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I turned these parts into this.

It used to brake my heart to see a tractor that I felt was in pretty good condition parted out. But then I realized without those parts some of my tractors would not be complete. And sadly a tractor sold in pieces can often bring more money than if sold complete.

I imagine for most of us it’s our skill level that determines it. There’s some guys here with crazy talent that can bring anything back to life! And we have guys that paint rims bright white and dont bother to mask off the tires.

Shots from yesterday's snow clearing!

There was a guy on eBay and a member here who only sold parts stripped from whole tractors. He would not sell the complete tractor. My heart would break when I would see a picture of an RJ or a 701, etc. But as @roadapples said above, without those tractors being stripped for parts, many of us would not have the ability to complete our tractors.

Beautiful spring-like day with plenty of sun. Pulled the 512-D out of hibernation for some " beauty"-shots.. it ain't pretty.. yet..

For me it would be a matter of my attraction to a particular model, I will put more than its value into a 953 because I happen to be a 953 nut! I have never been a "Parts Tractor" kind of guy, but I have shared many parts with others. A few years back I bought a few incomplete tractors at the Big Show because I needed parts from them. @WHX??, @Pullstart and @rjg854 were able to get the rest of the tractor and have probably shared parts from them with others. All three of these had the potential to become restored Wheel Horses but like @RED-Z06 said earlier, the cost to restore these would have been far more than they would bring when sold.

The problem I have when I buy a machine for parts to finish a project or maintain the herd, is when the current project is done I start to look at the parts tractor as my next project! And of course I always tell myself I should sell the "low man" on the tractor poll, but what if I need something off it to keep one of my main machines going?!?

I'm one of those nuts who tries to fix every tractor that ends up in my possession. I have some accumulated parts that were acquired as such, but don't really have any parts tractors.

I've had 1 parts tractor here at the Bird Ranch. A 74 C-160 with a blown engine. It also needed a seat, fender pan and all 4 tires. I wanted the hydro out of it, kept a few pieces and junked the rest. Last year I got a Bronco that I wanted the $300 Simplicity grader blade that was on it. The rest should have been a parts tractor because everything was shot on it but I put my plaid pants, white shoes and belt on and sold it at the show.

For me a lot of it depends on the sentimental attachment I have to the machine, whether it be a Wheel Horse, larger tractor, antique engine, or anything else. I've got one Wheel Horse C141 I started restoring (and need to get back to) that probably should have been destined to a parts tractor, and truth be told a lot of it wasn't worthy of much more than the junk heap. But I saved it because a very very close friend of mine bought it brand new. Will I be upside down in it when I finally get it done...sure I will...but its the fact that it was Ray's tractor and I want to show it in his memory makes the whole project worthwhile. I know there are people out there who don't like the idea of a parts tractor, they think that everything can be saved...which with enough time and money I suppose it could be. But I look at it like this, even dismantling a tractor to use for parts to bring another one back to life is better than letting one go to the scrapper to be gone forever. I know its not a Wheel Horse, but take for example the Olliver 88 Standard I drug home a few weeks ago. This poor old thing is ROUGH...the engine is locked up and full of rust from sitting open for who knows how many years, the tires are rotted almost completly off of it, the steering is locked up, you get the idea. If it was a tractor that had been in the family forever, yeah I'd strip her down and restore her, but as I have no attachment to it it's relegated to only a parts tractor at this time. I figure if only one piece of it goes to someone in need of that piece to put their tractor together then I accomplished my goal of saving it.

I look at... 1. How common is it? Is it a dime a dozen model? 2. How desirable is it? 8hp models simply can't do the work that a 10+hp model can..unless its some kind of rare 8hp unit, they would be less desirable. 3. If fixed, how much would i potentially lose if i had to sell it? If its never going to be a tractor worth over 300 bucks, hard to justify putting 1500 into it. 4. Do i want a show tractor or a worker?..a functional restoration can be done usually pretty cheaply, it may not look like much but it'll work. 5. How bad are the big $$ parts? Engine/trans/tires are by far the biggest investment. A set of tires can go for $425, an engine rebuild can cost over 500, if it needs tires, engine work, trans work...a combo of any 2..it may be a good parts tractor. Example...a 520-H, sitting outside a while, not pretty, 1200hrs, has some rust, needs a seat, tires, no start. Its desirable, not horribly common, won't be a good show tractor but is a good candidate for a worker with the hydraulics. Id try to get it to run.. if it will run, and the hydro works...its a good candidate for a mechanical overhaul. Yoy could easily take a 400 dollar tractor and make it a 1500 dollar tractor that works well. You could also dump 1000+ into new sheeymetal, paint, decals, seat, etc...and have a show ready tractor, but you'd never see that kind of return if you had to sell it.

I think enough parts become a tractor. Never thought of it the other way.

One man's junk is another man's treasure. I like to keep them whole. Fix what's needed. If I can't get it done I offer it up to someone who will. Here is my next project. Most would think this is a parts machine. We will see. It's only been sitting out side for the last 30 years but it ran when it was parked there !!!!

I often buy my machines, that would hit the scrapyard if I didn't bought them. Fire- incident, broken tranny's, stuck in a mudhole, neglected for years. Just a rusty frame. I have bought some of them for parts, but ended up getting them all in working order, and waiting to paint them when the weather gets better. I understand why you would want parts tractors, they can keep many other Horses running when in need of parts that are no longer produced. Hubs, trannys, steering setup, etc

Getting itchy to see some green instead of white.

There are some great answers already on here. In my mind and in my location it's just a personal choice. If I like it and want to make something of it, that is my motivation. I have sold some models rather than let them sit and wait on me, because I knew they were going to someone who really wanted them. And I've bought models that had no special value just because I like them. Point being, all of these old tractors are only worth the value we place on them. Some are sought after, but there isn't any real value over and above what we make for them anyway.

I made a career out of restoring the worst "parts" tractors, actually tractors that should have went to the scrap yard and other collector's laughed at me for buying. But when your searching for odd ball different brand, non wheel horse pre 1965 garden tractors you buy what you can. It was alot of fun chasing parts, fabricating parts, and spending alot money. I am done now with tractors just finishing my last restoration a 57 bolens. In the end I built up a heck of collection to cruise around the yard with.

One last little thing for my GT-14 arrived today. Not necessary however pretty happy with it. A 3D printed reproduction center cap insert. I still need to go back through the Carburetor. Otherwise in good shape. Mr Lincoln @A-Z Tractor (many thanks) sent me some gently used tie rod ends and the correct 3 spoke steering wheel with center cap. Is a Carb kit difficult to come by? Is that a question for another section? Thanks to you all. It has been enjoyable. I need another project now I think

Can't stay behind than can I?

I have 2 Wheel Horses… a 1994 520H (my 1st refresh), and a freebie 1984 Work Horse GT-1600 (currently being refreshed). I did not look at either as a parts tractor… when you only have one, what are the parts going to be used on ? I really don’t think I see any tractor as a parts tractor… I have these grandiose ideas that I can “ make it better “ And besides, a 40 year old Wheel Horse is built better than anything you can buy these days, comparatively speaking. I just love taking a dirty, rusty, machine and making it nicer !

Some old some new…

Old thread, but I snapped a pic today so…

Ok I'll amit I have ALOT of parts tractors. It does pain me to know most will never be driven again but when I see and drive what comes out of Dan's garage, I'll parts out some more. When I look at a tractor it's a gut feeling will it end up parts or a project. Any Round hood or mid-sixties no brainer ...project. BTW good thread @Redav72

I have been working on a few wood projects lately. I will post pics and details at another time, but while working on these projects it became obvious I needed a better way to store and sort the large variety of wood screws I have accumulated. The trouble with this is, wood screws come in a variety of boxes of all shapes and sizes. Hard to organize something like that, so the first thing I did was to order me some plastic boxes. LOTS of plastic boxes.Then I made me some trays. LOTS of trays, that could be mounted to the inside of my cabinets doors. LOTS of cabinet doors. These trays come in Cherry or Walnut, or Walnut with Oak inlay or Oak with Walnut inlay. or maple and Cherry if you just have scraps to use up. Many times the size of the tray was determined by the piece of wood I had. Then I embedded small magnets into the trays, and used double sided tape to stick a fender washer to the bottom of each plastic box. The magnets hold each box in it's place. In some cases there are several boxes of the same screw. The first box of each size also has a magnet taped to the inside of the lid. This magnet holds the appropriate driver bit for that screw, When you open the box you are automatically presented with the driver, and a few screws The trays fold up flat against the doors. The boxes are held in place by their magnet. I can take a box out, bring it back 2 days later, and it's space is still open, so they always stay in order. They are sorted by length, regardless of the type of screw. Seems I usually know what length screw I need, and I can choose the type when I look at what's available.

The wiring harnesses on Wheel Horses underwent numerous changes over the years and even had some midyear changes during the year. No one has or is likely to offer reproduction wiring. You can do your own rewiring with a few simple tools and the wiring diagram for your particular tractor. What model are you working on? We can help you along where needed. Dell City is a great source for the parts, wire and tools you will need. They supply good quality connectors in a variety of configurations. https://www.delcity.net/?mkwid=s&crid=532441923049&mp_kw=dell city electronics&mp_mt=e&gclid=CjwKCAiAvOeQBhBkEiwAxutUVLW4d80ysIq5OnU0rcpstxbgFWNjTRsxK5sSpiClJHJTsqRH4NjBPBoCQdEQAvD_BwE

Well before I even had the chance to mention the trade to him he sent me a message saying that he would take $300 for it if I was seriously interested. I told him if he would hold onto it until next Friday when I get paid again he had a deal, as I had already spent my fun money allotment on two engines we are picking up tomorrow. He said that would be fine and that he was coming this way next Friday with two mowers and would even deliver it for the $300 since my place is right on his way. So by this time next weekend we will have another project, although I think this one may have already gotten stolen, Tasha took one look at it and said "that one is mine" and something about it being cuter than the rest of them we already have Oh well its nice to have someone who is into these crazy hobbies as much as I am, even if it means having to share my toys

Some of what become my parts tractors are nicer than the machines I’m keeping alive… but they aren’t as close to me in sentimental value…. One time I had a fully functional C-101 and needed a transmission for my upcoming “show” tractor so it was borrowed for a bit. Then I needed a front axle. Then I needed an engine. Then it was a parts machine.

Let me introduce you our new Family member... „Pince“ Leo

That saw was produced way after two stroke oils were readily available, so use any two stroke oil that is rated for 32:1. Those folks that say it is good to run 50:1 without knowing the bearings types in the engine have no clue. Some old outboards and other two stroke engines had plain bearings and needed plenty of oil, needle, roller and ball bearings can tolerate less oil, but even then the design of the bearing may not allow those lean mixtures.

My bud jumped up for a little cat nap during coffee time today. He was up and back to the three legged hop in about 25 minutes.

I haven't yet gotten to where I'd buy a "parts" tractor. But I feel myself edging toward that slippery slope....

Early tractor harnesses were very simple and easy for just about anyone to reproduce. But as the tractors became more complicated, so too did their harnesses. If you go to any online Toro parts supplier and find a part number for any wiring harness, clicking on it will show that it is only compatible with a particular model/year. As @953 nut pointed out, mid-year product changes made wiring unique. I don't think that anyone would be able to make all types of harnesses and still be able to make money unless they sold their product for a lot more than the average buyer would be willing to pay.

All tractors are potentially both - philosophically… But for me, I don’t “do” parts tractors. I’ve had 4 ‘s, 3 that I still own. I buy the parts I need and restore them for use. No trailer queens here…

Hhhmmm… Nice blade… To paraphrase a t-shirt I once saw, I think you should print out on the blade: ”The tractor is up here boys”

My neighbors German Shepard, Soldier … weighs in at 125 lbs. When he got him, he was literally skin and bones. He did not bark for about 2 months. I don’t believe he had the strength. But now he has a bark that is very loud and forceful… great dog… I’m glad he saved him !

Jumping the gun… … with some of my true favorites…

I’ve used tubes with no problems. No drilling. Never tried to plug one… if tire is in poor shape maybe replace anyways?

Well @Sparky those not tri ribs look to cut the snow pretty great!

The new Eaton 11 I got from eBay did the trick. I did laps around my house and checked forward and reverse. Now I can get ready to plow the next snow storm! The other benefit is I have a perfect box to package the Eaton 7 in for shipping. Oh and as you can see from the photos, the front tires are in dire need of replacing. Those are soap bubbles around the rim.

When they move out of the house you'll miss both the mowing/blowing assist and the company (probably not the arguing).