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I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven
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olivetroad
Posted 3/27/2014 09:13 (#3779412)
Subject: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Kingdom of Callaway - Fulton, Mo 65251		I stopped in Collyer Kansas a couple days ago to get some parts for my old Versy tractors. I always read on here that Harry Herl was the man to buy from and boy were they right!

We got there late in the day and I was worried they would be closed. But they bent over backwards to help. Harry is having some health problems, but they invited me in their home so we could talk tractors and then his wife and I dug around and found the parts I needed. A couple parts were not already dismantled, but he let me go take them off a couple tractors sitting in the yard so i could get everything i needed. His wife is very accommodating.

While we were visiting, a guy called about selling Harry a tractor. Watching him talk, I could see what a genius Harry is about a Versatile. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge, and he and his wife are two of the nicest folks I have ever met on my travels - and I don't offer that lightly!

When we left there, we went out to their farm and just nosed around in awe at all his tractors. The pictures don't do justice to what Harry has done - I would like to know how many tractors he has parted out over the years, and how many folks like me they have helped. As someone who really appreciates how well made and simple old Versatiles are, this was really a treat.






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deere6810
Posted 3/27/2014 09:17 (#3779421 - in reply to #3779412)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


What type of business does he have, sales used versatiles or salvage them or both.
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olivetroad
Posted 3/27/2014 09:28 (#3779448 - in reply to #3779421)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Kingdom of Callaway - Fulton, Mo 65251		He runs a truck and Versatile salvage yard. He sells parts and also rebuilds parts. He said they rebuild a lot of Versatile transmissions and rear ends. He has a lot of military trucks and also of all things; Toro lawnmowers! I think he is lucky - he does what he enjoys!
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MCatSHF
Posted 3/27/2014 09:30 (#3779454 - in reply to #3779412)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven



Sandy Hook, MB

Hello Olivetroad

...& they all began their life in Winnipeg, MB... 

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Rosco
Posted 3/27/2014 09:47 (#3779483 - in reply to #3779412)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Galahad, Alberta		Did you see any of the rebuilds that he does? They take old Versy's and strip them down, rebuild the tranny and rears, drop in a new cummins motor, better radiator, put a massey 4800 series cab on the top and paint her up. His rebuilds look very sharp,
Rosco

Edit: I don't think the support system under that 1150 rainbow is NAT approved!

Edited by Rosco 3/27/2014 09:49
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scott nelsen
Posted 3/27/2014 09:48 (#3779484 - in reply to #3779448)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Leeds, North Dakota		David, thanks for sharing, have dealt with Harry a few times, if he doesn't have it, no one does, Scott.
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MAGNUM8950
Posted 3/27/2014 10:20 (#3779532 - in reply to #3779412)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven



southern medina county ohio		id like to get ahold of some tires
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Caleb55
Posted 3/27/2014 10:24 (#3779542 - in reply to #3779412)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


SE Michigan		Impressive, I always enjoy looking at pictures of salvage yards, the more interesting the better!
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BIGASH Farms
Posted 3/27/2014 10:35 (#3779564 - in reply to #3779483)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


MN

Rosco - 3/27/2014 09:47 Did you see any of the rebuilds that he does? They take old Versy's and strip them down, rebuild the tranny and rears, drop in a new cummins motor, better radiator, put a massey 4800 series cab on the top and paint her up. His rebuilds look very sharp, Rosco Edit: I don't think the support system under that 1150 rainbow is NAT approved!


Id like to see some pics of that! 

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olivetroad
Posted 3/27/2014 10:37 (#3779567 - in reply to #3779483)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Kingdom of Callaway - Fulton, Mo 65251
Rosco - 3/27/2014 09:47

Did you see any of the rebuilds that he does? They take old Versy's and strip them down, rebuild the trannds, drop in a new cummins motor, better radiator, put a massey sseries cab on the top and paint her up. His rebuilds look very sharp,
Rosco

Edit: I don't think the support system under that 1150 rainbow is NAT approved!



I didn't see any of them, but if they did it, I bet it is good. He said said it took two months to make one of those, but only two days to dismantle one to sell for parts. He said they get a lot of transmissions shiped to them which they rebuild and ship back. He had several of them being rebuilt in the shop when I got the grand tour.



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kstater
Posted 3/27/2014 10:45 (#3779585 - in reply to #3779542)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Well there's no excuse for our old 875 to ever die then. Awesome. I've grown quite fond of our old versatile. Amazed at how much work it will do.
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Rosco
Posted 3/27/2014 12:41 (#3779802 - in reply to #3779564)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Galahad, Alberta		Some scans from Peter Simpson's book on 4WD tractors. I tried to upload scans of both pages from the book, but the files were too big, so I had to crop out the pics.
Rosco

Edited by Rosco 3/27/2014 12:46




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S.C.B. Farms
Posted 3/27/2014 13:02 (#3779854 - in reply to #3779585)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Southeast Iowa		Looks like plenty of parts. We used to run a 555 then went to a 935 and 950 for the main tillage tractors. Run the overhead and keep good antifreeze in them and they seem to run forever.

Edited by S.C.B. Farms 3/27/2014 13:02
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Farmboy686
Posted 3/27/2014 13:33 (#3779922 - in reply to #3779854)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Wow that is some cool iron. Love that 6260!Looks factory. wish they made a 475hp -525 hp version.
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deere6810
Posted 3/27/2014 14:08 (#3779987 - in reply to #3779854)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


also like the 6260, any problems with your verstalie 555, heard they were a very bad tractor. I bet he could sell a ton of 6260 today.

Edited by deere6810 3/27/2014 14:27
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S.C.B. Farms
Posted 3/27/2014 20:52 (#3780909 - in reply to #3779987)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Southeast Iowa		Problems with the 555 unfortunately yes many. We bought it brand new in 81. Broke the crankshaft in half around 1700 hrs. Cummins remarked the dipstick and and had us not fill to factory specs. Lost the original engine around 3700 hours. Replaced with a complete new one. Had to rebuild the sun gears and planetaries at all four corners. Around 5000 hrs it started breaking the shaft between the engine and transmission. Replaced the shaft, had everything balanced and new u joints. Broke another one right away which Versatile warrantied. It would break the shaft with no load just pulling out onto the road. Sold it for salvage after that. If I had to guess, I imagine it looks like the piles of parts in the first few pics above. Now the 935 and 950 I can honestly say were two of the best tractors we've had on the farm. Everything about those two models are different though. The only thing the triple nickle shares is the name Versatile.
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olivetroad
Posted 3/28/2014 08:16 (#3781682 - in reply to #3780909)
Subject: RE: I died and went to Versatile tractor heaven


Kingdom of Callaway - Fulton, Mo 65251		We noticed that there were more 555s and V8 powered 700 Versatiles than anything else. It looked like most of the 555s were heading to the smelter for lack of parts demand.

You could tell the demand for parts was good on the solid models. A lot of the old 800s were missing the little things like door latches, battery covers, air breathers, etc. People are keeping them running.
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