Thursday, January 15, 2015

This is my tractor's transformation from a parts tractor in 2012 to what it has become today!

This picture was taken in late October of 2012 when they brought it home


Towing it home behind my father's International.  This is also a tractor that he restored.


 Making the journey from Newburg NB to Grafton NB.  About 7 or 8 miles.


 The tractor was running at this point. He put a carburetor and gas tank from a lawnmower on it. 


 First coat of paint on the engine, transmission and rear end


This was after the first coat of paint


My dad, Gary Simonds (left) and my grandfather, Keith Johnston (right) straightening out the hood


Lots of dents in the hood to hammer out


 The hood is finally straight enough that it fits


Making the grille for it.  The center and lower pieces are made from an old car hood.
Some of the fins were missing, so they had to be fabricated as well.


Hood all primed and ready for paint


All painted, but the shine didn't last long


I used it for plowing snow for the winter of 2012/2013


 During the winter, I noticed that the clutch was slipping really bad and the rear engine seal was leaking and it had low oil pressure once it got warmed up, so we knew that it had to be torn down.  Notice the dull paint and temporary grille - December 2012


Tearing down the engine and clutch - May 2013


Pulling out the crank shaft - I had just driven the tractor to his house about 1 1/2 hours before this picture!


Pistons, bearings and lots of other parts on the bench


This is after the repaint and engine/clutch job - May or June 2013


I got a local sign shop to make up some lettering for me


Even had the Ferguson logo made for the back


 Tractor all lettered up


I pulled a float in the parade for a local business (Dymond Cutz Salon)
Old Home Week Parade Day 2013 - Woodstock NB


Over the summer of 2013, my grandfather made a plow for the front of the tractor


My first winter plowing with the front mounted plow - Winter 2013/2014
I love how it works!  So much better than plowing backwards


Easily plows over a foot and a half of snow


I added some blue LEDs under the gas tank.  I think they look pretty good!


I don't like winter, but getting to play on this makes it a bit easier


 My grandfather, Keith Johnston, with some of his tractors that he has restored
Mine is the 2nd one from the left.  This was taken just after he painted it for the 2nd time.

Lots of people have asked how the plow works, so here's a link to a short video that I made of it:  http://youtu.be/SofSsXUc5KA?list=UUqjApuUQ_RPsPVRUY5s5uug
You may have to copy and paste the link in your browser


Thank you, Grampy!