Debating Minneapolis-Moline M602

[BeeBazaar]

Hey all, I lurk alot but now I cant find what I need. Im looking for a bigger tractor than what I got - 1950 TO-20. I dont mind a bit of a project because you can get more bang for the buck and I enjoy tinkering. I just missed a Farmall 856 that had steering issues for ~$3000. I did find a Moline M-602. Stored indoors, original owner (Family) 3000 hrs. The problem is his dad parked it 30 years ago an died. He says it ran and worked great until the day he parked it. He just never got on it afterwards and always had intentions of using it again but didnt for what ever reason. I can relate to this because I have a 46 CJ-2 from my grandpa same situation... He is asking $3000. I talked to him, hes 2 hrs away. I think if I go to him I can maybe get it for $2000. Is it worth the risk? I'm not worried about draining / changing fluids, changing filters and hoses. cleaning the injectors and such. Its more is the engine seized beyond use? I don't wanna try and turn it over of i look at it. Id rather oil the cylinders for a week and let them penetrate from the top down. Id use this for ~ 4 acres to plow / disc / seed for my bee farm. Id really like a diesel and to be honest, the 856, at 10k lbs is probably a bit too big. So yay or nay for 2k on the moline? any advice and prep to start after 30 years?

Thanks
Phil

 

[BeeBazaar]

comes with the duals

 

[Granthol]

Take a big crescent wrench to try to turn over the engine. If it’s free I’d say go for it. Seems like a lot of machine for 4 acres, but I’m not here to judge that. :cool2:

 

[flusher]

That's definitely a project tractor. If you have $2K lying around, then go for it. Injectors are easy to repair/replace. The main fuel pump may be a problem if it needs to be rebuilt. Could cost up to $1K. BTW: I bought six old tractors to rebuild. The owner always says that it was running fine the day he parked it.

Good luck

 

[bazman82]

If its been sitting for 30yrs I would wonder if any seals/gaskets have dried out...May end up with leaks all over if you really start working the tractor again..

 

[BeeBazaar]

thanks guys! Im tryng to make a safest option plan if I decide for it. Going to look at it Friday. The fuel pump is a concern now, Imnot too familiar with this era per se. And the "runnign the day he parked it" does have me wondering....

 

[fidowanttobe]

I know nothing about MM's, whether they are collector priced or what, but I do think that he is high priced for a tractor in that condition. I actually wouldn't go over $1000-1200 for it without knowing that the crank moves. 30 years is a looong tome for something to set.

 

[Tennsawdust]

Hey all, I lurk alot but now I cant find what I need. Im looking for a bigger tractor than what I got - 1950 TO-20. I dont mind a bit of a project because you can get more bang for the buck and I enjoy tinkering. I just missed a Farmall 856 that had steering issues for ~$3000. I did find a Moline M-602. Stored indoors, original owner (Family) 3000 hrs. The problem is his dad parked it 30 years ago an died. He says it ran and worked great until the day he parked it. He just never got on it afterwards and always had intentions of using it again but didnt for what ever reason. I can relate to this because I have a 46 CJ-2 from my grandpa same situation... He is asking $3000. I talked to him, hes 2 hrs away. I think if I go to him I can maybe get it for $2000. Is it worth the risk? I'm not worried about draining / changing fluids, changing filters and hoses. cleaning the injectors and such. Its more is the engine seized beyond use? I don't wanna try and turn it over of i look at it. Id rather oil the cylinders for a week and let them penetrate from the top down. Id use this for ~ 4 acres to plow / disc / seed for my bee farm. Id really like a diesel and to be honest, the 856, at 10k lbs is probably a bit too big. So yay or nay for 2k on the moline? any advice and prep to start after 30 years?

Thanks
Phil

It would make a nice restoration piece, but you should be able to find a working tractor for not much more than that. I wouldn't buy it if I had to rely on it to get work done anytime soon. You never know what you will find wrong with it. You might flush out the fluids and have it fire right up or you could spend a couple of years chasing down one problem after another. There really isn't any way to know.

 

[searcyfarms]

agree with the others, how soon do you need it running, how good of a mechanic are you, maybe to large for small work, patina and unique are givens, id say likely it will turn over by hand being indoors and a diesel, had an uncle that was a wheat farmer out in western ks about 40yrs ago and MM were all he ran, not sure on parts availability, all in all if its turns over by hand, you have time to spare on needing to use it and repairs and the aptitude and the $$ burning a hole in your pocket go for it, if you need something right away id look for an old farmall 300 or 400 or deere 10/20 series that have live power/power steering etc.........and running for equivalent $$ if you are looking for something ready to go now