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AaronSEIA 
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Mt Pleasant, IA
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 Topic: "Restoraion" rant
Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 5:26pm |
Was at a large festive event in Des Moines, IA yesterday and was looking at some tractors that have been restored by students in blue jackets. I hope the one I'm going to rant about doesn't read this. Was a good looking WD from about 20'. Had a nice paint job and new rubber donated by Titan tire. Then I saw the rusted out (but painted over) battery box, the custom (done by the flaming wrench) shifter, no boot on the shift tower, steering bracket put on after the paint job and was bare metal. Few other details I forgot. I know there is a huge amount of work that goes into a paint job, but ...really? For under $50 the kid could have gotten a good shift lever and new rubber boot. Under $100 for a battery box and a fizz can of paint to hit the steering bracket. There is a reason that I keep my tractors in their work clothes. Part of it is my inability to paint, but part of it is my own personal quirk that says it doesn't deserve paint untill it's "right". Some day I hope my 2 boys are wearing blue jackets standing next to tractors at this event. Their tractors will be "right" before they get sprayed with a DuPont restoration. AaronSEIA
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R.W
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Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Location: Swanton, OH
Points: 2975
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 5:54pm |
When I paint my tractors there oil leaks will not leak and everything will be fixed and fixed right!
Edited by R.W - 20 Aug 2011 at 5:55pm
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CTuckerNWIL
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: NW Illinois
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 6:20pm |
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I could go on a rant about the guy that painted my WC but, you can bet your bottom dollar if anybody asks, I"ll let em know who did the shoddy work. I've already lost 3 months time finishing things up cause he couldn't do the rear seal right the fist time.
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dave63
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Joined: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Lineboro Md
Points: 2382
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 7:23pm |
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Getting these things right comes with experiance. These young folks have no experiance becouse they are young. They won't get experiance without making mistakes. As much as i respect what you are saying we need to be glad that they are doing something other then drugs and keep our comments to them positive in order to not discurage them.
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The universal answer to all questions is yes, how much do you want to spend?
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AaronSEIA
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Mt Pleasant, IA
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 7:42pm |
I very much am glad for what they are doing. The 4-H and FFA buildings are my favorite places to go at the fair. They renew my faith in youth and are full of some incredible work. I guess I don't understand putting something out that isn't the best you can do. If it were my kid I would expect the FFA instructor to discuss with them the options for fixing the obvious stuff. I'd understand a less than show car perfect paint job or a few dings that the kid couldn't get out of the tin. I'm talking about 3 things that'd cost less than $150 that would have made a world of difference in my opinion. I will freely admit to being one of those "show police" that can nitpick every little thing and I guess I am a bit on this one as well. "Doing your best" has a different meaning for me than it does others, I guess. AaronSEIA
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Rfdeere
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Idaville, IN
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 7:46pm |
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Sounds like a great chance to volunteer with a great organization, Aaron !
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jhid
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Joined: 31 Mar 2011
Location: Breslau,Ontario
Points: 439
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 8:06pm |
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thats why with my truck it was do it right the first time, and I'm planning on following that with everything else I restore
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red and green are nice for christmas, but orange is all year round
http://www.canadianantiquetractor.com/tractorforum/
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AaronSEIA
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Mt Pleasant, IA
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 8:16pm |
At this point in my life, I do not play well with teens. We had talked about our boys going to the Christan school in Mt Pleasant, but this fall the district we are in is starting an FFA chapter. If it does well and is still there in a few years, that might be the deciding factor. I never was in FFA, but se it as a very valuable organization. I really didn't mean to turn one kids tractor at the fair into a huge deal. I've seen this done at tractor shows all over. "Restored" in my mind means "like new". Not 3 coats of clear coat over what was there. AaronSEIA
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dave63
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Location: Lineboro Md
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 8:22pm |
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No dought learning to do the job right is important. Telling some kids that they should have fixed these problems before they paint would help them learn. But some kids will get discouraged and loss interest. I might be one of those thats a little to easy on them.
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The universal answer to all questions is yes, how much do you want to spend?
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Fred in Pa
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Hanover Pa.
Points: 9210
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 8:36pm |
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There are Adult's that Rattle can tractor's and call them a Total Restored Tractor, instead of doing a nice job ,even if the tractor has great sentimental value to them and know BETTER.I agree with Dave .Where did we all start out at !!!!!.Everyone has a differant VALUE of what something MEANS to THEM !!!
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Auntwayne
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Joined: 23 Apr 2011
Location: Edwardsville Il
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 8:37pm |
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RESTORED never meant " PAINTED OVER OIL LEAKS"
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AllisFreak MN
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Joined: 07 Dec 2009
Location: Minnesota
Points: 1585
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 8:48pm |
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I guess the kid could have just let the scrap man have it and sent her to China. Give him a break.
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'49 A-C WD, '51 A-C WD, '63 A-C D17 Series III, 1968 A-C One-Seventy, '82 A-C 6060, '75 A-C 7040, A-C #3 sickle mower, 2 A-C 701 wagons, '78 Gleaner M2
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AaronSEIA
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 9:01pm |
The break has been given.
AaronSEIA
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Larry Miller
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 9:25pm |
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I don't have equipment or patience to do a good paint job. So I just preserve them by doing as much mechanical and part replacement as I can afford. I can buy 2 tractors for what some put into a paint job. All that others do is fine with me - I have some real dog looking tractors that run well and leak less (one does not leak at all- yea !) Frustrates my wife and does not win any awards at the shows - Man needs to know his limitations. One of mine is poor at painting. No room to list the rest. Having fun with orange is my only goal.
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I used to be young and stupid, now I am not young anymore.
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 9:33pm |
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I see no reason to bash the kid for trying to restore a tractor. $100 to some people is alot of money. He is young and interested. This might be his first shot. Give him the benifit of the doubt. Im sure if he stays interested he will get better as time goes on.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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AllisFreak MN
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 9:37pm |
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Every generation that comes along is going to care less and less about Allis equipment. Just be happy there are still a few young men and women out there that care.
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'49 A-C WD, '51 A-C WD, '63 A-C D17 Series III, 1968 A-C One-Seventy, '82 A-C 6060, '75 A-C 7040, A-C #3 sickle mower, 2 A-C 701 wagons, '78 Gleaner M2
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Dipstick In
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Remington, In.
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 9:43pm |
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I'm with Steve on this one Aaron, there might be a lot of reasons behind the finish, money, time, talent, advice, the list could go on and on. And maybe he is more aware of the imperfections than you give him credit for.
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You don't really have to be smart if you know who is!
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Dipstick In
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 10:04pm |
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We have two brothers in our county. One's children attend public school, the other is homeschooled. The first set of kids are normal and fun to talk to and well mannered. They make friends easily. They raise what they show! The second is an extreme stickler for perfection and drives his children to excell. They went to Iowa last year and bought a heifer for 30,000 dollars, that's right thirty thousand! Just to win a county show and then the Indiana State Fair, and probably Louisville. This set of kids are snobby, rude, very inconsiderate and petty. But, their work is always done extremely well with not a hair out of place. When these two sets of kids get into the "real world", my question is which kids are gonna be better prepared for life's little tribulations? Does "can't always judge a book by the cover" apply here?
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You don't really have to be smart if you know who is!
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Boogerowen
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Joined: 23 Apr 2011
Location: Mannford Ok
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 10:05pm |
Well now, I am probably going to ruffle a few feathers here, but I have been reading you fellers posts and have made one or two obeservations that I think should be brought to your attention. First, I think you should realize that everyone is not necessarily interested in a full restoration, maybe just putting a little fresh paint here and there to kinda dress ole Bertha up a little, and then there are you fanatics who nit-pick every nut and bolt to make sure it is correct, and when you have everything better than it was originaly, you put a paint job on that costs more than your home. I say to all of you, do as YOU please, but consider the other fella a little, maybe he has a different desire than you and is not trying to impress anyone but himself. Personally, I would like for my tractors to look DECENT but still not afraid to go to the field and do a days work. GOD BLESS AMERICA...........
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Dave in il
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 10:10pm |
The
FFA is a great organization. I may be biased myself being an alumni. LOL! I had
a great advisor / Ag teacher.
Restoring
a tractor the first time is a challenge for anyone doing it and for many of
teens, money is hard to come by. You don't know if this young man or woman
spent every spare dime they had to get the tractor to the point it was when you
saw it. Better to put on a new water pump and paint over the rusty battery box now
and save up for a new one later, same with a bent shifter.
As
for the unpainted part, a teenager rushing to finish a tractor for a show... I
could see them putting an unfinished piece on just before loading it on the
trailer. Time management is not every young person’s strong point but with time
they usually grow into it. Besides they may be balancing school, chores and a
part time job along with their tractor hobby.
I
have been privileged to share my love of farming and old tractors with several young
people with varying levels of mechanical aptitude. It’s been interesting to see
these guys as they learn and mature.
And
remember it may have been a joint effort by the chapter so many hands may have
been involved. Unless it was going to be auctioned off the tractor you saw is
more than likely a work in progress.
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Jim seIl
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 10:30pm |
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Boogerowen and Dave I would like to meet you guys some time so i could shake your hand and pat you on the back we need more people looking for the positive i took my D-17 to a small show today and these guys would have picked it to peices but I plan on using it i also made 2 little boys day I was leaning on the rear tire and them and their mother was going past and she said don't touch 1 boy saaid he is she said it's probley his tractor I told them they could touch it in fact you can sit on it and I didn't have my camera with me but those smiles just maybe I made a orange lover ?
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Bill Deppe/AC Salvag
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Posted: 20 Aug 2011 at 11:36pm |
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I also observed the Allis's displayed and certainly can critique the details, alternators, D17 block in the 45 diesel etc. But I also saw the effort put into the tractors, paint, sheet metal repair etc. As stated, and not knowing what costs have to be met, I'm sure there was pride in the results. Let's realize, the mentor's(instructor, parent etc) is from a younger generation and may not totally recognize the proper details.
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David Maddux
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:15am |
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Remember, for first timers, they don't have a lot of time to get these tractors ready.
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MACK
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:19am |
A good teacher should have saw to it the job was done right. I would put the blame on the teacher not the student. Some of these teachers today just have a degree.
MACK
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Jeff Z. NY
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:24am |
Aaron, Sounds like it doesn't take much to get you all....................
I think you should not go to Show and Tell.
Could be bad for your blood pressure.
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I Love Meatballs and Dumplings on Toast with Gravy and Rosemary and ??? {Open For Suggestions}
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Jeff Z. NY
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:30am |
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I would think two kids in blue jackets doing a so so job on a tractor is still way better than two kids out on the street robbing and killing .
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KD in SE Ks
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:40am |
4-H and FFA kids are it in my book. Most of them work very hard to get where they are. I can't make judgement on the kids tractor, I would have to walk in his shoes first.
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AaronSEIA
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:43am |
Some things don't take much. I will admit that my post came across as being overly harsh on the student. I really was impressed with many of the tractors and the effort they put into them. I shouldn't have formatted it as a rant, but more as constructive criticism. The fault should be placed on the instructor and it's very well possible that they did run out of time/funds, whatever. It would be fantastic to see that tractor there next year "finished". Maybe that is my point, I think the tractor should have been "finished" before it was painted. I will never again critsize a "restored" tractor. AaronSEIA
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Jeff Z. NY
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:51am |
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And you will live longer!!!!!
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AC WD45
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Posted: 21 Aug 2011 at 7:54am |
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Ever consider he is doing what I am? using the battery box etc he has now because he reaan out of time before the far and will finish it up later? My battery box is rusted out in one corner, but right now I don't have the money/time to order a new one, so it will be done next summer. I need to re do the pto housing seal (leaked after I painted it) but again, I do not have money/time/seal to do it, so it will wait till next summer. I need the tractor this winter, and I will use it 100% finnished or not. Not because I got lazy/do a half-assed job, but because I'm out of money/time. I am putting it back together now, even though it needs a touch up coat with a rattle can, finish coat with the gun, new battery box, alternator needs painted, fenders need painted, rims need painted. All of this will be taken care of next spring.
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German Shepherd dad
1957 Allis Chalmers WD45
#WD234847
1951 Allis Chalmers WD
#WD88193
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