Gutting the Transmission and Removing the Torque Amplifier | Farmall 856 Restoration Episode 5 

Pete, I am a recently retired mechanical engineer. I began my career in the early 1970's when designers worked on drafting tables with pencil, paper, some templates and a parallel bar. Desktop computers were more than a decade in the future. A guy was considered lucky (or wealthy) if he owned an hand held electronic calculator. As I watch your teardown of the gearbox of your tractor, I am incredibly impressed by the engineering capabilities of our predecessors. They designed all of these mechanical devices with only a pencil, some paper and a bunch of brainpower. When I see such handiwork, it truly humbles me. I think that those who came before us are truly deserving of far more credit than we have given them. Pete, it seems to me that these old tractors are more than simple mechanical devices. I think, in a way, that they are mobile time capsules. As we open them up we discover the brilliance of those who came before us.

Great video Pete. Your restoration/repair videos should be required viewing in any technical trade school teaching mechanics. Watching you gives me the confidence to do repair work on my old tractors. I like ALL your video posts but the any video with a tractor in it is my favorite.

As an old school teacher, I realize that you either have a time machine and went back to the assembly line, or you know how to study. You either read the manuals or watch the videos. In either case you have a complete understanding of the parts before rebuilding them. You only get to the level you're at by pure love of what you are doing. I love watching you. I'm 77 and my Dad is gone a long time. I find myself wishing he were here with me watching you. I still hear him saying that he was a real mechanic. He rebuilt things. He calls the new mechanics "parts replacers" In his generation, parts were expensive and labor cheap. Today the opposite is true. Really both are expensive now!!. Thanks for giving me an enjoyable break from life.

This video should be watched by anyone who still doubts we landed on the moon. The engineering in this tractor is amazing. Your ability to describe how something that looks incredibly complex in simple terms is also amazing. Thanks Pete.

I get anxiety watching you take all this apart. I'm no where near the mechanic you are. Love watching these videos. Your patience is amazing. Great job. Thanks for bringing us along.

Hi Pete, I do believe your videos will be required one day for anyone doing restoration. Very informative. On a personal note, i can't stop watching them. Thank you!

Pete, I absolutely appreciate your willingness to share 😘. This means so much to me as it allows my elderly dad and I to bond over this. He always thought it would be one of his 3 sons with the love of “well used tractors” (dad’s term) - instead he got his only daughter as his helper. This is everything RU-vid was meant to be.

Pete, Thank you for going forward with the tear down of the Torque Amplifier I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that are having serious issues with their tractors Torque Amplifier and appreciate the video you posted. As a Heavy Equipment Mechanic / Technician of 36 years, and now stuck behind a desk teaching New Techs, I certainly due, every machine or tractor has it's own quirks and unique ways of disasembling components, again Thank You for the Awesome videos.....

Thanks Pete for letting us see the inside of the magic box called the torque amplifier

Pete, my 14 and 16 year old sons and I love watching your tractor videos more than anything else on RU-vid. Thank you for all the work making each shot and clearly describing what you are doing and why. We were so curious about what you would do and thankful that you included the debate in your mind about whether to remove the torque converter. Thanks again! -Nick, Prescott, AZ

What's facinating is I'm in my 80's so the chance of me tearing into any tractor like this is "NONE" but you do such a graet job of teaching as you go and are so intriguing I'm glued to the screen from start to finish. I won't even break for a coffee and I love my coffee! this is and all of these are priceless tutorial Pete. thanks for the enjoyment. and thank you for the tutorial for the newbies and old timers that still wrench things. just simly great . thanks for sharing. ECF

Thanks for sharing, Pete! James “Scratch” Olson, the founder of Hy-Capacity visited the tech school often and gave his sales pitch on IH parts they sold to dealers, repair shops and farmers. One warning I remember Scratch told us is do not bump the input shaft as it goes into the pilot bearing or you will ruin your TA. Hang your pressure plate and clutch disk on the shafts. There is room to install the pressure plate to flywheel bolts one you have the tractor halves back together. Scratch founded Hy-Capacity in 1978 the year I enrolled in Farm Diesel Mechanics at the Canby Area Vocational Technical Institute in Canby, MN. It was very wise of him to peddle his products at the tech school level to get exposure with the future technicians of the farm diesel industry.

The brains that figured out how all these parts and pieces go together to work are amazing!

Bob Wollard’s comments below, totally encapsulate my thoughts on the subject. I too, have a former background of 1940s machine design and engineering, involving complex mechanical and hydraulic systems, producing a wide variety of multi deck printing and packaging machinery that the UK exported all over the world. Historically, whether in the UK, Europe or the USA, we must all marvel all the prowess of the designers and engineers who made all this work from scratchy pencil drawings, sometimes one can imagine, on the back of a napkin at dinner. I’m reminded also, that the earlier inventors of steam locomotion, the internal combustion engines, aeronautics, were all cast in that same mold. Pete does such a wonderful job in taking us through the functions of each 856 item, step by step, lucidly expressed in his inimitable style, giving life to a pile of metal in real time, and moreover putting it all back together, firing her up, and mowing the hay. Pete is gifted in so many ways, particularly his personable presentation, his knowledge, his style, and not the least, his camera and video skills. One can almost smell the grease and oil, feel the metal under the glove, feel the hurt when he bashes his knuckles, and feel the satisfaction when that final bolt gives way. Thanks Pete, keep it all coming, you have a very appreciative audience, obviously many older people with happy memories of simpler times.

Engineering behind the TA’s design & manufacturing is fascinating. Thanks for sharing your work and another great video!

Pete I’m mesmerized on how patient you are I love watching you repair all things it’s better then tv lol I’m 82 and I getalotpleasure watching you do all repairs and the farm never give up u have allot fans that enjoy

Bouncing Czechs. 😂😂😂 . I wouldn’t be able to sleep worrying how I would ever get it back together . Great video Pete, thank you for sharing this rebuild .

These videos are better than any classroom I ever sat in. Thanks for the upload, Pete!!

Bravo, Pete! I'm very happy you are satisfied with doing this. it blows my mind how someone actually thought of putting all that together to make that tractor move on down the field. amazing. thanks for the jokes. See you on the next one.

It is amazing to stop and think about the engineering and design of all the components of all the engine parts and how they fit together

I spent 20 years fixing duplicating machines, they were mechanical beasts. I am also a hobbyist watchmaker for the 300 American pocket watches I own. It was nice seeing the inside of the transmission and the torque amplifier. I am glad you took it apart, with the age on it, it was time well spent. Mechanical things wear out. Ify repairs and doing things part of the way has always bit me in the rear. I long ago learned that there is always time/money to do things right the second time but its aggravating. But the aggravation saved in doing things right the first time is priceless.

I am so happy you are doing the restoration of the tractor. I am 73 physically challenged widow and it brings such joy because it reminds me of my brother working on our old 30s and 40s tractors in the 50s and 60s😂😂😂 Absolutely love your channel.

“You’re doing it all wrong!” Says no one on Pete’s channel. (Or so it seems) I watch plenty of mechanic type (i.e. pros) on RU-vid and the comment sections are a free for all of rudeness - everyone is an expert! Not at all here. A respectful group of responses and helpful comments. This is how it should be. Thanks Pete for providing an opportunity to regain faith in my fellow humans…

Thank you, Pete. I enjoy watching you do these detailed tasks with such knowledge.

Thanks for the extra video. I appreciate watching.

The fact that you are going to put this back together is mind boggling.

You are a champion Pete,being able to disassemble all of your tractors that you use. This I is a major job. It would cost thousands of $ to have this done at a shop. I had a acer or so in vegetables. Used a 68 3414 industrial. The things I learned was incredible. I take my hat off to you and family.god bless all of you from a admirer of you all.

How the hell do you remeber everything in the right order?? you never cease to amaze us great job

I think it was worth it, you intend to keep the tractor for ever and now you know how good it is and will be !

I'm glad you decided to get into the torque amplifier. Even if it was pristine like new, it made for an informative video that I and so many others appreciate.

Pete watching you work is amazing I'm mechanically inclined myself but you are over the top love your videos you are the man

This video was awesome. I really appreciate Pete going through the TA and letting us watch. That was great.

I can’t even, you are quite the mechanic Pete!

Thanks for taking it on Pete. I didn’t get a chance to say tear into it. Glad folks convinced you, Take Care!

Pete every time I watch your channel I learn something about farming and livestock

Love the Farmall’s the 806 and 856 are my favorite versatile tractors. Great job restoration. Pete a new clutch and TA is such a good piece of mind and idea. It’s like a throughout bearing and pilot bushing when you do a clutch. It just what you do now or you will be doing it sooner than you want. Great video! Thanks and keep them coming! 😊

In my opinion, you made the right call tearing it down that far Pete. That messed up TA shaft would've bothered me WAY too much to leave it alone, and you were already knee deep into things. For me at least, I'd figure that shaft would cause me bearing/bushing issues a few short years down the road, and I'd then be kicking myself for not going the extra mile and correcting it when I had the tractor disassembled that far. Despite what a replacement TA must cost, as you put it, the "piece of mind" alone is worth it, and you'll know that the job got done right.

Everbody says that Pete brings calm to their day and I realised that this is partly because he deals with what he's workig on without any music and fluff or hyping things up. So refreshing.

Always amazes me the engineering involved in these old tractors. You expect them to be plain and simple.

Glad to see you labeling parts as you remove them. I spent my working life (previous life) in a laboratory so labeling and documentation is second nature. Great instructional video even for a GREEN tractor guy.

Your knowledge and abilities are commendable. Thank you for sharing with us. I can't help but to think while I watch your videos, what a incredible shop teacher you would make.

The engineering was impeccable!

As a teacher, the 20 minutes I get to eat my lunch is always so much better when I can tune out and watch Pete do the work. I was makes my day when I find a lunch video. Thanks, Pete.

That amazes me Pete, I’d never get that back together 😂😂

Amazing as always, Pete. I see why you wanted moral support for tackling the TA. It looked like a lot of work which perhaps could have been put off til necessary, but the "do it" comments were overwhelming so I'm glad you did it. Also impressed beyond words by your knowledge, skill, patience and clear explanations. Thank you!

Hats off to the engineers who designed it ! Like the 3 level chess board in Star Trek, you have to plan wayyyyy ahead. Nice job Pete, of course we all knew you would take it apart 😂

30 years in parts and service admin. Other words I flew a desk. I marvel at the designs and thoughts that went into it all these designs. . The biggie for me is they made and machined all these parts and castings and they not only fit together well but they lasted as they rode the gauntlet each and every day.. I may not say the same for the Ford Edsel? Them some beg to differ. Thanks Pete for a great you tube presentation Power Transmission is always a marvel.

You've got to put THAT together again!!!!!!! Sooner you than me! Good luck Pete.😊

I get so involved with you in the disassembly that I have to wash the oil off my hands at the end of the video. Thanks for ripping into the TA. Now, to get it back together....

Giddilywonkers ! Pete,you’re using some high powered terminology today!

It's amazing how much delicate work requires a big serious hammer

I will never be a mechanic but I am glued to these videos. You kind of make me wish I was One.

Hello Pete. Keep up the great content. It's refreshing to watch good people doing what they love doing.

Pete, What a wonderful video! We keep learning so much from you. We may never do a tractor but this is so valuable in machinal knowledge. This Spring we will be tearing down and rebuilding my first 1960 Chev C20 flat bed truck and your words will help guide me through the process. Thank You for your Beautiful video. God Bless

I am so impressed by your ability to restore these tractors. Great videos

Your doing the right thing. Not so much the $$. It's the peace of mind. Well worth it Thank you.

Best episode in this series yet. Totally worth it.

The gray beards knew how to build stuff !!! another "Great" video, thanks.

My grandson ages 3 and 1 adore you!!! They watch your channel over and over ( well as long as their mom allows. Screen time is very limited as their time is taking up creating their own homestead.) Thank you for creating content that we all enjoy watching!!!

It was definitely worth it sir. You'll be happy with the decision. Cheers MR. PETE.

I watch these on 2x speed. Man Pete you are a speedy wrench!!!!!!!

From watching your past tractor restorations, I can see that this is a beast of a machine! It seems significantly larger and more complex than any of the previous tractors… I enjoy your farm business videos but am totally drawn in to these mechanical endeavors of yours! 👍🏻🔧🛠️🔩⚙️🛞

A 30 minute repair video by Pete. I'm gonna grab a beer, relax and enjoy this video.

Well done Pete! I turn wrenches for a living and am just amazed on what a great job you do with these tractors.

I'm glad you are doing this... and I bet you'll be glad to have done it. You already found one problem - that loose nut - that you wouldn't have found otherwise... and I bet you'll find one or two more things you'll be glad you caught before they led to some sort of malfunction or failure. Thanks for adding this portion of the job to your content.

I'm happy that you kept going. I'm amazed at the incredible engineering that they had back in the day. It's truly amazing. At least to me it is. I would've had no idea what all went into a tractor. It's very impressive. Putting it all back together will be even more impressive! Fantastic.

Watching Mr. Pete tearing down that tractor making my brain to steam ;) :) :) Wow ! I'm soo impress by all that knowledge.

Pete. You are an artist! Also, Going in after the torque amplifier reminded me of Star Wars and Luke going into the Death Star! Thank you.

Pete, No doubt your videos will inspire others to get into their own projects all while learning and sharing both history and the logic of mechanical engineering. Your style of content is soothing, highly informative and entertaining.

Pete's a southpaw? That makes him even more special and interesting guy--in my opinion. Primarily thinks with the right side of his brain. Much respect. 👍

You certainly are more than a good mechanic and not your average farmer. I love your videos. You seem so calm and precise at everything you do. if you ever decide to give up farming you certainly could have a business working on the other farmers tractors in your area. God bless you, He has certainly given you a gift ! I much enjoy watching. Thank you

Pete all I can say is that u are one SMART man I would be lost .

Thank you Pete I really appreciate you taking the time to show us all that!

This tractor was built like a battleship. So much machine work and design. That's why it lasted so long.

Pete I find watching you disassembling this tractor relaxing on a winter night! Thanks and God Bless You and Your Family!

Excellent work!!! Love the explanation on things. You make it look so effortless.

I’m happy that your happy about the tear down, sometimes things can just wear on your mind, if you leave them as is.

This is amazing to see your knowledge and passion in use. This seems to be more complicated, all these gears😮. I now see the interaction between sections and layers of interaction. Thank you for sharing and helping us all to see results.

Pete,amazing video and amazing work of the engineers who did the designs and those who cast the cases gears shafts and bearings etc. Looking forward to the next steps.

It is easy to see the reluctance to dig into that system, the tear down is quiet involved. You did find some correctable surprises in the process and it’s alway good to check the condition of any ‘O’ rings involved. 👍 The value of this episode is that it will make available a resource of inside info for others to assess by. 👍👍👍

Thanks for sharing the video Pete. You make it look easy in the video. One thing for sure is you know what you are going to have when you're done with the tractor and it will last you for rest of your life. Take care and I will be looking forward to seeing the next one.

Pete, truly enjoy your videos! The commentary is so interesting and educational.

Thanks Pete,always a satisfying experience,peace brother…

Great show Pete Happy Farming to you and your Family looking forward to #6 and so on in this series 856 restore!!!

I KNEW you would Dig in Pete. Right move. I am impressed by the Engineering of the period. Not many Computers and CAD at that time it amazes me. I am a car guy but absolutely enjoy all of your Videos, live in PA and hope to see you in the Saturday Market this spring. Well done Sir!

Pete, I don't know if it's just a weird thing I have or not, but I love the sound of bolts being broken loose, and your videos fill my love of that sound. Thank you for these and , God bless you and your family.

Never would I have imagined myself watching tractor restoration videos, but here we are. Your commentary and video angles make them enjoyable to watch and learn.

Nice video, really enjoyed watching and I do think you did the right thing to take out the TA. There are so many specs that could be close or even borderline, without all the necessary tools to completely diagnose the wear or the tolerances it's just hard to know. Thanks for doing the TA, I hope your day goes good!

Great video Pete, thanks for taking this next step in this tractors video series. Looking forward for the next video, have a great day!

Thanks Pete. That seems like a part that was before it’s time. Looks much like what is in these newer tractors.

Once again a great tear down Pete. Thank You Ronnie 😊

Pete, you will have peace of mind when the tractor is back together and you won’t have to worry about the drive gears in it, and things won’t be leaking and any internal hydraulic leaks will be taken care of. One of my jobs was to repair the hydraulic and pneumatic system on primarily helicopters in the late 70’s and early eighties. I was in the US army, and that was the time when the UH-1 or Huey as everyone knows was still the main bird, and I would take apart the hydraulic cylinders and repair them, and then I was the only one who knew how to run the test cell to make sure they were working properly again. These hydraulic cylinders were used to operate the main rotor on the Huey, and if I did not fix it right , there could be loss of life. A couple of years later, I was sent to school to learn about the same systems on the UH-60, or what is known as the Blackhawk, and the technology was way more advanced and we had to change our way we saw and worked on these. Basically going from a big hydraulic cylinder, to small modules to do much of the same stuff. And nobody should ever doubt we could and did go to the moon and back more than once😊

WOW significant design changes/improvements along the way between the original Farmall MTA and the Intranational 56 series TA.

Wow Pete, what a can of worms. Very interesting videos you put out. Thank you.

Thank you for all of that work. I can see that it was really a complicated process. I'm glad that you thought it was worth it. Thanks.

Keep'em coming Pete 👍👍👍👍

Love your farm grew up on milking 70 cows quite farm and became heavy equipment mechanic but still make 100 acres of hay for selling keep up the farm

You would make a great teacher on tractor repairs at a good college or trade school.

Love it and glad the vote was to continue!!

Amazing Engineering to build these units, thank you, Pete,