They just made stuff right in the 50's.

A place to relax and discuss flying topics.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

Post Reply
User avatar
Heflin
Posts: 154
Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 12:18 am

They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by Heflin »

This is my grandmother's father's 1956 Farmall Cub. I serviced it real good this spring, bought a few parts, and put it to work on my grass strip. I blow the grass off of the deck after each use (I just wanted a working machine photo). Lord knows my grandfather would chew me out if I didnt, and he's been gone 10 years now. :D I'm thinking a fresh coat of Farmall Red is due this winter.

Why don't they make stuff like they used to?
image.jpg
image.jpg
ISAIAH 40:31
hilltop170
Posts: 3481
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by hilltop170 »

Don't paint it! Original equipment always looks better.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
User avatar
gfeher
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:19 pm

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by gfeher »

Heflin wrote:
Why don't they make stuff like they used to?
I know what you mean Rob. I have a '51 Farmall C. She runs like a top, is a dream to work on, and parts are readily available. A nicely-engineered, well-built machine.

I agree with Richard. I wouldn't touch that original paint. It looks to be in pretty good condition.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
User avatar
Heflin
Posts: 154
Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 12:18 am

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by Heflin »

We used to run a bunch of M's and Super M's on our fish farm. Anybody could work on them and they lasted forever. No computerized mess.

I think that Cub has been repainted, just not with the right color red.
ISAIAH 40:31
User avatar
johneeb
Posts: 1520
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2003 2:44 am

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by johneeb »

You must have to gang the Cub together with the Deere to pull that planter.
John E. Barrett
aka. Johneb

Sent from my "Cray Super Computer"
User avatar
170C
Posts: 3182
Joined: Tue May 06, 2003 11:59 am

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by 170C »

How long is that nice runway Helflin? No air conditioned cab, power steering, hydraulics, traction/slippage meter, stereo radio, etc. on some of those types.
OLE POKEY
170C
Director:
2012-2018
User avatar
gfeher
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:19 pm

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by gfeher »

Rob, my C has the original paint and it's dark like yours (though not in as good as shape). Obviously I can't tell from your pics whether your paint is original. But the original paint does darken over time.

BTW, I forgot to compliment you on your nice bird in the background.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
User avatar
Heflin
Posts: 154
Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 12:18 am

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by Heflin »

170C, it's 1900',

I just planted the Bermuda the last week of March. An ag pilot buddy made two passes over it with urea fertilizer in May, then we got 2 weeks of rain. I've never seen Bermuda grow so quickly! I've mowed it twice already and there's hardly a place you can look down and see dirt now.

I started on it last fall when they got the soybeans cut. I disked a 50' wide strip, pulled all of the loose dirt to the middle with my blade, smoothed it out with a box scraper, ran a landplane over it to feather it out to about 30', broadcast wheat, ran over that with a roller harrow, pulled ditches down the edge, then let it sit all winter. This spring I broadcast Bermuda, mowed the wheat down, and after 2 months the Bermuda was so thick it was choking the mower down.

Mr. Gene, I guess it must be original paint, then. It's been sitting under a shed for years and only run occasionally. I sold my Super M, an old Allis-Chalmers AC66 pull-behind combine, and a grain drill to get my down payment money for the plane last fall. I had suppressed the flying bug for about 12 years and it finally stung me good!
ISAIAH 40:31
User avatar
3958v
Posts: 543
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 12:00 am

Re: They just made stuff right in the 50's.

Post by 3958v »

I understand Heflin. I have the Allis Chalmbers WD bought new by my maternal grandfather, the Ford 2N purchased new by my paternal grandfather, the Farmall Super MTA purchased new by my father and the Massey Ferguson 255 that I purchased new. They are much like airplanes if you take good care of them they will last a long time. Bill K
Polished 48 170 Cat 22 JD 620 & Pug
Post Reply