Got a tractor yesterday.

[donb2]

Got my first tractor yesterday - 1969 Ford 2000. Paid $2500 for it, including the beat - up but functioning cutter and the weight box. Everything works so far!



Brakes don't seem so good. How do I check them?



What else should I do to it? I'm thinking about hiring a tractor mechanic to check it out and help me do what needs doing. Anyone know one in S.E. Mass.?

 

[murphy1244]

Congrats Don...

 

[8NLUGNUT]

Wow. I'd love the loader!

 

[Soundguy]

brakes are old drum style.. jack up a rear and pry out the cover and you can access the star wheel with a big flat blade screwdriver.. can't remember which way you turn em.. but it will be obvious.. spin whell and give it some clicks.. get it to just barely drag, then back off a click or 2.. do the other side.. then adjsut the clevis so both brake pedals ar e the same height.

send me some email.. I might have some literature you'd be interested in

 

[creekbend]

Congratulations.

 

[donb2]

brakes are old drum style.. jack up a rear and pry out the cover and you can access the star wheel with a big flat blade screwdriver.. can't remember which way you turn em.. but it will be obvious.. spin whell and give it some clicks.. get it to just barely drag, then back off a click or 2.. do the other side.. then adjsut the clevis so both brake pedals ar e the same height.

send me some email.. I might have some literature you'd be interested in

Thanks!

I remember doing that to my Studebaker way back when!

email incoming.

 

[RollingsFarms]

That looks very nice for what you paid! Especially with a loader. Shoot even if it was all junk it was almost worth that much in scrap iron!

 

[flusher]

Got my first tractor yesterday - 1969 Ford 2000. Paid $2500 for it, including the beat - up but functioning cutter and the weight box. Everything works so far!



Brakes don't seem so good. How do I check them?



What else should I do to it? I'm thinking about hiring a tractor mechanic to check it out and help me do what needs doing. Anyone know one in S.E. Mass.?

Drain and replace all the fluids and check for water in the oil, oil in the water and funny smelling liquids. The transmissions in these old tractors generally have water in the bottom of the case due to leakage at the shift lever boot seal.

Check the entire tractor for fluid leaks. Replace leaking seals.

Tractors have brakes on the rear axles (no front brakes usually). Drive the tractor slowly and apply the brakes (both forward and backward motion) to see if you have any brakes at all. Listen for grinding/squeaking sounds (worn linings). Try adjusting the brakes and see if this helps. There's usually some type of adjustment nut on the brake linkage. You may need to squirt a lot of rust penetrant on the linkage to free up the movable parts.

I recently replaced the linings (band type) on my 1945 Oliver 60 row crop tractor. The right lining was nearly ground to dust. The left lining was oil-soaked due to a leaking shaft oil seal. The Oliver's brakes worked--just barely before I did the repairs. Riveted the new linings onto the old bands and replaced the oil seals on both brakes.

Good luck

 

[LD1]

I cant add much to what others have said. But that is a nice find for the $$$. The tractor alone is probabally worth that without the loader or beat up cutter.

As others have mentioned, check all the fluids. Probabally wouldnt hurt to go ahead and change all the filters AND fluids just for peice of mind.:thumbsup:

Do you know if the rear tires are loaded??? If so that will help with loader work. But regardless, I would figure on leaving that bushhog (or some other heavy implement) on there if you want to be productive at all with the loader.:thumbsup: