We jumped into antique/classic tractor pulling here in the fall of 2004. Purchased an IH M previously campaigned by John Atchison. Took possession on 9/3/04. It seems like a good tractor & we hope it will continue to be a winner & please audiences. We've owned quite a few "M"s in the past, but none like this one. They were all farming tractors-this M won't farm again, I don't think.
There will be a few movies on this site-if you have a slow download, you may consider bypassing them, or waiting for a good time to download. Photos will be constantly updated.
Date(s): September 4, 2004. Album by Ron Lukow. 1 - 107 of 107 Total. 5723 Visits.
enlarge 66KB, 576x432 1 August 2004 This is the M we bought in action earlier this yr. John had a great record with the tractor.
enlarge 75KB, 576x432 2 M now resides @ Lukow Bros. There is already another M here, but it's a worker, not a player.
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 3 Uncle Don Lukow inspects M. He's spent many-many hrs driving one, though the more reliable lower h.p versions.
enlarge 5.99MB, 576x432 4 This is a movie of our first & only 2004 pull. Took place @ Cissna Park, IL-Larry driving. We needed more wt on front-rear tires dug in too much. We got 3rd place though.
It was getting ready to rain when I took movie...hence darkness.
This might take a few minutes for download on slower connections. Just click on "Download MPEG"
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 5 Stock external parts everywhere
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 6 Girdle added between block & oil pan to strengthen block. This is legal.
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 7 This tractor had a distributor & still does. It is 12V converted.
enlarge 55KB, 432x576 8 Hitch assy is made to bolt to IH rear end & add support
enlarge 47KB, 432x576 10 This is the starting point of our winter "tear-down". Major dismantle/refurbish/paint/modify.
We've done some mods this winter for '05. Larry revamps the seat mounting for taller drivers
enlarge 57KB, 432x576 11 Seat has no suspension whatsoever
enlarge 48KB, 432x576 12 We wanted to clean up the intake tubing (bends) & fuel line/filter/shut-off
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 13 Ignition remains stock
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 14 This engine has roller rockers & de-compression device
enlarge 54KB, 432x576 15 Larry made linkage so decompression for starting could be done from seat. Before, you had to stand on ground & start engine.
enlarge 49KB, 432x576 16 We use this handle & turn it 1/4 turn CW for decompression
enlarge 56KB, 576x432 17 This was the old resistor mounting area.
enlarge 38KB, 576x432 18 Engine builder affixes his name to inside bottom of oil pan
enlarge 65KB, 576x432 19 Close inspection shows crank welding that increased stroke
enlarge 42KB, 576x432 20 You can see the offset rod journals
enlarge 55KB, 576x432 21 Rods were custom built also
enlarge 59KB, 576x432 22 Kurt refurbishes front weight bracket to allow new battery mounting hardware
enlarge 45KB, 576x432 23 Support brackets (bolted) for battery holder
enlarge 42KB, 432x576 24 Kurt removes flashing from drilled holes w/countersink tool
enlarge 39KB, 432x576 25 Brackets are drilled & bolted to frt wt bracket
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 26 We use 2x 12V deep cycle batteries (Optima Yellow Top) for starting (12V starter), however only 1 battery supplies power to ignition. Ignition is the only running power draw
enlarge 58KB, 432x576 27 Batteries are mounted forward, but need to allow clearance for front weight hanging
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 28
enlarge 39KB, 576x432 29 Brackets were made to keep frt weights from jumping off during "hard landings"
enlarge 44KB, 576x432 30 3/4" rod is strong & quickly removable
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 31 Safety strap fits loosely thru weight handles, but holds them securely from jumping off
enlarge 47KB, 432x576 32 An aluminum bar over top of batteries serves as a tie-down for batteries. It's removable w/eye-bolts @ either end
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 33
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 34 A new intake pipe was welded up using a constant radius bend stainless steel tube
enlarge 51KB, 432x576 35 We fitted a "new" (1948) grill to this M
enlarge 47KB, 432x576 38 Final battery mounting w/grill removed
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 39
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 40 M is now done mechanically @ our shop. Ready for paint!
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 41 Loaded up for trip to neighbor's farm-paint shop. Jan 21, 2005
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 42 Neighbor/friends help get tractor ready for paint in their shop
Jan 21, 2005
enlarge 49KB, 432x576 43 Removed just about all platform paraphenalia for painting.
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 44 Neighbor's also do car work. You can probably identify the vintage/type of car here.
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 45 This is also their work. '36 Chevy w/big 350 motor
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 46 A young friend of ours helps. This is "Skeez" using X-Acto knife to trim masking tape
enlarge 50KB, 432x576 47 Wheels off ready for paint
enlarge 53KB, 432x576 48 Mike pulls front wheels & blocks up for painting
enlarge 52KB, 432x576 49 This is day after initial delivery to paint shop. Looking pretty good!
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 50 Basic unit gets yet another coat or 2
enlarge 34KB, 576x432 51 Hood looks almost flawless on close inspection. It was pounded out & puttied. Probably better than new
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 52 Kurt examines paint job. I'm sure he never thought this was possible. We used IH original red paint w/hardener.
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 53 After we brought M back home from paint job, we decided to fix oil leaks from axle housing gaskets. Only 1 side was leaking, but we replaced both sides. Old gaskets had dried & were almost non-existant
enlarge 53KB, 432x576 54 Larry puts gasket sealant around gasket surface prior to replacing housing
enlarge 52KB, 576x432 55 Axle housing is machined to fit inside of differential case
enlarge 60KB, 432x576 56 View of inside of differential taken thru pto access. All looks good in there. Note we have RH axle/housing removed. You can see the empty bull gear.
enlarge 43KB, 576x432 57 Mike & Skeez touch up hood.
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 58 ON 1/31/05 we prepare to apply water soluable decals. Note oil filter decal
enlarge 39KB, 576x432 59 Hood area prior to decaling
enlarge 40KB, 576x432 60 These are paper decals...NOT mylar! Much better results w/water-paper than mylar, I think.
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 61 Larry establishes center point for "Farmall" decal
enlarge 51KB, 432x576 62 We've used the Farmall emblem (vs IH) for the grill
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 63 Water decals turned out beautifully. Couldn't be happier
enlarge 53KB, 432x576 64 Larry uses red-colored flex tubing to tie-up wiring
enlarge 52KB, 432x576 65 Battery cable, ignition, elec. rpm, & break-away kill switch are all housed in plastic
enlarge 43KB, 432x576 66 Original "switch box" will be next for finishing touches.
enlarge 50KB, 432x576 67 Original IH light switch box now contains wiring for "battery minder" (and it's REset switch), ignition key, and pilot lamp
enlarge 33KB, 370x576 69 Ignition switch "on" & GOOD battery light after startup. Battery light normally reads as a momentary periodic (every 10 secs) flicker of green light
enlarge 57KB, 432x576 70 Batteries are secured & cables are covered. The LH battery in photo is tapped for 12V source to ignition. Both batteries provide 24V to starter.
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 71 We've added quick-disconnect to ground cable
enlarge 41KB, 369x576 72 "Breakaway Kill Switch" and sled tachometer hookup are attached with water-tight disconnects
enlarge 40KB, 576x432 73 Made up a 2nd set of tires. These are 15.5x38 on 16" rims. They were cut on a machine.
enlarge 50KB, 432x576 74 We noticed a leak from bottom core of radiator-took it to local reputable radiator shop. It was the original IH product
enlarge 52KB, 576x432 75 Larry masks/paints the 2nd set of tires we'll use. These are 15.5x38 on 16" rims
enlarge 43KB, 576x432 76 IH red & silver
enlarge 39KB, 576x432 77 On March 3, we drove to Bristol IN & picked up a new trailer to carry the M
enlarge 38KB, 576x385 78 We're going to U.S. Cargo Express!
enlarge 48KB, 576x384 79 This is the unit we bought. 24' Cargo Express
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 80 Larry & I were very happy w/finished product of our order
enlarge 36KB, 432x576 81 Back home in our shop 36" walk-in door
enlarge 37KB, 432x576 82 Full ramp reinforced built for M loading
enlarge 55KB, 432x576 83 8' high celing Floor also has stringers on 12" ctr vs std 24"
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 84 Flip-over cover to make for smoother entry-exit
enlarge 31KB, 576x432 85 These folks build fine products
enlarge 36KB, 432x576 86 Extra turn signals mounted above fenders
enlarge 40KB, 432x576 87 We decided that stock axle length was too close to door cables, so we deicided to shorten axles.
enlarge 41KB, 576x432 88 We leveled axles into chop saw & started cutting.
enlarge 27KB, 576x432 89 Good blades gave a nice cut. Took about 5 mins/axle
enlarge 47KB, 432x576 90 Chop saw was about right ht. for M axle job
