Dearborn Field Cultivator Spring Shank

[Travis_R]

Where can I find a "C" spring shank for my Dearborn 13-2 field cultivator? I broke one yesterday. I need the spring with the "slot" in it. I found what I think I need for $14 but I'm not 100% sure if that's it or not. I will post a pic of the broken 1 when I get a chance.

Thanks

 

[sixdogs]

Hope I'm not too late with a reply but the best bet is from a tractor salvage yard that likely has some old ones to part out. I have owned a number of these over the years and just used my last slotted spring. I never could find a new one that fit.

Worth noting is there are two different thicknesses of these springs. That never bothered me and I have replaced and substituted whatever I could get. They all will fit but you might need a longer plow bolt for the cultivator or sweep when you put it on. Please mention if you found a new replacement spring that fit.

 

[Travis_R]

Hope I'm not too late with a reply but the best bet is from a tractor salvage yard that likely has some old ones to part out. I have owned a number of these over the years and just used my last slotted spring. I never could find a new one that fit. Worth noting is there are two different thicknesses of these springs. That never bothered me and I have replaced and substituted whatever I could get. They all will fit but you might need a longer plow bolt for the cultivator or sweep when you put it on. Please mention if you found a new replacement spring that fit.

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I sure did find a replacement.

I highly recommend Kraft Implement Co. in Columbus, WI. The man to talk to is Al Kraft.
I think he's the owner. Very, very nice and friendly. He definitely has knowledge with these antique parts.
He sells BOTH the outer and inner springs separately if you only need one or the other. I needed the outer spring. Most places want you to buy by the pair. It will be an aftermarket spring but it works perfectly.
The cost was right at $14 + shipping. I'm way down here in South LA and I got the part very fast. I will call them 1st before I look anywhere else if I need parts for my Dearborn cultivator.

I hope this post helps you find what you need. www.kraftimplement.com

 

[sixdogs]

That is great information to know that these springs can be bought new for these old Dearborn, Ferguson or Pittsburgh cultivators. Was there any part number on your spring or any other identifying characteristics? You are lucky to find this guy since these are great cultivators that are very useful to the modern things we can do with them. They remain a forgotten secret few know about.

As a sideline to this, I often see these cultivators stacked high in the auction yards and the owner of one said they ship them down to Mexico in large numbers for use in crops.

 

[Travis_R]

Yes I was very lucky to find this feller. I read about his business on another website forum. Someone was recommending another person to him.
Like I said, the springs are brand new aftermarket. They're not original but they fit.

I'm almost positive the springs he sells are manufactured by "Fred Cain Farm Equipment". Other places probably has them or can get them.
But I'm not buying from anybody else but Al Kraft.
I've honestly been finding it difficult these days to see courtesy and kindness towards customers. Although I was in a local John Deere dealer a while back to get a seat for my old 1988 riding mower and I was very surprised at how friendly they were. They even let me take pictures with my 1.5 year old son on mowers and tractors. Of course I asked for their approval first. If I ever wanted to buy a John Deere, I'd give them 1st shot (Deere, 1st shot haha).. Just thought of that one..

Man I HATE to hear that about the shipping of old cultivators (or ANY old American Farm Equipment) to Mexico!!! This is Quality and Original American Farm Equipment that 1 DAY American people will NEED to fall back on!!!
It really makes me mad that everything is ALL about a **** dollar these days and no common sense! People just don't look ahead or plan for the future!
While we're on the subject, I HATE hearing about old antique farm equipment being cut up for scrap iron!! Come on people, really?! I didn't know it at the time, but my Dearborn 13-2 has been cut in half! I didn't know when I purchased it. It works for me though.

I'm not a farmer. I never have been but always wanted to be. This is why I bought garden implements for my tractor. Nobody in my family has a tractor but me. Even my 86 year old Grandfather never had a tractor. Only a mule and plow and he plowed fields because he HAD to, unlike me because I want to and CHOOSE to.

My tractor is my main hobby. Was told I loved them ever since I could crawl. I'm now teaching my son the same thing. Luckily, so far he has a HUGE interest in it. Loves to ride with me on the tractor every time I'm on it. Unless he's sick or something I will NEVER EVER tell him he can't ride.
You hear people saying "it's too dangerous to ride kids on tractors!" "Don't let them on there!"
Well I for one have to disagree 100%! How else will they ever learn?! Laying up in the house playing video games ain't teaching them NOTHING! And them video games sure ain't gonna feed them if the time comes!
Depending what you're doing with the tractor, sometimes it would be better if kids didn't ride. I can agree with that. But the majority of the time It's surely not gonna hurt for them to learn. All beneficial, nothing negative.
I am a safety nut when it comes to equipment. I'm CONSTANTLY thinking about safety, even when I'm by myself. I used to not be when I was younger but I hurt my foot bad on a finish mower PTO driveline. That got my attention.
But I also believe, If something's gonna happen, it's gonna happen! That's why there's 1 word that's called "accident"... But EVERY accident can be prevented.

Well I guess that's it for my rant this morning, and I'm sure someone will get offended but I could care less. It is how it is and sometimes the truth hurts.
Back to the original topic, yes we are lucky to find these parts. Thank God they are being reproduced by aftermarket companies.

I want to eventually paint my row hippers and cultivator Massey Ferguson Red. Probably do it this summer. Need to change some bolts on the cultivator anyway so it would be the perfect time to do it. Plus it will just 'add' to my hobby with good end results.

Do you know a good place to get a Dearborn "name plate" or Dearborn decals? I'm fine with aftermarket as long as it's quality.

Have A Good Day!

 

[sixdogs]

Travis--i'm in the process of rebuilding a 13-2 cultivator. For some reason I can't post pics at the moment but I will start a separate thread on it when I can. Many of my started threads have to do with rebuilding old equipment that was quality to begin with. This Dearborn cultivator was made of great steel and after all these years most of the parts come apart with no problem. I Just put the shanks back where they should be, undo the dumb stuff others did, add new shovels and some factory Ford Red Rouge paint.

Never saw a decal on one of these, only a metal plate indicating maker, model and serial number. Here's a PDF of the 13-2 Dearborn owner's manual. Oops, I can't add it so here is a link to the 13-2 manual as well as links to almost everything old and Ford from the Golden Years. 527 PDF's and I forgot where I got it. I don't know where to get a nameplate.

NTC Manual Library

In searching, if you happen to run across the cultivator sweep angle, let me know. It could be 54 degrees but I think was 47 degrees.

You should see the truckloads of old equipment going to Mexico. They back haul planters and things from Texas and wherever. One load was 100% full of these old cultivators. I don't know how many but the truck was stacked by pros and not an inch of space was wasted. So maybe 50 or 75? as a guess. Maybe 100?

 

[Travis_R]

Travis--i'm in the process of rebuilding a 13-2 cultivator. For some reason I can't post pics at the moment but I will start a separate thread on it when I can. Many of my started threads have to do with rebuilding old equipment that was quality to begin with. This Dearborn cultivator was made of great steel and after all these years most of the parts come apart with no problem. I Just put the shanks back where they should be, undo the dumb stuff others did, add new shovels and some factory Ford Red Rouge paint. Never saw a decal on one of these, only a metal plate indicating maker, model and serial number. Here's a PDF of the 13-2 Dearborn owner's manual. Oops, I can't add it so here is a link to the 13-2 manual as well as links to almost everything old and Ford from the Golden Years. 527 PDF's and I forgot where I got it. I don't know where to get a nameplate. NTC Manual Library In searching, if you happen to run across the cultivator sweep angle, let me know. It could be 54 degrees but I think was 47 degrees. You should see the truckloads of old equipment going to Mexico. They back haul planters and things from Texas and wherever. One load was 100% full of these old cultivators. I don't know how many but the truck was stacked by pros and not an inch of space was wasted. So maybe 50 or 75? as a guess. Maybe 100?

Wish to God my 13-2 hadn't been cut down. Wish it was still a 2 row piece of equipment, although I'd still use it for 1row... Just would want it original that's all

I'll keep my eyes open for what you're looking for.

...Ford Red Rouge... I'll remember that. I can't take it all apart now because I'm using it for the Spring/Fall garden. I'm sure I could slap some paint on it but that would be half *** and I'd much rather do it right. I have a couple hand/angle grinders and wire wheels, but I don't have a paint sprayer.
QUESTIONS:
1) Do you have any recommendations on how to paint it?
2) Will spray paint work or do I need a brush?
3) What brand of primer do u recommend?


Again, I HATE to hear that about those truckloads bound for Mexico. That's just as SORRY AS SORRY CAN GET.

Thanks!

 

[sixdogs]

This is easy...Ford Rouge Red is Ford red from a dealer and is the color Ford used on lots of things. These cultivators were that same color unless you had a Ferguson and in that case it was Ferguson Gray. The best paint is from a dealer and not a farm store. I have written many times in many threads that the best deal is factory paint. It's quality acrylic enamel, in most cases since they want their products to look good. They keep the price down as an incentive to keep old stuff looking great. Farm store paint is thin crap and I use it but only on a bad day and something that won't matter.

The correct way to paint this cultivator, or stuff like it is to disassemble the whole thing, paint it and put it back together. I don't do that anymore, generally and now assemble, scrub with dishwashing detergent and prime with Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer. Thin with acetone. Don't always replace all the bolts. The old ones were better and paint makes them look just fine. I change all the washers I can get to, however.

Let it dry a couple hours and paint it, upside down first then flip in 20 minutes and paint the good side. Let it dry, hook stuff up and get it dirty having fun. Here's the Cadillac of lo-buck spray guns from Harbor Freight. Regardless of price shown, it's $29.99 now and with a coupon is $25. Gun is worth it. Thin the paint with acetone. Here it is 20 oz. High Volume Low Pressure Gravity Feed Spray Gun

Yes, you can brush paint and do a good job. I have done it. Also, I might not prime the current piece I am working on. Not sure yet but I have seen stuff painted--with good paint-- that was not primed and it looked great. The paint stayed stuck I'll add. I'll do a thread on it shortly--post so I know you saw it.


Here's some reading material.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/278852-repaint-old-ford-dearborn-two.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...building-harragator-spike-harrow-project.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...build-thread-brillion-cultimulcher-paint.html


I've done lots like this but not easy to search for. It's all variation on a theme anyway.

EDIT--A spray gun is a better idea and if you don't have enough compressor just paint slower or get more hose so you have the extra air holding capacity. Practice on some cardboard with some cheap paint first, clean the sprayer when done and buy some throwaway paint cups from HF. Forget about using their threaded plastic adaptors, however--they either don't work or I don't know how to use them.