To restore or salvage

In 1972 it was driven into the woods, and for most of these intervening years the exhaust, radiator, and gas tanks were left uncovered.

When it was pulled out last fall (2006) the tractor rolled and steered freely, but the engine would not budge. The gas tanks are cracked, as is the exhaust manifold and magneto housing; the tyres (tires) are shot as well.

Given that it was my Grandfather's first tractor, what would you choose to do with it?

Don

• The F-14 project

• Hobby farm

On the minus side, it is going to take a lot of time, effort and at least some money to get it in shape. It would help if you have tools, some mechanical ability (but you don't need to be a professional either) and a place to work on it.

When you get done it will not be worth anywhere near as much as you will have to put into it.

All that said, I would restore my grandfather's tractor, if I could find it. No matter how bad it's condition is. And be happy doing it.

But, That's just me.

I was lucky enough to get my Great Grandfathers 1946 AC WC. Sat since 1959, my dad got it fired up in 1981. Sat again, dad and I both got it going in 1993. Been running ever since.

It is ok to fair condition, definitely used. He did 80acres with it. Also got cultivator, cultipacker, disc, and plow. Left the horsedrawn hayrake, and front mount cultivator.
Left other old horsedrawn equip that he used before 1946.

Why did I tell you all this. Well, I spent 2 years on and off "restoring" all these rusted attachments. Freeing everything up, grease etc. Tractor is still original.

I could go buy a WC in better shape probably well under $1000. But everytime I run it, or even hook the implements to one of my newer tractors its hard to describe. Not real fast or big, but fun to use.

So if you like it and it reminds your of your grandpa do it. But don't think you will ever sell it for more than the market price because it was your grandpas. But its hard to put a price on memories.

I have been thinking about restoring mine, but I always remember the tractor kind of faded and a little rusty and my grand grandpa in a thick Czech accent telling me how great of a tractor that was instead of his two horses. So I might just leave it exactly the way it is right now. Original and well used.

Hopefully my WC is the last tractor I have. I'll give it to my kids.

Rick

Its up to you but I'm gonna do mine. I already bought new wheels. The tires were totally shot and the wheels had rotted too.

Randy