Welkers Wagner WA-4 - Episode 1

[@rodsmith3244]

My vote is to keep the mods including the oversized tires and keep it Wagner yellow. Cool little tractor

[@lukestrasser]

It's a 4-53 Detroit, and like all 2 Stroke Detroit Diesel engines that sit, they love to stick injectors and hang the fuel rack wide open and run away. Be sure to check the injectors and bar the engine several revolutions before starting it up. Even then start it with the valve cover off and vise grips on the rack so you can manually control the fuel without the governor in the loop. Making sure the emergency shutdown flapper is free is also a good idea. Oh, and DO NOT RUN 15W40 oil in it. 2 Strokes need Straight 40 or 30 in a CF-2 designation Delo 100 SAE 40 or Rotella T1 SAE 40 are 2 good Detroit oils. 15w40 will ruin the sleeves and pistons by scuffing them to death.

[@SchrottiJr]

I´d leave it too, they´re fairly easy to rebuild. New sleeves, new rings and you´re basically done. 15W40 is too heavy of an oil, you´re totally right. You could go fine with 10W30 I guess. A big enough rag to stuff the intake with is also a good advice.

[@JohnCarder]

Excellent advice. See bus grease monkey channel for videos on exactly this

[@JohnCarder]

No! Straight grade 30 or 40, NOT multigrade. Put 10W30 in and watch it all piss out everywhere...

[@tehbald]

I second what another already mentioned here bus grease monkey has a wealth of Detroit knowledge and tons of vids. You might not even need to replace the clutch. Id love to see a collaboration too!

[@augustreil]

Just curious as how 15w-40 will scuff the pistons to death ? Does it have sand in it ?

[@ckcoolic]

Keep the big tires and stretched frame! Not only does it look good, but it is now part of that tractors history.

[@thumperjdm]

Big Bud looks at the Wagner: "I shall call him....Mini Me."

[@wildhorsemfg]

not really , because wagner predates bigbud ..

[@user-gp6sw]

2 stroke Detroit's are the very best machine for turning fuel into noise

[@randyruppel6727]

Agreed

[@bobbob-fg5wy]

It’s the sweetest song

[@johnwiers979]

Does it being a 2 stroke mean that it has to have oil injected into the fuel mix like a gas 2 stroke?

[@johnwiers979]

@Rick Delair Thanks so much fo the info.

[@hunter7476]

@Rick Delair correct i like your style

[@JalenRose02]

The John Deere skid steer with JCB decal on it. 😂😂

[@Tom3230_..]

Love it 😂

[@lifestrong03]

Jalen Rose i spotted that 2😂

[@miketimmerman6819]

Looks great. Keep it yellow and rebuild it as it is.

[@J-1410]

I'd "restore" it as Wagners and Detroits aren't all that common any more. I wouldn't paint it white...it'll lead to confusion in the future. Let Wagner have some credit, as many don't know about them. Even the Steigers and Pakoshs(Versatile) deny that they were the "first" with articulated 4x4s, they all say Wagner was the first.

[@johnv8757]

Yes keep it a Wagner. You could always put .. Little Bud on the doors with the farm logo

[@Bigjoe29]

Yeah I agree 100% leave it as a Wagner

[@Rum1981]

Exactly, what i would do! And let the modification as it is, because thats probably done 40 years ago, and also "oldtimer".

[@SunderlinAcres]

If you're going to "Name it" Call it Grandpa Bud. Fits better with the History of the Machine.

[@theslashmanrc7503]

I agree

[@darrelfuhrman8217]

Nick your WA-4 was probably stretched and modified at Havre at the original Big Bud factory. They did that to make a better dry land tractor. A farm around Scobey had a WA-10. I have no idea what happened to it. Probably went to the scrap yards. Massive tractor with a little tiny cab. It had a semi roof mounted AC on it from the factory, or the dealer. 1978 I did up the AC on it.

[@benmcdaniel8698]

A great old piece of farming history that still has a future. Agree with BWC Built those are good mods there for a reason. Get it running well, grind the welds, clean it up and slap a Wagner Yellow paint job on it. You will have a sweet "working restoration" that you guys will be proud to use, share and own. It doesn't get any better than that for old tractors. Thanks for putting out such great content and for caring so much about our past.

[@killerklein6603]

Call it a Bud Lite. lol

[@russrecker5344]

That there's just funny

[@robertmesea]

Hell yeah! And paint it yellow at the bottom and white on top.

[@trevorbrown2619]

Get this comment to the top so the world can see it

[@bradleypike1798]

That’s amazing

[@39crescent]

Killer Klein you sir are a Genius

[@austinsanders8431]

You for sure need to keep it yellow and keep the original two stroke if you can. That tractor has character, and the farmer mods just add to that. That is awesome that you could buy a family tractor and will be bringing it back to life. If this tractor could talk it would tell one hell of a story I'm sure.

[@makingithappen9722]

Jeupp

[@sven7475]

I would rebuild it as a Wagner. It's a piece of history, that is very rare

[@slylan7662]

Restore as a Wagner!

[@ducewags]

Keep it yellow, call it "LIL-BUD-ER" little butter. I don't think the sound of a detroit can ever be beat. Thanks for the show, and the time making it.

[@JW-ez1kt]

Yea I like lil butter

[@Ethan-ck6iz]

I like "Bud Light" more

[@jfdb59]

lil buddy

[@MRHSDM316SD18186]

"Screaming Jimmy"

[@Kraigthecanadian]

Screaming bud or bud lite

[@terelhutto8604]

oh, oh, put a PTO in the "restoration" package. That will keep LegArms busy. And leave the weeds on the tractor if you use it as a rock picker, that way you can sneak upon the rocks.

[@lolly166541]

If he didn't point the tractor out I would've missed it! What a champ in hiding!

[@lukehansen9185]

So they can use it as a lawn mower

[@austinricker5990]

Camo

[@MRHSDM316SD18186]

LOL

[@josiahdixon1018]

They could use the PTO for a grain cart.

[@jeepfreak18h57]

Call it a resto-mod, that thing is sweet

[@BIGRIG2005.]

In my opinion the real wa4 actually looks like a squashed up mini tractor. This wa4 with the improvements actually looks really nice. I would just give it some paint and tlc and bring it back to working condition. Please leave the Detroit in it and keep it a Wagner!

[@natesieg8407]

Yes, I totally agree!

[@earnest1212]

i agree after all wagner is about gone. history is awesome keep it wagner please and fix what needs to be fixed , restore what needs to be restored and put new whats needs to be replaced.

[@rjatkins42]

I grew up driving my Dad’s WA14 1956 and my uncle had a 1956 model. Both tractors were orange with 195(?) Cummings & 5 speed with HI/LO range. The neighbor had a WA 9, I think it was a four cylinder Cummings. In the late 60’s we installed turbo’s along with duals and no chloride. Big improvements and Dad would brag about getting 20 season on the motor until we traded up for a 900 Versatile. Both Dad and my uncle knew the guys the built the first Big Bud in Havre. Good luck with this project!

[@mikekahl5609]

Back in 1984, I was hunting in Circle Montana on a farm that had a tractor built from 2 1960s Case tractors that articulated in the middle. He drove one with controls going back to the other. Farmers are the mother of invention.

[@scottholbert1192]

I like the"clean it up and an engine rebuild,clutch . Every thing else in working order too. Then a clear coat to show off the old paint. In other words, just the way it is . Only fully functional again. Shinny is nice, but the old original still lasting is so cool also. Whatever you boys decide to do will definitely be done nice. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

[@jessenp20162725]

Patina with new lights/interior/good mechanical would be sweet! Maybe paint wheels yellow with black hubs!

[@gusthefarmer5608]

I love the Little Bud idea but keeping it original would probably be the best

[@viktor_skold]

Little Bud would be amazing tho

[@mrassassin3726]

@@viktor_skold ya it would

[@rileychristian1300]

little bud!!!!

[@Farmall450]

Yeah kinda too late to be original

[@billireland2029]

Aaaaaaaa.........ya gotta keep the 2-stroke in it. Great conversation piece.

[@williammurray1564]

You’re right it can’t be a restoration. But it is history! Your own family’s history. And it’s American farm history, it don’t get better then that! You guys is da bomb!!

[@craigsimpson2908]

How cool , wagner in the wild !! My vote would be keep DD and keep it yellow. You all rock

[@billkweiser1688]

I would try to keep it the original color the same for the motor, great video.

[@MWL4466]

Well, i think you've got an awesome new vehicle to tow the cannon with.

[@chadedwards3467]

Leave the Detroit in it !!

[@dwightbonnes9417]

Tractors have always been purchased and modified to do the work it needs to do. Give it a job to do around the farm and build it to work. Keep as many of the modifications as possible, try not to lose its history. upgrading to a 5.9 cummins would be a great addition to its legacy. Looking forward to the next video.

[@frederickmoller]

I just retired as an underground miner, I was a scoop tram operator, anyways our early scoop trams were Wagner (now Atlas Copco owned) 2.5 yard diesel scoop trams ( articulated low profiled front-end loaders) that you sat sideways in as most scoop trams to this very day. IMO, Wagner is the cream of the crop in scoop trams that I operated in over 40 years of mining, so 'hats off to Wagner' !

[@bradh7472]

That is an awesome tractor!! Looks like an oversize garden tractor compared to the Bud and all the other modern tractors today. This will be fun to watch. Please keep it YELLOW!!

[@kcgibbs]

I am pretty sure Wagner entered into an exclusive relationship with Deere. They built Deeres for a year then Deere did their typical thing and hung Wagner out to dry thus ending the company.

[@WelkerFarms]

That's pretty much it, Wagner 4wd ag tractors ended at a stoke of a pen on a John Deere contract. But thanks to Deere it birthed Big Bud!

[@JalenRose02]

@@WelkerFarms the John Deere must he be like pikachu when big bud making articulated tractor.

[@jtschwinghammer]

Unfortunately that's happened to a lot of companies have had that happen to them :(

[@Cragified]

From the Agtalk forums. "Wagner never went out of business. What nobody knows is the 4 wheel drive tractors were a small part of their business. They made forestry and mining equipment in addition to the tractors. Wagner had already sold some of the rights to their tractors to Raygo BEFORE they made the deal with JD. So it wasn't like they were hell bent on staying in the tractor business. It has been speculated the reason they did the deal with JD the way it was written was to just give their tractors one last send off because their design was 10 years old, the competition was starting to catch up to them, and they didn't want to invest any further into the 4 wheel drive tractor market. And keep this mind. The whole reason why Steiger tractors exist today is because they tried to get a Wagner dealership to buy their own tractor and sell a few to the neighbors. Wagner turned them down and that is when they decided to build their own tractor."

[@hunterhendricks9074]

You need to keep the Detroit diesel in that tractor. You can’t go wrong with them and for the fact that they are still used to this day should say something. They are very dependable and have lots of horsepower. It will come in handy

[@franburke]

And they sound great! Screaming Jimmy all the way!

[@svenvolwater5473]

Dependable i think you mean reliable 😂

[@makingithappen9722]

@@svenvolwater5473 Isn't that the same thing?

[@bobp1016]

Keep the modifications. As other people mentioned it’s part of the tractors history. Keep the yellow, call it Grandpa Bud!

[@donaldhofman296]

I hauled a load of rock from Flathead to Portland! That drive by that lake is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!

[@Squixxor]

"The little bud that could" Awesome machine, can't wait for the rest of restoration!

[@mawakav]

The first thought I had when I saw it was: "They will paint it white and call it BABY BUD!"

[@johnlanham9057]

Resto-Mod is the word you’re looking for.... And we are really looking forward to this project!!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnlemmey7698]

You have to paint it white! It is now part of the Welker Family. When finished you guys are as much a part of its history as the one who made it. This tractor reminds me of a little old grandma rocking on the front porch. She is the mother of the hole clan. So i think (Marr wagner) is my vote for a name.

[@steveboling2515]

I would keep the Wagner yellow for sure. I like the bigger tires but a true restoration would be an interesting history lesson. Cool tractor no matter which way you go.

[@matthoward923]

Keep it as much “original” as possible. Wagner, orange, and Detroit.

[@clarkkent2913]

Regarding the tractor: I would keep it in this specification (with the frame modification and larger wheels) since these mods belong to its history. Just a technical restoration, make it rust-free and new yellow paint. It's aWagner, not a Bud, so no "lil Bud" or so.

[@swagsc385opeyoloyt4]

When I heard you say "Maybe call him little bud." I instantly had the name Little Buck pop into my head, I don't know why but that would be a cool name lol.

[@thomasvorwerk9296]

Good morning, just finished watching your road grader video getting stuck many times filling in ditches. Also I noticed you have a boom truck with Altec boom. I used to pick up those brand new Altec trucks from the factory up in Duluth, MN and deliver them all of the USA....some even out to Montana. I love Montana country, my wife of 50+ years being from Polson. One more thing....I appreciate your good Christian witness on youtube....keep it up....Blessings to you.

[@zanaidakins]

Had one with the paddle wheel scraper. Very handy. If the driveline between the transmission and the dropbox still has a carrier bearing replace it with a driveshaft without one. When they let loose it will destroy your transmission and they were hard to find 20 years ago. Leave the big rubber. You will need it. Mine had a bigger set of injectors and would spin all 4 tires while loading the scraper.

[@Megalogger69]

Getting in the business of restoring old tractors!!!

[@Hubeeeert]

Someone in the past took a lot of effort with improving factory design to make it better. I think you may consider leaving it as it is but making it look like new and keeping the WAGNER colors It might for instance be a good tractor for pulling your heavy equipment like trailers, etc. at short/mid distances. The skidsteer is really struggling with some of the stuff you have. Thanks for the video. BTW Can't wait to see the end of the BIG BUD restoration ;)

[@MarkWilson-hh3ck]

I would keep the old girl a wagner and as close to original as you can

[@michaellanglie5502]

ditto

[@raindollvr]

Tractor looks awesome! Hope something becomes of the ole girl! I was forced to retire from farming this year due to health(bad part is I'm only 30 lol), so watching stuff like this makes me happy.

[@neilallen2144]

Restomod is the word hot rodders use for what you are trying to describe Nick. Restored w modifications. Keep it YELLOW!!!

[@bigtractorpower]

Great classic 4wd. Congrats. Looking forward to seeing what develops.

[@bradr9369]

Haha i actually read this in your voice. Maybe a collaborate when its done?

[@CraigAndAmandaRussell]

My Vote - repaint it the original yellow and call it “lil Budder”!

[@jjfarmsllc.9951]

Lil budder haha

[@brennansnitkey8530]

he should call it old bud

[@soowoo642]

I would love to see it restored as is and deffinetly keep the old 4-71 detroit in it!

[@j34707]

Was just past your place coming home from Washington state last week and then seeing family on Flathead Lake. Y’all live in cool country. 6 years in trailer tires is what I do. After 6 years no matter tread.

[@TowingLilly]

I like the idea of keeping it as a Wagner and fixing it up to as close to original as possible

[@juztyn00]

whatever you do, keep the Detroit!

[@ianpurkis3925]

I’d leave the mods. It’s part of its life story

[@leoo0076]

Ian Purkis I agree

[@ModMotorMayhem]

2 stroke Detroit or bust!!

[@drc600sel]

ModMotorMayhem I agree

[@vincefallon3861]

You Welker guys do what you think is best to that Wagner. Don’t worry about being criticised by some chumps in the comments. You guys do awesome work and have great ideas and drive.

[@jamiesmith143]

Preservation and restoration. That's what you guys are going to do for your tractor. I would keep the Detroit in it (you can still get overhaul kits the 71 series engine that is in your tractor.) Good Luck on your winter project and Stay Safe.

[@spliceoncharlie]

Call him Grandpa "LIL" Bud. How about a combo of yellow and white? Just a thought. Looking at the Wagner web site at some pictures of the original WA-4's and it's amazing how much they modified this tractor. Look's better stretched out vs the short version. Of course everyone has a preference. Knowing how well you guys work, whatever you guys decide will look and run great. Good luck in your project.

[@jarendiekemper432]

When I saw the thumbnail I thought the tractor was a Versatile 300 me and my dad bought one recently for a cheap price because the guy we bought it from didn’t know there was only 200 made in 1973 *Edit* thanks for the likes guys I appreciate it

[@putrid.p]

The modifications are part of the tractor’s history, and they were made in good faith to improve it. I would say, restore it as is in its current state. Try to track down its history perhaps too. Keep the colour (unless it was different out of the factory?).

[@barbarastedillie1336]

Keep it as true to original as you can. Old things need to retire in dignity..it’s our history, and your family history.

[@michaelbroadhead8155]

That's the first kind of tractor I remember my dad driving on my uncle's farm. Cool old tractor.

[@theworsthokage3015]

the Christmas gift for us to watch the process of the “restoration” CANNOT wait to see what you do!! Loved the international restoration that actually brought me to your channel!! love the Wagner I’d say keep it yellow! Keep the Detroit too!! 😉😂

[@peter-paullowe5289]

You can put a PTO in it so you can pull a grain cart😋

[@jaredstivers]

Unfortunately it only has about 100 horsepower unless they have the motor turned up.

[@chevyon37s]

Peter-Paul Lowe I think they’d put a PTO in a Bud before they put one in this, as this is a good bit smaller than the Buds.

[@nellsonstout7001]

Peter-Paul Lowe look at that tractor again and tell me that you can pull a grain cart with it

[@Tom3230_..]

@@jaredstivers the cart doesn't need to be too big

[@peter-paullowe5289]

I actually ment it as a joke( I also work on a farm in South Africa)

[@trevorfout4759]

Keep it a Wagner try to put PTO back in it and use on augers brush mower ext.

[@alanb9337]

Category to aim for with the Wagner is 'farm modified' www.hydromot.lu/en/gear-box-with-hydraulic-pump-gear-pump-SAEB-PTO-Group3-4032.html (Rig the wagner, up as a mini fire pump unit, drawbar pull gravel road/ dirt track grader, wood splitter drive unit.

[@0jesse10397]

@@alanb9337 I'm kinda shocked at how cheap these units are

[@JohnDoe-jq5wy]

Flathead Lake is a spiritually POWERFUL area. I visited Flathead Lake in 1969, amazing magical energy.

[@craigbowie8925]

I really love that you guys restore and use old equipment. Many can't see the fascinating beauty of heavy equipment but clearly you guys do. Thanks for keeping history alive and running!

[@carguy2186]

2:48 nice jcb skid steer

[@johnsonfarmsmt3439]

Steiger started building tractors in 1957 or 58. My uncle had a wagner before his versatile

[@boperry3551]

Its called a resto-mod. Just like youd do on a hot rod but tractor version lol

[@pingpongjung1983]

I love that y'all bring older tractors back to life

[@thevox1075]

I pulled the 470 Cummins V8 out of my Versatile D145 and put in the 5.9 Cummins at 225 hp. More power and torque than the original engine at 180hp. Wouldn’t believe how many acres I no till beans with it. Well built tractor. Go with a little Bud. And have fun!

[@TomGaming109]

I’ve just thought it’s a shame the quad track isn’t there to meet his Great great great great grandpa

[@leddielive]

Love the fact the Wagner comes with its own foliage, I wonder, was that a factory standard or an optional extra at the time of manufacture?

[@SnowleopardPearl]

restore it, keep it the color/style/name and design as it sits its still a beautiful ol workhorse as it sits now and its great to see people bringing these old forgotten machines back to life.

[@Ctcc73]

Keep it the same way you brought it home. Fix it up and use it to pull a wagon. Same colors, same motor. LOL

[@jamesharmon5963]

I like the Wagner. Very cool. I will never get the chance to run a big tractor but I sure enjoy watching y’all work on them and run them. God bless y’all and keep doing what you’re doing. Thanks for sharing 👊

[@framfull]

Wow what a great piece of history! Stick with the modifications, tyresize and colour.

[@PEThurman]

Try to “restore” it. Keep the Detroit in it. That is definitely a piece of history.

[@Acoustic_Theory]

Be careful when you start that Detroit for the first time. Keep a block of wood to cover the air intake if necessary and check the fuel rack and injectors for proper motion using vise grips on the fuel rack, so you can prevent a runaway, or stop a runaway if it occurs. Even better is a CO2 extinguisher.

[@affa289]

Vote "1" for the Detroit hahahah

[@TomGaming109]

I can’t wait for the full series looks so good 😀

[@northstar2007]

if you need a touch of help on the motor, There's a fellow called 'bus grease monkey' those old 2 cycle detroits are his forte and he's pretty good.

[@paulriley7902]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@brettbudgehabeck542]

Gotta keep the screamon demon in there ! Keep all the old farmer mods as part of its history and just rebuild it as it is , very cool project guys have fun with it

[@jakedelaymustdie6665]

That's what you call a resto mod!!!. . Tractor style. Love your resto videos!

[@kcgibbs]

Leave the Detroit Diesel in it. They scream!

[@localcrew]

Looks like a Cat D7 air filter. I’d leave the shrubbery intact. Looks mint.

[@MotoKeto]

Restore it as close to original as possible would be best I think. Cool history on this machine.

[@mikezahnow1605]

A family where I live used to farm with those Wagners back in the day. They still have one that they plow snow with and pulled my stuck road grader out of the ditch. What a beast. I said are you going to pull me out with that. And pull me out it did. Older looking cab style on that one. Not sure of the model but he wont sell it lol.

[@Mark_Tschetter]

That is a valuable piece of Great American history, keep it Wagner!

[@jaydenestelle3847]

When y’all restore it y’all need to bring it to shows love the channel and the vids keep up the good work

[@larryramer1]

Definitely need to keep the Detroit in it I love those engines 😊

[@richbowser9500]

The old two strokes have also been known to run backwards sometimes

[@ElderlyIron]

Dedicated fire rig or fuel rig. 5th wheel hitch with over the rear wheel tank trailer, but still below the rear window. Love the way you left the brush on it! Resto mod. "Updated original"

[@tomekc1113]

You can’t go wrong brother, put your love and care into and it will shine. God bless!

[@Comet925]

Ok ik it's not a bud but you have to call it baby bud

[@typedbyben]

finally, something with a Detroit

[@angelo60415]

Awesome! looking forward to the videos Episode of bringing her back to life!👍💪🚜

[@wlharpold]

Awesome project! Great to see younger generation keeping the past alive. My 2 cents keep it as original as possible

[@SoybeanFarmer3300]

watching your projects is to me the center piece of your channel. looking forward to whatever you decide to do here with this project. the two of you have already done some great work. thanks Nick and Scott.