A Challenge

showcrop · Apr 10, 2011

One of the foremost customs on this forum is to berate newcomers that have just gotten a new to them tractor, gotten it home and start looking it over, then go online for info since it will be a few days before their manual arrives. Can anyone here say honestly that they did not touch their first old tractor before being in possession of a manual?

Anonymous-0 · Apr 10, 2011

I overhauled the engine on mine before I had a manual and it is still running 30+ years later

Anonymous-0 · Apr 10, 2011

Not "a custom on this forum". but rather a custom with SOME people.

And yes, I had the manual IN HAND when I was handed the keys to my first tractor. Not all that unusual.

John T · Apr 10, 2011

Your Question: "Can anyone here say honestly that they did not touch their first old tractor before being in possession of a manual?"

My Answer: I probably touched over a dozen old tractors AND NEVER HAD ANY MANUAL WHATSOEVER FOR MOST OF THEM

Buttttttttt I worked on old cars n trucks n tractors for yearsssssssss and "usually" never had any need for such.

Hey dont get me wrong Im NOT knocking Manuals and also recommend them, Ive owned a few of them over the years and glad to have them, just usually never needed them much as I understood how things generally worked.

Butttttttt its just an out of the box first responder gut answer that some people post when a newbie asks a question here. Its not my first response, I try to give an answer iffffffff I know it and keep quiet otherwise. To each their own, most here like me are just trying to help.

Yall take care, sure Manuals are good things to have, especially for the inexperienced.

John T

S2710 · Apr 10, 2011

I have owned the tractor for close to 40 years before I had a manual. The thing that helped was I had a dealer that you could call and they would gladly help you out because they knew that when you needed parts you would buy from them.
Bob

Anonymous-0 · Apr 10, 2011

Some folks just make it their life to berate people in general. Doesn't have to be a particular reason. Some folks just have it in their head that they are the authority and like to let everyone know it. Some of them do it so you know who is talking and some hide behind the guest option. There is a clown using about 4 different handles in lanse's thread in tool talk to argue about cement blocks and safety but don't have sense enough to know the same IP address shows up nomatter what he calls himself.

Ultradog MN · Apr 10, 2011

I'll quibble a bit with you over semantics.
Berate? No.
I will however suggest, remind, exhort, propose, recommend and advise they get a manual.

Uncle Ernice · Apr 10, 2011

No manual? Sure! Heck I don't even use tools and I work on em with my eyes closed!Just for a challenge I mix all the parts up and just grab on as I reassemble them. Mine all have been running like a watch for 80 years and never even have to add oil!
And there are so many of us using the same computer here at the home it doesn't matter what names we use!!

guido · Apr 10, 2011

Hello,
It is always a good idea to consult a manual.
Guido

old popper · Apr 10, 2011

KEYS ?? I have 11 antique tractors and none of them takes a key. Well maybe the 1947 Case VAC that I'm going to pick up today, but I don't know that for sure either.

Charlie M · Apr 10, 2011

I've always gotten manuals but I sure wish back in the days when I first started tinkering I had this web site to ask questions - could have saved quite a bit of money.

JDseller · Apr 10, 2011

My first tractor was a JD G. I got a manual after owning it for several years. I was only thirteen years old. Bought it with the engine locked up. Rebuilt it in my Grand father"s barn. Paid $250 for it. I spent $300 on new parts. Owned that tractor until the early 1980s.

Mike (WA) · Apr 10, 2011

I did things without manuals 40 years ago, because manuals weren't as available as they are now. But it only takes a bad experience or two to make you see the light.

Mine was taking out an innocent looking bolt, only to find that there was a spring and check ball behind it. I found the bolt, but spring and check ball were gone. Now what? Obsolete tractor, no dealer, no parts manual, and to top it off, parts are gone so I can't even use them to compare and see what I need.

I don't berate anybody on here, but do gently suggest getting a manual, especially when the question indicates that the guy doesn't have a clue about mechanical stuff. There was a guy on here about an N Ford the other day, who thought the voltage regulator just ran the guages. I realize we all have to start somewhere, but I shudder to think of the bad things that will happen to him as he ventures into the electrical system on his tractor.

NCWayne · Apr 10, 2011

Being a mechanic by trade I get to work on stuff all the time without a manual. Granted it's not always the best, or easiest thing to do, but when your doing a $200 job and the manual for the machine is $500 to $1000+ you do what you can and hope the service guys at the dealership are willing to help out. Funny thing alot of people don't know is that alot of times the dealerships don't have 'factory' manuals for the older equipment either and are either playing it by ear or using an aftermarket manual just like everybody else. Believe it or not I've seen it happen many times over the years and it makes the fact that most dealerships don't like to work on the old equipment make more sense as their young, new "technicians" don't have the mechanical knowledge to figure the old, nonelectronic systems out........But that's just what I've seen for what it's worth, and your experiences may prove otherwise.....

fixerupper · Apr 10, 2011

I"m typing this on my droid cause last night"s storm took out our internet, so this is a first for me and its darned slow. Anyway, a berating statement makes the berator feel powerful, and that"s all it does. In the long run it does noboby any good. Jim

Crem · Apr 10, 2011

I have repaired a lot of things without the manual. That being said I do like to have a manual on hand but if I had to have a manual for every tractor, piece of equipment, or lawn mower, I would have to build a special library room.

)

rrlund · Apr 10, 2011

I don't think I ever had a manual for one til I bought a brand new one in 1981.

IndianaRed · Apr 10, 2011

Some guys don't even know they can get a manual, or that one exists. I say help them out all we can, more people into old tracotrs is a good thing. We shouldn't run them off for being ignorant.

I needed them, but couldn't wait for them to arrive before i jumped in. I imagine a lot of guys are like that.

smallercrawler · Apr 10, 2011

Old adage: "When all else fails, read the book".
I plead guilty; in my defense, my stuff is oddball and haven't been able to find manuals-factory rep even denied they ever made one crawler.

smallercrawler · Apr 10, 2011

Clarification to above: guilty to working with no manuals/never seen a reason to berate anyone.
Sorry for second post, but can't find post edit procedure.

jokers · Apr 10, 2011

Hmmmm.....does anyone else feel as I do that too often a person who quickly admonishes a person for asking a question and suggests that if they had a manual, all of their problems would be solved, probably doesn't know the answer to the question asked? Just sayin'.....

Anonymous-0 · Apr 10, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:48:33 04/10/11) Hmmmm.....does anyone else feel as I do that too often a person who quickly admonishes a person for asking a question and suggests that if they had a manual, all of their problems would be solved, probably doesn't know the answer to the question asked? Just sayin'.....

Yep.................

DeltaRed · Apr 10, 2011

I dont mean to berate anyone.I 've only tried to offer a suggestion to help someone educate themselves.When I was young,Iread every book/manual I could find.Idont mind answering a question or two to a new/inexperienced owner,but a little light reading could save a lot of expencive repairs down the road.I see lots of folks who buy old tractors who spend lots of money on parts/accessorys that fail to get the correct information.Its bettewr to help guide somone to become more informed and selfsufient than to just "hand" them an answer

DeltaRed · Apr 10, 2011

Yes I have worked on tractors with useing the book.When I bought my first tractor-JD730diesel-I was handed thebook and told to read it

IOWA NORTHEAST · Apr 10, 2011

Anyone who puts another person down for any reason, pretty much sum up their true personalities to the rest of us.

They probably have done it sinxe childhood, and are unaware of it.

Most of the rest of us ignore the play ground bullies when they spout off anyway.

fixerupper · Apr 10, 2011

When I bought a new 1086 in 1978 I also forked over the money for a factory shop manual. Did the same thing for a new dodge pickup in 79. The owner of the military vehicles I restore gets manuals for every component along with ordinance parts books. Id be completely lost without them as there is almost no one left who knows how to work on ww2 stuff. Parts book pictures help when vehicle parts need to be fabricated. Jim

NEBeef · Apr 10, 2011

Actually, I do it the other way around. When I happen across a nice looking manual, I buy it. Then I go looking for a tractor to match the manual. And yes, I have had people give me a hard time for asking questions about things in the manual before I get the tractor... pisses me off, 'cause they're just mean people...

Paul from MI · Apr 10, 2011

Yes, I think a manual is the first thing I look for when I have a repair job to do, but it can't take the place of a good mechanical sense and an understanding of how a piece of equipment is supposed to work. As the old saying goes "Good judgement somes from experience, experience comes from poor judgement"

Anonymous-0 · Apr 10, 2011

No, I drove it and yes I purchased the book before delving into its mysteries.

A Challenge

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads