First off, I’m going to be honest about this tractor. I added it to my collection with the possibilty to sell. In fact, I wasn’t looking for an addition. I’m like every other collector, though. It’s hard to pass up a deal. I also firmly beleive we all get caught in the “chase”
My friend Don Nowack waa the one to alert me to a sale on Ebay. Not sure why a “John Deere” guy was lookibg at garden tractors. The sale was within minutes of closing. I realized,very quickly, the tractor didn’t sell. There had been a reserve set and it hadn’t been met. The tractor was soon relisted with a buy it now or best offer.
The negotion began….
The tractor was actually a package offer. Besides the tractor, some implememts were included. Implements and attachments? Now that did peak my interest. I messaged an inquiry to purchase without the tractor. Unfornately, all or nothing. I made a best offer, that was countered, which I countered again. Am I the only one that finds that challenge fun?
A few days passes and I don’t hear weather my offer gets accepted. Then one Saturday my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, but an inner voice told me to answer.
“Are you Rick Shaw?’ My answer was obvious. “Do you know anything about Shaw Du-all?” I told him I knew enough to get myself in trouble. I”m a student, but by no means an expert. He revealed he had one for sale and wanted my opinion whether an offer from a buyer had offered enough money. By then I knew who I was talking to, and I”m to honest. I told him it wouldn’t be fair advice considering I had made the offer.
A little clean up began. The concrete block had to go!Headlights? There isn’t a power source for them to work. I like John Deere, but this tractor ISN”T a Deere. Yellow wheels are cringe as the kids might say.
The tractor had, what I thought at the time, two major issues. I planned to “correct” the back wheels. I thought the 16″ rear wheels were wrong and planned on getting it up on 24″ like my Barn Find R8. Turns out the tractor left the factory on 16s though.
The second problem was the tractor had been repowered. I didn’t see that as much of a problem though. A Briggs & Stratton 16 horse had replaced the original 6 horse. At least the hood and grill hadn’t been tossed, loosing them to eternity. Sadly the case most times. The grill had been modified to fit though. Leaving a hole where an air cleaner should be
I entertained increasing bids of purchase, but tucked the tractor away. Even with the project being beyond my capabolities, I did have the right people in my corner
Steve Farmer, initially started with a clean up. The concete block never made it into his shop door. The lights were removed and he tweaked and tuned. Nothing much happened for a couple of years . I had other tractor projects ongoing ahead of this R6. I thought most of the work I could conquer myself, when I had time….like I have time!
My fabricator friend, Jerry Rawlings, likes to work on my Du-alls. I don’t rush him, the man is in his eighties. Most times he works faster than I expect him to. I had misgivings on turning this project over to him. He does the tractor such great justice that it deserves to be passed on to Doug Edwards of Edwards Tractor Restoration. This fall I relented and turned Jerry loose.
I had warned Jerry there wasn’t much to this project. The tractor ran great. The work needed was pretty simple,for his talent anyway. My plan was to route the exhaust through were the air cleaner belonged to hide the hole. After rolling his eyes, he suggested moving the air cleaner. I wasn’t dumb enough to ask. All is possible with Jerry.
The front grill is still modified to accomidate the 16 horse, but the air cleaner is located to look “factory” correct.
I like fenders! This R6 came from the plains, so it needed prairie fenders.
The tractor was then handed off to Doug
Before I reveal, I want to show why I’m a repeat customer with Edwards Tractor Restoration
And now, the reveal!…
Editors note ~ photo credit to Steve Farmer and Doug Edwards. I owe a debt of graditude to both of them, beyond the photography. Thanks also to Jerry Rawlings. My Shaw collection wouldn’t be what it is without any of the three.
Antique Iron Media 