Question I've been wrestling with...

Anyway, last couple of days I was thinking about the front end. I"ve always assumed I was going to replace the IH wide front with a narrow front. Reason why is because my Grandfather"s H was a narrow, and a narrow front has always meant "Farmall" to me. But now I don"t know. Does this tracotr have to be exactly like his? No. Is an original wide front end more collectable? Maybe. What would be easier to haul? I think the wide would be easier! I could put it on a standard car carrier, which would be lighter and cheaper to get, right? I"ve never seen a 3 track carrier, so I assumed I would have to get a flat bed, which are heavy and expensive.

Another thought I had was that I could sell the front end for $700-800 and use that money towards restoration. But I don"t know if that"s possible around here or not.

Anyway, our back yard is going to get started soon (the next money project I have) And then I have to buy and build shelves in the garage, and build a work bench... THEN we have to have a garage sale so I can get rid of a TON of stuff... all so that I have the room to actually bring this tractor home to start working on it. I really wanted to have it done by the summer so I could use it in parades and shows. But that isn"t going to happen, unfortunately.

Hang in there and hang around. We've all gotten kinda down about our projects at one time or another, because they always seem to take longer and cost more than we anticipate. I agree with City-Boy McCoy, it doesn't matter if your current tractor is the one that gets restored or not, hang onto the dream and the memories of your grandfather. If now is not the right time (and I'm not sure there ever is a right time) to start this project and you need to sell the tractor, just don't sell the dream along with it. I don't have the money to restore my A right now and may not ever, but, I've got a rusty tractor that runs and is still fun to tinker with and brings back memories of me cutting hay on my grandads H when I was a kid, every time I look at it. Stick around your enthusiasm is missed.

I think you"d regret it more if you sold it than the pain of what it takes to get it the way you want it. Just my $.02 worth. Hope you stick it out. There"s lots of us out here in the same boat, if that helps any.

Brian

As for the time issue: I've been working on my H for about four years now. Still needs a new clutch, tin work, and paint. Probably new tires as well. For now it runs and it is useful.

My W-9 and A have been sitting in the exact same place for three years now. I started them up last spring and haven't had a chance to get to them since...

Be patient, the time will come when you will have the time and $$ to work on it. One thing I've learned from doing some buying and selling is that it usually costs more to buy back something you sold a while ago. (660 diesel, 600 diesel, 450 gas in my case)

Good luck!

Randy

I think an M would be too heavy, requiring me to buy a truck just to pull it. So, that's the main reason I've gone with the H.

Just some thoughts...Glenn F.