New Arrival (again!) (Brenen’s 953)

[bds1984 1,494]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

I'm 6'1 but I have short legs. I'm ugly and look terrible in Cowboy Boots with no socks and shorts! 

That should be the required apparel for this year's plowing days.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,070]

7 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

That should be the required apparel for this year's plowing days.

 

Please just no...

 

My eyes... 

 

Can't feel my eyes... 

[Pullstart 65,658]

Well as fast as it came, it’s gone.  Kind of.  But not gone, just not mine.

 

We found a seat off of what I think was “Big Junky” if I recall, and it had some brackets we could utilize to give it a lift kit, relocation, and still hinge up for the fuel access.  I gave it to Brenen.  He can reach all the controls and sit comfy.  Winning!

 

The short list of it’s needs:

 

tighten the steering up

secure/shorten the fuel hose that’s dangling

the right side tie rod is held together with that blue bungee

remove the deck bracket

find a lift cable as the original is broken

 

[953 nut 59,135]

8 hours ago, bds1984 said:

12 hours ago, squonk said:

I'm 6'1 but I have short legs. I'm ugly and look terrible in Cowboy Boots with no socks and shorts! 

That should be the required apparel for this year's plowing days.

Since it can be a bit nippy you may want to consider MUKLUKs rather than cowboy boots, the shorts are probably unadvisable too.

 

          Oh, is this the thread about a 953?         
 

 

Edited June 4 by 953 nut

[Pullstart 65,658]

9 hours ago, Pullstart said:

The short list of it’s needs:

 

tighten the steering up

secure/shorten the fuel hose that’s dangling

the right side tie rod is held together with that blue bungee

remove the deck bracket

find a lift cable as the original is broken

and give it a name!  
 

We accomplished quite a bit last night, while Rylee and her girls were out playing in the rain.  The drive belt was also more rubber than Kevlar.  It did not like to let go of the pulleys when attempting to shift.  I found a decent used one out back, and we swapped it over.

 

The steering shaft is pretty loose inside the steering gear.  It’s a concern of mine, and hopefully we can get it cleaned up and tightened up for the show.  

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,722]

Kev that will keep you busy for a while. Never own one or rode on one. Enjoy the project.

[Pullstart 65,658]

@953 nut I’m sure you’ve been into one of these steering sets.  If the steering wheel is removed, can the column drop out the bottom of the tractor or does the dash need pulled?

 

[953 nut 59,135]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

 

The steering shaft is pretty loose inside the steering gear.  It’s a concern of mine, and hopefully we can get it cleaned up and tightened up for the show.  

I'm aware that this is not the manly thing to do and should only be considered as a last resort . . . . . BUT . . . . . on page 69 of the 953 Owner Manual there is a rather detailed adjustment sequence for the Ross steering box.   

[953 nut 59,135]

2 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

If the steering wheel is removed, can the column drop out the bottom of the tractor

Yes, if I remember correctly there are two 3/8" bolts that can be accesses through openings provided in the dash tower, remove them and it will come right out.

[oliver2-44 10,553]

@Pullstart

I've only been into two of these Ross boxes, one on my 64 Case and the other my 49 Mayrath. 

But If I remember correctly, that pin (item 3) can be removed with out pulling the column.

The are the high wear part, wearing on one side, grind a new curved end to match the good side, or weld up and grind.

You have a lathe, that's even better.

Item 1 can also be removed to clean out old grease.

If you disassemble, the bearing balls can be found in the Hillman drawers at your hardware store.

some Ross boxes had a plastic bearing retainer, if its disintegrated, just put heavy grease on the balls to hold them in place for reassembly. 

Under the steering wheel at the top of the tube, if it doesn't have an upper support guide/bearing you can add a front wheel bearing to the top of the tube to give it some side to side support.

That tractor looks like its been kept out of the weather. But the steering tube are known to rust thin at the top of the steering box. 

The tube is an Odd size by todays tubing standards. I used a trampoline leg tube on my Case with a little light grinding to make it fit.

On my Mayrath I got a piece of tubing from a Muffler Shop friend and had him use his hydraulic expander to make it the perfect size.

 

 

[Pullstart 65,658]

30 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

hydraulic expander to make it the perfect size.

I got one of those tools around here too, great idea if needed!

 

thanks for the tips!

[Handy Don 13,638]

6 hours ago, 953 nut said:

I'm aware that this is not the manly thing to do and should only be considered as a last resort . . . . . BUT . . . . . on page 69 of the 953 Owner Manual there is a rather detailed adjustment sequence for the Ross steering box.   

My Dad always commented that “when nothing else works, read the instructions.” Possibly the worst advice he gave me.

Manly or not, reading the instructions has nearly always worked for me. 

[Pullstart 65,658]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

My Dad always commented that “when nothing else works, read the instructions.” Possibly the worst advice he gave me.

Manly or not, reading the instructions has nearly always worked for me. 

I often tell my girls, that if they are confused while reading, try reading aloud.  I understand instructions much better if I read them, aloud.

[Handy Don 13,638]

5 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I often tell my girls, that if they are confused while reading, try reading aloud.  I understand instructions much better if I read them, aloud.

Fortunate that fairly early in my working career I was sent to a “Managing People” course by my employer. One of the most valuable and used lessons I took away from it was realizing how different people learn and absorb information. That my way was NOT particularly common, and that I was very wrongly expecting others to learn as I did, was an uncomfortable jolt. 

[bds1984 1,494]

On 6/4/2025 at 7:05 PM, 953 nut said:

Since it can be a bit nippy you may want to consider MUKLUKs rather than cowboy boots, the shorts are probably unadvisable too.

 

          Oh, is this the thread about a 953?         
 

 

 

More of an apparel discussion now for next year's calendar shots. 

[ebinmaine 71,747]

On 6/5/2025 at 5:04 AM, Pullstart said:

Rylee and her girls were out playing in the rain.  

 

Hey uhhhh. Kev ole boy. 

 

Should it bother me that the left side Fruitcake here is holdin' a shovel??

[Pullstart 65,658]

11 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Hey uhhhh. Kev ole boy. 

 

Should it bother me that the left side Fruitcake here is holdin' a shovel??

That’s how they got the car out of the mud!  Strong and stubborn!

[SylvanLakeWH 28,070]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

That’s how they got the car out of the mud!  Strong and stubborn!

 

Colleen didn't pull them out... 

[squonk 43,294]

Kevin, 

 

Looks like too many people have been watching your video's!  

 

[Pullstart 65,658]

At least they put the good colors on top of the green and yellow!

[Pullstart 65,658]

After we tossed the new belt on, we buttoned things up and pushed it aside.  When a need arose to drive it, the belt was slipping bad enough to act like it was in neutral.  I taught Brenen how to adjust the linkage a bit, and last night it took right off.  His first drive!

 

 

[Pullstart 65,658]

Using a 7/8” wrench, we loosened the nut on the steering cross shaft, turned the plug in the bottom of the steering gear in a bit, and the steering tightened up significantly!  Another one is ready for the show!

[Pullstart 65,658]

This is the HY kit I traded for the tractor..

 

he ended up getting the stuck pump loose and working and is giving me the 953 pump back