Tips for Restoring Classic Tractors

It’s commonplace in many parts of the country to see classic tractors sitting around in yards or on farms, slowly rusting. There’s no reason to let older equipment go to waste and turn into an eyesore. With a small investment of time and money, you can restore even a poorly aging classic tractor to its former glory. Follow the tips below to get started.

1. Get to Know the Tractor

There’s a difference between a ford 8n tractor and 9n, and that’s leaving aside the countless examples of even less similar tractors. That’s why the first step anyone who plans to restore a classic tractor needs to take is to get to know the equipment. 

There are shop manuals available online for just about any classic tractor out there that come complete with diagrams, instructions, and parts numbers. Make good use of them.

2. Choose a Reliable Supplier

In most cases, classic tractor restoration pros don’t use OEM parts. They’re difficult to find and tend to be unnecessarily expensive. Restorers can save some money without cutting corners by finding a reliable supplier of aftermarket tractor parts and components.

Keep in mind that sourcing parts is often one of the biggest challenges with older tractor restorations. It’s worth taking the time to investigate suppliers and find one that has a reputation for solid customer service and quality parts.

3. Set a Realistic Budget

Like any project, tractor remodels tend to take longer and cost more than people expect. That doesn’t mean there’s no reason to set a budget. Remodelers should take the time after learning about their equipment and finding a supplier to create a shopping list and get a fair estimate of the tractor remodel’s projected cost.

Every project will have a different cost structure. Base the estimate on what parts are necessary, what kind of condition the tractor is in, and whether it has been kept indoors or in the field for the majority of its life.

4. Plan Out Time and Space

It takes time to complete a tractor restoration, so don’t assume it will be a weekend project that won’t take up space in the garage for long. Restoring classic tractors can take anywhere from 100 to 250 hours, and that’s after tractor owners have sourced parts. Have a realistic plan in place for how long it will take to finish the project and start during the off-season.

It’s equally important to consider how much space the project will take up. While a working tractor has a small footprint, the process of restoring a tractor is not always very space-efficient. There will be hundreds of tiny parts that need to be organized and kept track of, so allocate enough space to do that from the beginning.

5. Enlist Some Help

Restoring a classic tractor is a labor of love, but that doesn’t mean it’s off-limits to ask for help. Friends with some amounts of mechanical experience are the best option. Even if there’s no one around who knows tractors inside and out, just having an extra set of hands can help.

Don’t Be Scared to Get Started

The first step to restoring a classic tractor is to start learning about the equipment to come up with a solid plan. There’s no way to move forward without doing that research, and it doesn’t cost anything to plan for the future, so don’t be scared to get started. Take the first step toward restoring that old tractor today.