My "favorite" brother (of four) recently gave me a 1947 Massey Harris Pony. It had been partially converted to 12v but someone forgot to convert the starter or to add an external resistor for the new 12v coil. Frank was tired of replacing coils and cleaning out the carb main jet every time he wanted to use it. A trip from MO to SC and the Pony was mine. I added an internal resistor 12v coil, had the starter rebuilt and converted to 12v, cleaned out the carb and added a sediment bowl, and replaced the front main drive bearing in the PTO (it and its retaining clip were laying in the bottom of the case), and three days later she ran great and has been dependable since then. But, I hear excessive gear noise coming from both rear axles. The noise goes away when there is no load on the rear wheels. The oil levels in the axle housings and oil quality were fine when I checked them, but I assume there was a low-oil problem in its past. I also assume I will need to replace the gears to eliminate the noise. My questions are: do I continue running the tractor until the gears wear out, or get in there and replace them now? Are the gears hard to find? This is a great little tractor. I did not get it for restoration, but to use instead for light plowing and mowing on our 5-acres in Fair Grove, MO; also to pull around an old single-axle, rubber-tire hay wagon. The Pony has faded original paint with little surface rust but I guess I'll have to paint it this winter, just for something to do; and because it certainly deserves the attention. Thanks in advance for any and all replies....
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