I purchased this tractor from Joe Harper at his sale held on August 6, 2005 near Sedgwick Kansas. I do not have an exact count, but the tractor is rather rare. It is a re-rated version of the 30-50 Minneapolis tractor. I personally know of 6 other tractors of this size. Another Minneapolis collector told me he thought 10 still exited.

August 6, 2005

This is the day the tractor was purchased at Joe Harper's sale.

The Minneapolis 39-57 tractor at Joe Harper's sale.

January 14, 2006

I made a deal with Kenny Sellers. If he would help with the restoration of the tractor I would give him an older craftsman lawn tractor. Here he is cleaning some of the baked on grease and dirt getting the chassis ready to sand blast.

Kenny cleaning the tractor chassis in preparation for sandblasting.

January 15, 2006

I stopped by Vern's Implement in Melbourne, IA to check out how the engine overhaul was progressing. I stopped by on my way back from the sale and left the two engines that came with the tractor. Unfortunately both heads were cracked, pistons stuck really bad and the valves all needed replacing. Following are some of the pieces that Vern had laying around his shop. Good thing I am confident in Vern's ability to get it all back together.

Engine parts during overhaul at Vern's Implement.

Additional engine components being serviced.

Engine block during restoration process.

Various engine components laid out for inspection.

More engine parts being prepared for reassembly.

Additional engine components during the restoration process.

February 12, 2006

Caught a ride with my friend Wyndham Sellers to Vern's to check out how the engine overhaul was progressing. I was pleased to see that reassembly had started. The crank and cam shaft are now in the block. Margaret located valves which Vern will machine to work. Pistons are the problem at the moment. One piston broke during the disassembly process. The block has been bored so are currently trying to locate an oversize piston. Margaret is getting to be well known to the tractor salvage dealers.

Engine reassembly has begun with crank and cam shaft installed.

Engine block with internal components being installed.

Engine components during the reassembly process.

Checking the numbers.

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