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Samson Sieve-Grip A couple of months ago we took a look at the Samson Iron Horse (Tractor Trivia and other interesting stuff 1/11/2024) which was intended to allow farmers to begin horseless farming while using the horse-drawn implements they already owned. Today’s subject is the Iron Horse’s big brother, the Sieve-Grip. Samson Iron Works of Stockton, CA, began in 1884 manufacturing steam engines and pumps then began manufacturing tractors in 1912. That was a time of experimentation, massive prairie tractors wouldn’t fit the needs of smaller farmers and a multitude of options were offered. Drum drive, three wheeled, tracked, four wheeled tractors were all being developed at the same time. Samson thought they had the perfect answer for the grove and orchard owner when they introduced the Samson Sieve-Grip. It had a low profile to work under the overhanging branches of fruit trees, ran on inexpensive kerosine and had a unique tread design on its steel wheels that had less slippage than most other tractors with cleat wheels. The Sieve-Grip’s wheel tread design was unusual. Although the Samson tractor used cleats, its open wheel design was unique among tractors. Samson’s ads claimed the open tread provided better traction. By 1913, the Samson tractor won the California State Fair competition in its category. The following year it was offered in two sizes: a 6-12 model and a 10-25. Both were called Sieve-Grips. In 1915 the single-cylinder engine was replaced with a more powerful four cylinder GMC 12-25 engine. Samson was one of the first manufacturers to enclose its drive gears to keep out dirt and dust. The Sieve-Trac was 63” wide, 57” high and 14.5 feet long. The operator seat is so low that the driver cannot see the front wheel over the hood. An arrow is perched atop the wheel so the operator can tell which direction the front wheel points. There is one speed forward and one reverse. A PTO shaft protrudes from the rear, to which a belt pulley can be bolted for belt work. In 1918 General Motors purchased Samson, and moved operations to Janesville, WI, merging operations with the Janesville Machine Company which GM purchased at about the same time. A new state-of-the-art factory was built and GM was now in the tractor business. Though the Sieve Grip tractors had proven successful for grove/orchard operations the demand for general purpose tractors was strong and the Sieve-Grip was too expensive at $ 1,750 to compete with Fordson Tractors so the time had come to develop a new general-purpose tractor to remain competitive. More on this tomorrow.

Eons ago I did a couple fancy paint jobs. A severe tennis elbow from all that wet sanding made me switch to the two spray can 15 foot style paint job.

Nice set of correct 312-8 decals would really pop on that one, make the paint job less of a focal point. And add the black painted section on the front of the hood below the headlights

Hey uhhh. @JCM I got this.... Should be good right?

Make the rest of the tractor look like the hood and it won't look so bad anymore. Symmetry ! LOL

My "Quality" paint jobs always look soooo much better when I turn out the lights!

Though I better add the other reasons I quit trying to paint. Kudos to all those that are able lay down those deep perfect finishes.

My painting is to prevent corrosion not for great looks. It is exactly that damage new paint issue that makes me avoid wasting time on fancy paint jobs. Mine are all tractors with jobs not trailer queens...

I'm ready EB. Got a backup for the backup.

If the rain we've gotten here over the last few days had been snow, we'd probably have 3 feet. And with the winds it would have been very bad blizzard conditions. Tornado warnings, hail, and all that. Stay safe!

Never. ...Yeah, pretty much all the time. I spent over two years "staring" at my 523-H project for the same reason. And when I did finally start dissasemby? I didn't scratch it, I made several big gouges in the paint. Even chipped a dime-sized chunk off the fender! But, I don't know how to get around it. I've said before, I never really finish a tractor. Seems I'm always going back and changing stuff after supposedly being done!

This is one reason why I use stainless bolts when I do a resto. Never have to go back and touch up hardware.

I’ve been looking for (and still am) a good 78345 deck shell for a 310-8 that came my way. Been working on the one that came with it but it’s got a twist in it that I’m having trouble undoing. Anyway, in my search I came across this original owner, 842 hr. 312-8 with a good deck and what appears and sounds like a really nice running 12 hp Magnum. It is completely dry all around the engine. It does have a slow leak at the break shaft that I’ll have to get after at some point. PO did a nasty color repaint for some strange reason. I dislike the color but he actually did a nice job of the painting. Gotta give it the ‘new to me list’ go over to see if I missed anything when looking it over before I bought it.

No worries @ebinmaine, looks like the storm is gonna drop some off by us first. Should not be so bad by the time it gets to you. Low vis and it just keeps coming right now.

Ask greasy Pete how he'd bring that hood back.

i have cleaned rust and paint from mower decks and plows as well as some seat pans and hoods with angle grinder pads as well as had done by professional sand blaster. Angle grinder pads or hand/machine sanding for tins like a hood or seat pan etc may not produce a high quality appearance -- for tins it appears sand blasting is best for the best final appearance. Mostly, I have rehabbed mowers and plows that do not need a perfect "pretty appearance" but still want a fair quality look. I plan to try out sourcing a test project using the laser stripping technology to clean rust and paint -- maybe then I will try some clear coat and other techniques to see the comparison?? Some of the restoration projects we see here on R Sq are spectacular - - far beyond my capabilities - - and the fact some members have professional body work career skills makes me only wish i had that knowledge and ability

Give these guys a call and see if they know of any salvage yards that have a mower area. Chances are a hood will be cracked but it would be better than that. Taking the hood off and leaving it off would be better too! https://www.brightonmower.com/

Nah, just pluck her out .

A few of my rattle can Queens that found new castles.

Or paint roller , lol 😆

or brush...

Guess Cindy wants you to hang around a bit longer, so do we. I will add you to my prayer list for healing and Cindy for putting up with you.

Excellent... I'll bring jumper cables for your heart... @Achto can handle all your other "needs"...

Lol I may take a hit off Richard's A-60... Was in doubt I would make it to Pullstart's at all. Not suposed to do anything strenuous and only lift 20 lbs but Dan gonna do the heavy & even offered to hold it when I pee...

Looks like we're in for the biggest nastiest storm we've seen in a bit. 18" plus here supposedly.....? Starts Wednesday afternoon and goes all the way through Friday. Here's a link that shows several maps of New England: https://www.boston.com/weather/weather/2024/04/02/4-maps-showing-how-much-snow-new-england-will-get-from-this-weeks-noreaster/

From time to time there are things I do but hesitate before doing. My biggest one is disassembling fresh painted parts to make an adjustment or change. I can just about tear into anything but I just back up a bit on the nice stuff when it has to come back apart. Anyone else procrastinate when work on their horse?

So the other day I stumbled upon this ad for a free tractor. I called the number and the gentleman I spoke with said it runs but has deck issues and needs a battery. I asked where he was and turns out he is not far from my mom's house. So I hopped in the truck and drove over. As I pulled into the driveway I saw it and my first thought was to turn around and leave. I parked and got out of the truck and walked over to it. Omg, has this thing been in a fire ? I asked my self. The man came out and told me he had it since new. He was to old to monkey with the deck so he bought a new JD. I asked about the hood and he said its plastic and broke and thats how he fixed it.Then he asked.... want to hear it run? It had no battery in it and I was trying to back out of it nicely. I said nooo I don't want to have you get a battery out. He said no trouble. So he pointed out a battery in the garage and I put it in. Didn't the thing just fire right up and sound so smooth. I jumped on it... forward... backward yup. So I told him I would drive it to my mother's house and be back with his battery and my truck. So I drove it all the way to my mom's and she drove me back in her car. Gave him his battery ,thanked him. Soooo now what ? Are there any ugly tractors I can enter? The Briggs 22hp purrrrs like a kitten I really like the hydro foot pedals. All the deck needs is a simple weld. It's broke at one side of the front hanger. It is a Craftsman DLT2000. Wonder what other hood would fit it. I'll get the deck off maybe this weekend and my buddy will weld it up........ then what I don't know.... any ideas?

See how he covered up the head lights? Kinda like NASCAR. I also like how he glued the towel over the seat.

Not a problem. He all ready has half a Chinook hanging from his ceiling.

What did I do today? It was more of a we thing. Jada and I were in the neighboring town at 7am. Being Spring Break, it was like pulling teeth to get her convinced we should get up that early for a silly driving test. She turned 16 in December, but decided it was time to finally go take the test. A little old lady was her test person. We originally planned to have her drive the 2011 Ford Taurus that we put an engine and some various parts in, but she realized she does not like cars. Good girl. After selling off the stock wheels and tires, we have a total of $290 into the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada that we happened upon instead. I am waiting for a lower bumper insert to arrive for the Taurus, then it’ll be for sale soon. In the meantime, we hadn’t practiced parallel parking in quite a while. In the parking lot test, she scored 1 out of 6 allowable points. Points are bad. 1 is great! She did not set herself up close enough to the cones to begin the parallel park, and ended up outside the box a tad. 1 out of 6 is excellent! On the road, she scored 4 out of 26 allowable, once again low being amazing. Woo hoo! She passed the test! For whatever reason we had an appointment at the DMV to get her official level 1 license (valid through 21 years old?) but little old Nancy told us the process has changed and we need to wait up to 2 weeks for the state to mail an approval form granting her the right to drive alone. Nancy thought it was great, since it saves us $20 at the DMV. I’ll pay $40 for this kid to have her own means of transportation! Oh well, what do you do. Then, I spent the rest of the day preparing my taxes. I hate tax season, and I always have a fresh start idea in my head come January, and a dreadful feeling come the end of March. I sent everything in to the CPA dude, now it’s their turn to turn the screws and fix my aughts and gazintas. Having my own small business, I sure feel like Jethro trying to thumb through this stuff! Now, I’m free to keep preparing for my first annual Meet and Greet and Plow Day! I’m focusing on the Meet and Greet, since I can see standing water in the yard and it seems the rain won’t end soon enough to dry the fields out. So much for all of us hooking onto Colleen the school bus to get her out of the field!

It might be what you need to plow that 18" er that's on it's way.

He should wack me around with a 2x4... maybe feel better. Apparently had a heart attack end of Feb. Chest hurt & couldn't walk from the shop to the warehouse without losing breath. Mrs finally made me go in. Ended up in emergency and 4 days in the hospital. They was saying I was A Fib. Told them to go to hell I was born & raised in WI. Was supposed to get shocked to get heart going right again but then they couldn't do it cause of stroke risk or some baloney. Took some static shocks off the blast cabinet & fired up a horse and grabbed hold of the plug wire... didn't work. So for now they just stood me in a corner and shot pills at me with a sling shot. Month later no better. No faith in doctors at all and VA no help whatsoever. Picked a bad day to quit smokin... and drinkin... and salt.

Was taught this in assembly when our shop was owned by Baldor Electric. Rounded edges of the washer down. Did it so often that I could feel the washers in my hand & install them correctly with out even looking at them. Still use this practice no matter what I am assembling.

Not to mention they give a little bling that never rusts! I use stainless fasteners wherever I can. I also flip washers upside down on sheetmetal so the edges don't dig into fresh paint. My latest rattle can job. Hope it cures well enough to buff later....

Depends on what you want the finish to be. Full restoration or preserve the patina. I had a horrible finish on a 704 that I used some Loews Rust stripper on first and then finished with Penetrol. Was amazed how much of original paint it salvaged and gave it the patina I was looking for. Great rust inhibitor too. Before - After -

That there book Don't have a cover!! Just treat it like the proverbial "Redheaded Stepchild", no more!!!!

Here in Missouri I figure we get 15 "perfect" days each year. There are just a few days each year that heat, cold, wind, or some other phenomenon of nature doesn't interfere. Those days, it just feels good to be alive. From Elcamino/wheelhorse: "Looks like the great grandchildren had a good time. I gave my 2 granddaughters a one-pound cholate bunny each. Sugar high is one way to pay back my son. All that I would add is a harmonica for each granddaughter. Bought a nephew a harmonica when he was a little squirt. Brother-in-law still reminds me of that one.

Great idea!!! You think Kevin can make one of those double helo lift copters out of a couple 's by plow day? Gives him a week and a half to get it off the ground...

There are quite a few relatively inexpensive, (read cheap) LVLP, low volume-low pressure spray guns available. These allow you to use a much smaller compressor than normal. But make sure you use a decent water/oil separator! I believe your ‘Harbour Freight’ stores carry some acceptable guns? Many, many years ago, 1970’s, I used an old gravity feed spray gun with the air valve removed to allow the air to flow continuously. I used an old freezer pump driven by a small gas engine, no tank! I sprayed quite a number of cars, motorcycles and a couple of lorry cabs with it over the years. My late friend ended up with it, with an electric motor, he used it for painting the trailers he built. Although the air pressure was not the highest, it was constant, no stopping and waiting for the tank to refill! You could, in theory put together something similar, as an attachment, using a Wheelhorse to drive it when needed?

This is awesome. Great song to begin with.

I do have a few that are "for looking.....not cook'n"

Indeed he does!

At least it's not yellow and green It does look like a nice paint job. Like Sparky posted some decals and enjoy it like it is.

See I knew you was a Sally! 10 years this Nov. since my attack. going to eat a gal of ice cream on the anniversary!

The man Don speaks the truth.

And this is what happens, they start to multiply!! Next you’ll need more attachments then tractors for the attachments 😂😂

@PWL216That is a C-175 with a Series 1 Kohler. It is an early model because of the handle on the hydraulic valve. It is also the feature tractor for the Big Show this year, so get to work!!! Or send me the tins from the exhaust system!!! Later models have a hydraulic valve handle that looks like this.

So the fun begins. Started to tear the ol’ girl apart today. This is going to be a long process, but I’m in no hurry.

So pulled the engine today and broke her down, the back connecting Rod was busted into many pieces, I could not see any damage to the other internals or the block itself. It must have been broken a long time at the piston while in relatively good condition had one stuck ring (light rust) bore was fine. The crankshaft had the normal aluminum connecting rod embedment which I am dissolving with muriatic acid, you can see the improvement in the pics but more to do tomorrow. Next step is the parts and gasket chase. Kevin Pinnc has been great and thinks he can help me with what I need and perhaps some back-up. Feeling much better today about the machine but still a long way to the finish line. Comment as always appreciated and Kudos in advance for all the assistance. I can still NOT believe how well the engine ran and sounded on ONE Lung.......... !