Tractor Restoration on TV #2

I really do enjoy the Classic Tractor shows, though until recently they had been repeating a bit too often. This fall, it's clear new material has been added to the rotation, especially Canadian material, which has helped respark my interest. Rather, I really never lost interest but have been dissapointed when I found tonight's show was a repeat from a few weeks ago. I usually still watch, though (unless it's a parade or pulling).

The Tractor Calendar and equipment and collection profiles are my personal favorites... the parades and pulling are OK for a few minutes but become, ah, shall we say, repetitive.

Personally, I think a good, honest, tractor restoration project that is done on a common brand/model, using tools, techniques and equipment, within a budget the common person might reasonaly have available would be great addition.

Please though, DON'T follow the model of "This Old House" and do projects that are way beyond the average person's budget, skills or ability to duplicate. I simply wouldn't watch a pipe-dream like this.

Note I'm also into vintage motorcycles, but I'm practial enough to realize this is relatively narrow interest-segment so I won't bother to suggest pursuing this arena (though it'd be great).

What I would REALLY like to see is a tractor and/or combine REPAIR/MAINTENANCE show.

Maybe work on stuff everywhere between the late 50's and 90's. Stuff that a lot of farmers are still running in the field today. Show me how to do the stuff the dealer charges and arm and a leg for. Be brand agnostic and do one brand one week and another the next.

Tractor things like: Hydraulic pump replacement Rebuilding a turbocharger How to put fluid in/take fluid out of tires Combine Things like: Changing cylinder bars Major bearing replacements Clean grain auger replacement etc.

Maybe in the late summer/early fall you could do shows about how to properly setup your combine and in the spring shows about tuning up a planter or calibrating a sprayer, etc.

I think you could have a good show if you follow what some of the suggestions you have recieved here.

Some of the key suggestions I see are;

- Use common tools - take each step slow and describe the steps and possible set backs
- Show retreiving parts form junk yards
- Discuss manufacturing parts
- Try and find a happy medium between show tractor and work tractor. (Not a trailer queen but still looks good enough to show)

You could even include a segment dedicated to "veiwers Pride" where you show a viewers tractor and discuss some ofthe work that he did.

Hope this is helping you and not just flooding you with too many ideas.

Remember you can't please everybody.

Going along with what Dana said earlier, I think that if you do a restoration program, I think you need to base it on a "shade tree restorers" perspective. Have your project tractors be one that you would have to go find used parts for, or find substitues for. Give the project a budget, and have it in a setting other than a immaculate workshop chocked full of tools. I think you would gain a much bigger audience that way. Something that everyone can relate to. You may do segments on making your own gaskets, different methods for repairing stuck pistons, etc. I'm excited to see this program when it comes out.

A resto show would be great if it could take one through the process of describing the different "fixes" that would be do to normal use.

Alot of us still use these pieces in everyday farming yet today. Dealers are getting crazy on shop prices (not bitchin they gotta have the $$/hr to keep it open). To "see" the fix done during the resto would give a lot of us a better idea of following thru on our own. Preview the next show in the series letting us know what exactly will be done lets us set up the VCR for a reference.

Lets face it, not all of us have less than 5 yr old equipment. In my case, my newest is a '80 2590 Case going down to an 8N. Inbetween are 930 case, 60 JD (with loader) and a 70 JD.

I used to watch all the car "mechanic" shows, but like others stated, more of a commercial for the high $$ bolt on stuff. Not conducive to the average back yarder.

Keeping the topics to resto back to usable dependent equipment would go over better IMO than taking an old piece to "showroom" condition where it would be a shame to stick it back into the field.

I have Direct TV but don't get the RFD. I would tho if I could get usable everyday info from it rather than just the entertainment value.

Peaked an interest in me tho hearing horse stuff shown. I raise and breed on the side. Seeing training shows would entice me further.

Bruce