · May 15, 2014

Briar Hill Brittanys said:
Now you just need this to complete the package. :thumbsup:

http://www.ntractorclub.com/manuals...tor - Assembly and Operating Instructions.pdf

Yes, that was my blueprint to work from. That could be my link because I actually posted it a few weeks back along with a link to a whole bunch of early Ford manuals and literature.

Here's that link. NTC Manual Library Everyone with anything Ford should be aware of what's out there.

sixdogs · May 17, 2014

Correction here... the Ford 1950's red color paint I used is alkyd and I said acrylic. That would be considered not as good as acrylic enamel.

I'm not sure how that happened since I am certain I saw the word "acrylic" on their shelf on one of the paints. It could have been the New Holland Red, a different and more modern color from recent NH balers. rakes and such. Perhaps they kept this one as alkyd because it is more historically correct? In any event it is a superior quality paint that performs very well.

Sorry for my error but the point is the same. Use great quality paint and the best deal is factory paint. This NH Red I used is great paint that retains its shine and color with no chalking.

jon edwards · Dec 23, 2016

I have the exact same one. It works perfectly now, but I'd love to get it painted up like that. I thought I had a picture too but I can't find it.

sixdogs · Dec 23, 2016

jon edwards said:
I have the exact same one. It works perfectly now, but I'd love to get it painted up like that. I thought I had a picture too but I can't find it.

Do what I did. Take it apart and put it back together after replacing whatever needs it. Take the cultivators or shovels off. Wash it or wire brush a little and before you know it, the time is right to paint. It doesn't have to be 100% perfect and won't ever be anyway. Relax and do the best you can. Pretty soon, it's done and you're sipping a brew while you admire your handiwork. Use factory paint and not farm store or "close enough" paint and it will look like it should.

jon edwards · Dec 23, 2016

Yeah mine is actually in great shape, just needs paint. It has the depth wheel in front. I use it all the time. I have been using it for 6 years with a 47 hp 2wd tractor. Now I have a 75 hp 4wd. It seems to work fine with the new tractor, but I am a little careful with it.