So I did a thing...

[Brucker]

Had a family member call me a few days ago and ask if I wanted my grandfather's old Farmall Cub. It was one that my uncle and I got running shortly after my grandfather's death 25 years ago. All the running equipment and implements got shipped down from his place in MI to my family's farm in IL. That farm got sold off a few years ago after another family member's death. This is the last remaining piece, and is said to be in very good condition. Hasn't run in years, but ran when parked in the barn a couple years ago. I don't have much from that grandfather like I do from the other side of the family. The tools, equipment, and machinery all got sent off to be used at the last remaining family farm. So I can't turn down the opportunity at this family heirloom. I know most wouldn't consider it one. But I do.

So I drove 15 hours solo each way and picked up the tractor my grandfather had purchased new. Before he died he gave it to his nephew. His nephew restored it and maintained it perfectly. Then he passed away a few years back and his wife, Donna, called to see if I wanted it. I couldn't pass up the chance at a family heirloom... Drove out Saturday morning and got back this morning about 4am. Well worth the 30+ hours of driving straight by myself.















Was amazing to get the chance to spend some time with family I don't normally get to see. Was made to feel so welcomed and loved being able to hear some of the past stories and learning about their current lives. Here is a shot of my cousin and I:



Knowing that he is a big country music fan, as well as a fan of tequila, and that he had been searching for a bottle, I brought this as a "thank you" gift for him:



All in all, I will love and cherish this family heirloom for as long as one is able. Thanks for letting me share.

[Tom]

Cool.

[Swank1975]

Very cool. Never let it go.

[Jim]

Family heirloom - congrats.

I spent many an hour on a Farmall Cub cutting grass with a 60" belly slung mower. The PTO that disengaged with the clutch took some getting used to.

[Jackie]

Great "thing" you did there!

[The StRanger]

Very nice.

[goSlo]

That's really neat! A timeless classic.

I love how the engine is off-set from the seat, you can actually see in front of you while driving.

[Hypoid]

Very nice! I learned how to operate a clutch on a Super-A, many great memories associated with it.

[jayson44]

that is way cool! my family is not into heirlooms much, so color me jealous!

J.

[Brucker]

jayson44 previously posted:

[Brucker]

It's alive!!!

I replaced the old leaking battery and repaired all the damage that it caused. I changed all the fluids and filters. Also removed and cleaned the carburetor and the gas tank. And also cleaned up the distributor, points, and plugs. I wanted to get "proof of life" before I reassembled it all. So after I got it to turn over, I took this short video of it's first start even though it's just running off starting fluid. Now that I know for a fact it will run, I will get the fuel cell mounted again and plumbed, and then get it started and running, and take it for a drive!

[Brucker]

Just got done driving it around the property. I am grinning ear to ear.

[Brucker]

Some have asked all what I had to do to get it going. Really not all that much. Just what I wrote before:

Brucker previously posted:

[xaza]

excellent work with an immeasurable payback!

[Jim]

Brucker previously posted:

[Brucker]

xaza previously posted:

[Brucker]

Jim previously posted:

[4runner.Ric]

AWESOME, thats just awesome, and priceless. Congrats

[Jim]

Brucker previously posted:

[Brucker]

Guess my wife filmed some of my first drive: