Vintage Machine Parts Books

Finding parts books can be a challenge, although there are sources. The first place to try is the dealer who handles your particular brand, or one that's a successor to your make. A couple of years ago, I got an Oliver parts book and service manual at an AGCO dealer. AGCO took over White, which bought out Oliver, Minneapolis-Moline and Cockshutt. John Deere dealers can get parts, service and owner's manuals for most of the machines Deere and Co. has built during the past 50 years or so. New Holland dealers have many books for the old Ford machines.

Another place to get old tractor manuals is Jensales Inc., 200 Main St., Manchester, MN 56007; (800) 443-0625; online at www.jensales.com. They sell reproductions of original factory manuals for most tractors, as well as a limited number of implements. At nearly every show, there is at least one vendor who has box after box of old books and manuals, and I've found several that way. The collector's club for your particular marquee also is a source for this information.

So, try to find a parts book for your next project. It will make the restoration easier for you, and, if you must order parts, it will make the person behind the parts counter smile.

A couple of years ago, I spent three busy spring months working behind the parts counter at a John Deere store. As a result of that experience, I fancy I know a little about the trials and tribulations of a parts person. FC