Tractor Stories

‘Tis a fine day in Central Texas. The air is 35 degrees, and it is sunny, with a cool North wind. It is a perfect day to go for a drive on the 1949 Farmall Cub. That is just what I did. I saw it had not leaked gasoline anywhere, so I disconnected the six-volt battery charger and connected the negative battery cable. I managed to touch the battery box while snugging the cable and threw a nice spark which told me both that the battery is charged and to be more careful. Then I climbed aboard using the clever step device dangling from the platform, pulled the choke, pulled the ignition switch, and then the starter. The old Cub started right away and soon I had figured out how to give it just enough choke to keep it going while it warmed up. We backed into the yard and went for a drive ‘round and ‘round we went in second gear, making about five laps of the back yard. I stopped it in the sun to take pictures and to “bleed” the hydraulic system. That thing howled and squealed and scared me ...

Sunday afternoon I took the plunge and added fuel to the gas tank of the Cub. Then I tightened loose connections such as the fuel filter bowl so gasoline would not be dripping. It all seems to be holding. At this time, I have perhaps a gallon of gas in the tank to find out whether it will hold properly. Later I can fill it up or at least put maybe four gallons in it. The hydraulic system needed filling, so I removed the filler plug and used the last of the five-gallon container that I bought for the 8N Ford. I thought I had another 5-gallon pail or bucket and that turned out to be 90 weight gear oil. Had I remembered that I would have used it to fill the rear end of the Cub instead of buying gallons of the stuff individually. I moved the 5-gallon container to a location where it is visible in my Tractor building so it will be available for use next time. Earlier in the week I had painted the fuel cap and radiator cap IH red color. Both were new replacements for worn original item...

Nearly Complete. It was warm this week on Monday, so I got out and put some decals on my JANUARY 1949 Cub which is now 60 years young. I also put the fuel filter in place and attached rubber fuel line between it and the carburetor. I gave up temporarily on putting the metal line on as the exhaust pipe is in the way. If the Cub is returned to the vertical stack exhaust, then the metal fuel line can go on. For now, it is rubber. It is just about time to add gasoline to the tank and see whether it leaks at the fuel filter. I used a sealer so maybe it will be good and tight. While I was adding decals I painted both the radiator cap and the fuel cap. Both are new so I sprayed them with a couple coats of IH red paint. The next to the last challenge is to cut a one-inch hole in the battery box for the proper placement of the new and very long battery cable (negative cable). The box has a large hole to the front and needs a one-inch hole to the rear side of the box. It is a work in pro...