RARE MINI TRACTOR - Can We Fix It?

A very rare and very rusty mini tractor left abandoned for years . Can I get it running and driving?
Rare 1980's Mini Tractor
Thank you to my Patrons
/ daggerwin
Music by Epidemic Sound

[@tvctorj]

I vote for a full on resto of this beauty!

[@Eddiee757]

No. Keep it original

[@NurdRage777]

@@Eddiee757 at least clear coat so it does not rot further away.

[@_Not_Retarded]

take a picture of it for posterity and turn it into an offroad buggy

[@anthonystractorrepairs4476]

full restoration

[@gameyord7182]

Yessir

[@stokesjo82]

That wasn’t a restoration, that was a resurrection!

[@charleseagan2344]

Would love to see it repainted and looking like new. Beautiful little tractor!

[@JohnLast-mh3qr]

Me too!!😀

[@railmeat]

I agree. Cleaning up and repainting would add a lot. But it would also be a lot of work.

[@natefessler3961]

Thank you for teaching me to be braver with old equipment like this! Today I bought a "broken" self-propelled Troy-Bilt with a 6-horse Briggs. Paid 5 dollars US. Cleaned a fouled spark plug, and it started right up! Think I'll try cleaning the carb next. Thanks for sharing your craft with us :)

[@bobmacrae8395]

Awesome find. Never ceases to amaze me how tough these old machines were made compared to today’s versions. Great vid!

[@kevinwiebe4136]

I think this one deserves a full restoration

[@richardcline1337]

It would be great to see it happen. Even if the grill and some other parts have to be made differently than what was there originally, it would still be a good little tractor.

[@mrvein5934]

my thought exactly. lots of work, but what a good looking little tractor.

[@cposwn]

I agree!

[@JohnSmith-yn8pl]

I would add a grill and a better seat. Try to to keep it more original. Many folks will like it. Thanks

[@rypkepaulusma]

I agree, and I saw a nice little wagon to go along with it.

[@fordfan3179]

It's so refreshing watching something like this done right. I just finished watching a guy from Vietnam rebuild an engine with a butter knife and a hammer. Got bless him he got it running but I'm sorry, I just needed this level of craftsmanship this morning! Thank you.

[@MarkMeadows90]

My grandfather would be proud of something like that being restored/resurrected. He did things like that often in the past, especially to old lawnmowers, tillers, and other small machinery. Great job my friend. Now, let's see a full restoration on this beauty of a machine!

[@Shadowsoul2701]

The second I saw this video I was reminded of my own mini tractor that's also super rare, it's a Burns B-60 and as far as I know, they only made about 3000 of them. It was in about the same state, having been left in a crumbling shed, rapidly sinking into the ground, until I got it. It's one of a kind, and awaiting restoration currently.

[@thomasdrury1600]

Everyday I look forward to another restoration video and I can appreciate the work more as I've eventually started to learn and start my own projects. Thank you.

[@MachineryRestorer]

More full restoration videos coming soon. Many thanks!

[@thomasdrury1600]

@@MachineryRestorer I can't wait, thanks

[@duardo.com9267]

@@thomasdrury1600 A

[@mykeg2401]

@@thomasdrury1600 same, he makes it very approachable. Iv fixed a few things applying his knowledge of small gas’s engines. I was able to get an old chainsaw working again after just cleaning up the carburetor. His content is awesome looking forward to more.

[@thomasdrury1600]

@@mykeg2401 Yes definitely, I love the detail he goes into. That's great to hear. I managed to get a couple of old strimmers going and a little push mower, They still need tweaking to run perfect, but that's a job for during the winter.

[@jeffr0]

very nice job, Daggerwin. This had to be a labor of love. no way it was worth this much time and effort to do. However, from this end of the camera, it's very satisfying to watch. thanks for all your work.

[@warbirdwf]

There's simply nothing more satisfying than rebuilding a seized or worn out engine. When it coughs back to life post rebuild, it's a great feeling. I just read that Briggs and Stratton was purchased out of bankruptcy by an investment group. This group has the capitol, experience and also hired a new CEO to hopefully get it back on the right path for decades of success. American's need to keep these legacy companies alive! So many have folded or shipped ALL their manufacturing overseas. WE all need to support the remaining American manufacturing companies that keep Americans employed.

[@randallcarney1216]

They use to build great engines like this flathead 5hp ,now their engines are crap! They need to once again start producing high quality engines!

[@richardcline1337]

VW Purist, the problem is the extremely high cost of union labor is why so many have either folded or gone overseas. While I realize people need to make a decent wage sometimes these unions just get outrageously greedy. A great example is what happened to Eastern Airlines. The company was in trouble and trying to stay afloat but the moronic unions refused to back off and help until the company could get back on stable ground. Eastern is now just a memory of what was once one of the premier airlines in the US. When the Obama administration started bailing out the big three auto companies, Ford told them "Thanks but no thanks" as their unions realized they had to work with Ford in order to survive and they did. GM took the money and is now almost as bad as before because the greedy unions keep demanding more while producing some of the crappiest vehicles ever seen on American highways. Chrysler wound up being bought out by Fiat and now we only have Ford and GM as American companies. Unions are like dinosaurs and should have long since gone the same way. They've outlived their usefulness and are just shoving more and more companies and jobs overseas. They NEVER seem to learn.

[@warbirdwf]

@@richardcline1337 Richard, I'm 100% in agreement about unions. They've succeeded in driving many companies out of business or shipping their manufacturing overseas. Detroit is a union city. Look at it now. How many Detroit jobs were moved to Mexico due to the unions wanting to pay an unskilled union worker $35 an hour plus benefits to put a bolt in a bumper on the assembly line. Most foreign car company factories in the USA are in non-union states deep in the south. Unions need to go the way of pensions. The other last century company killer.

[@warbirdwf]

@@randallcarney1216 Their enormous challenge is to diversify their offerings. Many cities and states are now banning fossil fuel powered lawn equipment. I don't see any battery powered engines or lawn and garden equipment. As America goes greener, I see their fossil fuel engine sale opportunities drying up. They need to get this figured out quickly. I've transitioned to battery powered lawn blowers, hedge trimmers, etc. I did because they are so much less hassle than mixing gas, storing gas, the finicky engines, etc. I wouldn't go back to fossil fuel powered lawn/garden equipment.

[@auggie803]

@@randallcarney1216 Wow,All these comments were posted two years ago. Wish there were more recent ones. Anyway i do like that 5 hp tractor that is shown here.

[@masseyman6290]

Very interesting, looking forward to seeing it completely finished.

[@daleyurk4369]

I'm not sure why you aren't speaking much during your videos anymore. I would like to hear your thoughts, concerns, and plans for the projects you're working on. Your videos are excellent and I so look forward to a new one. Keep up the good work!

[@MachineryRestorer]

I normally only narrate the fix up videos (which this video is) however this video started as a full restoration but due to how long it was already taking I had to cut it back to 'will it run' style video. More narrated videos coming soon.

[@MaximusGaming]

I agree! I like to hear your commentary and thoughts on your projects 😀

[@malcolmwatson5983]

I could not agree more, I find you commentary informative it has helped me restore a number of pieces of lawn equipment and classic tractors. The attention to the detail of the restoration is astounding.

[@DanKoning777]

@@MachineryRestorer // I like both narrated and this. Much of what you're doing is clear to most, plus you've shown and explained the process before. I do like the necessary narration due to a new, or rarely seen issue though; those are very helpful. Btw, great video as always.

[@ruben_balea]

I know this would not be the case, but you don't want to hear the "narrative" (🤬) of many mechanics as they fight a seized piston 😂

[@williamnorthmore6077]

Awsome video, thanks for taking the time to show us all. Keep up the great work!

[@willhelm2100]

Good to see someone who takes pride in their work, excellent restoration.

[@tonybaggett1984]

Absolutely amazing. From the filming, editing, and restoration all of it is just incredible. Truly a rare talent.

[@LewisSkeeter]

I love these videos. Keep 'em coming. That's a mountain of work.

[@hilham89]

Loved this video. Glad to see the ol tractor back and running. I had to rebuild a weed eater once. I enjoy the small engine and really enjoyed watching the life coming back into this machine. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

[@ronalddaub7965]

You have to start somewhere

[@d02cjo]

I live in a third floor apartment and will never need to use a tractor or mower, still watch the full videos. Both entertaining and informative, very good work.

[@dorianjacquot366]

will you do a second video with the painting of the entire tractor and so the final restoration ?

[@MachineryRestorer]

It needs refabricating. It still needs a lot of work to get it in perfect restored condition. The clutch needs rebuilding, the steering gears are all worn out and would need remaking, ideally the whole machine would need fully dismantling and sandblasting inc the gearbox. The front grille would be very difficult to manufacture without special machines. So I won't say it will never be restored but after spending 4 months working on this video I need to move onto other machines first. Thanks for watching

[@stegosteg5247]

I appreciate the context!

[@mikespain8655]

4 months to make this video. That is patience and persistence.

[@SuperTabitha22]

Interesting machine. Great to see you getting it to this stage. Surely now worthy of a full restoration?

[@erwickline]

Wow glad I found this channel.. adding it to the list of modern genius's under the "Machine restoration" category.. holy smokes that was impressive.. Thank you

[@cposwn]

Great work. I really enjoy your videos. I've learned a heck of a lot about engines and gearboxes. Thanks for posting.

[@lucinarosa8966]

my dad owned one of these and i still have it and after watching your vids i was able to restore it thanks anf keep up the great work

[@swimspud]

Daggowin I’d really like to know more about you and how you got into small machine work. You have an impressive amount of skills and tools. Whenever I try and fix things it’s very stressful and I feel like I’m stumbling through the dark. Would really enjoy learning how you learned all this.

[@antoniogiordano9044]

Fu

[@NowInAus]

Did you finish restoring it or just stop at the plug? 😂

[@troublemakingpups5787]

You are so lucky!! I have looked for one all my life. When I was young I ran across a guy with two of these tractors like new and I fell in love with them. He wouldn't sell one and I understood.

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

Very methodical Great workmanship Fantastic build Takes me back, to the very first 5 HP that I rebuilt ( N0T restored )

[@agrilou7614]

One fuul restoration of the tractor pllllzzzz

[@oigleoystereater2003]

Some sealer at the front of the gearbox top plate, where the seat frame bolted would be a good idea, it is a good site for water ingress especially if pressure washing the machine.

[@nordishkiel5985]

Yes, that is most likely where the water got in in the first place. Not a great design there, but sealant would give the gearbox a chance.

[@gw4690]

I really like it in it's current state of 'rusty but functional'...superb editing!

[@judithfenske2311]

I like silent background. Well, not silent, your working sounds are perfect, along with the written description part. Thank you.

[@AddictedtoProjects]

Judging by how little wear the engine parts had, this tractor was probably parked early in it's life. The inside of the engine (apart from the piston) looked incredibly clean!

[@robertfandel9442]

That's far from the original engine.

[@ronalddaub7965]

@@robertfandel9442 yup

[@BloodEagle1583]

Being the most unskilled mechanic in the World, I could get it apart, but never get it back together.

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

Skill comes from practice, not all of us are naturals, DON'T let it intimidate you....

[@mikejohnson5491]

Start with small simple things and your confidence will get better. Remember it can only go back together but 1 way right

[@user-hj7ls3lm3x]

Amazingly done, it's great to see it driving :-)

[@thomasjohnson9768]

Wonderful and inspiring job, hope to see more, thanks.

[@atariforever2002]

Man you weren't kidding when you said everything on this machine was seized. When you do that quenching process are you worried about cracking metal? Oh, and another vote for further restoration vids on this thing. (with a voice over would be an added bonus!)

[@jayanderson8338]

Yep he wasn't kidding

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

He did crack the outer race on one wheel bearing and that's something to expect from good bearing material. But not enough heat was added for more than a minor temper change at worst. IMO

[@fredrickseiler4492]

Here's to hoping for a full resto!

[@tedheierman1181]

Nice work. I love the hot degreaser. And you went one step further with the sandblaster. And you cleaned threads by hand. Most use a drill!

[@AJPsWorkshop]

That's a cool little tractor Great job getting it going 👍 looking forward to you next video bud

[@thomasburns272]

Great video! What process do you use to make the decals?

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Good job 👍🏻 Are you going to restore the rest of the tractor or is this just a case that you now have a working donor engine for the next project? 😉

[@huntershortrepairs]

I was wondering the same thing lol!

[@07nworbct]

Another brilliant restoration, really enjoy watching all you videos 👍

[@mauricesullivan8625]

Good job ,well done . Keep up the great work. I didn’t realise a small engine like that would pull a tractor n a man around.👍🏻

[@GrooveyGrubworm]

Do a full restoration please 😀 also I wonder how much weight it can pull since it has the gear reduction.

[@dr.skipkazarian5556]

You've done an excellent rebuild on this but I am curious to know why you didn't complete the restoration to include the frame and sheet metal....as we all know, rust never sleeps.

[@MachineryRestorer]

A lot more work than it appears. That would be a completely separate video

[@sevedlundberg3217]

@@MachineryRestorer n byggherren

[@joshuaperry9375]

​@@MachineryRestorer are you going to fully restore it?

[@markroth9827]

Looking forward to the tractor restoration. Thank you for your video.

[@djhscorp]

Great job.Love to see this kind of work. Well done you.

[@beboboymann3823]

When you spray paint an engine with a dark color, why don’t you try scraping the outside edges of the cooling fins for a shiny exposed aluminum finish? That would be impressive.

[@specwar64]

I must say that i was rather disappointed that you put that shiny,new engine into that dirty,rusty frame. I thought you would have blasted,primed and painted it,as well as the body panels and made the entire tractor look like new. 😕

[@TheGreatdane56]

Agreed!!!!

[@Tractors101]

Hes stated elsewhere in the comments, but despite what you see, these restorations don't happen in a week! he said he spent about 4 months just on this engine in another comment. In my hobby (vintage Cub Cadet garden tractors) some guys do restorations that take 2 or 3 YEARS to complete. So give the guy a break, at least he made this a video at all.

[@specwar64]

@@Tractors101 Perhaps he should make a 2nd video then.

[@Tractors101]

@@specwar64 I personally don't think he needs to. I love the look of a rusty patina'd machine. But that's just my preference.

[@specwar64]

@@Tractors101 My preference is for a machine that looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. If im a prospective buyer,petina isn’t going to sell me your tractor and that tractor looks a little beyond the petina stage,and is in the “some parts need to be fabbed up because they’re rusty” stage. After rebuilding it,a unique paint job would make it one of a kind. Perhaps an Aztec Gold base coat,with about 3 coats of Candy Brandywine and maybe 3 coats of clear…….all by House of Kolor by the way. Bottom line is make it look as good as it runs.

[@travelinman70]

The graphics on this sim game is incredible. sounds are spot on too!!! Tractor looks perfect for using around grapes and olives!

[@henriknordeng]

I really hope this is getting a full restoration. Love that machine

[@andreacrashe9894]

Please can you now take out the engine and strip the tractor right down and restore her back to her full glory... by sandblasting all parts, anti-rust her and give her another paint job in her original colour of RED and WHITE wheel trim... cos she truly needs to be properly restored...

[@teddyenriquez3429]

It was indeed a good restoration. Better still if it was repainted and cleaned.

[@benwilliams1298]

I am very excited to spend the next hour watching this. Thankyou!

[@alterdphsycosis]

fantastic machine man! the full resto is gonna be a beauty. but the drive chain is scary lol. great job man!

[@danbasta3677]

I'm staunch Kohler engine guy, however I won't kick a Briggs And Straton engine . I'll thank them over a Tecumseh or definatly over an Onan engine.

[@lukeeeboy2212]

Face reveal

[@philipm1009]

Now that was class , lovely little Briggs Stratton tractor 😎👌

[@murphymmc]

What a great little tractor. Very nicely done.

[@ZygmuntKiliszewski]

I admire the meticulousness of the renovation. Congratulations 👌.

[@user-ph2tm7nx5o]

It's a cool little garden tractor, but at first, it needed everything replaced or fixed . You did a great job.👍

[@Dagrond]

I remember shop class in highschool, taking in my Dad's lawn mower to rebuild. Instructor didn't teach though, just kept saying "put it back together". Left it there in pieces. Learned more from this video than I did in that class.

[@mikejohnson5491]

Was taught by a older friend about things only going back together but 1 way right. Bought basket cases of motorcycles and would rebuild them

[@Hukon]

Very nice little tractor, she deserves a full restoration! I recently did a tractor restoration too. A little Bolens from 1968. It is actually satisfying to do so.

[@Umagunna]

I was SO hoping for a full resto on this. I get why you didn't but I was also disappointed when it didn't happen.

[@jean-lucalexander4719]

This is awesome. Id love one of these to fully restore.

[@aussieboy424]

Hey Daggerwin, I personally watch all your content for entertainment mate . I love vintage survival and survival challenge. It would be really cool if you talked us through what your doing and why . I think the subs would love to hear your voice , maybe some Dennis Jenkins also. Keep up the Great content mate

[@duncanblanchard334]

It made me chuckle when you replaced the recoil into its housing 😬, it’s usually a pretty frustrating operation and rarely goes first time. Great project and excellent filming 👍👍.

[@dazellrankin6710]

yes, great quaility videos

[@jaybd9329]

Great documentary of your skilled work - well done! Subscribed

[@MrPurkle]

There's just something extremely satisfying about laying back and just listening to the sound of all the different birds featuring the crank of ratchets, the clatter of tools, the tapping of hammers, then the grinders come out and scare the life out of you😂😂😂🙄🙄

[@mikeembrey9176]

Our you going to finish the rest of the project,you do great work 👍🏻

[@artemartem1134]

you must have a really good source for NOS parts! looking forward to watching the whole video.

[@frankdeegan8974]

I think some parts are available local and some parts expensive and a long wait from the states.

[@dominickfagan4050]

Amazing couldn't stop watching well done

[@shanemcguire170]

Just a suggestion for your Sanding Procedure on the Granite Block. 1. Choosing a piece or Granite or Marble... perfect, I have used a Piece of Tempered Glass for years. Works great too. For the Sand Paper, I have found it more effective to use some thread cutting oil spread on the sand paper. It keeps your work piece from "Jumping" on a small fold in the paper, and forces the paper to smooth out. Plus I only use the paper for one time use. So after the block and cylinder head, I toss it into the garbage. Sometimes save a small piece for a stubborn gasket. Just a suggestion.

[@ronanmc2112]

I like that you use the same piece of lawn to test your projects. You need a sign for it - ‘The Machinery Restorer Proving Grounds’.

[@larrykelly2838]

Neat little tractor, great restoration.

[@4x4BMW]

These are just awesome I hope to stumble across one someday . Just to move stuff and trailers around the yard

[@jwg19444]

👍That was a wonderful engine and drive train restore. What type of implements would it of had? As heavy duty as it appeared, I'd say some sort of gardening disc, cultivator, or plow for a small garden bed. Thanks for sharing.

[@msantiago5150]

Might be small but the construction on this beauty is pretty heavy! Love it!!! 👍🏻

[@texleeger8973]

Restored to near original condition. 100 points. Good for another 50 years. P.S. Glad to see the Barnyard Dazzle E42 camo scheme was retained. Cornwall mud and crumbly rust over red fade. Perfect.

[@russse2793]

Didn't realize at first how small your tractor was, and how long it actually took to get it to this point. I agree with you that it just might not be worth it to go the full restoration route, but it sure was good to see it putt putt around your yard. God bless.

[@Tractors101]

Now this reminds me of the stuff we have over in America. I love a good old garden tractor.

[@lindathrift4805]

Ur patience is amazing

[@effortlessrob1114]

You truly are a master of your craft

[@knirvisser377]

Wow, such an informative and entertaining video man!!! Thanks

[@131dyana]

Great rebuild. Nice job.

[@bige9055]

Good job on the Engine and gearbox. Your halfway done. 👏🤜🏽🤛🏻👍

[@Timico1000]

Nice to see that it is alive, great work! I just wonder what these mini tractors were used for? Seems to be to small for "bigger" tasks, it is just as big as a normal lawn tractor.

[@Kiera9977]

Mate it's winter now and I love to hear those birds in the background 😌

[@mygrammieis]

What a Awesomely cool restoration.. 👏

[@liamgibson7471]

God! I wish I had half the skill you have! That was amazing! No 10% of the skill you have! Superb!

[@war7334]

A lick of paint is all she needs now.Nice job bringing her back to life.

[@malcolmwatson5983]

High quality restoration and video work alway a treat when you post a new video

[@malcolmwatson5983]

I wonder if you would consider doing a video on the tools you use and perhaps your workshop. Having worked on alot of rusty lawn equipment I would find it helpful to understand the tools and statigies you employ while doing your renovations

[@AZVIDS]

Very nice, cute tractor, nice work as usual!👍👍👍

[@FarmerkingGeorge]

Absolutely luv the restorations

[@JamesDeese]

I learn everytime I watch you.

[@ElPadre50340]

Excellent one, nice job !!

[@jackborges4290]

thank you for this resurrection. Job well done sir.

[@deniecebyrd7960]

Great job. Enjoyed watching.

[@corydriver7634]

Very well done to this point and certainly above my skill level but I was disappointed you didn’t finish the job and gave no explanation why.

[@stevend9124]

I could watch videos like this all night 👍👍👍👍