sixdogs
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2007
- Messages
- 13,619
- Location
- Ohio
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040, Kubota MX5100, Deere 790 TLB, Farmall Super C
This is post one of three.
Here's how I restore a neglected tractor, or piece of equipment back to impressive condition and with a minimum of effort and while maintaining it's originality and manufacturer integrity. It's easy-peasy. First, you change as little as possible and only clean, repair, detail or improve what is already there. No customization or add-ons or do-dah stuff or anything like that. The goal is to make it look like it did when it left the factory and now has reasonable wear and tear on it.
Below is a photo of an M6800 Kubota I recently bought an auction. It sat outside for 14 years (!)--ugh--but only had 400 hours on it. It had a big plus of hydraulic shuttle shift, draft control, adjustable link ends, deluxe seat, loader and rear weights. Most important, it was owned by a meticulous 95 year old guy that changed the fluids and maintained it while only mowing grass with it. Best of all, he drilled no holes, added no whip aerials or fog horns or crap that would be hard to repair. Plus, he had the insight to at least tarp the seat. This is my kind of raw material and I bought it. I've wanted an M6800 for years.
Here it is. Pretty sad and some buyers were scared off by it's apparent condition. I did my research first.
After getting it home, I assessed things and decided the tires were nice enough that I could buy new tires and swap the old ones for a partial credit to the tire shop. This works great for me and the net cost is then bearable plus I upgrade to a better tire. First I pressure washed and scrubbed everything squeaky clean. It actually shined up a lot. Then I took off the loader, blocked up the tractor in the barn, took the tires off and anything else that looked shaky. Oh, the rear tires were loaded so you can imagine that effort. The wife "helped".
I wire brushed a little and Windex/paper toweled the smooth surfaces of the front axle and removed any bolts or parts that were plated or needed more attention. Just detailing. Then I rattle can sprayed (OEM ONLY) the front axle and related parts and put it back together. It doesn't have to be perfect but NO OVERSPRAY EVER!
I ordered a set of Firestone SAT II 23 degree long bar/long bar tires because they are durable, quality and work great in dirt. Plus they look nice. I had the shop dismantle the tires so I could separate the wheels from the centers and paint things correctly (OEM ONLY). No paint on the bolts, because that would look obvious, I just sprayed those with oil. Most anything not painted gets sprayed with oil to stop rust and create a patina as things age. My stuff stays out of the weather.
Then on to the back axle. I disassembled many parts and rattle can (OEM ONLY) sprayed them separately--just like the factory. ZERO overspray is allowed and detail must be perfect. Mask with blue painter's tape. No bolts were sprayed unless they came that way from the factory. The other bolts might have had the threads chased and then sprayed with oil from a can with a straw tip. Works great with the straw.
Then I started to assemble the basics. It may look nice from 20' but it's not.
But wait; there's more plus it's on to the loader in the next post. I'll post those pics in a couple minutes. Stay tuned.
Here's how I restore a neglected tractor, or piece of equipment back to impressive condition and with a minimum of effort and while maintaining it's originality and manufacturer integrity. It's easy-peasy. First, you change as little as possible and only clean, repair, detail or improve what is already there. No customization or add-ons or do-dah stuff or anything like that. The goal is to make it look like it did when it left the factory and now has reasonable wear and tear on it.
Below is a photo of an M6800 Kubota I recently bought an auction. It sat outside for 14 years (!)--ugh--but only had 400 hours on it. It had a big plus of hydraulic shuttle shift, draft control, adjustable link ends, deluxe seat, loader and rear weights. Most important, it was owned by a meticulous 95 year old guy that changed the fluids and maintained it while only mowing grass with it. Best of all, he drilled no holes, added no whip aerials or fog horns or crap that would be hard to repair. Plus, he had the insight to at least tarp the seat. This is my kind of raw material and I bought it. I've wanted an M6800 for years.
Here it is. Pretty sad and some buyers were scared off by it's apparent condition. I did my research first.
After getting it home, I assessed things and decided the tires were nice enough that I could buy new tires and swap the old ones for a partial credit to the tire shop. This works great for me and the net cost is then bearable plus I upgrade to a better tire. First I pressure washed and scrubbed everything squeaky clean. It actually shined up a lot. Then I took off the loader, blocked up the tractor in the barn, took the tires off and anything else that looked shaky. Oh, the rear tires were loaded so you can imagine that effort. The wife "helped".
I wire brushed a little and Windex/paper toweled the smooth surfaces of the front axle and removed any bolts or parts that were plated or needed more attention. Just detailing. Then I rattle can sprayed (OEM ONLY) the front axle and related parts and put it back together. It doesn't have to be perfect but NO OVERSPRAY EVER!
I ordered a set of Firestone SAT II 23 degree long bar/long bar tires because they are durable, quality and work great in dirt. Plus they look nice. I had the shop dismantle the tires so I could separate the wheels from the centers and paint things correctly (OEM ONLY). No paint on the bolts, because that would look obvious, I just sprayed those with oil. Most anything not painted gets sprayed with oil to stop rust and create a patina as things age. My stuff stays out of the weather.
Then on to the back axle. I disassembled many parts and rattle can (OEM ONLY) sprayed them separately--just like the factory. ZERO overspray is allowed and detail must be perfect. Mask with blue painter's tape. No bolts were sprayed unless they came that way from the factory. The other bolts might have had the threads chased and then sprayed with oil from a can with a straw tip. Works great with the straw.
Then I started to assemble the basics. It may look nice from 20' but it's not.
But wait; there's more plus it's on to the loader in the next post. I'll post those pics in a couple minutes. Stay tuned.
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