Farmall tractor uses

[Bingo9991]

So my grandpa was in search of tires for his super c and asked one of his farmer buddies if he had any connections to find some, long story short the farmer gave my grandpa his old super c that doesn't run as it sits. My grandpa said that he is going to give it to me to fix up, and I can't justify buying $700 dollars as an 18 year old saving for college not counting the engine problems. Is there anything I can do with it to make some money with it to offset the repair costs? I'm sure my grandpas friend has a plow or blade or brush hog/mower deck for it I could buy that's just sitting and rusting away. Also, is there anything to check that's relatively simple to fix and replace that would cause it not to start? I haven't even seen the thing yet all I know it is a narrow front super c that doesn't run and the farmer used it quite a bit and once it didn't work he didn't bother fixing it because he just bought another because he had the money. I imagine it's been sitting 10-20 years.

 

[Sonny580]

Nothing is going to be cheeep!--Is the engine stuck?---Ignition system malfunction will cause even new tractors to not start.--could have been that the points needed to be cleaned, --(back then), now you will have to go thru everything on it and start from scratch.--new points/plugs/wires/possible coil/carb. rebuild/possible starter rebuild or replace/ and switch/wiring harness, just to give you a fair idea of the expense that you could encounter.
As far as making money with that tractor,--chances are nil!--around here the c and super c tractors are in collectors hands and not in the field.
If you can't justify the $700 for the tires, then you can't justify the cost of the REAL fix of a 10 or 20 year sitting tractor!
Do you know for sure if the engine is stuck or not??? thanks; sonny580

 

[Clint S]

It likely has fast hitch or just a draw bar. It's not a very versatile machine without Fasthitch implements. I see no real money making opportunities. It is a good gardening tractor with the correct implements and cultivators . Good for pulling a rake or tedder. Good for pulling a wagon. Good for spending money on. If it's not stuck, check for spark, clean the carb.

 

[smstonypoint]

My grandpa said that he is going to give it to me to fix up, and I can't justify buying $700 dollars as an 18 year old saving for college not counting the engine problems. Is there anything I can do with it to make some money with it to offset the repair costs?

Good for spending money on.

There's an old saying that goes "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." But you would be better off financially if you pass on this gift in my opinion. Continue saving for your college education and get a summer job to help meet your college expenses rather than spending your money and time on a project tractor. There will be plenty of time to work on project tractors after you finish your education.

Steve

 

[2ndhalf]

I would say if your grandad wants to give it to you, accept it and be thankful but don't plan on making money with it or getting it running if it isn't a quick or easy fix. It is possible it isn't a big deal to fix it but sitting that long without being used is actually much worse on it than if it had been used regularly.

If you have a place just to let it sit while you focus on college and get your first job and then just tell gramps that is your later in life goal to restore it; he should understand. We all have later down the road projects sitting behind or in our barns; nothing wrong with this.

It is hard enough to make money with a modern fully functioning tractor; it would be very hard to make money with that one.

 

[lennyzx11]

You won't make money.
Getting an old tractor is a hobby. If you have an aptitude or desire to learn mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems then as most people here will attest. It's a fun, learning hobby.
A college kid can finance it. One thing at a time. The Net and forums Like these has all the information and answers to questions.
So. You can waste your free time on the Interweb, FacetaGram, or x box stuff or you can waste it on a 20-50 year old dirty greasy pile of rusted bolts and nasty parts.

I got a 47 Farmall H tricycle when I was 18. It was locked up. It took me 5 years before I got to ride on that **** thing!
My 9n pushed me through a barn wall with a brush hog when I was 26 since I never know about an over running clutch.
My 2n tryed to take me off a 10 ft sheer drop due to the governor "governing" and the brakes not "braking". This was just a couple of years ago.

So. They are fun. They do work. A lot of people use them as a tool as farmers and ranchers.
But I'd say that 90 % of us use them where we can to justify having one. As a hobby.

Handier than a pocket on a tshirt as my old old friend says of his Super C.

So don't ever think of it as a money maker. It helps make your life easier. Moving dirt, rocks, firewood, planting, hay, and all those other things are a lot easier than doing them by hand.

But they've all seemed (to me) to become an important part of my life as they carry and do things that I can't or don't want to do.

 

[mcfarmall]

Accept the tractor, fog the engine, pour some oil into each cylinder and rotate the engine a few revs. Spend a few college $$ on a good canvas tarp and cover it up or store it in a barn/garage until you are older and in a better financial position to restore it. Take it from a guy who owns his grandpa's C...I love that tractor, it's very handy and I wouldn't ever think of selling it.

Mine has a David Bradley (Sears and Roebuck) aftermarket 3 point hitch and I use it all the time for mowing and many tasks around the farm.

 

[Bingo9991]

Oh I'm definitely going to take it, the tractor that the tires are going onto is actually my great grandpa's tractor, also a super c. I have been tinkering with engines since I was 10 and I'm quite confident in my mechanical skills so that would take be a problem. Is there anything I can do to prevent the tractor from degrading even further?

 

[Bingo9991]

Guess I'll go 'one piece at a time' but the right way

 

[2ndhalf]

Oh I'm definitely going to take it, the tractor that the tires are going onto is actually my great grandpa's tractor, also a super c. I have been tinkering with engines since I was 10 and I'm quite confident in my mechanical skills so that would take be a problem. Is there anything I can do to prevent the tractor from degrading even further?

I think McFarmall answered this question.