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Father-Son Team Became On-Farm Repower Experts
Ambrose Metzger and his son Mark of rural Shelby, Ohio, converted their 1979 Case-IH 4586 and 4786 tractors from 300 to 400 hp, using remanufactured 6-cyl. Cummins turbocharged, 855 cu. in. diesel engines. They learned so much doing their own tractors that they decided to get into the business.
  The original V-8 engines had become too expensive to operate because of high maintenance costs.
  They contacted Costello Diesel in Fairbanks, Iowa for help. Getting the 6-cyl. turbo-engine to fit required 14 more inches at the front part of the tractor frame to make room for the hydraulic pump. The repower job included changing the wiring harness, which is Mark's job. They also changed the clutch, fan belt assembly, bell housing, pressure plate, and flywheel.
  Some metal pieces for the frame extension were fabricated by Sautter Bros. Fabricating Shop in Galion, Ohio. The pto adapter came out of a garbage packer truck.
  They made several trips to salvage yards for specific items. They were pleased to find that the Cummins engine bell housing fit perfectly in place of the V-8 engine.
  To cover the bigger engines, they custom make sheet metal to fit so the tractors still look "factory-built".
  If the parts they need are available, it takes the team of two about a steady month of work to finish a typical repower. They've completed four tractor repower conversions so far.
  The Metzgers say the Cummins 6-cyl. diesel works great, provides 2,000 rpm's, is quieter, and runs smoother than the original screaming V-8 engines.
  Mark is in charge of painting the tractors. First he sands the tractor, then applies a coat of primer and then a clear coat. The next coat is a finish paint and then he adds the decals. He also waxes his tractors and equipment. "It helps to seal the finish," he says. "When the tractor is finished it looks brand new."
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ambrose Metzger, 4220 Hummell Rd., Shelby, Ohio 44875 (ph 419 347-5568 or 419 571-1612).


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2006 - Volume #30, Issue #2