The Ultimate Antique Tractor Guide
Antique tractors are filled with history and long-lasting memories. They show the ingenuity and innovation of past agriculturalists, while also reminding us of simpler times growing up on a farm. Remember riding in the buddy seat with your dad, or learning to drive for the first time? These are memories that we cherish forever.
All of this nostalgia, combined with our company's unique footprint in the agriculture industry, led us to an idea: creating the ultimate antique tractor guide. Information about buying them, fixing them up, upkeep, and much more will fill this guide over time. Thank you for taking the time to check it out -- feel free to share your thoughts, stories, and memories in the comments at the bottom of the page!
Buying an Antique Tractor
Buying your first antique tractor is an exhilarating experience. However, it is important to do your homework before pulling the trigger. Because of the many factors in play, we’ve compiled a list of tips and recommendations to help you with the process.
Do Your Research
Before beginning your journey in buying an antique tractor, do your research; it will save both money and time. Have a budget in mind, and be prepared to spend money on repairs. Les Gitts, an antique tractor owner, stated “I think the worst reason to buy would be because you think you’re going to restore it, sell it, and make a lot of money. That probably won’t happen. Chances are, you’ll have more into it than it can possibly be worth.”
Read the Owner's Manual
Before making a purchase, it is important to decide what make/model tractor you are interested in. Once you have that figured out, reading the tractor’s reference book is helpful. This will enable you to familiarize yourself with how the tractor is supposed to run and operate -- in other words, there will be a lot less surprises later on. Reading the owner’s manual will also show you exactly what common issues may exist, so you’ll know exactly what to look for when the time comes.
Check the Appearance
A tractor’s outer appearance is an obvious indicator of a well-kept machine, but it still feels necessary to mention in this guide. Peeling paint, dents, or scratches can certainly affect the tractor’s value, and thus, the price you should be willing to pay for it. Also try to find out if the tractor was painted with lacquer, enamel, acrylic enamel, or polyurethane. More expensive paints will ensure a shiny finish, regardless of the cleaner that is used.
Check the Fluids
Checking the fluids is an easy way to find if there is water in the transmission, crankcase, or rear end. By pulling the dipstick, you will be able to see a line between the water and oil (only if there is water in the machine). If this is the case, simply crack the drain plug and allow the water to run out before the oil.
Check the Tires
The machine must have a good foundation with strong tires. Check for signs of wear and bulging spots. Tires for antique tractors can be expensive and hard to find, so this will save money.
Check the Electrical Systems
Antique tractors are known for electrical systems that are not very durable. First, check to see if the machine has a distributor, a magneto, or a magneto with a generator to power the headlights. If wires in the electrical system have a large amount of electrical tape, this is a red flag. Additionally, if the wires are frayed, they should be changed as soon as possible -- these electrical issues can damage the generator and/or regulator.
Restoring an Antique Tractor
The restoration of an antique tractor can be considered an art. It can take anywhere from 100-250 dedicated hours to rebuild the piece of history. We have found a few tips to simplify the process -- hopefully saving you both time and money!
Plan Ahead
Before actually beginning the restoration process, establish a plan. In your planning phase, budgeting and buying a shop manual should be the two main focuses. Each tractor restoration is unique, which means they will vary in cost. However, this means it is especially important to budget.
Shop manuals can be found online for almost every make and model of tractor (we even have a few of them here). The pages of these handbooks are filled with instructions, diagrams, and part numbers that will be extremely useful along the way.
When we talk about budgeting, by the way, we are not solely talking about money. Budget space and time for the project as well. The restoration will require adequate storage and working space -- and it will take a lot longer than a day or two!
Find a Reliable Supplier
Finding proper paint, decals, and parts is a challenging part of the restoration process -- but it can also be a lot of fun! Before purchasing anything, search around for the right supplier. Your parts supplier should be friendly, knowledgeable, and they’d better have a massive parts inventory at their disposal.
We’re more than a bit biased on this topic, but taking our PartFinder for a spin is an excellent place to start!
Cover All Mechanical Skill Sets
If you are already a whiz with every tool, you can probably skip this section. However, the vast majority of us are limited in one area or the next -- and in these scenarios, it’s important to know who to call when you’ve reached your limit.
A great quote from Farm Collector helps explain the need for other skill sets on your project team: “Many times problems are overlooked because of a lack of understanding: The results are leaks, malfunctioning components and possible damage.”
Following these tips will help make your restoration journey quick, easy, and fun!
Getting Your Antique Tractor Show-Ready
Now you’ve got your antique tractor restored. Still feel a bit unfulfilled? Let’s spruce it up a bit! A little detail can go a long way during show season. Check out some of our favorite “finishing touches” to get your tractor show-ready!
Paint it
We know this is a slightly controversial one -- there is certainly value in original paint. However, if you are putting appearance high on your priority list, the original paint may not fit your goals. In that case, spruce it up with fresh paint; but be sure to choose the correct color!
Check for leaks
Checking for leaks may not seem like an appearance issue, but if you’re planning to paint your antique tractor, you’d better do this first! If oil or water starts to leak through, it can ruin a great paint job in a hurry.
Decals
This is an obvious one, but certainly worth mentioning! Your owner’s manual, if you have one, can really come in handy when applying tractor decals. Typically, they come in a set -- and we happen to know a company that has a bunch of decal sets in stock
Shine up the tires
There aren’t many things that make a tractor stand out like shiny, clean tires. From Armorall to floorwax to furniture polish, check out this great forum post we found to help you decide what to use on your tires!
Going above and beyond...
If you really want to make a statement, you could go above and beyond with things like:
- Polishing any brass or copper elements that are visible
- Adding front and rear weights
- Adding other attachments
All of these will help your tractor look its best for show season. Now that you’ve read our favorite tips, we want to hear from you! What are some things you do to make your tractor stand out? Leave a comment below!
Antique Tractor Upkeep & Care
After purchasing an antique tractor, it will require significant upkeep. Since it is preserved history, extra precautions should be taken. Here are the best three ways to keep antique tractors in good condition.
Properly Grease
Prevent rusting and seizing by applying lubricating oil to the nuts, bolts, and joints of your tractor often. Consult the owner's manual to know where the zerk fittings are located. Grease each zerk with a grease gun to keep dirt out.
Proper Seasonal Storage
When winter rolls around, your antique tractor should be prepared for “hibernation”. Be sure to remove the battery and keep it in a warm place. If possible, store the machine indoors. If you can’t, try your best to protect it from wintry weather any way you can!
Proper Cleaning
Keep your tractor healthy by cleaning it occasionally. Dirt can damage your tractor and create rust or wear & tear. Wash the body of your machine with mild soap and water. Clear dirt and grass off of the radiator screen. Make sure to remove grease buildup on the body and engine. Remember, although washing is important, it can lead to corrosion of the electrical system -- so make sure the tractor has plenty of time to dry out in between washes.
If you’re looking for a fun project or a way to bring back old memories, an antique tractor may be the perfect purchase for you! By following our “ultimate guide” you will now be able to buy, restore, and maintain a piece of history.