Implement restoration

[seamajor]

Does anyone restore implements?
It seems many cub owners enjoy working on their own equipment. I understand that.

But, in my case, I work full time AND lack skills.
Are there folks in the business of restoring implements (and tractors) to working conditions? Not for shows and parades, but for work.

Maybe we need a list of folks, idk?

[Scrivet]

It's not an effective business model to be a restorer. Basically getting 50 cents return on every dollar you invest. Occasionally someone can buy a Cub for cheap and luck into it only needing a few minor repairs. The larger percentage will need way more money tossed at them for parts and figuring a realistic labor rate, than you can buy a good looking working Cub for. You have to be doing it for the love of the tractor.

[staninlowerAL]

Agree with Scrivet's post. The best way to be assured of making money is to sell parts, IMHO!

[Mht]

Maybe somebody else thinks different but there is no money to be made restoring old tractors and implements. If someone values their time at anything close to what a shop charges you are quickly upside down in labor. Most tractors and implements don’t need restoring to put to work. I’m most cases you can buy a tractor and implements that someone else has already fixed up for less than the cost of buying something and fixing it yourself. The only money to be made messing with old tractors is selling parts

[Dale Finch]

Ah, but in these times of limited travel and socializing (aka Cubfests!), what better way to keep busy, and enjoy a hobby than redoing a Cub and bringing it back to life?!

Tomorrow, I will finish cleaning the torn down '55 cub I've been working on, and will begin putting parts ON! I've been taking my time with this...it was a running tractor with lots of little things wrong. But as I see the downhill finish line, I've started wondering what I will do when it's done.

There are a couple Cubs I'm looking at, so...why not? What else is there for a retiree to do, when you can't go diving or traveling?!

No, there is absolutely NO WAY to do a proper refurbishing and make money at it! But what a fun way to spend my money!!

[ajhbike]

Not in the business of making money at it, but but in the business of enjoying the heck out of it. I do all kinds of implements...rakes, cultivators, etc but I really enjoy sickle mowers right now. It usually entails a lot of prep work, some bolt removal/cutting, sections, a belt here and there and paint. Seldom does it involve expensive parts because I make sure I don't buy junk. If I don't use it, I will sell it and usually make a $50 or $100 or so or sell it for even money. It is enormously fun and thereputic in spite of few skills and time.

[Gary Dotson]

I've done a few tractors for others, probably made myself about $1.25 per hour. It was generally for friends and I was doing the work to keep busy. There are lots of hours involved in doing a nice job, but there's also a great deal of satisfaction, handing over a really nice tractor. It's definitely something you do for the love of the hobby.

[Eugene]

Since the subject title is Implement Restoration. Most antique farm implements only require parts and adjustment to put them in working condition.

As other have stated; parts can be expensive and there is a time requirement.

Manuals for Cubs implements are located on this site.

If you have young kids, grandkids, or interested family members, get them involved. Great family time.

[seamajor]

Since the subject title is Implement Restoration. Most antique farm implements only require parts and adjustment to put them in working condition.

As other have stated; parts can be expensive and there is a time requirement.

Manuals for Cubs implements are located on this site.

If you have young kids, grandkids, or interested family members, get them involved. Great family time.

Thanks for this. I bought my cub and implements to use and to spend quality time with my son, who enjoys tractors and working in the shop with his grandfather- he's an Allis-Chalmers man, though and I grew up around a 140. It really has become a family affair. I want to get the fast hitch disc restored and worry sometimes that this work can be too much on my father-in-law. I guess I need to remember that this is about family, too.

[Clemsonfor]

Ah, but in these times of limited travel and socializing (aka Cubfests!), what better way to keep busy, and enjoy a hobby than redoing a Cub and bringing it back to life?!

Tomorrow, I will finish cleaning the torn down '55 cub I've been working on, and will begin putting parts ON! I've been taking my time with this...it was a running tractor with lots of little things wrong. But as I see the downhill finish line, I've started wondering what I will do when it's done.

There are a couple Cubs I'm looking at, so...why not? What else is there for a retiree to do, when you can't go diving or traveling?!

No, there is absolutely NO WAY to do a proper refurbishing and make money at it! But what a fun way to spend my money!!

I get the part about no Cubfests to go to. But you live in NC , not California or Michigan! I am pretty sure you can drive around all you want. I live here in SC and drive all over, do it for work. Through GA, SC and NC. I a few months ago went into NC to go to Agrisupply in Monroe. No problem and state runs like normal. I know a few things are not open or running different than normal times. And I do know NC is more strick than SC but it mostly is running like normal.

[Eugene]

I worry sometimes that this work can be too much on my father-in-law.

I wouldn't worry about over loading your father in-law.

If he is anything like me, I do it when I want, at my pace. Get tired or the arthritic pain is to much - easy chair in the shop. Need more muscle; son, wife to help.

[Magnum]

I've done a few tractors for others, probably made myself about $1.25 per hour.

Wow you must be good at it. I was thinking .25 an hr.. or less

[Gary Dotson]

And I make about the same great pay working on my friends collector cars!

[staninlowerAL]

And I make about the same great pay working on my friends collector cars!

Beats consulting a pschiatrist and a whole lot less expensive!!!!

[Eugene]

And I make about the same great pay working on my friends collector cars!

Beats consulting a psychiatrist and a whole lot less expensive!!!!

Ben Franklin. " Penny saved is a penny earned".

I figure commercial shop time, their parts price mark up, my loaded mile cost, plus loading and unloading time. That dollar figure is divided by my parts price and my estimated work time. Equals my profit.