I decided today was going to be the day to work on the 861 and find out why she wouldn't fire a lick when I hit the starter. Honestly I am still not totally sure what was wrong with her specifically as I did find one ground wire that had come loose and I cleaned some corrosion off the starter button contacts. She fired right up though as soon as I messed with her.
I shut her off immediately and checked the oil and it looked really low until I figured out that it wasn't the oil that was low but my failing old age eyesight and I over filled her a bit. Not enough to hurt anything I hope but enough that I had some foaming up out of the dipstick shaft. I really hate it when I do shit like that but I am always so paranoid about keeping the oil levels filled. It's also especially bad with this tractor since I have zero experience with an old diesel.
We also got around to ordering the complete service manual for her today as well. I been putting off that bit of purchase longer than I should have. After I get the fencing and baling project done this old girl is scheduled for some restoration love before Winter sets in.
Tomorrow I have an appointment to go look at an old Ford square baler and if I purchase it then I maybe looking at getting some of our own hay cut this next week. The guy selling the baler is a co-worker and the original owner and I know the gentleman well enough to trust that anything he owns mechanical runs as good now as the day he took it home so I would say the chances are pretty good I will be buying it.
I might be putting this entire old farm equipment adventure to the acid test by next weekend. To be honest I will be completely amazed if it all works as hoped for though. I might easily start throwing sickle mower parts all over the county and breaking off rake and baler teeth like water too. Either that or one of the tractors will decide to stop working in the middle of it. So far though everything seems to be in good working order as near as I can tell with my lack of actual hands on experience.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!
I hope all goes well. If anything fails, it won't be because you didn't care.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the good Padre can bless your next adventure , couldn't hurt....
DeleteRob - That would be like cheating. Like the Bishop in "Dogma" :)
DeleteI have had ground problems before so it could have been that. It would be a big step forward if you can get your own hay operation going. I don't even have that dream anymore.
ReplyDeleteSf - It will take a couple of years of no issues to actually come out cost-wise but not needing to rely on others... Priceless :)
DeleteGood luck with the haying operation. Mowed my designated hay field last week. Nothing but brambles, trees, and broomsedge. Time for fertilizer and seed and mo' mowing. Maybe by next fall, and by then I may have my haying equipment working.
ReplyDeleteJohn - I hear ya. My main field is getting bad. One reason I haven't been too worried about this year yet as it needs some real love to get back into good production.
DeleteGood luck on the machinery front, and at least you've probably done everything humanly possible to make things work. The rest is out of your hands, but the odds are probably in your favor.
ReplyDeleteGive us a picture of the first "home-made" square bale when you do.
Ody - Quite right!!!
DeleteI hope to actually start making some videos soon with the help of my son.
Ah heck, just drop the drain plug and lower the oil level, kick the tires and she'll run all day. Nice tractor, give 'ya ten bucks for it.
ReplyDeleteStephen - HA. I would never part with that tractor. I have some restpration love planned for her some day.
Deletegood luck. Its great to have Stephen back and his sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteRob - Yes it is!!!
DeletePP,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're on a roll with getting all your equipment up and running, and purchasing the remaining items you need. Hope all works out for you on this Ford square baler.
Maybe it's time to get your eyes checked, and a new prescription? That's something we recently did ourselves, it sucks getting old!
Sandy - Ya I started needing reading glasses about 5 years ago. One reason I gave up miniature sculpting which is too bad because it did make me some good extra cash there for a while.
Delete