FORGOTTEN Steiger Bearcat! Will it start and drive home?

I found a forgotten Steiger Bearcat, might as well just add it to the collection!

[@arlodewald5378]

There's a very good possibility that I had a small hand in building that tractor . For the most part I work in the plant that built them . Did most of final assembly on the pink panther Steiger tractor , I seen it on a U Tube video about a year ago . Also installed a lot three point hitches on them and would also change tires to the right size to fit the orders . They would also painted some blue for ford as well only a few A C 's tractors . International used Steiger frames only had their own engines , transfers ,transmission, axles rims . The frist pto versions of Steiger's were a real problem , We had close to two hundred built that were pulled off the assembly line and parked outside until they were able to get the bugs worked out . Some very bad management that caused there bankruptcy . To assembly supervisor and a few of the engineers knew just enough to be dangerous . There were about ninety seven percent of the workforce that were very great workers . Than a few relatives families who hardly had a clue of how to do thier job's . I try to get the foreman portion , but was given to the super's son in law . I had to train my foreman to do his job , after almost two months of training he still could not get the job done . Everyone would bypass him and come to me so we could get tractors completed , out the door to be shipped . After I gave up on trying to train him and do the foreman's job , and just did only my job . The supervisor of assembly part of the plant fired me . May I say I did give him a piece of my mind . He got so scared of me and alot of the other workers ,he went to his little shack and watched as I walked out . He fired me and hour before the plant shut down on Friday. Out of respect for me the assembly line shut down for rest of the day . A lot of the people who I worked around line up to shake hands and what'd to know why I was fired . I have to agree that the braking system was very simple , but not built to handle the size of those tractors if they were overly used . That setup would have been okay for parking brakes only .

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Thanks for sharing!

[@brentbraaksma9316]

If you have any thoughts on unsticking a clutch on a panther 2, let me know!

[@stacydavid1350]

What memories One of the the 1st tractors I learned to operate. Brings back good memories

[@America-First2024]

You are amassing the most envious of tractor collections! 👍🏻

[@erlingnorheim6714]

Nice to hear your friend telling about your good friendship and common interest (and competition). Sounds like I have a lot to learn from you guys when it comes to old tractors.. :-)

[@iainpaton1865]

Cool tractor friend please keep the great videos coming friend from Scotland 😊

[@glenbeckner8147]

When your wife finds out she's gonna be so happy lol.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

She didn’t even make me sleep in it lol

[@karlfischer1011]

​@@jtsbarnngrill6873 tko where you stood? 💤😂

[@vernegriffis5457]

Looking forward to seeing you fix this one JT. You are one of my favorite KZbin channels. I like how you keep it real!

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Thanks! This should be a great project!

[@Don_ECHOguy]

That was a great find and I always loved to see the different model Steiger's in the fields or on the roads... there was no mistaking them from any other tractor.

[@lancenutter1067]

Ha! I had to fix and finish one of those, sitting in a field near Delta Jct. Alaska. Got it running then realized it had no brakes. Well, drove it around anyway and parked it and told the farmer. Was a cool experience.

[@canvids1]

Just fantastic video, great to hear that old Cat engine coming to life.

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

I retired in 2012, long time ago, feels like. It sounds good man, great job.

[@chadtosh6831]

The exhaust leak should take care of the mice, rats, etc. lol. Looks like a good tractor. I’m pretty partial to old 4wd versatiles though. Got three 700 versatiles now. Lots of them Steiger up here, even some painted orange for CCIL.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I like the old Versy’s too! Big and simple just like the Steiger. Built well!

[@cynthiatrombley4325]

Great video, JT! Turd Ferguson had a new friend, Mean Green, or Steiger Tiger, maybe Bearcat Brute......

[@Fieldman12]

Good to see a Steiger on the farm. They are hard to beat. The old Steigers I have heard before have brake issues. You can call it the hulk! LOL

[@diersirrigation]

I ran a Bearcat II for 5 years back in the early 80's. Same tire setup, wider tires on the inside than the duals.

[@steveg8337]

We had that exact same tractor. Bought it brand new thought we were top shelf lol. We overhauled the 3208 once then dad put an l10 Cummins in it that came from a wrecked semi. Did it all by himself. I was working away from the farm that winter. The whole swap worked out great. He cut the front end off of it and extended it around a foot or so. And yeah that exhaust isn't original 😂

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

Great vid brings back memories of those cold hearted monsters.

[@nellsonstout7001]

Fun fact: you could get those with Massey Ferguson adjustable bar axles, I believe the same as in your 1805

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I have seen the bearcat 2’s with Massey axles. Same engine and axles… 😊. Lol

[@KelvinWorkman]

love the content tho.. Im a farm kid from Illinois Im in arizona now and miss tractors!

[@bl688]

Central Indiana handful of guys still run old stiger 4x4. It's really cool to still see the old dinosaur used

[@nellsonstout7001]

I’ve only ever seen one. Where are the ones you’re seeing?

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

We used those big monsters and John Deere wheeled dozers to plow snow on Base in Utah and over in Kyrgyzstan. Beasts and fun to drive.

[@cesargallo7424]

Nice find JT. The tractor seems to be in good shape, you just need to file it the nails, comb the hair and it is ready to roll!

[@SODAK2276]

Nice purchase! I noticed you didn't have your wife follow you home, good move she doesn't need to know till you get it home! Haha

[@waggtech4883]

It will be a nice surprise when she pulls into the driveway!

[@waynemclachlan6480]

You're going to have fun with this big old girl ...Cat motor you can't go wrong , a little TLC and a few $$ this tuff mean green machine will be purring like Fluffy 😊 ... Nice to have good mates with the same interests like your neighbour to help out now and then . I'll be interested in seeing your progress on the Bear-Cat.

[@dertrommler2112]

Did Fluffy approve of this??? Don’t want to make your supervisor mad! Lol

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

She gave me two claws up 😉. And then came in the house with little oily footprints after a through cat scan lol

[@oldtractorandcats6352]

Love the tractors hard to beat tractors

[@CircleTFarms419]

Great find , I love the Steiger’s

[@backpi]

Mean Joe Green is from my town Temple Texas. My mom went to school with him.❤

[@markbrubaker8585]

I have a neighbor that would bring "treasures from the past" home all the time. The last time his wife gotta new kitchen. He sorta slowed down after that. Odd how that works. 😆

[@ShainAndrews]

I know a lot of farms that could build one of those from scratch today. Dead simple machine. Not a curve anywhere. A CNC laser or plasma table and start carving up some plates.

[@prevost8686]

The rubber on it looks pretty decent.👍

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Not bad. At least they’re not all weather checked.

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

Great job 👍 I'll give you 👍👍 ! If you video Mrs.JT assessment on the funny John Deere color tractor. Whoops I already gave you 2 thumbs up.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Thanks 👍 😉

[@LolaBgcps]

The sound wasn't so bad. Good video, keep them coming.

[@zerogravity8465]

At least you got the best old tractor in the world

[@ronaldunderwood4353]

That's purdy nice old tractor u got there, just give it a little TLC and it'll be fine

[@kurtreinhardt6789]

Great find

[@thuggoe]

beautiful tractor

[@williamherold1776]

Steiger is the best tractor out there

[@BriggsStratton11]

Congratulations on the new tractor! I'm excited to see the paint video, it'll be sharp. Maybe this fall if you have time?

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

If not sooner 😉

[@nellsonstout7001]

@@jtsbarnngrill6873 for the love of god PLEASE keep the grille and wheels red and repaint the planetary hubs red😤😤😤that’s what makes the series 1s pop

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Well, that is true, but not what I had in mind. Sorry for the letdown

[@bruceklassen8261]

Any saved Tractor is a good day

[@timsorley7960]

Needs the fuel injection advanced to compensate for timing gear wear exhaust will clean right up

[@knothead8251]

I have one of those 3208 s in a motor home... they hum right along , but they smoke a lot until they warm up... Camp grounds don't like it much but it gets 10 mph easily, at 70 mph all day long

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

That’s quite respectable considering what it’s doing! I’ve not had much trouble with 3208’s. Just need to use them as they were expected 😉

[@timdyer6196]

Happy for you. Look to far out in the country for a motel 6. She will be so happy 😂

[@bruceklassen8261]

Just started watching your channel ….. love it

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Thank you!

[@duanebolen543]

Make sure you check the lower end on that they had lots of problems with the rod and main in them 3208 engine's

[@markmullins4222]

Well he could always fix it up for his wife and send her out to the fields to help ham get the work done faster LOL

[@nicklovell8148]

Brother JT, I love yer work your skill and your passion but not buying a red one? Call me old fashioned but if it ain’t Massey Ferguson what’s the point! ( although I did once have a Ford 7000 and I loved it as much as my 185 Massey.) That was 45 years ago and in my opinion the old iron ladies are still the best. Blessings from Victoria, Australia.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Good point, but, Price was right. Didn’t have to truck it. Still has cool factor 😆. There will definitely be more masseys in the future here!

[@brianhoxworth3881]

I'm working on a massy 175 with the perkins 236. It hadn't been started in 30 years. Fired right up on starting fluid , l was amazed. Lots of stuff to do on it though.

[@douglaskauffman2692]

JT i love all your vids, but i would like a grilling tip sometime

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Perhaps I can accommodate that 😉

[@martinhiemstra5067]

Too bad that cab is so brutal. Otherwise tough old beast. Like the music.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I think once I get some cab foam in and a radio and a little paint inside it won’t be as bad. Hopefully.

[@martinhiemstra5067]

@@jtsbarnngrill6873 I've watched interviews with the Steigers. Why no windows that open at least in one of those. Always had huge respect for the Steigers and Peter Pakosh founder of Versatile. Designing things on drafting tables has to be a maddening process.

[@martinhiemstra5067]

It's a big impressuve tractor looking from behind good luck with it.

[@martinhiemstra5067]

@@jtsbarnngrill6873 I regret not getting the Bearcat toy version of the COOP Implements orange tractor. I saw a toy version of same as an Allis Chalmers toy and I saw an Allis Chalmers bearcat for sale a few years ago. Unique interesting tractor.

[@brocluno01]

Nice catch. I see an NA 3208. Lotta possibilities there. They can go all the way up to 300HP with the 1W Marine build kit w oil cooled pistons. I'd prolly just Turbo it as it and single stack it. Should help with the smoke and exhaust noise. Can you find the hood for it?

[@richardnorthern6945]

Stiger with a cat engine don't get no better than that

[@1one3_Racing]

I learnt to drive a tractor in an old Steiger Tiger

[@edmikula9637]

Damn you get the neatest toyz. Put a belly mower on that sucker and show everyone who's the neighborhood stud! Seems like a really nice machie, hope it dosen't turn into a can of worms

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Thanks! Hopefully I can work out all the bugs without too much trouble.

[@ardtessa]

Great find JT ! And thanks to Mr. JT's neighbour ! I hope you got the hood with it ? Cheers, Ard

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Yep! Hood is in the truck

[@Massey-man]

Cool classic there JT, well done with saving it. Pleased you got it home ok, how many miles was it through your lovely countryside ? MF fan from the U.K.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Probably 25 miles give or take.

[@prjndigo]

Could call it "Fiona" and wait for someone to ask you if Fiona is still topless... its the right green.

[@darrellroeters4951]

Joe Green good find

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Right on!

[@douglasmayherjr.5733]

Looks like a decent old Steiger. They were pretty basic old work horses. Surprised to see it had a 3 point hitch. Thanks for the Videos, looking forward to seeing what comes next. Are you going to the semi races at Onaway?

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

That sounds like a fun time! I’ll check into it!

[@erlingnorheim6714]

Steiger is the Case! 😉😂

[@brianwestveer9532]

Love the green machine, I like how can get in from either side, did you get a hood with that

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

That is a great feature on those. The hood was out in the cow pasture, forgot to tour on the camera when I was trying to get it in my truck lol

[@waggtech4883]

The Red Green show takes a new plot twist!

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Yes! 😆

[@MrLisborg]

Right type of green

[@Don_ECHOguy]

The only two greens I have ever liked: Oliver & Steiger

[@darrinlauscher6994]

Man the audio sucked . Oh , it was the best you could do ?? Well that is good enough for me then . Don't ever apologize for doing your best

[@mrfix3474]

A little unusual with a 3 point

[@TimMartin-bh9js]

Hell yell love it

[@ianwille5780]

You should name that tractor the hulk!!

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I like it!

[@Vicsonvee]

The ole motor sounds tired also

[@corydriver7634]

Just found your channel, where are you located? I bet the neighbors are like what’s he bringing home now? 😂

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I’m in mid Michigan. Fortunately my neighbors are all be understanding 😆. I think they look forward to the next treasure lol

[@farminwithfergusons]

nice

[@KelvinWorkman]

bluetooth microphone!!!

[@johndenton5555]

Did he still have the sheet metal engine covers? that MIGHT keep my other half from doing away with me if I brought one home. Seems if things LOOK complete, she doesnt make as much noise.🤣👍🇺🇸😎

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Got all the extra pieces! She will be complete in the next video!

[@michaelcorlett3400]

What happened to the hood JT, this should be an interesting project ,would love to be a fly on the wall when you tell MRS JT, we will look out for the black eye!

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

She always accepts my new projects with open arms 😉. Hood is in the back of the truck. Was out in the cow pasture 😆

[@karlfischer1011]

So how much did you have to pay for the nice words at the end? 😂 Nice find, hope it's more fun than work to refurbish to JT standards! Maybe go all out with the cab on this one...cab kit, ergonomic seat, ozone depleting ac, quadra-phonic sound, disco ball and a strobe light...😀

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I haven’t got the bill yet 😆. I think the cab kit is in order, I put one in turd Ferguson and it make a huge difference in noise levels! I can even hear the radio lol. Hopefully all goes smooth😉

[@stevemccoy8138]

A guy can't have too many tractors, can he ?😅

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Never have too many. 😆

[@Kwappel2]

My dad bought his wildcat st210 with the 3208 cat in early 2000s. That's the tractor i spent hundreds of hours working our quarter with for probably 15 years until i got my own house and he got a bigger versatile. The old steiger hasn't seen use in years but i quite enjoyed the tractor if only the ac worked lol id always open the door that was up wind that was my ac as it always leaked every year. whats with the massive wobble in the rear driveshaft yoke at the 15 min area in the video? is it just camera angle?

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Someone else mentioned that. It has to be the camera. It isn’t doing that in person lol.

[@pleasantviewfarms2084]

You are going to need to find some more ground to farm now

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

That’s for sure!

[@maryellis3661]

Does it have a bonnet

[@cogboy302]

Turd Ferguson? You sure it's not actually called Burt Reynolds? Or Norm?

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Turd Ferguson is the name I lovingly give my Massey Ferguson 1805.

[@Hank77442]

That's hot in all it's industrial, form-follows-function splendor. Can't wait to see a side-by-side with ol Turd Ferguson. Speaking of bad influences though; I guess I'm just gonna have to come back up there and lay a few patches in the 77, to get you goin on that BBO!

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Right on! Soon as that cam shows up she’s back on!

[@Hank77442]

Yes, but where's it gonna end up? Lol

[@Ford7710]

Are you going to get a Ford tractor?

[@aaronjarvenpa1743]

Did Steiger come with V8 cat engines ?

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Yep, a handful of these did

[@nellsonstout7001]

Wildcat, super wildcat, Bearcat, SWC2, Bearcat 2, wildcat 3

[@zomaardan]

Hello JT. How much HP do you talk about with this beast?

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I believe it’s rated at 225 in tractordata.

[@dusanposavac4845]

where is the hood for that thing

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

In the back of my truck.

[@johnfugate3432]

IAM not into the green paint it Massey Ferguson red I want tell I was 16 when that bad boy was made ya red is the color

[@johnnyholland8765]

Honestly why would anyone leave a tractor like that especially a Steiger out in the open with no hood or anything covering it. I just don't understand it. I would give my left n** for one in that condition...

[@pippaul4279]

Feel sad you have ditch the 1155 .why 😢

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Who said anything about ditching the 1155??? It’s not going anywhere

[@pippaul4279]

Good I'm glad 😊 you bit ! We might see some action now .with.1155 🚜👍

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Next week. Already shot the video

[@houstonfirefox]

Body-worn mic - hard to hear

[@vanislandsteve]

👍🏻🇨🇦

[@jeffreykerr8034]

Your drive shaft is moving in and out might wanna check that

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I see what you mean. That looks wild on the video, so I fired up the tractor this morning and it doesn’t do that. Maybe the camera made that effect? I don’t know, but it is definitely tight in there.

[@dsp11000]

Definitely gonna have to have a tug of war between it and the massey

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

That has crossed my mind…it would Be a close call

[@dsp11000]

@@jtsbarnngrill6873 Ile put my money on the 1805

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

I think I would too 😉

[@emerson2youfucoff]

Can’t hear you you need a mic

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Did you miss the first 15 seconds of the video where I explained that I had audio problems?

[@johnholliger5136]

Looking forward to what you do with it. Brakes never work on those. I’ve got a row crop version of the bearcat and a series 2 cougar and tiger. Give me a shout if you need parts.

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Will do! Thanks!

[@gleanerk]

That’ll work out just fine! With your ability, it’ll the the princes of the ball ! In stead of a yard flower

[@jeffhack6839]

The start of the video and that bute of an 1155!!!! Cheers.

[@stevewbeards]

That's awesome. Some parts are a bit pricey and hard to find but they're great tractors

[@tonybunch543]

👍🤣 Here we go again!!! That tractor went to the right home.

[@KelvinWorkman]

Dad had a 50s vintage Allis Chalmers CA, drove Internationals a lot, Minneapolis Molines were always cool. Farmall 8N 9N. i could go on

[@jtsbarnngrill6873]

Right on! I appreciate it!

[@johnwesner3935]

Typical farmer, buy a new tractor and you gotta drive it through town!:)😂

[@BriggsStratton11]

12:40 Was it a private farm auction or a consignment auction? If it was private, maybe you could figure out the sellers name and google it with "auction" and find an old ad with a date on it.

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

A farmer down near my dad's place has one just like that he uses to plow and disk with, noisy nut wow!