Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Got a new tractor

[Mace Canute]

We had a 40's something WC when I was a kid on the farm and I put many an hour on it every year. Those old ACs were true beasts of burden and tough but aren't as easy to drive as the more modern tractors. It's still a dream of mine to have one for my very own. Don't forget to keep your thumbs outside the spokes of the steering wheel, eh?

 

[Airedale]

My first Tractor was a WD 45 wide front end, it had been totally restored to new condition. I installed a loader with a trip bucket and had three bottom plow for the AC snap couple hitch.

I used it for quite a few years in the woods for logging and cutting firewood, the old gal could really pull.

I used to get the old hand crank out and start it that way just for kicks until it kicked back on me once and almost broke my forearm.

The thing I remember most was it had to have about the worst ergonomics of any Tractor I ever sat on, levers seat etc. just seemed to be all in the wrong place, that being said I do a fondness for that old tractor and all the work we got done.

Al

 

[TripleR]

We had an old hand crank AC with steel wheels to work "new ground". Once you got it started, you left it running. That was one rough riding/steering piece of machinery, but it sure would pull.

 

[nebraskasparks]

It's a classic...enjoy!

 

[bdeboer]

For 6 years I used a '52 WD with a wide front end and trip bucket as my bush hog and loader tractor. The trip bucket had enough lifting force that it would raise the rear end with wheel weights and loaded tires. I think you will find that the hydraulics are pretty solid for the age of the tractor.

I still have it, think it has a blown head gasket. There is anti-freeze in the oil, one of those projects I need to get to.

The price with the Kelly Loader sounds close to what they are asking around here. I have seen original paint narrow front end models on craigslist for around 850 - 1000.

Have fun, I need to get motivated on mine.

allischalmers dot com and ytmag are good resources.

 

[pitt_md]

Like many people I learned how to operate tractors on a WD45. It was the only tractor on our 80 acre farm in the beginning.

 

[Jnasystems]

I will have to look into the hydraulics then, because this thing wouldn't even pick up a full bucket of dirt from a pile. It isn't going to be used with the loader and the narrow front end (I like the looks of that option), but the 3pt will definitely be used.

 

[bdeboer]

I will have to look into the hydraulics then, because this thing wouldn't even pick up a full bucket of dirt from a pile. It isn't going to be used with the loader and the narrow front end (I like the looks of that option), but the 3pt will definitely be used.

Did the Kelly Loader have a seperate pump? If it does, maybe the relief valve is set to low. Someone should be able to get the spec's for it.

The 50's vintage New Idea loader on mine has a valve you open to operate the loader next to the reservoir near the foot clutch, and then the lever next to the steering wheel for the rear arms raises or lowers it. You shut the valve off to hold the loader in the air to operate the rear lift or run across the field.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[jtheise4]

Very nice tractor! I am jealous!! I grew up with A-C tractors and hope to one day have a WD45D.