1954 Jubilee

[GinFarm]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at a '54 Jubilee and wondering about price. It's in good shape with much of it rebuilt. It does need brake shoes. It comes with original loader and dozer blade. Runs 55 psi oil pressure and has new tires and rims. Price is 3K. I also found a TO-30 Ferguson that's in pretty good shape for 1K, but then I'd have to buy attachments (not a loader, but a blade). I need the tractor for general farm work... blade, box blade, lift (or skid round bails), post hole, pushing t-posts into the ground, cleaning the barn.

Anyway, Jubilee for 3K with attachments... sound fair enough? No power steering but I'm mostly going to use the doze blade.

Thanks for everyone's time.

 

[lilranch2001]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at a '54 Jubilee and wondering about price. It's in good shape with much of it rebuilt. It does need brake shoes. It comes with original loader and dozer blade. Runs 55 psi oil pressure and has new tires and rims. Price is 3K. I also found a TO-30 Ferguson that's in pretty good shape for 1K, but then I'd have to buy attachments (not a loader, but a blade). I need the tractor for general farm work... blade, box blade, lift (or skid round bails), post hole, pushing t-posts into the ground, cleaning the barn.

Anyway, Jubilee for 3K with attachments... sound fair enough? No power steering but I'm mostly going to use the doze blade.

Thanks for everyone's time.

Sounds like a good price to me depending on condition of the tractor and the amount of attachments

I always wanted a Jubilee.......

 

[TripleR]

Sounds like a pretty good price to me. We have a 54 Jubilee and prefer the gearing on the later models, but it's a pretty good tractor.

If he doesn't show up, check with Soundguy, he knows about all there is to know on the old Fords.

 

[Soundguy]

3k with attachments is an ok price on a jube.

1k and no attachments is a good price on a to30. price the implements. might be a better deal. and I'm a ford guy.

one more thing.

I have RARELY seen an old tractor that actually had WORN OUT brakes.

I've seen many that had misadjusted ones, and I seen MANY mor ethat had oily, inefective brakes due to a bad axle seal.

investigate that.

I've pulled many a drum apart and seen new meatly shoes fileld with axle grease. or good shoes with the adjuster start wheel backed off too far..

post back if you have more questions.

so far sounds like you have 2 good deals to choose from.

 

[GinFarm]

Hi,

I took a look at the Jubilee. The rear axel bearings (outer) are shot and need to be replaced. The owner told me I would have to remove rear wheels, replace bearings. The owner also wasn't keen on me driving it b/c it was very dark out, and mentioned that when it does drive you hear the metal grind from the bearings. The sheet metal was rusty and painted over. The fenders need replacing (the arms that attach to the frame are gone). I noticed that the pto lever (position control I think) adjusted itself after about a minute of being engaged. Also, it has a hyd. leak in the hose near front of tractor, though I didn't see it (b/c it was dark).

The tractor itself was already started when I arrived. I checked the oil pressure after 20 minutes of idling and it was at 55psi. It does come with double ring chains, the original dozer blade and original front loader (tiny bucket), new tires (not firestone but 8 ply), new rear rims which need to be drained of the calcium and painted (apparently they're only primed), 12 volt key start, and a bunch of new parts: new set of lights, water pump, starter shaft, 10 gals hydraulic fluid, gaskets, pins, 3 pull bars...

I'm going to look at the other one tomorrow and then probably drive out again and test drive/use the Jubilee. I'm on the fence about the Jubilee b/c I need something that will work. I'm more interested in the utility than the looks or restoration.

 

[GinFarm]

Also, thanks for your replies so far. Much appreciated.

 

[JDgreen227]

Check on the clutch, ask if it has recently been replaced, my Dad had it done on the '53 Jubilee I have and it was costly because they have to split the tractor to do that. If the engine and transmission were good on that one I would consider it for that price but would hate to use a loader with no PS.

 

[Army grunt]

>>GinFarm<<<
Thats a good price,But not if it needs stuff done.Youll find one that is ready to go to work for that. Also you might want to look for a 600 . thet have 33 hp on almost the same size tractor. I did that an was happy for it.I sold mine for 3,000
It was a 601 work horse.
Army Grunt

 

[Soundguy]

i'd pass on that jube unless it was 700$ without the implements

so far sound slike it could need seals, and bearings, AND hubs, and if it went long enough.. axles, and brakes.

you are getting into quite a few hundred bucks of parts.. plus the labor, plus you will be taking axle trumpets off, etc..

that mney would have been for a good fully functional unit.

pass on it and get a 6XX or 8XX machine.

better hyds, better axle and seal setup.. etc..

soundguy

 

[ovrszd]

i'd pass on that jube unless it was 700$ without the implements

so far sound slike it could need seals, and bearings, AND hubs, and if it went long enough.. axles, and brakes.

you are getting into quite a few hundred bucks of parts.. plus the labor, plus you will be taking axle trumpets off, etc..

that mney would have been for a good fully functional unit.

pass on it and get a 6XX or 8XX machine.

better hyds, better axle and seal setup.. etc..

soundguy

I totally agree. This tractor has too many issues. I never trust a seller that has it sitting there running when I arrive. There's a reason he did that. Crunching rear axle bearings means the rearend is full of grindings.

I'm with Soundguy, for the work you are wanting to accomplish, go for an 8 series. The T30 sounds good if it's not junk.

With that said, for light blade work, etc., a Jube is a great tractor. Light on it's feet. I used to push snow for hire with one. Also had an 8 series. In small driveways the Jube was faster.

An 8 series feels heavy and a little clumsy but will outwork the Jube.

 

[jinman]

It seems this tractor could easily cost you another $2k to get running reliably with no major issues. Instead of dropping $5k ($3k + $2k repairs) on the Jubilee, look at what $5k will get you on craigslist. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[strum456]

I have 5 Ford tractors. 3 of them are hundred series tractors. They are really good machines, even by todays standards. They where way ahead of their time, in my opinion. It sounds like one of these would be a perfect fit for you. Jubilees are ok too, but you neeed to get it for the right price.

 

[GinFarm]

Hi,

I'm going with the TO-30 for 1K. It's in good shape, no leaks, no rust (except exhaust pipe), everything works, started up in 30 degree snowing weather with no problem. It will need brakes (what's with the brakes?)... when I get it home I'll take a look and see what's going on, though I doubt there is fluid on the brakes b/c there are no leaks to be seen, no evidence of a leak (on the ground, on the metal). It's battleship primer, the rims are in excellent condition, 12V, the battery has a roofing shingle over it to prevent the hood from touching the terminals and shorting out (why the previous owner didn't simply flip the battery I'll soon find out). Now I need to find a back blade, a box blade, a post hole digger, a lift, a sling (the bucket sling), a little hoe for digging / trenching, a few lights for a disco experience that will really illuminate my pasture / barn at night, and some paint.

 

[GinFarm]

So bit of a monkey wrench. The Fergie is a great tractor. Needs brakes (go figure), but no leaks, everything works, it's clean. The tires are cracked but good thread and hold air. 12V, started in 30 degree weather with no problem.

Here's the monkey wrench... I just found a 1951 VAC Case, double the price but comes with chains, back blade, and a scoop. It's in great shape, great paint, narrow front end is a negative but maybe I could buy a wide front end if I needed it. The CASE is 2K... less HP but better shape and comes with everything I need (for now). What to do?

 

[GinFarm]

I see that the CASE may have a proprietary 3pto. Also, I can't find a lot of data on the tractor or opinions. I like that side wheel which looks like it can take a belt. What I'd ever use it for I don't know. I guess it comes down to usefulness, functionality, easiness?

 

[strum456]

Go for the TO-30

 

[Verticaltrx]

Go for the TO-30

x2

Parts will be easier to get and it is a more common tractor. Swapping over to a wide front on the case would probably be a pretty big job. Also, don't let the implements be a deal maker/breaker. They can be found used for CHEAP if you shop around enough.

 

[GinFarm]

Hi,

I spoke with the older gentleman (about 65) who owns the CASE. He built and installed a live PTO (clutch engaged or not engaged still runs) with external pump. This is a universal PTO. Tractor comes with lift, scoop, brush hog, blade, and chains. The carb float is sticking b/c it's been sitting outside for a week with a for sale sign (he also had a massey ferg and a jd, both larger HP). It's interesting b/c of the implements and the shape and now the live PTO. A big part of me though loves that Fergie 30 b/c of its simplicity and price.

Apologies for what this post turned into, but it's been of excellent and invaluable help to me. Thank you everyone.

 

[Soundguy]

you will have fun doing the brakes onthe 30.. good learning experience.. assuming they are not simply out of adjustment.

soundguy

 

[flusher]

you will have fun doing the brakes onthe 30.. good learning experience.. assuming they are not simply out of adjustment.

soundguy

Roger that. I bought a nice 1945 Oliver 60 Row Crop earlier this year - all sheet metal present and straight, excellent paint job. Right brake lining was gone--ground to powder. Left lining 50% and oil soaked. New seals, new brake drum from eBay, riveted new linings onto the brake bands. About $80 invested in that repair.