KenPrice
New member
Greetings all,
I just brought home a tangible memory of my childhood growing up on a farm in Southeastern Montana.
My Dad graciously gave me our Ford model 900 (Row Crop), wide front tractor. I spent many hours of my childhood and adolescence aboard this machine cultivating sugar beets, raking hay and about any other farming chore that needed to be done. Though we had larger, more powerful diesel tractors (IH 560), this little Ford was the all around pro. Serial number makes it a '56, and as far as I can tell, the wide front was a factory installed option.
My dad o/h the engine within the past 10 years, and estimates that it has less than 100 hours on the engine. Also rebuilt the power steering cylinder, though it seems to be leaking now.
So, having recovered a part of my growing up memories, I'm embarking on the task of returning this machine to as-close-to-factory-condition as possible.
Trailered it from Miles City Montana to Meridian Idaho last month, and have since replaced the fuel shut-off valve under the gas tank, the carb, and points/plugs/condenser set. With the new carb, she purrs like a well fed kitten. Plug wires come next, then a new exhaust pipe. New wiring harness needs to happen, as well as a new battery box and hold down set. My dad did the 12v conversion somewhere in the distant past. New seat needs to arrive someplace in there. Had to replace the weather checked front tires - scavenged pickup tires, cause I was afraid to add air to them, so it has nice new and proper 3 rib tractor tires.
This winter, it'll be into the shop to dismantle and refresh the steering train from the main box to the front gear, and new bushings in the spindles, and inspect/replace the front wheel bearings. Right now, it has serious wandering issues related to loose steering components. Right now, you can watch the front wheels trying to figure out which way to go, and whether or not they want to go in the same direction.
The guts of the tractor seem strong as far as I can tell right now, so don't plan on cracking the engine/trans/diff.
Rear wheels have CACL ballast fluid in them, and there's some corrosion, so that will come out, will have to assess the state of the rear rims then.
Gonna see if the nieghbor up the road who does body work is interested in doing the sheet metal work and painting.
Will post more pics as the work progresses.
Ken
I just brought home a tangible memory of my childhood growing up on a farm in Southeastern Montana.
My Dad graciously gave me our Ford model 900 (Row Crop), wide front tractor. I spent many hours of my childhood and adolescence aboard this machine cultivating sugar beets, raking hay and about any other farming chore that needed to be done. Though we had larger, more powerful diesel tractors (IH 560), this little Ford was the all around pro. Serial number makes it a '56, and as far as I can tell, the wide front was a factory installed option.
My dad o/h the engine within the past 10 years, and estimates that it has less than 100 hours on the engine. Also rebuilt the power steering cylinder, though it seems to be leaking now.
So, having recovered a part of my growing up memories, I'm embarking on the task of returning this machine to as-close-to-factory-condition as possible.
Trailered it from Miles City Montana to Meridian Idaho last month, and have since replaced the fuel shut-off valve under the gas tank, the carb, and points/plugs/condenser set. With the new carb, she purrs like a well fed kitten. Plug wires come next, then a new exhaust pipe. New wiring harness needs to happen, as well as a new battery box and hold down set. My dad did the 12v conversion somewhere in the distant past. New seat needs to arrive someplace in there. Had to replace the weather checked front tires - scavenged pickup tires, cause I was afraid to add air to them, so it has nice new and proper 3 rib tractor tires.
This winter, it'll be into the shop to dismantle and refresh the steering train from the main box to the front gear, and new bushings in the spindles, and inspect/replace the front wheel bearings. Right now, it has serious wandering issues related to loose steering components. Right now, you can watch the front wheels trying to figure out which way to go, and whether or not they want to go in the same direction.
The guts of the tractor seem strong as far as I can tell right now, so don't plan on cracking the engine/trans/diff.
Rear wheels have CACL ballast fluid in them, and there's some corrosion, so that will come out, will have to assess the state of the rear rims then.
Gonna see if the nieghbor up the road who does body work is interested in doing the sheet metal work and painting.
Will post more pics as the work progresses.
Ken
