JimD 3,347 #1 Posted September 28, 2008 three years ago my neighbor gave me his b-80 that was sitting out back in the weeds. i needed some steering parts for my b-60, and after getting those i looked it over a lot closer. i told butch, my neighbor that i thought i might restore it. well, he laughed and said good luck with that. he had rebuilt the engine many years before and said it needed it again. it didn't have much power and smoked real bad. after comlete tear down. sanding, repainting and assembly,came the engine. i cleaned it up and put it on the tractor with a couple of bolts to see what, if anything i could get it to do. i cleaned the , fuel pump, points,etc. put in a new battery and some fresh gas and rolled her over. it would chug, spit, sputter and puff some smoke, but not run. now you would think that any lugnut that did all that would have sense enough to CHANGE THE SPARK PLUG it fired right up. thi tractor has seen no action since, other than going for a little ride now and then, for the last 3 years. well i put a deck on it this morning and gave it a try. she ran great and cut great with little to no smoke and no sign of being weak. my neighbor, mr. digman, was pleased to here this news this evening. as his health is not so goood thee days, i think it brightened his day to here his old b-80 still has the stuff, as he put it. putting a name on a tractor is something i wouldn't normally do, but it only seems fitting that she get his nickname,... "DIGGER". :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #3 Posted September 28, 2008 Good to read your B-80 is alive and well, just one thing... :USA: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluetuna08 0 #4 Posted September 28, 2008 I am not a real sentimental fellow...but that chokes me up a little. you are a heck of a guy with a great neighbor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #5 Posted September 28, 2008 thanks bluetuna, it got me a little too, but he's a great friend and neighbor. the kind that only comes along once in a lifetime. and stigian, i will try to learn how to post picture soon. jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tasmi01 3 #6 Posted September 28, 2008 That's great to hear and I'm sure your neighbor is glad to know that the old horse is still kickin' That just goes to show that old horses don't die easy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #7 Posted September 29, 2008 pics of the b-80. hope it works. Edited by TT.... You need to use the "IMG" code at Photobucket. :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #8 Posted September 29, 2008 tt, i see your reading this, helpme out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #9 Posted September 29, 2008 thanks for the bailout tt. guess i should have posted bond instead of pics :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #10 Posted September 29, 2008 tt, i see your reading this, help me out Your request is granted. :banghead: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldandred 15 #11 Posted September 29, 2008 Great story love to hear about bringing the old one back to life on names for tractors I have names for all of mine all 123 now try to keep up with all them.a few are named after the states they came from that was easy only ten states and the rest well they very one thats a hard tractor to get started and gives me trouble all the time is called Exwife.and theres a yellow cow some were close look to the left Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rod(NASNUT) 1 #12 Posted September 29, 2008 Looks good for sitting out back in the weeds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #13 Posted February 13, 2011 Today is a very sad day here. I found out this morning that my neighbor that gave me the B80, passed away yesterday. He was a great friend and neighbor that I will sorely miss. So many times over the years he helped me with many things, and would never accept anything in the way of payment. He was just Butch, a great friend to all who knew him. When his health began to fail, we would ride over to each others place on our tractors and shoot the breeze for awhile on nice days. It always gave me pleasure to sit with him and just talk. His sense of humor was top notch, and if he could see me now he'd say, "Knock it off ya big sissy". Digger, this neighborhood will never be the same. If anyone would care to utter a prayer for him and his family, it would be much appreciated. Thank You, JimD. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,767 #14 Posted February 13, 2011 Consider it done. Mike......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #15 Posted February 13, 2011 Thanks Mike. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KB9LOR 4 #16 Posted February 13, 2011 Our condolences to you and your friends family, you all are in our prayers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #17 Posted February 13, 2011 Jim.......I'm very sorry for the loss of your neighbor and friend.God bless you for being his good friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bell 11 #18 Posted February 13, 2011 Jim, I'm very sorry for your loss. My best friend was my neighbor. He passed away three years ago... It's bee awful quiet around here ever since. Something that has helped me GREATLY is that I look after his place, just like I always have.... and, I have a picture of him hanging in my shop. It brings a smile to my face every time I see it. Prayers send for your friend, his family... and you. JB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,454 #19 Posted February 13, 2011 Count me in...I know how it is to lose someone close. Sorry for your loss my friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dresden Guy 24 #20 Posted February 13, 2011 As men, we seldom have close friends like women seem to have. Men often have lots of acquaintances, but very few good friends. It is really hard to lose a true friend. Jim, those conversations on your tractors will stay with you forever. Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankiefiredog 1 #21 Posted February 13, 2011 Neighbors like that are often few and far between. Prayers on the way to you and to his family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #22 Posted February 13, 2011 My prayers join those of others.....any my sincere condolences to you and his family. Duff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racinfool40 203 #23 Posted February 13, 2011 Thoughts and Prayers sent Jim!!!! As Stated already Good neighbors are getting tough to find!!!!!But the memories you have will last a life time!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mavfreak 11 #24 Posted February 13, 2011 done....I lost a good close friend 6 years ago....I think of him often and always with a smile on my face....You'll do the same I'm sure... And I think this, friends never truly die if you hold there memory alive in you and share from time to time to memories that you have....God speed to him and well wishes and prayers to you and his family Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,108 #25 Posted February 14, 2011 Sorry to hear about your friend Jim. Prayers are being sent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
