Bringing this crusty 60 year old tractor back to life! 

Earl either has a blown exhaust gasket or a cracked manifold. Just watch the smoke when you give it gas.

I sure enjoyed this video. I have done work on equipment for over 60 years. It is a love hate relationship doing that kind of work. But it is so rewarding to take something like Earl and get him running again. If it was me I would enjoy the character of Earl, keep him serviced and enjoy using him looking just like he is, clean but with lots of pentane. Thanks for sharing, Paul from Texas

There’s something spiritual about fixing an old tractor and giving it a second life instead of running down to the dealer and getting their latest and greatest. Congrats! Great work on Earl.

Massey Tractors are beasts...they work better the more they get used...had two on our farm and they did everything. I learned to drive one when I could reach the pedals...love them Massey Farm Tractors. I would put some paint on parts that look rusty...Massey Red and Black

It was great watching you repair this tractor I grew up running This tractor O my grandfather's 15 acre form Long days working Bush hawg , Smooth and they driveway Box Blade, Hauling firewood What they owe truck bed as a trailer. Just brings back so many memories growing up appreciate it

I'm so glad you are taking good care of MY tractor!

I’d leave it as it is cosmetically. He’s like me, old with some signs of age but lots of character!

They don't make things like they used to, old dump trucks, tractors, homes, you name it. It is awesome to have those kind of skills.

It’s great that you didn’t quit and worked the problem! I think that earl May deserve a full restoration!

I just bought one sitting 20 years here in Australia. A 1963 MK11 I took the fuel pump glass bowl off to check the fuel, broke the seal, made a new one put it on. Battery in, turned the key and it fired without winding over. Zero smoke. The steering was frozen because the rubber on the tie rods were rotten. Pumped the tyres up, sprayed some wd40 in them, kicked the front wheels a few times and drove it home 2klms.

Brother if I was so lucky to have ole Earl I surly would not sell her. That is pure gold.. Nothing beats that kinda thing to me

That’s what I’m talkin about Massey Ferguson is a beast. After picking my jaw up off the floor pricing new tractors I found a MF 3165 rotting in a field for FREE. Spent a lot of time money and beer fixing it. Just bush hogged my pasture for the first time this weekend. It’s a damn good feeling fixing something yourself and watching it purr in the fields. Keep up the good work Stoney Ridge from a Vet turned farmer right outside of Nashville.

Keep that old massey. They are classics. My dad is 83 and still has the 1957 Massey Harris 50 that his dad bought brand new for their dairy. I have three, a TO 30 (not running), TO 35 (not running), and a 165 diesel with a loader. I have done a lot of work with all three on our 20 acres over the last 24 years. But like anything else, the need care and they will get it soon. I have been enjoying this series. Keep up the good work!!

I would leave it keep it and use it along with the other old tractor I love seeing these old tractors in use

When I put anti seize on a bolt 'for the next guy', I'm really happy when that next guy is me. I see you do a lot of long term planning, it's good to see

Hey it was good to see you get Earl fixed and back together again running. Being you asked I think I would just touch it up a bit. Service it and call it good. Great video Josh. 👍👍👍❤️

Love the old tractors I have a 1947 Feamall “C” narrow and a 1965 Economy Power King. Love the sound of old tractors makes.

My grandpa has this tractor, he bought it in 1961 and he has used it for everything in his farm, even now it runs great.

Restore Restore !!! Can you see in your minds eye how Creat Earl will Restored and how proud Earl will be ??? I really enjoy your vids "Great training and teaching films" Salamat

I want to tell you ... thank you for what you do on your channel ... it's a very welcome site to see that little dot next to your channel aspasuly these days and the days ahead... again thank you ...

Pretty darn good for never having done this before. I'm the former armorer (among many other jobs) of the Beaufort (SC) Sheriff's Office, and now that I'm retired I buy and restore old guns. My latest being a 1944 M1 Carbine. All I need is a RU-vid tutorial and I can knock it out. Thanks for the entertainment. Well worth the membership fee.

I’ve got a 1971 Massey 1100. It’s been in our pasture for at least 15 years, probably longer. I pulled it up yesterday to start a rebuild on it. We were needing another tractor on the place so I thought why not give it a try. Great video.

Greetings from Central Kentucky. My grandfather had a MF 165 circa 1970. It was a hoss of a tractor. I cut my tractor-driving teeth on in. Good luck with the 65. It will be a great tractor for you once you get it up and running.

Old farmers trick is to put the bearing in gear oil on a hot plate on low for 20 minutes or so. Then press it on. We didn't have a press. We used a peace of pipe and a 4 pound hammer and that's why we heated it up the bearings.

I would clean it up and leave it the way it is. A little character always looks good.

I remember when you came and picked up that tractor and brought it home with you. The first tractor I operated decades ago was a 1965 Massey Ferguson which was new at the time and owned by a guy who hired some of us to clear a field for him and I drove that tractor and loved it. That was my introduction to tractors and since then drove a Ford tractor another guy had which he used for farming and logging. In 2002 I purchased a John Deere 790 tractor which I still have and in 2016 I purchased a 3032E tractor from the same dealership and love it also. It sounds like you do what a former friend of mine did as he rebuilt tractors also and rebuilt two of them and made changes to a third one he owned. The last one he had before he died was a used Massey Ferguson and it is still working, but his son-n-law don't know how to operate it. Those tires are heavy and you must have had a time getting them back on the tractor too, but worth all the work performed on it so it works just fine. I think you should keep the tractor as a backup to do some of the work you have just in case one other tractor is down.

Great job! Clean it up a bit more and keep Earl on the farm! You revived him he’ll pay you back by being a great tractor on the farm!

Love the way Earle looks as is, I have been watching and waiting for you to get him fixed. Good job!!!!!

My hubby pulled your tractor’s little brother out of the woods where it had been sitting for 20 years. Steering was frozen which is why it was parked. After some beating, and cleaning I’m working our farmette with it. I wouldn’t take a brand new tractor for it.

At age 5 ( in 1960 ) I started driving a Ferguson 65. This was made possible because the "Fergy" was the only tractor on the place that had power steering. I still have one on my place, today, ... and it's still as useful as ever.

Can't beat those old Massey's, we used to have a Massey 65 Diesel with a loader and it was a good tractor. That would be perfect for your place, I say keep it.

Nothing like having an old tractor around. I got a 1965 Case 730 with a “Duz-All” loader on it. Got it from Uncle Oscar. Real strong loader and handy to have around.🇨🇦🤠

So good to see Earl fixed. My vote is to put new exhaust, stock out the back. Pressure wash, then spray down with diesel in a garden sprayer once a year. Great patina, and thread lubricant for future maintenance.

Looks like you had a lot of fun Josh that's God bless you and your wife on the front lines of this virus

Great job putting ole Earl back together Josh, you are a man with many talents !!

I stumbled onto your channel a few years ago when you were replacing the seat on your other massey. I had a '56 MF50 and was getting it up and running at the time. Tuned up, new tires & rims, new electrical, new ignition, battery, cleaned the fuel tank, all new fluids. About the time I got it running just right, I sold it to a collector and bought a '16 Kioti with 4WD and front-end loader. I miss the character of the old tractor and my wife loved how cute it was, but the new tractor gets so much more work done and I don't have to work on it constantly. Probably would have kept it as a hobby if it wasn't my only tractor.

Leave it the way it is Josh, it provides a great history lesson on how old farm equipment use to be built. My opinion, things were built to last back then. Great tutorial video!

I think u should keep it and restore it we all would like to see earl stay thank u for the great videos

Keep it and restore Earl. I have a 58 MF 65 diesel sitting in the garage getting ready to di the same to mine. Excellent video!

when doin stuff like this I use the bottom third of a 5 gallon drum to catch everything, works great and you can clean up good without making a mess. can even make handles and bend a pour out spot too.Cool project

Thanks for finishing Earl, I was worried about him being scrapped or something like that. Josh you are my inspiration as corny as that sounds its my goal to be you at 54 years old lol

keep it and restore it had one 30 yrs ago loved it then and would love one now

Enjoy until you're tired of it and sell it. Be careful on Earl though... safety wasn't much of a concern way back then.

Amazed at how well built Earl is. Keep the paint but get him all fixed up. He's a beauty

I love it the way Earl looks now! I think if Earl was mine I’d clear coat him and show off that natural patina, maybe a new muffler and put him to work! Great job as always! I really appreciate you taking the time to teach us all something!

Josh, years ago, my dad had to replace a bearing in an air compressor. He couldn't get the bearing out, so he took it to a machine shop, where they welded a bead on the race, which, after it cooled down, pulled out with little effort. Your puller wouldn't have been able to pull it as it was quite large.

Earl has come a long way now, but I think he still needs some more love. Clean him up and continue to restore him as you can. Earl would make an excellent third working tractor for your farm.

I would like to see a full resto done on the tractor. There’s something about a shiny old tractor that I just love.

Saw some minor chastising in the comments about the bearing installs.OK: for the technicals out there you use dry ice to shrink a bearing or outer race and a bearing heater to enlarge a bearing I.D. when needed. Or do what 90% of mechanics do and press or tap in place..... I've used all three methods and it depends on multiple factors.

congratulations Josh, very cool, I think I would replace the exhaust system next and then use it for a while as is....

Still use one of these. Grandad bought it new. It’s a 1962 model and it’s used for the jobs that need it. Also I’m pretty sure that one will have a plug in the front of the head where you can put a temp gauge. In the 165 it has a mechanical gauge in the hole so it’s worth a thought

I have the same 65 also a 135. I bought the 65 but I grew up on the 135. My dad gave it to me few years before he passed away. Great tractors!

Dude I haven’t seen you this happy in a long long time. Getting that fix is an accomplishment no doubt

That's so cute you named your little tractor Earl. How precious is that? Maybe you can paint the headlights to look like eyes and fashion some eyelashes to complete the look.

I got to say Josh that the bloopers really put a smile on my face, especially the the last one 🤣😂🤣

Please leave earl how he is he would be a great tractor for brushhogging or raking or manure spreading.

Hi Josh, I enjoy " Tool Tues " but I love these in-depth mechanical ones a lot more. Great show again ! keep em comin.

That was awesome! To take something that someone left rusting in a field and bring it back to life, is why people watch your channel. I don't know of too many people that would have seen the potential in this tractor. But thankfully you did. And now it is a working farm tractor again, instead of someone's field ornament. I agree with some of the people on here who say give it a good power washing and a nice layer of clear coat and definitely replace the muffler, if you can find one like it, and then just enjoy the fruits of your labor until you get tired of it, and then sell it and move on to the next fun project. Miss seeing the dogs in your videos. Can't wait to see just what Earl can do on the farm. Stay safe.

I had a 59 MF 65 row crop, logging winch, cut a great quantity of firewood, softwood logs/pulp, and poplar pulp. Great Continental gas engine!

Earl’s handsome just the way he is! (Other that the exhaust!😂) I’d keep him and use him around the farm. Handy as a pocket on a shirt and he’s not costing you hardly anything! Love the channel and the content!

Glad to see Earl rocking and rolling "Restore" good Job !!

I recently bought a 1958 Massey Ferguson 50 looks identical, did a mild restoration and I love it. Enjoy yours !

My Uncle cleaned up an old tractor and completely rebuilt it. He then painted it. He was so happy with that old tractor because of the work he did. He showed it to me and I could see the pride he had in it. .

I have a small farm in the catskill mt. ny I love the old Massey Ferguson tractors I have 2 TO 35 tractors that I rebuilt one was 30 yrs ago the other was in pieces I bought local and totally rebuilt , that one has power steering, makes it real nice to drive . one I use for my pro root o tiller the other for my finish mower. makes it easy to steer while mowing . I love those old Masseys and I enjoy working on them , pretty simple.

I would love to see you do a full restoration of that old beauty, complete with a new paint job. Then you would have something to really crow about, a vintage tractor that you fully restored and truly gave new life to...

Josh, heat that copper washer untill it is just about cherry red, with a propane torch. The heat will swell the copper and it will compress again and seal when you install the plug. This is done on the spark plug washers on lycoming aircraft engines every 100 hrs.

Hey Josh. First things first great video. Little trick for ya. If your replacing a bearing race use the old race too drive it in. Like metals won't damage each other. You should leave early with the way he is. Nothing like a tractor with character. And 500mls is half a litre. It takes 3.98 litres too make a gallons. Hope that helps and I'll see ya in the next one. Thanks for taking us along. Whoo!

Keep it and love it just like it is! It has character the way Earl has lived his life

I forgot about that thing. You're the right person to get it back going.

Thanks for the content, hard work pays off.

I'm glad to see the parts book and service manual i sent you was helpful.

I leaned how to drive a tractor exactly like that in the late 70's. I used to do the trash rounds at a campground in Erie pa, where my folks had a camper we went to on the weekends. That metal seat + camp roads = 8yr old me bouncing and laughing. ..

Thank you for thinking of the next guy!

Awesome work

Now we need to see Earl hitched up to some implements and gettin’ er done!

Hi....... Thank you 🎥👍👍👍

Just a thought for ya Josh, and know that I've worked as a semi truck mechanic for many yrs and owned my own for yrs. So, with that said just a little advice, and yes some will disagree on here but, even though the bearings in that axle run in oil, it's always a good idea to pack the bearing in grease when reinstalling. In fact, the yrs I worked for a Mack dealer in Ky. if we were caught installing wheel bearings, (new or old), dry, we could be wrote up or even fired. Yes those bearings run in oil but it takes some time of running to get the oil up and in that bearing. And once it is in the bearing it will wash out the grease. You don't want that bearing running dry for ANY time. Just a thought. John in Ky

Hey Josh, If it were me, I think I would run it for a little while making notes of all the little problems that surface as you use it. Then make an assessment of how it will cost to do all the repairs. Don't forget the paint job it needs. Any electrical work requiring panels to be removed, should be done before paint goes on. By the time you are ready to start, after running it a while, you'll know if want to go the short road with a quick low reward, or the long road to the big payoff. Remember Josh, it all boils down to what you want to do. What is going to make you happy and capable of doing. How much is it costing to fix and how much will it fetch after it's done. Good luck, stay safe, and God bless.

What a journey Josh... I say a full restoration would be awesome. At least for us viewers it would be great to watch!!!

Awesome , glad your saving Earl. Your videos are always so pleasant . What a gift . Thank you .

Another very interesting and educational video. You are very talented. I would leave old Earl looking like it does now without any restoration except for changing the muffler to an original type. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Very cool watching you breath new life into those old tough tractors!

It's always a great feeling to bring an old machine back to life!!! Love o!d tractores! Nice job Josh!!

Love that parts like that are still available for these old machines. Tractor restorers in about 50 years are going to be screwed dragging a 2020 John Deere out of a field and realising that it's a perfectly working tractor, it's just that the previous owner used an unauthorised oil filter so the ECU bricked the entire machine.

A little finagling goes a long way on old tractors , they can sometimes make you say the darndest things while working on them😂😂

I think a series were you full restore this tractor would be awesome (maybe leave the old paint to keep some of its character)!

One never knows. Offer it for sale at this level of work - a month later at the next level? You have the Jeep and the truck to work on. You are just one man wearing a lot of different hats.

When you were cleaning out the debris of the axel bearing did you reach deep inside the rear end housing to see if more debris had gotten deep in there ? Just a thought. Keep up the good work 👍

The amount of patience you have to retake stuff, constantly back track for the camera or the number of tripods you have blown through. You sir are a saint...

From crippled over 61 year old to Earl the Pearl....nice work Josh

I'd leave it like it is and pull a rake behind it thanks for sharing with us and as always what another awesome job and video

One thing I can say is that parts for Massey Ferguson tractors are reasonably easy to get parts for no matter their age. They are so popular and rebuildable.

Josh your becoming a real cracker jack mechanic on your farm equipment very well done on that main bearing and I do hope you got that race part of the main bearing seated good and no dings in it. Bringing that tractor back to life was a great topic to video! Nice job.

Josh You are doing everything right. The only thing i could add is wipe some oil onto the working surface of the seal. it doesn't matter so much on that axle seal because its slow moving. It will get wet soon enough. It stops the seal burning the edge off of it initially. Mainly applicable to fast moving parts like crank, cam, gearbox seals. I'v a bit of work on those old MF Tractors over the years . A lot of them are still in use here in NZ and they were reliable. Being continentals those tyres will last well. Continentals are never cheap. I can't remember if they have an access panel above the differential as some of the bearing may have gone into the diff housing. if it does open it up and have a fish around with a telescopic magnet.

Great vids, great tractor no computers nonsense to stop you fixing it. Clean her up and get earl working.👍

Woo hoooo! Earl lives to farm another day!! Another great video as always. Love the intro jingle, wife thinks I'm crazy cuz I randomly blurt out "oooh stoney ridge" Thu out the day lol

Thanks for getting Earl up and running 🏃‍♀️

Awesome! You’re busting out the projects now! That’s an very good feeling to take something that a lot of other people would’ve scrapped and bring it back to life and make it useable again.

not criticizing, but lending advise from someone who has replaced many bearings and gears on various pieces of equipment over the years. if you can (wife willing) put the shaft in the freezer for a few hours or better yet overnight. once its good and cold gently warm the bearing in a bearing heater (toaster oven works great for this) it will slide right together. the same goes for the gears

Hey Josh, just want to let you know how much my wife and I enjoy your channel. By no means do we have a farm, but just enough property to begin thinking about being a little more self sufficient. Your channel offers a lot - farming, gardening, livestock, and shows such as this for all of us gear heads. Keep up the strong work, keep it organic and original, and enjoy the heck out of Earl. BTW - any updates on Popcorn? We’re rebuilding a Willys as well (dubbed Lieutenant Dan). Looking forward to your continued success. Best!