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Steve Wilkens 
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Ceresco, Michig
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 Topic: Might have bought my first B
Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 1:00am |
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Checked two tractors out today, both non-running, both fairly solid, both with trees growing up through them. Placing my bid tomorrow, well later today, it's 2am here. Figuring the bid on scrap prices. One tractor is a B with a side mounted cycle mower, the other is a Fordson Major with a really heavy looking loader with front pump and hydraulic bucket. The Fordson turns over by hand, which since it is a diesel is worrisome. If I get the bid, I will get them to the shop somehow and figure it out from there.
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beeman
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Joined: 02 Jan 2011
Location: Alabama
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Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 8:22pm |
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I 've owned several Bs and one Fordson Super Major. Lets just say I would be happy to own more B Allis Chalmers in the future....Good luck to you.
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1949 B 3930 Ford- Have owned other Orange ,green,red,yellow,dark green tractors and equipment.
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GlenninPA
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Ashley, PA
Points: 5054
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Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 8:24pm |
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My Dad had a Major Diesel with a Sherman loader. That thing steered like a tank.
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Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
From listening comes wisdom and from speaking comes repentance.
Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.
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Steve in NJ
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
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Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 11:31pm |
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Speaking of loaders, anyone have one that will fit my other 716H? Like an Ark loader or equivalent?
Steve@B&B
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JohnCO
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Niwot Colo
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Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 11:40pm |
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Don't have a loader for you Steve but good luck on getting the tractors. It sounds like a package deal, is that right? A Major with a loader would be a bear to drive but the tractor itself is pretty easy to steer. I plowed a lot of ground with one with an IHC two bottom tumble plow. Slow but didn't burn all that much fuel and started easily, even when cold.
The B is a nice tractor to work on and once up and running, is easy to keep running.
Please take some pictures of the tractors in the trees, before you cut them out. Always fun to look at.
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"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer"
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Steve Wilkens
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Ceresco, Michig
Points: 447
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Posted: 14 Dec 2011 at 3:02am |
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Will try to remember my camera. Also thanks for the advice on the Major steering hard. There is also a 190 with a good quick attach loader, but he paid way too much for it, and the guardian who is now in charge is clueless, I faxed her so info on the 190 and what they are going for, about half of what he paid for it, so I think that is out of my budget. The B looks to be the gem is I can get it. Placed my bid, now just waiting to hear.
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Steve in NJ
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
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Posted: 14 Dec 2011 at 5:51am |
Good luck Stevo with your bid. Hope you nab the B model!! Pics, Pics pics!
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Steve Wilkens
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Ceresco, Michig
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Posted: 16 Dec 2011 at 2:37am |
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Got the tractors, purchased anyway, towed the major back to the shop with the 190, at the moment I have custody of the 190. Man I had forgotten how much I love the sound of those Allis Gas engines. Have about two more trees to cut out of the B. I believe the B is a 38 as the serial number is B4015. Got some pictures but it has been so long since I posted pics I have forgotten how. The 190 is for sale, the guardians thought it was worth ten grand, I explained to them that around our part of the country and current market 3500 to 6 grand was more like it. It runs great, but needs TLC as it hasn't been well cared for
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 2:23am |
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Got both tractors back to the shop today! The brakes on the B are locked up, had to use the loader on the 190 to lift the rear of the B and walk it up the ramps of the trailer. The more I use that 190 the more I like it. But it is not without needing things. All the gears and the hi-low work, but it will pop out of both 3rd and 4th when going down a hill. Is the only way to fix that replacing both gears? Thinking that 190 would be a great tractor, but also thinking that splitting it will be a job! The Ford Major has a Sherman 20 loader on it, thinking that Steve @B&B is a fabricator....well you know where that thought leads. lol
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Bill Long
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Bel Air, MD
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 9:01am |
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Be sure to let us know about the B. Sounds like you have a real project in hand there when you are cutting trees out to move it.
Take good care of my favorite.
Good Luck!
Bill long
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 11:13am |
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DREAM
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Joined: 06 Jan 2010
Location: Elberton,GA
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 9:59pm |
Well that doesnt look bad at all! I was expecting trees growing through the sheet metal.LOL! That's normally what I have to deal with when I buy tractors, but then i'm REALLY cheap.
Can't see much of the Fordson. The Brits seem to love them and the Dexta/Super Dextas, but then, they love Masseys too.
That 190 looks pretty good from what I can see of it. Gas or diesel?
Keep us posted.
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I didn't do it! It was a short, fat, tall, skinny guy that looked like me!
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 10:02pm |
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 10:03pm |
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 10:04pm |
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 10:05pm |
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 10:08pm |
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here are some pictures of the three tractors. They are for sale as is, or redone. The 190 is a gas and I do not own it, not yet anyway. If you are looking for a 190 contact me and I'll go everything I know about it. Or better yet come take a look if close by and make an offer. I will present your offer to the guardian. It will have to then be okayed by the court. But I'll be glad to help you if interested.
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Steve Wilkens
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Location: Ceresco, Michig
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Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 10:11pm |
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I should mention that the B was covered by a tarp for most of the time it was parked, which was around twenty years or so. The serial number is B4015 which makes it a 38 if I figured that right. The rear brakes are setup as is the engine. Whether either can be freed up without total dismantling is yet to be determined. I don't know what to do with the Major. The heavy duty loader intrigues me though.
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swit
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Joined: 04 Dec 2010
Location: mid mi
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Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 2:41am |
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if you dont have a use for thst sickle bar i would buy it
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BobHnwO
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Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 6:49am |
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That grounghog gonna halfta find a new home.
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Why do today what you can put off til tomorrow.
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Bill Long
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Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 11:54am |
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Steve, First thanks for saving another of my favorites. Second, please see that the B gets a good home.
I can only imagine what one would have to go through to get it in operating order. However, there are some out there that will. Would you try to find one?
Overall B looks clean - must be the tarp.
Good Luck!
Bill Long
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 1:18pm |
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Swit, I am sure we can work the cycle mower out in a way that you benefit from. It also has a flail mower attachment on the rear that is driven by belts if interested in that. Bill, I have no intention of scraping the B. If it is deemed beyond restoring, I plan on finding people in need of parts. That way it will save others like it. The Fordson is another matter entirely. Not sure what to do at the moment, but it will likely be scrapped.
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GlenninPA
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Posted: 19 Dec 2011 at 8:57am |
Steve, The Major with the loader is a twin to the one we have on the farm. The loader is a beast. My Dad used it for a lot of projects, lifting rafters, he even backfilled the foundation of the house he built. A memorable oops was when he accidently ran into the 50' foundation wall, (concrete block), well, yes, what you imagine, actually happened. One of the few times I heard my Dad say "bad words"... LOL He would take the loader off to plow, because you could hardly steer it with that loader on it. We got the back half of another Major in the woods. Handy for parts. Right now, the Major rear wheel weights are bolted together and hung off the front of the Massey 175. I was about 5 yrs old when he bought that tractor, and still remember the fit my mother had when he brought it home. It grew on her though, 'cause it's still there.
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Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
From listening comes wisdom and from speaking comes repentance.
Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise.
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Steve Wilkens
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Ceresco, Michig
Points: 447
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Posted: 19 Dec 2011 at 9:13am |
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Glenn, I bet he said some bad words. That thing is a brut for sure
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Charlie175
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Posted: 19 Dec 2011 at 9:13am |
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I'm interested in hearing/seeing more about the flail mower on the B
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Charlie
'48 B, '51 CA, '56 WD45 '61 D17, '63 D12, '65 D10 , '68 One-Ninety XTD
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 19 Dec 2011 at 2:01pm |
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I'll try and get some pictures posted this week Charlie
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JohnCO
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Posted: 19 Dec 2011 at 9:29pm |
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I thought '38's only had hand brakes. Do you suppose the foot brakes were added later. It would be a shame to scrap the Major, it seems in good shape. The tarp on the B really kept it nice. The 190 looks nice too but as you mention, sounds like it isn't worth anywhere near what he paid for it. (Of course that has never happened to any of us!) lol
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"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer"
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Steve Wilkens
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Posted: 21 Dec 2011 at 2:41am |
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John, You're right the 190 is not worth what he paid for it. I think I have convinced them of that. I would make an offer on it, but that might be seen as conflict of interest since I have been helping them out and since I have it in my possession at the moment. I would say that if you are interested make a fair offer regardless of what he paid. His mistake isn't your fault. Just be aware it is going to be a bit of a hassle as the bid has to be given to the guardian and then she presents that to the court, if they accept, you get a deal. If it is easier for you, I can get your bid to the guardian. Also I can get more pictures and go over the unit much more closely to check it out for you. I have driven it, it runs great. Brakes are only fair, it stays in all gears when pulling, but coasting down hill it pops out of third and fourth. Hi-lo works good. All fluids need changing. Front tires good, rears about 20%. Steering wheel missing center cap, and ignition switch needs replacing. Also, Charlie, I have pics of the flail mower, just send me your email and I'll send them to you.
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Steve in NJ
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Posted: 21 Dec 2011 at 6:21am |
As mentioned, the B looks to be in great shape! Surprisingly being under a tarp out in the weather. Sometimes moisture can gather under a tarp over the years and make it a rust bucket. Musta' been a good tarp! LOL! They all look in pretty good shape Steve!
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