Rebuilding the Hydraulic Brain (MCV) | Farmall 856 Restoration Episode 10 

Hi everyone. This video was recorded before the last video (“Approaching the End”). Thank you to everyone who responded to that video. There were so many insightful and encouraging thoughts that made a big impact on me and helped me to understand what is important going forward. I will post a follow-up video later this week.

Who else thinks Pete will get it finished in less than 30 episodes? Pete gets so much work done efficiently and correctly and it’s amazing!!

There's nothing better to start my Sunday than coffee and a Just a Few Acres Video. Thanks, Pete.

The MCV unit is an amazing piece of engineering. It blows my mind how people were able to design and build such complex parts. I am not mechanically inclined, but I do enjoy watching you rebuild these parts and restore old tractors. Your videos are well made, educational, and entertaining.

I used to think of tractors as fairly simple and straightforward machines. That is until I watched Pete tearing down his 856. Wow! That is one complicated and intricate machine. Pete, you still amaze me with your mechanical abilities. Can't wait to see this beauty back on the field. 👍

7000 views in the first hour! I guess i am not the only one who loves starting my Sunday with old tractor repair! Thanks for your time and effort Pete!

You are always seemingly so calm and take things at a even pace. I hope this means you will live for ever and continue to improve my Sunday mornings.

Pete, you must have Very very good memory to put that had. Assembly back together. I would struggle even if I filmed the whole disassembly. You are truly a gifted IH mechanic.

Just imagine what these companies do to design these tractors and then develop the tooling. Hire and train the employees. Arrange all the suppliers to facilitate manufacturing. It is mind blowing and amazing.

My 8 year old grandson has been watching your channel for a while. He loves farming and wants me to retire and farm with him. Your videos are very informative and a joy to watch with him before he's off to school in the morning. Don't listen to the negative, as 1 of your followers keep up the good work!

Sunday mornings with Pete! the best!

If I were to buy a tractor from someone it would be Pete. When you restore a tractor you do it right and would last most people there of their lives if they serviced it correctly. Great job.

Pete, I seldom make a comment on any of the RU-vid videos, but as an 82 year old retiree let me say you have 400 + thousand subscribers for only one reason ( that you and Hillary are living your life like you want, enjoying it, and that’s what people like) and that I will continue to watch whether it be informative, day to day mundane chores, or anything you want to put forth. So you, Hillary, and the rest of your family have my best wishes for a long and fruitful life. Thanks for all the videos!

This video series is such a contribution to society. What a treat to have such valuable information delivered so humbly and eloquently.

I am a machinist of 50 years. They did an awesome job in those days with the machery they had at the time. I watch you and think how I would set the job up and where to start first. Love your channel. You and Hillary are good people.

Pete this is my third winter with you and the tractor restoration. I LOVE THESE VIDEOS...

Pete, keep the faith and please remember many of us enjoy you moral compass and in sites to the what's happening. soon you be making hay again which seemed to be something you really enjoy. Don't let cabin fever get you down. Would miss you videos.

My 8 year old grandson has been watching your channel for a while. He loves farming and wants me to retire and farm with him. Your videos are very informative and a joy to watch with him before he's off to school in the morning. Don't listen to the negative, as 1 of your followers keep up the good work! 7:18

not a farmer and have never driven a tractor but watching you work is just too cool for school...Love the attention to detail

Transferable Knowledge When I’m working on projects in my small home garage, I often use tricks, methods and tools discovered on this channel. By showing the whole process, there’s so many little things you unknowingly learn. Pete proves us all, that a lot is possible in a small shop with basic tools. This is way more impressive to me than the big shops full of super expensive tools and the monthly payments that no one talks about. Thanks Pete for another great video.

Pete I look forward to your videos!! Besides being very educational I enjoy your instructional talks you give during them. Your such a good person and your family is outstanding . Thank you for all you do and share with us! Keep them coming!

You sir would make a wonderful teacher. I could listen to you all day long even though I don't know what your talking about. What few years I have left I hope you never stop doing this.

Your attention to detail is what makes you successful.

Another great video Pete, your knowledge always amazes me. That's a whole parts. Your smile warms my heart. Your past video was also heart touching. Im a young disabled and bed ridden, your videos puts sunshine on my gloomy days. Wiish you and Hillary a wonderful and blessed week.

Thanks Pete, for not only sharing your knowledge with us but also your dad jokes experience and skills, but also being the amazing teacher/man/husband/dad that you are. I'm excited to see your videos because they are so relaxing and its just so calming, you are a blessed man!.

Keep up the videos. Tractor and farming. Your videos are awesome and I look forward to seeing new ones. You are always entertaining and fun to watch. Don't even think about stopping please.

Thank you Pete, for another interesting tractor video, What does amaze me is the spare parts that are still available for such an old tractor.

I opened RU-vid specifically to see if you had posted the next installment of this rebuild. Incredible engineering and superb review by you of how it works and how to reassemble the components. Have a great week.

Wow I was shocked with how much was inside that thing!!!

Thanks Pete 👍 Hope you have the best day ever !!!!

Pete, I am so impressed that you are able to assemble these parts back together. Thank goodness Hillary is taking notes! LOL Deo Gratias

Wow, I so impressed with how much work you’re putting into restoring this tractor and the amount of knowledge you have. Watching you working on it from the get go is very satisfying. 😊

Mr. Pete, you have made me fall in love with the Farmall tractors! I want to get one and restore it someday, it’s on my bucket list.

I was raised on a farm in central Texas. There is nothing better than enjoying life on a tractor or hearding cattle etc. I miss those days, however the old saying once a farmer always a farmer rings very true.

PETE, been watching your videos for a while thoroughly enjoy them. Please keep them going.😊

Hi Peter and Family … Nothing better than Sunday lunch and the latest tractor video for dessert ….. your attention to detail is a very rare gift these days….. Thanks Ian&Jen🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Brings back memories of my father teaching me how to rebuild valve bodies for automatic transmissions when I was 13.

No matter what the topic I enjoy watching your videos Pete ..

I grew up with a 12:56 I wished I would have seen these videos earlier it would help me in my career I loved farming thanks Pete keep making videos there's people out there that need the help sometimes it's just a video to help fix something I've used some of your videos thanks again pete

This video has taught me a lot about MCV and what it controls. Your videos are never boring, always educational and full of Insite. Thanks Pete.

2:02 Oh my word.. that technical manual behind you is huge. lol the knowledge you share with us all. Thank you Pete. Chris from Maine

Enjoy your videos, no matter what they are.

I don't own a tractor or have a farm, but I hope to someday. I thoroughly enjoy watching you take apart the tractor and rebuild it. Also appreciate all of your other videos on farming and love seeing the old small equipment being used. Definitely looking forward to seeing this tractor get put back together and working on the farm again.

The way that torch wrench clicks were edited in, was very satisfying to watch.

Your intricate knowledge of these hydraulic units are amazing. Great video. Thank you Pete. 👍

Just another video of Pete (hopefully) enjoying "The Process". Thank You Friend!!! Murfreesboro TN

Good morning!! Was just thinking that you need to put out a cook book!! I love your recipes, so simple but amazingly delicious!! Anyway, just a thought, Cooking by Pete!!

Hi Pete; I am not a farmer but a city dweller. I must say that I have learned a lot about what goes into having a family farm from your videos. Taking the time to think things out, plan, and replan, when necessary, as you and your wife do is something can be applied to anyone’s life. I am sure that I will not be starting a small farm; but your videos provide more than an insight into operating a small farm. Which direction you take the channel to, I am sure that you will continue to provide an insight that will be useful to your viewers (farmers and non-farmers). Keep up the great work and Thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for this video series on the TA and associated parts. I have three IH tractors withTA's and they have always been a mystery to me as to how they worked. Since watching your channel I've learned so much about all the parts and how they go together to make it work. Your a great teacher and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us.

Pete, I want to let you know how much I enjoy watching your videos. You are not only a talented creator, but also a wise person who inspires me to work on my own projects and strive for greatness. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with the world. 🚜 🛠️ 🌱 🐄 🐖

Another fantastic video, with an explanation of how it all works and the purpose for each mechanism. Thoroughly enjoyed watching, great job. Thanks Pete, I hope you have a nice day!

Great video Pete. You always provide encouragement to others when doing their own repairs. I’m doing a lot of these same repairs to our 706. I refer to your videos often. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!

Pete l always enjoy watching my daughter watch you all the time an are wondering how you got so smart God Bless you

A fantastic memory, your assurance as you proceed is awesome. There are an awful lot of pieces to manage. Well done GOOD SIR!!!!! Ye Ole Caterpillar Cowboy

Dang Pete I am amazed at your patience when tearing down and rebuilding this unit. thoroughly enjoyed the 10 episodes, keep em coming my friend

Good morning Pete, a great way to start the day. Watching your videos and having a cup of coffee. Very relaxing. I really enjoy your videos. thank you for sharing part of your life and farm with us. Say hi to Hillary for us. Have a great rest of your Sunday.

Wow----I feel like I've just given birth to a mechanical monster! And I'm a guy!!! Great job, Pete, and I appreciate your attention to detail. I think that a lot of folks who do rebuilds and just turn around and sell them just give them a lick and a polish and consider the job "done". Give me a rancher/farmer who uses what they rebuild any day of the week over the other kind. Thanks for this episode, and have a great day yourself.

Great video Pete. I truly hope you choose to continue your insightful and entertaining videos. But you take care of you. Peace!

Really, what Pete does with these Tractors is an Art. He needs his own School to teach this to the next Generation! WE NEED OUR FARMERS!!

You simply amaze me with your mechanical ability. I love watching you work on your tractors. Thanks for sharing. God Bless you.

I've been following this whole project and it is like a giant 100,000 piece puzzle. You've got great patience!

Hoping you continue the videos, restoring, repairing, and animal care. Learning a lot from repairing and so relaxing watching the others!

The amount of detail is impressive. Great job!

Your role: Teacher and a mighty fine one.

Hello, I've been thinking since your last video. Why do I always click on your videos. I'm never going to own a tractor, cows or chickens for that matter. You have the quality I value in a friend. common sense and calm. The world seams to be all fluff and no substance. I can understand how hard it must be to come up with new video ideas there's got to be only so many ways you can show how to bail hay. I think it's not what your doing that is important it's how you do it. If that makes any sense. No matter what you do I wish you and your family all the best.

Sunday with Pete and a cup of coffee. Thanks Pete

This series is so interesting and so many details. The people that engineered these systems are amazing.

Hello Pete!!! Love your positive attitude, I’m amazed of the detail and knowledge that you have good job Pete, keep doing what you do it’s great you are my therapy say hi to the family and don’t forget patty 😂

I sure enjoy watching you work on the tractors from stem to stern

it sur mis a pleasure watching you, you tell us everything and the same with the rest of your farming activities, thank you for sharing

I look forward to all your tractor videos. Great job. Can't wait to see it run and maybe see some new paint.

So enjoying your videos. After watching your last video I said a few extra prayers for you and your family. Keep doing what you're doing. All your videos are both informative and entertaining.

Hi Pete, Once again another finely crafted video explaining complex engineering concepts. The most interesting new thing ( I really dislike using “thing” to describe an idea I’m trying to express) I learned about was the operation of the machined TA control shaft that slides inside the thick cover controlling which passages receive oil and which do not. Did not understand that until you demonstrated that particular operation today. ❤ to you, Hilarie and family.

Pete I'm here for the machines. I appreciate the builds and explanations. I dont have any old tractors but the mechanical knowledge is worth learning. Also, dump valve is pretty funny.

I must say I am quite impressed with your mechanical knowledge!!

You're a great man Mr. Larson. Thanks for all of your insightful thoughts.

Another great video!!! I truly look forward to these morning episodes.

I was recommended by RU-vid “Tractor Wars” from Iowa PBS , I’m sure it’s because of watching your videos, it was was very good

I enjoyed the whole video. I could hear Ezra in the back ground cheering you on. :)

Pete I'll be honest with ya ..I live in Vermont and you just saved a Farmall H from the scrap yard as it's now in our shop and we are gonna rebuild my son's and I good project after watching your videos I know we will run into problems but pretty much we just need paint new carb and we are gonna rewire it and do new tires as we watched how you trouble shoot stuff we decided to look at it and our troubles was I. The wiring we thought worse so thank you for these videos maybe not to everyone but to us your an inspiration to us to get this tractor done

Thanks for sharing the video Pete. Coming along nicely. It's going to be practically a new tractor when you get it done. You will enjoy it and you should not have many years of great service out of the tractor. 856's are great tractors.

I am no tractor guy or a mechanic! I started watching for the animals and farming but I am hooked on your rebuilds! Never miss an episode! You sir are a master and I could watch you all day as you tear down and rebuild stuff!! 👏👏💯🔥

One thing is for sure when this 856 is done it sure is going to be a great working tractor

You're good at this Pete! Have a blessed day!

Ahhhh yes, a nice quiet Monday morning with a hot cup of coffee and watching Pete work his magic. This my friends is going to be a good week! Thank you Pete.

I've gone to old tractor show and a new tractor show in 2023'. I call it Building of History Tour. Reflection on the historical journey of Hydraulic systems and the invaluable lessons that have paved the way for our present achievements. Thank you, Pete for bringing us along today. Take care always

Hay Pete it sure is interesting watching you put those pumps together it sure is funny how those little passages sure can lift a lot of weight enjoy your channel probably red will be having her little squealers pretty soon hopefully you have a great growing stock this season can’t wait to see to the eight fifty six up and running again that make a great bailing tractor

Amazing to think about the period these components were engineered. Every blueprint was hand drawn and all the calculations were done with sliderules and design specs pulled from giant libraries of technical books and testing logs. The numbers of employed staff involved during the power revolution of the mid 20th century was epic. Interesting histories for those of us with an inquisitive nature and mechanical fascination.

This was so relaxing that I think I'll rewatch it tonight before going to sleep. That's meant as a compliment, not sarcasm.

Came to your channel because of H information. Stayed for the show! Great job!!

Ya know Pete International Harvester was a huge Made in AMERICA COMPANY Not only did they make great farm tractors and implements but they made the international heavy trucks like the 4070 Transtar cab overs but they also produced the conventional Transtar Eagles fine fine company back in the day!!!

What does the future hold for Pete and the farm? Pete, you have two very important talents. Your ability to plan and execute that plan. In addition you can execute that plan with in a budget and can closely track your costs. What is profitable and what part of farming is a fit for new farmers? These are skills and talents that many people are lacking. I can see you levering all of your skills in helping people startup small family farms and helping current small farmers save their farms. Each situation would become a “project” that you can help structure. It would bring you back to the point where you started and you could experience the fun you had in your startup. If you still like a challenge and want to help others this would be one way to keep your channel interesting and those new startups could launch their own videos. Or, you can kick back and work your way into retirement. I’m older then you and still look forward to getting into something new. I say you’re never too old, my wife is ready to put me in a nursing home. She has to catch me first.

your videos are a amazing and a delight to watch , i like that you go slow enough to make it easy to follow and understand what you are doing, keep up the good work.

Well as sad as it was the end of that video came up way too soon!!. I just can't get enough of these mods and rebuilds. The irony of it is that I'm 80 yrs old and retired. and will never put a wrench to that size tractor again. only thing I work on now is my lawn mower and try to work on my car when I can find the motor in it thru all the "UNESSCISARY JU NK!! these new engineers think they are improving things when in reality they are just making them worse. for the consumer/do it yourselfer. we all know what that's all about. so I guess we are religated to at least watching someone who can still do the mechanical things we love! thanks for sharing Pete. ECF

Hay pete great video always nice to see you work on your tractors. You are making some good progress on your restoration soon we will see you test driving it thank you for sharing blessings to you and your family

I love all your videos, I feel like it puts me back to my childhood

It always amazes me how interesting your videos are. You're a great teacher and I truly enjoy and appreciate you. I may never use any of the information and yet I find it fascinating to learn it. For as long as I am able, I will continue to watch your videos. You bring a great peace and tranquility to my life, and for that I am grateful. Without going into detail, I love everything about your videos. Thanks for your time and effort in making these videos. See you later.

Pete another great video I will probably watch it at least 5 times

Hi pete much love and respect for all your videos Excellent content 👏 love to your family and everyone in the chat love from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪

Another relaxing video...your knowledge, patience is awesome to see. Have a good week.