Fortress repairs John Deere 890 Running + extras!

In this video I go through many repairs to the John Deere 890 to get it up and running. I work on a couple other pieces of equipment and show a bit of what else I do to prep for work on the Fortress Project...
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If you don't have a Patreon account and would like to support the Fortress Project send Donations or items to PO Box listed below:
Alan Morris
331 W Parrish Lane STE 106 # 252
Centerville, UT 84014
Email: [e-mail]
Thank you!

[@jefferywells2288]

Shout out to sparks motors for giving Alan a place to work and get access to better equipment for his adventure!

[@joduval]

Well Alan is great for sparks motor as well. Happy they found each other!

[@shazbottflamingo8367]

He's a true Wizard, can fix anything, fabricate anything, he's a natural with mechanics. Sparks is lucky to be able to employ him. It isnt one-sided.

[@CasuallyCommentingBaseThings]

It’s a win-win for them both.

[@Zero.0ne.]

Recently found Alan's channel through HeavyD's. Makes me want to try being less stressed when working on stuff.

[@NathanCEnyart]

I am very impressed with the excavator. Set for five years then starts and moves after a little work. Now I see why they call you the wizard. You sir are a good man.

[@Kathy98363]

Thank you.Alan. I enjoy watching your videos. Keep Smiling. Stay Safe. God Bless You! ❤🙏

[@Ganiscol]

This is content I like to watch, even though my earth moving equipment consists of only a shovel 😅 Its just so interesting to see solutions for problems because you never know when you can put it to use or adapt it to something else. And aside from that, Alan is a good presenter and pleasant to listen to! 👍

[@TheDudeDoctor]

I think I'm speaking for everyone that it would be awesome if you could make a video on your history before you appeared on youtube Alan. Your knowledge of so many different applications is incredible and I would love to hear where you acquired it!

[@billwoolmer8495]

100% agree

[@Oldtimered]

He did say he learned a lot from his Dad.

[@CORNFEDsinner]

I agree... I'd love to know his story

[@fostercathead]

Some people are born knowing everything.

[@Ganiscol]

@@fostercathead that would be the people who are curious and willing to learn 😉

[@jefferywells2288]

Sanding the cylinders was something that most people would overlook and he teaches like a wizard!

[@AdventurousJohn]

He didn't show WIPING IT OFF after sanding it! So, for "teaching" thats a bad thing to miss. I'll bet he did it before he lubed the outside of them though...

[@DJtheDad]

70's-90's tractors and excavators were made to run forever. New stuff is overcomplicated and short-lived. Love seeing old dinosaurs ressurected!!

[@MikeBaxterABC]

The old excavator stats up and runs like a TOP!! .. I wager the engine alone is worth twice what he paid for the unit (as scrap price he mention)

[@TrissyT73]

Alan needs a line of merchandise hats and wizard sticks to start. Love what you do bro 😎

[@Oldtimered]

His Wizard Staff is a Closed Metric SAE Crescent Pliers, with a BFH on the other end.

[@TrissyT73]

@@Oldtimered absolutely 🤣

[@heypeanuts]

can't wait to airbnb at the top of the mountain and share a beer with the wizard watching the sunset by a camp fire and listening to his amazing stories 🍻

[@backtoobasics]

That NPK switch is your fertalizer switch. When your gettin all wizard like on the edge, flip that switch and squeeze tight, you may fertalize the seat!!! Great to see the old iron getting some love

[@MarkoMygun]

Thank you Allan for this nice long video we really like the long one's. Don't worry we like them so please make some more. It's a lot of fun watching you achieve your goals. Can't wait for you to get the Excavator working the way it should. I know you can really use that Excavator and the big loader to finally fix the road.

[@jessealvarado6939]

That was picked clean wow and great update on everything have a great day brother 👊🙏🇺🇸😎

[@jefferywells2288]

Your attention to detail is impeccable sir😊, I love your videos and can't wait for the next one!

[@Janet-sf3tq]

Hands on ,is your best teacher, and your explaining, helps all of us wondering , why you do what you do, love it!!

[@johnwinden8511]

Hi Mr. Wizard! We really enjoy your videos. They always seem to be interesting. I’m sure envious of your big collection of old stuff. I’ve always been very attracted to old military equipment, I believe I could spend hours drooling all over fleet etc. 😊 Thanks for what you do, John

[@jimkhana007]

I love watching your videos and always eager to see the latest uploads and updates and see what your up to next. You’re just such an inspiration to watch. Thanks as always for all the content and bringing us with you on your journey and adventures 👍

[@Horsewomann]

I really enjoy watching you fix those machines. I wish I knew more about mechanical stuff, but I’m a nurse and (try to) fix people instead.

[@johntenhave1]

You are a master at bringing the old and broken back to life. well done!

[@Ktgsvtrdg66]

I remember when you 1st showed us that machine when Dave came to visit the fortress. Great job getting it running!

[@briandean7206]

Allen I wanted to thank you for your clean channel and also for sharing your faith on your Easter message keep up the great work!

[@tammyulrich3481]

All u guys.are awesome wish I had friends as loyal as u all take care and be safe oh and have fun

[@glenwestphal7510]

Aug. 10th, 2023 @ 1:54pm central time , Wisconsin . Mr. ALLEN , DUDE YOUR CHANNEL IS AWESOME !! Keep up the good work, it doesn't matter what your working on just as long as your working on something because it's interesting no matter what it is because it's something I'm learning about and finally we get to see you working on your own stuff ! And as long as your putting out new content after I Bing watch all the other ones I'll be logged on amd liking and trying g to share your channel , would love to see you Succeed and make your own money to finish this amazing place and maybe fi d yourself helpers , because I know for a fact when your asked to help someone, I'm pretty sure you do and don't get paid , NEED TO STOP THAT SHIT , only if that someone helps you back ! 😮 keep up the interesting content and if you read someone's negative nelly's comments, stop reading it , they don't pay your bills , might even just delete them all together ! Glen from WI.

[@getoutwithrockandsherri]

Great to see the old John Deere up and moving again!

[@kennethmello5353]

Hey Alan, as I’m sure you probably know all the problems you’re having with that machine moving and rotating or hydraulic problems. Hydraulic pumps hydraulic motors backflow valves. I won hundred percent totally agree with you. That is an excellent machine. And I like you we fix everything that is wrong with it. You cannot beat straight, mechanical anything. No computers or electronics whatsoever except what it takes to start it. It will run forever if you do the proper maintenance and will cost you very little money over a lifetime. Great machine.

[@johnkranz4004]

Great job Alan Glad your getting everything working

[@TheWhatsuptube]

I ran one of these 20 years ago when I was working under ground pipe It is an awesome machine

[@rp1645]

Same here in the late 1970s we had the big JD excavator on a mainline sewer job. The big difference with JD on the excavator was that they made the control with boom movement on the left stick. Just like their rubber tired Backhoe. It was a JD pattern for control. Do you remember the Case/Drott excavator you could switch the control pattern to ( A,B,C,or D) it made it so you could have even foot control. I worked with a Rockery guy who had a Drott/ Cruzair that he had a swivel clamshell bucket that even swung sideways. It took the two big levers plus all 4 foot pedals to run everything the clam bucket could do. He could put big Rockery rocks just perfect when making a wall

[@geraldparker7008]

Glad to see you up there working the snow was crazy its been brutal. Will be good to see warmer weather.

[@Ted_E_Bear]

The Wizard is so smart !

[@Introverted_Outlander]

Every time I watch one of Allen’s videos I see another cool vehicle that I would love to have and can’t find anywhere else.

[@01cdave]

In watching videos I always notice the background geology. Utah became "the Disturbed Land" at the end of the Jurassic Time Period. That is when your mountain came into being.

[@dirtdog1171]

It's awesome watching this channel explode, well done Alan!

[@iainpaton1865]

Keep the great videos coming friend from Scotland 😊

[@LogCap4Jobs]

You're like th' Clint Eastwood, OB1 Kanobi and Wizardly Oracle of machinery Alan. Peace from your #1 fan in Costa Rica!

[@calicojack7264]

quality of your Videos are getting so great Pro Vlogger great work.

[@edmobrad765]

This young 29 old man is doing deadly stuff.

[@garyhopkinssr8561]

Right on Alan you got a lot done today really impressive that excavator is going to be very helpful there on the mountain no doubt I'm impressed my friend hang in there and keep on trying

[@djeoutdoors]

You definitely deserve the title “Wizard” interesting to watch. 👍

[@douglasjarvi9803]

Hi Alan, Just a thought, Before you swap the track drive motors You should check the main and circuit pressures. I'm betting that the relief valves have lost some of their adjustment over time and is causing your slow/weak hyd. problems

[@Prihoda15]

Or maybe a swivel joint

[@ernestcommerford5590]

Check the filters on the hydraulic system if there pluged with wàter or dirt

[@zachtaylor9834]

You know Alan doesn’t have time to read this 😂

[@lewismocaby3646]

Was watching you work on the polish rods on the boom. Quick tip for polishing evenly on those. About a wrap and a half of emery cloth all the way around the polish rod and use an old spark plug wire wrapped all the way around the cloth. Then you just pull back and forth on the plug wire tails while working up and down the polish rod helps make polishing more even and faster. Then you can work your way down to about 2000 or 2500 grit wet/dry sandpaper to keep from eating up the wiper seals on the cylinders. Wouldn’t hurt to see if Sparks has a flow meter that you can test your flow to the travel motors and out of them. Might possibly be a restriction on the travel manifold. Another possibility is the bypass/case drain on that system bleeding off causing low pressure which can also be in the two speed hydraulic manifold. Good luck with your hydraulic nightmares, I don’t miss that stuff and honestly feel for you having to educated guess your way thru it. BTW the idlers did originally use heavy oil and the track rollers did too. The pins on the track chains also rust up pretty tight but they oddly enough depend upon mud or wet dirt to keep them running smoothly just like a dozer and the mud/wet dirt helps take up a bit of slack in them as well. I know it’s wacky to think but they’re only intended to be shiny and new till they’re sold off the lot then they depend upon dirt and mud to keep ‘em running smooth.

[@bluikkso]

I sure hope he read this one.

[@twodogsyyc6729]

Hour long Wizard vid. Made my day!!!

[@richardford4570]

Farmcraft 101 youtube channel has done a video on testing pressure ect .good luck Alan .cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@OuradventuresGU]

You have to have tools and supplies for every eventuality Alan, with your wizard 🧙‍♂️ powers it won’t be long till you have everything sorted!

[@royalblue4967]

fun puttin around w you thanks for the knowledge

[@stellacatfish]

It's alive!! The Wizards done it again!

[@toddvail2630]

Looks like a good bit of progress!!! Look forward to more!

[@ednaroberts6500]

Love your videos and your expertise on fixing just about anything you touch . You are amazing.

[@renoflames]

You got a Heck of a place there. I like it...

[@popilirol]

Michigan 275A Series II, I love this machine.

[@DirectCurrent4u]

Super nice machine! Keep up the great work! Stay safe out there!🙏🏻👍

[@bisket2003]

Good on you Alan! Investing in yourself and your setup. Having those big machines available to use whenever needed is going to drastically help you get your projects done easier and faster. great stuff!

[@rossstanford9182]

I like when you do repairs to the machines that you explain what and how you are doing it

[@addhoardingprocrastinator]

careful on the idea of adding stronger hydraulic motors, it might take longer but you might want to just clean of the rust and corrosion in the track system. I once replaced a 13HP motor with a 18HP motor on a mower and it would strip out the transfer towers from the belt pulleys to the blades. Had to replace those towers twice before realizing to go to towers for 18HP instead of 13. Then the mounting holes were not the same. By a relative gave me there old mower and they got a new one.

[@vigilante004]

Thanks buddy! I really enjoy watching you do what you do. I wish I could rent a room in your fortress and help you out in the yard. I’m sure I’d learn a lot.

[@zackgross6456]

Love the video

[@detroit6v723]

Verry nice allan looking forward to see these 2 monster in action!

[@edwardwilliams9874]

Good beautiful morning brother time to GIT R done

[@BFT88]

Both of those machines are awesome. Well worth keeping

[@jefferywells2288]

The care for the equipment is the most important thing. In that environment, you have to be self reliant.

[@jeannebeal4924]

Amazing wizardness!

[@naudiatf2791]

smartest guy on youtube honestly

[@diggerd9267]

Always a pleasure to watch you working Allen 👍 keep them videos coming 😃

[@lotharschiese8559]

Whatever it is you need to be doing, especially the most challenging, grabs our interest. Just keep doing! It does not so much matter what it is you do, but it does do matter that you do do it! Mahatma Gandhi

[@Hh11873]

You look tire, please take time to rest. Too much work, cold weather and just the thought that there is just so much to do. Would not like to see you get sick. Consider what your priorities are and what is absolutely necessary to work on. Love all your videos. Way to go Wizard!!!

[@peterbogdan9176]

I can't wait to see it dig something 😂🎉

[@benschlack5814]

Always good to hang out with the wizard

[@clarencewiles963]

🎉 C & C Equipment on KZbin has of late been doing work on tracks😊 I think you could see he is using 90wt. Gear oil 😅 so much for guessing 😂 Yeah you’re doing great work. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@joeloyd56]

Thanks for the content

[@No_t_hing]

You have many 100 tons of metal on your property, so much that you could buy machines that work, so you can get something done! But maybe that's not the point! ❤

[@petergrimes2466]

Congrats on 100k subscribers!!!!!!!!!!!! nice machine work and glad you are getting some of them running

[@hectoralejandro4343]

You are Amazing Smart, Intelligent, I love your content! Thank you! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@mp194801]

WIZARD you need your wand for that thingy thing - track bucket dozer thingy!!! She's a rust bucket Wizard sitting too long - WOW!!! Rust bucket moves needed hydraulic fluid - good old CRC lease those sticky parts but still she needs to be sitting in an antique tractor museum she's moving like a tortoise - she's a BIG MEAN BEAST & high maintenance. John Deere's is still in business going strong with more and more motor inventions. Grease & more grease what you got to lose a "John Deere 890" = Good luck with the oil. Great progress Wizard man of many skills and learning knowledge. Wizard it's stuck in full stop LOL!!! Yes, it is a very impressive machine for the 1940-50s it would have done it's job well and now it needs to retire and have an "old man's permanent sleep" for little boys to play on!!!

[@100SteveB]

Making some nice progress there, Alan. Will be great once the weather settles down again for you.

[@marionnatale8230]

Alan, you gotta be the hardest working man I have ever seen or heard of. Young man…take time to smell the Roses. 🙏❤️

[@FletcherBuccowich]

Gotta get that nice cross-hatched pattern on the shafts

[@danielsojourner267]

Great video!!

[@josephmaughan1635]

Alan I am definitely not an expert on the John Deere but here's something I've learned, there should be a filter on the suction side of the hydraulic pump find it and check it it might be completely clogged.

[@f.k.burnham8491]

Since you have the window missing and the water comes in, I would strongly suggest replacing the fuse holders and all the switches with marine grade that are waterproof.

[@krissfemmpaws1029]

Allan I'm picking through my memory and don't recall any quarks on these older machines. But I suspect it's a combination of things with your track drive, worn pump, worn drive motors and worn o-rings in the valve body and control solenoids. It doesn't take much leakage in any one of them to degrade the performance of the system. The easiest to work on would be the drive motors, the hardest will be the valve body. I've spent many hourss in the bowls of an excavator... At least the layout on this one makes service work a bit earlier.

[@edwardwilliams9874]

Looks like the packing they use on older water truck pumps. Packed many of them growing up lol

[@Jammer.1]

On the mountain truck it might be the fuel pump or the little pump on the carb so check those before taking the carb apart

[@SteveRivett]

I just looked up the specs and that excavator holds 92 gallons of hydraulic fluid just in the reservoir. :)

[@fyerfyter339]

Good video. Unlimited projects there. Get some firecrackers and start throwing them around and in the fortress as you approach. That mountain lion will hopefully run away before it makes you a meal. Be aware.

[@effoffutube]

killer back-on-top vid

[@georgedreisch2662]

Y’all flashing me back, to living a independent/ solo lifestyle, and having a dozen vocations. Never enough time for all the directions things will take you. Time to prioritize and narrow down to what gives the best bang for the effort and long term contributes to the ultimate goal.

[@londonlivin3901]

Alan, Alan, Alan!

[@alucarder]

Great video

[@LLJW4]

You did it! Very nice job :)

[@lotharschiese8559]

42:00 Ain't it amazing just how sensitive our fingers are to discover imperfection.

[@hardyhodge2538]

YyyeeeeHaaaa Allen you should know that I'm living vicariously through you right now because I had back surgery recently through the VA and now I can't walk 😢so I do what I can using a walker 😂 but after awhile I start hurting so bad that I have to lay down uuuuhhhhgggg 😂😂😂

[@memoryim]

Loved your video Alan.

[@emerson2you]

Get it running let’s build something new and nice ❤❤❤❤❤

[@knoester7714]

Good job getting the excavator running and the loader and pickup running

[@cjsmith1760]

Was pleased to see you parked it with as many rams retracted as was possible. Having room has it's advantages.

[@PiezPiedPy]

Tbh I didn't expect the 890 to start so easy.

[@greggiverson7606]

I have heard ATF and acetone are a better penetrating oil than WD40. It would also be cheaper in the quantities you would need. Great videos. I grew up in Benton Harbor MI where Clark equipment was.

[@philipfleming3546]

Great work Alan, try putting the bucket out on side of track an seeing if it will lift the track off grown. Then rotate tracks one at a time to exercise them.

[@stewartcollins7728]

Hi mate If your struggling to get grease into a joint you can place a hydraulic porta power hand pump on the joint and force oil through then apply the grease. Hope this helps oh shout out from sydney Australia. Love the videos

[@camocarl3059]

M880 HEAVEN

[@nathandavidson4244]

Great video Allen. These types of videos are nice to watch . Keep it up