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M propane tractor

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Buck

11-01-2003 13:09:26

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I inherited a 1939 Farmall M that had been converted to Propane in about 1953.I don't know how to start or operate it. The tank is mounted sideways where gas tank usually sets. There is a connection with cap,hand valve, tank pressuer guage,hand valve and a caped connection on side of tank from left to right. Tractor still has magneto. Can anyone help me to get this tractor running, and is there an LP operators manual available for these Farmalls, which I think IH,did the conversons. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Buck

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novice

11-01-2003 15:54:48

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Re: M propane tractor in reply to Buck, 11-01-2003 13:09:26

Buck:
I found myself in this same position recently. The tank should have 2 handwheel valves, one which releases vapor off the upper part of the tank and the other which releases liquid off the lower. Although on the same level on the outside of the tank, one has an internal dip tube inside which goes up insidew and gets vapor off the top of the tank and the other a dip tube which goes down and draws liquid off the bottom. The outside temp always maintains a vapor cap over liquid inside the tank. The tank's internal vapor pressure is what pushes liquid out the liquid line to the regulator. In addition to the handwheels, there should be two yellow plastic caps screwed over filler valves with spring loaded checks inside used to fill the tank. The tractor needs to be started with just the vapor valve open. It should hiss momentarily when opened till the diagphram is compressed. Once the tracor is started and warmed up, the liquid line can be opened, and the regulator will begin receiving liquid which will vaporize due to the heat of the engine coolant circulating through the Ensign regulator now that the tractor is warmed up. Then you can close the vapor handwhhel. The pressure gauge on the tank will read vapor pressure in the tank which will depend on the outside temperature (should be about 150 psi when 75 deg F outside). There may also be what looks like a rotating float lever (its mounted on a hollow stem) with a dial behind it indicating what percentage of the tank has liquid in it. This lever actually has no float on the end inside, rather it has a hollow tube connected to it that, when rotated and pointed up, will vent vapor out the relief tattle-tale screw on the end of the lever. As the lever is turned, the tube inside will dip down into the liquid and white frosty liquid will begin to come out the vent instead of vapor. The position at which this occurs will tell you how much liquid is in the tank by reading off the dial. Be careful as the liquid is very cold and the valve should also be opened just enough to hiss vapor when measuring volume. Point away from your eyes and uses gloves. The tank should also have a spring loaded relief valve in case of overpressure. No cap should be in place over this relief. I dont even think it's threaded for one. There may also be a small valve to crack open when filling the tank to prevent compression of the vapor in the tank. When liquid comes out this valve, the tank is "full" and filling should be terminated to leave a vapor cap inside. The tractor will run on vapor but will have more power on liquid. If you get the right connections and hoses, you can fill your tractor of the LP tank that feeds your house (if you live in country and have LP tank). Be sure the tank has an internal liquid line so that the vapor pressure in the big tank forces liquid up the liquid diptube, through the hose and to the tractor. Most rural LP Propane/Butane companies can rig this up for you.

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Novice

11-01-2003 21:04:18

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Re: Re: M propane tractor in reply to novice, 11-01-2003 15:54:48

Novice: You sure are not a novice. You have given me all the info and more. Just what I needed to understand this system. I thank you very much and also Allan {it does have the Ensign regulator near carb}. Thanks so much.. Buck

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Allan

11-01-2003 13:46:53

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Re: M propane tractor in reply to Buck, 11-01-2003 13:09:26

Buck,

You should have a hand valve in the line to the evaporator.

Open that valve; if the evaporator is in good shape & if you have fuel in the tank, she should start just like her gas cousins.

Some of those evaporators had a "choke" button. If yours does, give it a couple of 'whifs' before you crank.

Allan

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Allan

11-01-2003 14:08:12

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Re: Re: M propane tractor in reply to Allan, 11-01-2003 13:46:53

Allan Is the evaporator on the tank or is it the Ensin unit by carb? Buck

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Allan

11-01-2003 15:09:34

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Re: Re: Re: M propane tractor in reply to Allan, 11-01-2003 14:08:12

Buck,

Should be down close to the carb.

When you turn on that valve, you might hear a small surge of gas noise, then you should hear nothing.

That evaporator needs engine vacuum to trip the diaphram so if you are not cranking or running, there should be no gas leaking thru it of any sort.

If you hear it leaking, the diaphram is most likely weepy...(the weak link in the chain on these things).

Do you see a brand name on the evaportator? Like Impco?

Allan

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