MNSF 1940 Oliver 80 Tractor Spotlight

This tractor was used to skid logs in far Northern Minnesota for many years. It then sat idle, deep in the woods, for many more years. Ben rescued this tractor, along with its twin from the woods with hopes of someday bringing one back to life. He later met Lee Sackett at the MN State Fair and slowly those hopes turned into reality. Shortly before the tractor was parked in the woods, the engine had been overhauled. Ben never had the tractor running, but the folks at Lee J. Sackett, Inc. were optimistic. After an afternoon of cleaning out the fuel system and other components, they were able to get the tractor running. Aside from a leaking radiator, water pump, and a cracked manifold, the tractor ran well. The biggest challenge to the restoration was the rear fenders. They were rusted and dented in so many places that an extensive amount of custom fabrication was necessary. After careful reconstruction by one of Lee's skilled body technicians, the fenders looked like new. The tool box
was totally rusted out as well so a new one was custom made. The rare 11x40” rear tires were replaced with a pair of "new old stock" tires that Ben found in lowa. The tractor and its parts were sand-blasted, primed and painted. It was completed in July of 2009.