Looking at old grain trucks... Need help.

[Green Power]

Thought i would bring this thread back to life. Did you purchase a truck?

 

[Marveltone]

Thought i would bring this thread back to life. Did you purchase a truck?

We're waiting for the snow to melt enough to test drive them, as the shop has rather large drifts all around it. Nobody has been using the shop all winter, so there has been no immediate need to remove the drifts. We also figured warmer weather would be much more conducive to tinkering with equipment that hasn't been run in a couple years.

Soon! :thumbsup:

Joe

 

[Green Power]

Bump!

 

[Marveltone]

UPDATE!

Today, my friend called and said it's time. I hooked up my trailer, called my dad and drove 50 miles to the old farmstead. We puttered around and quickly found that only one truck was going to start. We knew the battery was bad, so we hooked up the jumper cables to the 1950 Chevy 6400, pulled the choke, turned the key and stepped on the floor starter. Much to my surprise, it fired right up! Once we gave it a little gas to get going, it settled right down and purred like a kitten. We actually drove it from the shop to the yard. This short trip taught us that the brakes were not working, (no fluid) and the timing is off. If we step on the gas too much, it wants to die. If we hold on to the distributor while stepping on the gas, it does just fine. A little time with a timing light should remedy this little issue.

We then engaged the PTO and pulled the hoist lever. The box raised all the way to nearly 45 degrees and revealed two telescoping (two stage) hydraulic cylinders. Apparently, these were installed in the 50's by Polaris Industries. We lowered the box and loaded some other stuff I bought into it before loading it onto the trailer.

We drove it onto the trailer and I said, "This is the one. How much?"
"Oh, I dunno... how does $1000 sound?"
"Sold!"

We loaded a hay bale elevator between the wheels, which stuck out 12ft. I put a red flag on it but knew we'd be driving in the dark. A quick call to the MN highway patrol told me I needed a marker light on the back for night driving. We drove to the local hardware store, bought a trailer plug, some wire and a trailer light and made a portable marker light that we mounted on the end of the elevator.

To recap: I bought the 1950 Chevy 6400.
We unload tomorrow.

Joe

 

[square1]

Sweet rig!

 

[forgeblast]

Wow nice!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nice find.

Chris

 

[joemd11]

Nice truck and easily worth a grand! First thing I'd do is go thru the mechanical stuff and get it safe and reliable to drive. Then decide on the cosmetics. I'd fix any rust or corrosion issues and then maybe just leave the original "patina" on the exterior. Regardless of what you decide, it is great that you are saving this truck from the scrap heap!

 

[Marveltone]

Today, we looked under the truck while it was still on the trailer and it's easy to see. We found that the main brake line from the master cylinder to about midway back has a hole rusted through. The lines from the "T" to the rear brakes have been replaced and look great. We pulled off the rusty line so it can be measured and replaced. Meanwhile, I'll buy a new battery and we'll start going through the wiring and lighting. I don't care if it looks a little rough, but I want it roadworthy, legal, and safe.

It has since been unloaded and parked near the garage, where we have easy access to tools and electricity to work on it.

Joe

 

[dave1949]

Nice, Joe.