RED-STORATIONS
Tractors
My first tractor restoration was in 2005. So far thru December 2025, I have completed 64, with 3 more waiting. The majority have been mostly small to medium size Farmall or International Harvester models, but have done several Ford tractors and one Allis Chalmers. 2018 was the year for Massey. Completed 3 that year, with 3 more in 2019, including a new one for my collection, a Massey 165. Finished another for my collection, an International U-1 Power Unit, (since SOLD), which was powered by a small 4 cylinder CUB engine, cute, featured below. Several implements as well to go along with some of these tractors. I kept 3 for parades, displays and shows, (but recently sold two of those, so I'm down to one collector tractor). Many of these have their own set of implements attached to give the viewer a sense of how these old tractors may have been used in their day. Follow along for a trip down memory lane ...
My first restoration, a 1942 Farmall "H". Behind is a 1939 "Little Genius" 2 bottom plow, typical of how an "H" was used. Took me 8 months to complete and I got what they call "tractor fever" off of this one, which lead to 63 more. SOLD, believe it or not, I needed the shop space. Tractor was featured in the February 2012 issue of Red Power magazine.
My second restoration, a 1948 Farmall "CUB". Underneath is a 48" bush hog mower. A very common setup for one of these 9.5HP CUBs.
Number 3 is my most interesting and most popular tractor. A 1952 Farmall "CUB". This tractor is max outfitted with a single row planter, left and right spreaders, a full set of cultivators and bedders. It also has a home made spray rig with 6' retractable boom. Then I put dual rear wheels on just for good measure.
Only collector tractor I have left.
Tractor was featured in the February 2012 issue of Red Power magazine.
My first International brand, a 1947 Super A industrial tractor, which is why it is painted yellow. All but the same as a Farmall Super A, just has a beefier front axle, typically used by municipalities for roadside mowing.
My first Ford, a 1951 8N, the most mass produced tractor by any manufacturer in history, about 650,000 made.
My second Ford, a 1974 3000 Diesel. Used this as my shop tractor for about 10 years, before I got the Massey 165. 40HP 3 cylinder diesel. Mostly used it with a boom pole to lift various tractor pieces around here.
This was number 8, a 1951 Farmall Super AV. The V is for vegetable, meaning high crop tractor. Couple of feet under there. About 4 months on this one.
This one is a 1953 Farmall Super A. It has 2 front mounted sod busters and a huge under mounted 14" turning plow. About 23Hp.
Tractor was featured in the February 2012 issue of Red Power magazine.
This one is a 1956 Farmall 130. Basically a newer version of the Super A. Restoration number 12. This one has a single point "Fast hitch" installed
This is a special one, a 1979 140 High Crop. Purchased new and handed down through the generations to the original owners grandson. The 140 series is an improvement on the 130 above. This a High Crop or vegetable tractor. Lots of ground clearance with those 11.2 X 36" rear tires. Tractor is still used today.
This one is very unique. A 1956 International Power Unit. Drove an irrigation pump in Florida. About 40HP. A true basket case when I got it. All of the cylinders were full of water, nothing moved, basically had to start over. Runs like a top now. Number 17.
This one is a 1955 Farmall Lo-Boy CUB. Same as a regular CUB but lower to the ground, easier to get onto. Typically used for mowing. Restoration number 20.
Another Ford, a 1960 641 Workmaster. Number 21. Only Ford tractor model series that was red.
This was the worst, up until then, number 23, a 1955 Farmall 300 Utility, painted to match a 350. Farmall's first effort at a wide front, low slung, truly utility tractor. First one to feature a standard design 3 point hitch. It also has a Torque Amplifier and an Independant PTO. This one was rescued out of the salvage yard. Ton of things wrong with this tractor, 6 months to complete. Also FOR SALE.
This was my first restoration for 2016 and also my largest so far, a 1966 International 656 Utility. Tractor is a 6 cylinder diesel with Independant PTO and Torque Amplifier. About 8000 lbs gross weight. Tractor is used to pull a tram at a commercial farming operation in Florida.
My second restoration of 2016, number 29, a 1999 Cub Cadet 7300 Compact Tractor. Only made these from 1998 thru 2004. Cute little backhoe and loader. Great tractor for around a small spread.
A new tractor model for me, restoration number 32, a 1960 Dexta, basically the english version of the Ford 2000, except it has a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel. This is an heirloom tractor, been in the same family since it was new.
Check out the feature on this tractor on the next page titled "Restoration 101"
Number 33, another International power unit. This one is a U-2 version, has the same 113 cid engine as the "A" series tractors. Engine frozen and full of water, nothing worked, but it was all there.
Another new tractor for me, number 34, a 1950 Allis Chalmers B. 4cyl gas, about 22hp, 3 speed. Nice to spray a different color for a change.
Another new model for me, my first of three Massey's this year. This one is a 245. Big high crop tractor. 12.4x38s back there. 4cyl Perkins® Number 37
Next Massey is a 135. 3 cyl Perkins® diesel. Owner wanted it painted in Massey charcoal gray instead of silver mist. Turned out really nice. This is number 38
Massey 175 with a 4 cyl Perkins® diesel. Those are 18.4X26 rears on there. This is suppose to be a working tractor, owner is rethinking that now. This is number 39
My favorite of all of these, a 1947 AV. Still has the magneto and 6V generator. It has matching chassis and engine serial numbers.
I use it to pull my parade wagon, which I retrieved from one of the local strawberry farms. SOLD believe it or not, I needed the shop space.
This restoration was completed in early 2019, a Massey 30E industrial tractor with loader. Engine had a connecting rod sticking out the right side and many of the tractors features were not functioning. Better than new now and fully operational. I've since installed a backhoe. A lot of tractor here.
My second tractor for 2019, a Ford 3400 Industrial. 3 cylinder diesel, 47HP, 6 speed with 4 reverse, oddly enough. Tractor even has a manual transmission brake.
My latest for 2020, number 49, a small Chinese tractor called a Jinma 204LE. 3 cylinder diesel, 20hp, 12 speed, P/S, 4WD. Plus a 55" loader for me to use around here. Cute...
My last for 2020, number 50, a Massey 65. 3 cylinder Perkins® diesel, 6 speed Hi/Lo. That breather up front is an owner original. Tractor painted in AGCO charcoal gray instead of Massey Silver Mist at owners request.
My first for 2021, number 51, a Massey 50.
3 cylinder Perkins® diesel, 6 speed Hi/Lo. Another working tractor, but this owner too is having second thoughts.
Second tractor for 2021, number 52. A 1958 Ford 861. Family heirloom tractor. Used in the field to this day. 172 cid 4 cyl gas, 58 hp, 5 speed. Engine stuck, camshaft broken in half. She's purring now.
Summer 2021, number 53. This is a unique piece, an International U-1 Power Unit. Same small engine that's in a CUB.
The C-60 flat head four with a whopping 9.5 HP. As with my other two Power Units, this one was also frozen and nothing was functional. All good now. Cute ...
Number 54 is a Farmall Super AV. Owner uses this tractor to grade the roads to his barns. This tractor is 95" wide to accommodate the grading blade underneath, (not Shown).
Number 55 is a really unique piece. A Massey 20C Turf. Formally used the mow the fairways of a golf course. Basically a Massey 135, but with ultra wide tires on deep dish rims. 95" track and an ultra soft foot print.
Number 56 is a Ford 2600. Owner has tractor fever, bad. Lots of mechanical issues, but turned out beautiful in the end.
Number 57 is a Ford 3000. Same owner as previous tractor, similar issues, turned out just as nice.
Number 58 is a 1958 Farmall Cub. Owner went all out on this one. No engine work, but just about everything else was touched. Included a Fast Hitch and a Woods 59" finish mower with chain drive, no belt. The Farmall H below is also from the same owner.
Number 59 is a 1940 Farmall H. Original owners son dropped it off. By far the most distressed tractor I've ever done. Took six months on this one. Tractor suffered a barn fire. Drug outside to put the fire out and left uncovered. Muffler open, you can guess what condition the engine was in. Total rebuild, including the block that was cracked in two places. Lots of messaging on this one, along with a ton of new parts. Two stage urethane paint, gorgeous.
Number 60 is a 1956 Ford 640. Touching story here. Owner passed away some 12 years ago. Tractor has sat in the field all that time. His daughter rescued it in hopes of having it restored in time for her wedding, so it could represent her dad in his absence. Wedding was in three months. I could not pass up this challenge and worked her in between my next restoration. Had it running in a day, with typical issues after that. Done in 13 weeks with two weeks to spare before the wedding. You may notice the color is incorrect as are the front tires and many other things. The color was his choice back then and many of the "fixes" he incorporated, I left as is where feasible. I have included a before picture for this one, so you can see from where I started. One of my most rewarding restorations ever. We were all crying, but in a good way.
Number 61 is a 1972 Massey 135. Owner delivered tractor completely disassembled. Engine was fresh from the machine shop, but just sitting on a skid. All the other components were in totes and the hardware was categorized and labeled in bags, yea. 18 weeks and she looks beautiful. Darn near new everything.
Number 62 is a 1983 Ford 1900. Distressed tractor, rescued from salvage. Lots of positive points. Owner had installed a new loader controller and all new hoses. New clutch, new radiator and water pump. Negatives, engine needed overhaul, brakes frozen, electrical was a disaster, sheet metal needed major work. All that has been corrected and she is ready to work.
Number 63 is a 1951 Minneapolis Moline R. Owner has had this tractor for decades and had always wanted it restored. What made this one even more interesting was the unique engine design, hand clutch, not to mention the fact it was delivered in pieces. Three pallets and a bucket of nuts and bolts. A real puzzle for me in that I had never worked on one of these, so I had to figure out how it all went back together. In the end it turned out just gorgeous. One of the most rewarding tractors I've ever done.
Number 64 is a 1956 Massey Harris 50. Owners grandfather purchased tractor new in 1956. Handed down to his father and now to the grandson. Engine is the Continental Z134. Had a 2" hole in the block where #1 rod busted through. It was repaired, but I sourced a salvaged block and rebuilt the internals with all new parts. Biggest challenge was determining the correct shade of the Massey Harris gold/bronze color for the chassis. We made a great choice, looks gorgeous. Best part of this restoration was the owners enthusiasm and participation. What a pleasure it was. 18 weeks start to finish.
