OOPS! Let's see them!
- Thread starter nbryan
- Start date
Well, here is my oops. I guess it is my oops because the buck stops here. I hired a commercial carrier to transport all my equipment when i moved to AL from MA. I should have just bought a trailer and moved it myself. There was a fire somewhere in West Virginia. I suspect the bozos driving never looked in their rear view mirrors. It looks like the fire swept back from the dash. The fiberglass cap was evaporated, as were the lights, seat, instrument panel etc. The fuel filter bowl is untouched, still filled with clean fuel. All the other equipment on the trailer (in front of the tractor) was fine. The trailer used by the transport company was new (5 days old). Apparently the axles were never lubed. When they finally delivered my equipment, they just hoisted the old trailer, equipment still attached, on a new one and drove the whole thing down. It is hard to see in the last photo but the rear axle stub on the trailer actually melted and deformed from the heat. They brought in a hoist crane to unload everything.
The insurance settlement was decent. I actually got back almost as much as I paid for the tractor 20 years earlier. But I lost my bota. It only had 1200 hours on it. It built my barn. When I was researching tractors, my wife said we want a tractor to do projects, not be a project. So, I bought new. It was the only thing that I ever bought new. On the way to the dealer to seal the deal, she asked, "Are you sure you are getting enough tractor?"
I still have it. I plan to use the engine to build a whole house generator. I have since picked up an L3710 (burned one was an L3010). I replaced a few hoses on the backhoe and got that moved over. I also modified the loader so I can use it on the L3710. (I have not been able to find an LA68*).
I originally thought that the fire that started with the trailer tire must have burned the fuel line, spilling diesel on the flames. I look at it recently--it looks clean. I picked up a replacement key switch and will see if I can start it. Nothing is leaking. If it runs, I'll get a rear tire and seat and use it as a dedicated host for the backhoe, freeing up the 3710 for 3pt work.
EDIT: This happened three years ago and it still turns my stomach when I think about it.
The insurance settlement was decent. I actually got back almost as much as I paid for the tractor 20 years earlier. But I lost my bota. It only had 1200 hours on it. It built my barn. When I was researching tractors, my wife said we want a tractor to do projects, not be a project. So, I bought new. It was the only thing that I ever bought new. On the way to the dealer to seal the deal, she asked, "Are you sure you are getting enough tractor?"
I still have it. I plan to use the engine to build a whole house generator. I have since picked up an L3710 (burned one was an L3010). I replaced a few hoses on the backhoe and got that moved over. I also modified the loader so I can use it on the L3710. (I have not been able to find an LA68*).
I originally thought that the fire that started with the trailer tire must have burned the fuel line, spilling diesel on the flames. I look at it recently--it looks clean. I picked up a replacement key switch and will see if I can start it. Nothing is leaking. If it runs, I'll get a rear tire and seat and use it as a dedicated host for the backhoe, freeing up the 3710 for 3pt work.
EDIT: This happened three years ago and it still turns my stomach when I think about it.
Last edited:
jkrez
Member
Equipment
Gr2120, LX3310, bh77 hoe, 64 inch commercial snow blower, landpride pallet forks
Here is mine. First time in garage. I pushed it through the inside of door. I am glad it was the door and not the frame or that air line.
Told Wife that I will just put diamond plate on the bottom of the door. It will look nice. Glad I did not finish painting it yet.
Told Wife that I will just put diamond plate on the bottom of the door. It will look nice. Glad I did not finish painting it yet.
I never found out.
The suspicion was that the trailer tire caught fire from heat from the ungreased axle. That ignited the tractor tire and plastic/fiberglass/rubber that were sitting right above it. (Shipper has rear tractor tire center over rear trailer axle with all the 3pt equipment on the from of the trailer.) It was a 40' GN pulled by a 3500 series dually. I always suspected that the fuel line also lit up becasue the tank was dry when the burnt tractor was dropped off. But after a recent inspection by me (wifey wants me to get the crispy critter out of sight), the fuel lines appear to be intact. So I think it was just the trailer tire ignited and that in turn ignited the tractor tire.
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
That is a great story of what could possibly go wrong? But I think I would be trying to save most of the tractor and use it for my secondary tractor.
The smarta#$ statement “that will buff right out” applies.
Thanks for sharing
When I have a vew days off, I put in new starter switch, some fuel and see it it cranks. If it runs, I vet a rear tire and it will be a permanent backhoe machine. I exect that I'll need to do some wiring plus a seat. One step at a time. I don't know about buffing but a rattle can or two will work.
I used to rebuild cars that were fire damaged, and if done properly, you wouldn't ever known that it had a fire. I would spend the money to fix that tractor with a new paint job and decals, and whatever else it will need. To me, it doesn't look that bad that is isn't salvageable. Once cleaned up and working again, you wife will love the tractor again. Your tractor is old enough that finding used parts might not be that difficult.