Finishing it Up: To-30 vs Wingnut

[Wingnut]

The engine rebuild is all completed, but I have yet to start the engine.

The Achilles' heal of the TO-30 this "Jury Rigged" Electrical Systems that was almost right. First the electrical systems was designed by Lucas (Prince of Darkness and Keeper of Warm Beer). Second when the last couple of 50 people that attempted to work on the electrical did some really squirrely things (I hope I haven't offended any squirrels) such as splicing in new wire, but keeping the old wires waded up or an end cap was added to the wire and is left to dangle. Then there is the feature of bypassing the generator it only charges the battery anyway! Oh yeah I hate postive ground!

I really don't want to do but I am going to put on the front Axle because it holds the radiator inplace and I want to start this engine!

[Carl]

That is one of the biggest problems with field repairs, jury rigging, and modifying a piece of equipment.
My last few years of work was in HVAC. Last three was with a wonderful tech.

This guy could not be rushed. He looked at everything. His job started with what was there, what the problem was, and what had to be done to really fix the problem. Then decide what had to go, what to keep and where to put everything. When he was finished all that wasn't anymore useful was gone. What was useful was packaged with the new so that it looked like a new machine. He cared for his job, and wanted to keep his "very good, thorough reputation". I have found this usefull in my repairs and modifications. Although have learned that NEAT is an art that is learned through experience.

I think that by the time your TO 30 is finished it will be better than new. You strike me as that kind of a person.

[draddogs]

Wingnut I see daily what a person w/no mental apptitude for mechanical or electrical repair can do. I feel for you on you endevor of getting it right..

[Wingnut]

Thanks Y'all! Since I spent all this time, money, and effort on this project I prefer doing it right the first time! I don't like rework and it just doesn't make any sense to complete a job that you are going to have to repair in a couple of weeks!

[draddogs]

Wingnut the only wa to do a repair is to do it right the first time so you can enjoy the fruits of your labors even if its just a real pretty tractor.. It's the pride in ones work that makes these things (tractor,auto,etc..repairs) more enjoyable as friends see your workmanship and talent that automatically beam. Great job on the rebuild and the documentation of the process.

Put the front end on for the time being cause I want to see pictures of it running. Next will be working it..

[Volfandt]

So your going to keep it 6v posi ground? Tain't nothing worng with that. In the 15 yrs I had my old 48 TE20, I went through 4 batteries but thats because I bought the $35 specials :) 6v worked fine for me.

Even though the serial number and name plate indicated that my 48 TE20 came from Coventry England, it had the Delco Remy electrics and the regulator and generator never gave me a problem. Perhaps you can upgrade and be done with that Englishter electrics :)

I'm also looking forward to when the beast comes alive! :)

Volfandt

[Wingnut]

It is going to stay 6 volts (it's worked for the last 50 years)

[Wingnut]

Rita got in my way! I am cleaning up the field tomorrow back to work on TO-30

[draddogs]

Man oh man Wingnut, it's a big one. You be careful and keep your family safe...
Keep in touch if at all possible..
You and yours are in my prayers for a safe return...

[Wingnut]

For the last 2 day I have been getting ready for Rita and it has really messed with my schedule.

Tonight around 6:00 when the Temp fell below 97 I started replacing wires.
I put a Timing light to see if I was getting a spark and it was! I not going to start it yet I don't raditor on it and my luck the engine would start and would not shut down until it burned up. Good things come to those who wait!

I dis-assembled the front axle and for some strange and unknown reason welded the center axle and the two outer adjustable axles (making it no longer adjustable). Everything was rusted to the point I had to use a torch to heat the nuts and a impact wrench to dis-assemble it. I am going to use my angle grinder tomorrow (Rita permitting) to break the welds. I plan to clean up the axle to orginal condition some minor fill welding will be required!

This tractor sat in 3 feet of water for some time, I have a rust line that follows the length of the tractor, it was also in the transmission.

[Wingnut]

It's been a long hot summer not a drop of rain!

I plan to start the engine today. I am going to clean up the front axle first.
The mount for the front axle also hold the radiator inplace. I can a easily clean up the center axle section and axle mounts.

I bought radus 3 rods and need do a lot of work on the outside axle (welding and filling)! I don't like steering failures!

BTW. No sign of Rita here!

[Wingnut]

What was this guy thinking? Or he just wasn't thinking.
This guy was not a welder, he was a mangler, so now I am cleaning up his mess!

The outside are not in the bad of shape; I don't know why he wanted them welded to the center axle. He ran a bead (using the term very loosely) along the top but not on the underside on the bottom. I am glad he didn't and one of his weld did not stick!

[Wingnut]

Here is a tool that every Ford N series and Ferguson TO series owner should have in his tool box. Its a Floor Mallet its a 5 pounder with a good rubberized head. It good for knocking out the frozen axle bolts without damaging the threads.



BigorangeDan; I had to stop working on the tractor and exchange my cylinders on my torch today. I wonder what nuts am I going to cut off next? ROF

[Mark / Ohio]

That is some welding job alright. Heck I done better than that my first time in class. When the professor sawed the metal block in two pieces to grade my work, it looked like one solid piece of steel. I can't imagine someone not doing some practice work before digging into an axle of all things. Sheez! :fing20:

[Wingnut]

Started back Hot and Heavy, but I could do without the Hot!

I have to start early in the morning because I don't want to burn up my vintage 1950's angle grinder. So I grinded off the welds and with a few hits with the Flooring Hammer the axles came apart!


After getting the axles apart I am still wondering why they chose to weld the axle together. The axles were not damaged except by the welds :fing20:

Why why why? I can't understand the ingenuity of an idiot!

But quoting Gomer Pyle "There's spiders on there; you move it Barney"

[Wingnut]

The front axle (inside axle) is in good despite there efforts on ruining it!

As soon as I clean up the welds (cooling grinder off right now) and paint it I can mount it on the TO-30. Then I can install the radiator and start this puppy up!


BTW you see in the axle picture you will see the old sleeves welded together, BigorangeDan built a softball cannon :fing20: Give a kid a use of a welder no telling what there going to blown up!

[Wingnut]

I have clean up the front center axle with my angle grinder and it is in great shape! :bannana:


Paint prep:
I am going sprays some Navel Jelly on the rust and then pressure wash it.
Then prime it and paint it (there is not very much different between the two greys).

In the 100+ weather the paint dries quick!

[Wingnut]

I got the inside front axle painted!

But I have to take a break its 108 right now, but it feels like 104 ROF ROF

I feel for the people without power to the east of me!

Another Record Broken Today! I hope it does not become a West Nile Fall!

[Wingnut]

Another setback happen yesterday, I tried replacing the front crank pulley with one from a TO-35. It fit engine, but front axle mount would rub against the belt going up to the generator. BM tractors in Taylor Texas where able to locate a pulley one and are having it shipped to me today.

I didn't like spending the 4 hour working in the high 90's to 100 temps yesterday, its suppose to get up to 103 today, but a cold front is coming!!!!!! Tomorrow high 89, this kind of like gas prices $2.00 will seem good low price, 89 will seem like nice cool weather.

I probably going to take the day off from working on the TO-30 unless the part comes in before 10:00 am after that tools get to hot to handle!

[mark777]

It really is coming along nicely. I can relate to hot hand tools too.

Mark

[draddogs]

Glad to see that all is not a welded mess. I think I can smell the fresh paint getting hot for the first time......

[Wingnut]

Glad to see that all is not a welded mess. I think I can smell the fresh paint getting hot for the first time......

I am too. Now I am waiting for a cold front and a pulley!

[draddogs]

A cold front is wishful thinking my friend. I see no real cool weather in the near future but it is getting real dry after Katrina and Rita passed by. I could use a cold front. We need rain. We are in the process of building a 1.25 acre lined pond and pushing the earth is dusty and choking. Its been hot here also like 92-93'.

[Wingnut]

A cold front is wishful thinking my friend. I see no real cool weather in the near future but it is getting real dry after Katrina and Rita passed by. I could use a cold front. We need rain. We are in the process of building a 1.25 acre lined pond and pushing the earth is dusty and choking. Its been hot here also like 92-93'.

The high tomorrow is only going to be 77 its 103 right now, I'll believe it when I see it!

[parts man]

It really is coming along nicely. I can relate to hot hand tools too.

Mark

Looking good Wing! Hot hand tools aren't generally a problem here here unless you weld your locking pliers to something, for me it's frosty tools, picking up a wrench and having it stick to your hand,, not fun! :fing20:

[Wingnut]

I have spent the last 2 hours pulling the bolt on an outside axle and the radius rods.
The bolt was used as a pin and was very distorted (I will have pictures later). I did not realize that the radius rods are hollow. I am going to recondition the outside axles. To me steering is a job that needs to be right.

[draddogs]

Winger, you have come this far with the restore I cant see not taking care of the things that need to be redone. Still waiting to see the paint discolor from the engine heat. :fing32:

[Wingnut]

These Radius Rods and pin are going to be replaced. The second pin took all of 10 seconds to remove; Four blow with a hammer and it pop out.

[Wingnut]

Now I am wishing that I fixed up my old M' Moline up also but it didn't have a 3 point well I am going to see the guy who bought it from me at tractor show sunday show and I will see what he has done with it. I didn't have a engine stand big enough to work on it.

[Wingnut]

I order a Front Bumper from the Smart Farmer today for the TO-30 (Supporting those who support the forum).

UPS claims they will have my crank pulley here today it been a nice little vacation from working on it and my tractor tour got me fired up to finish it up.

Looks like I will need to order some parts from Partsman next!

[Wingnut]

Apparently I have not been working on TO-30 fast enough and the spiders have moved in. :hide:

I did get the pulley today, but it started raining so much for being fired up to work on it! :fing20:

[Wingnut]

The spider are still here!

I have installed the new pulley, steering mount, radiator, new radiator hoses.
I was planning on working on the outside axle today, but the winds gusting high and misting rain. I do like the 53° weather for working the misting rain I could do without.
Sorry no picture later today

[Wingnut]

I did win and Ebay bid for radus rods to replace the old damage ones, hopefully they will be in by the time I have the axles completed or vice versa

[Wingnut]

Tomorrow will be a good day to start TO-30

[Mark / Ohio]

You better get that engine started before the spiders move into it.

I'll be expecting pictures of burning paint by tomorrow night or somebody's cornflakes will be missing! :fing32: