What do you guys think? Spend a few thousand fixing the head gaskets or 10 times that for an in frame overhaul? Either way we'll need to open the KTA19 up and see what the internals look like.

Sometimes there are days like this, props to you for keeping a calm and collected manner when things feel like they keep going against you

I am a 71 YO engine guy with power development and CAT field service experience, so my first response is to repower it yellow C18 marine will be about 800 HP with electronic management systems, old school 3412 mechanical will be in the 750/800HP area or go to a 3508 and jump the power up somewhere in the 1000 to 1500 range. Reality says if the KTA1150 is still strong and a compression leak down test shows good pull the head, check it for flat/straight and replace the 40-year-old head gasket. It's probably just the composite material that has finally given up the ghost. The next option would be to teardown inspect and rebuild complete the KTA1150 parts engine that is in the barn and swap out the engines keeping an extra engine for a spare that could be rebuilt after a or several good years. The farm is pretty heavy with Cummins power that you are familiar with and seem to have pretty good local support so why reinvent the wheel so to speak. My choice would be to stay with the vintage mechanical engines until you are forced to upgrade to electronic management systems and emission-controlled power.

Pull heads and replace gasket UNLESS you find other problems after pulling heads. Do complete in frame overhaul during winter.

If i was you i would rebuild the motor and refresh everything because it could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Love the drone shots with the sweet grass hills in the background 👍🇦🇺

You.know its good you guys and others put out videos showing what really happens during the day of farming. Sometimes it just feels like you just can't get anything done for all the breakdowns. Thanks for all the videos.

My dad’s favorite saying was we never have time to do it right, but we always seem to have time to do it over!

I completely revel upon seeing the grand flags that proudly wave on your equipment!

A spare engine waiting on the shelf sounds like the best by far.

If you’re gonna have to tear it apart to put a new head gasket on it you might as well do it right the first time. This way you don’t have to tear it all apart again to fix other issues. No matter what we say you guys have to do what is a right and in the budget for your farm. I know you guys will make it right. You guys do an awesome job at everything you do. God bless.

You need the tractor - Pull heads investigate - Replace head gasket and pray it makes it to winter, when you will have time to deal with it correctly.

Hi guys, just wanted to let you all know that seeing the Big Buds pull that new equipment & maintaining the hydraulic requirements is extremely satisfying & nostalgic, keep on with what you're doing as success hasn't changed you one little bit. 😀

I love your videos guys ,I am 73 yrs old and love watching the farming life ,I love your dad and his sense of humor and toby the dog and nick you and your brother have a great sense of humor also keep up the great videos and keep on farming ,I am watching you from ontario canada

Do it all and not have to worry about it later. Pistons, sleeves, bearing, gasket, decked, etc.

If it can wait until you finish planting...do as little as possible to finish the task at hand. Then, get it in the shop and fix it right

Pretty sure the bar you were using for temporary pin duty is an injector puller for old 2 stroke detroit diesel engines.

I'd keep the coolant full, replace the head gaskets and get through the season. In the winter, I'd deck the heads and call it good. I'd only do the pistons and sleeves if something looks terrible when you get the heads off. I'm not a farmer or a mechanic so what do I know.

Wow Robert that is amazing that Kobe is 12 years old and he still acts like a puppy cuz he loves those hair bunny rabbits

Hi Scott in my opinion it all depends upon what it looks like after you get the heads off. I know it's going to be expensive but if you do the complete overhaul then you know it will run for a very long time. I pray it is just the heads and head gasket

Glad to see you're finally getting some rain.

I know the views are just everyday life to you but from a guy in Ohio its amazing. Ive been to Montana once when I was 13 and I still cherish that vacation.

I think as long as I had the head off, I would do the engine overhaul. I know it's expensive but I would be tired of the coolant leak and taking it apart and putting it back together. It would be worth it to me.

Well I am 11 years older than the fellow below. I too enjoy the humor of the older generation. I followed two farmers as a city boy 84 years old. ZACK Johnson and you guys.

Head gaskets don't go out by themselves .linerprotrusin or overheating. Pull the head ✓ liners piston if okay new head gasket finish the season

I would machine the heads and then, if necessary, do the rebuild over the winter. Glad to see the seading nearly finished! Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend

If you're keeping the unit, do a complete in-frame rebuild and be done with it. Stop making little repairs, it just pushes the inevitable back and more costly.

I feel like I should put in prayer for harvest this year: May your harvest go way better than predicted, and storage becomes an issue. Keep the white combine away. And mechanical issues are minimal. Happy subscriber 😊!

Bob and his dog. Love it👍👍

KOLBY 84 😳😳😳😳 he is one tough MONTANA DUDE just like his sidekick Mr Bob!!!! THANKS TO ALL !!

Colby, the fender surfer, hangin'🤙 paw🐾 !! 😂

Crystal clear drone shots and that music.. This intro gave me shivers!

Complete rebuild Will save money in the long run 😊

Thanks for another great video Welkers. It was interesting and enjoyable. Sincere thanks to the Welkers for a wonderful intro to the video. Nick you did great on this. I thought the music and scenery and the video itself were just wonderful!!!!’ Gives a heartfelt tug to the heart about farming in America!!!!!!!! Wonderfully put together!!!!!!!! Watched it numerous times. Thanks. 🙏. Lots of breakdowns this time on the video. You all mastered them and got things going again. That is what is important. Wheels back going again-yeah!!!!!! On the sprayer those bolt pins on the booms were one tough pins to get out. The bolts you put in should hold it for now. Hang in there. The Iowa farm boy. Steve.

When you guys were doing all the work to get the oil leak fixed I was really surprised that you didn't at least pull a main cap and at least check the main bearings along with the thrust bearing. You had the oil pan and girdle off already. Without knowing what the engine has been through I would at least pull the heads and inspect. You could have electrolysis that has compromised the sleeves and could be pressurizing the coolant system just enough to cause a small leak. I would get a manual and rebuild it in house you are definitely more than capable of doing it. But the longest part of the process is having the machine work done. And without that you can't order a rebuild kit. What do you have to lose by pulling the head and inspecting. You can also do a dye test to see if coolant is getting into the crankcase. Are you guy's noticing more than normal blow bye when engine is hot and oil fill cap is off? Lots of thing to check to make sure that you make the right call. Unfortunately none are easy or cheap.

The up close video of tillage and planting is sweet, bring it

Well, considering the crop failure the past three years that has to have impacted decision making, complete planting and reevaluate after you see what the crop is looking like. Us long timers really feel the hurt for the Montana farmers. Keep your eyes open for a rebuildable core and pick away at it as finances allow. We're praying for you all!😊

A lot of the answers are variable on that, depending on hours on the engine, maintenance, age, history, etc... In most cases, if I think the bottom end/short block is all still in good to great shape, I'd send the heads to a machine shop to have them done, check the deck of the block to make sure it's good and flat, and put new head gaskets on it. If the engine has time on it, it never hurts to get the heads checked and done.

The 2 big buds working together is some sight

Hey, we had a STEYR 8080 tractor that used up some coolant and mixed it with motor oil but te head gasket and head was machined few years ago. So we only removed the oil pan and then put air pressure on the full coolant system and we had to look for only water drops of coolant on the inside of a cilinder sleeve (witch means that the sleeves are rusted thrue) or the outside of the sleeve (witch means that the seal was broken due to little overheating)

I get what you're asking. We own a trucking company and my theory is let's get it fixed right the first time. Specially if you have the ability to switch out machines. Yes, I'm very aware of what it costs for a rebuild. This way you know next year it's ready to go. Not this or that is on the list. Fingers crossed wheat continues to go up. And a little rain.

Your dad is awesome reminds me alot of my grandpa!!!

I'd check that the head bolts are torqued properly (cross your fingers, and say a little prayer first ). We all get lucky once in a while.

I gotta hand it to u boys. That wind would absolutely drive me bonkers. It must blow 30-40 everyday there. Great at harvest time but I like my spring seeding and spraying weather with a light breeze. Keep up the good work!

Y’all have done so much to these tractors to make them look new…. Only makes sense to rebuild or refresh the engine to match the machine. If you only do heads and gaskets you may have to do twice on an engine that has a lot of hours on it.. d it right the first time… longevity!!!!

Gotta be a good feeling of accomplishment to almost have the seeding done. Myself I would pull the cylinder heads and if it looks good inside the cylinders go with it.

Love seeing Kolby on the fender!!

Scott, if it were me, I would do a quick fix and finish the planting season. Then, wait and see what kind of harvest season you have to determine which way you go with the big repair, whether complete rebuild or heads redecked and get it through.

It must feel great with the amount of ground you have to be getting close to the end. In one word....Epic....

Bob, Nick, Scott, & Coby @WelkerFarms ... for the Big Bud 600 as a "QUICK" quick fix, I'd say just run a gallon of K-Seal through it till you have a chance to do your rebuild. Dulcich & VGG Derek would approve 👌 Less downtime even if you just slapped new headgaskets on. It's a quick farmer 🚜 field fix. Get y'all through seeding/drilling. Hopefully no more hiccups for you.

Do a job once and do it right. Total overhaul. Little fixes here and there are just temporary band aids. Happy to hear planting season is running smooth. God bless.

majestic intro - luv you guys - God bless you all and prayin for great weather creating great crops - keep up the good work with your great attitudes

I would do a complete in-frame rebuild of the engine, granted at this point, do what you need to get things done. Sincerely! R.S.V.

Fix the gaskets and follow the old adage for the rest of it “DON’T FIX IT IF IT AINT BROKE” 👍🇨🇦

Bob should have helped with the sprayer boom - he could "wing it". I'd just do the gasket to get done with planting. Then tear it all down next winter with a partial rebuild.

I'm very glad y'all are getting rain out there, well your in planting season so id put the heads check everything an replace gaskets and hope it works till y'all are done planting then tear apart a see where its actually coming from

If the engine is in need of a full overhaul then do it before you encounter a catastrophic failure. If the engine is still good and tight and the heads aren't warped then just slap a gasket in it and send it.

It depends how much blowby you have. And if you plan on keeping this tractor a long time. If you guys have bumper crop, I would rebuild it all the way.

Great video. Thank you guys

Mr. Robert I sure enjoy seeing that beautiful Flag!!!!

one thing i have learned in my life and im 40 now and thats every time and i mean every thime i tried to go cheap it allways costed more in the end and those machines for you guys is your livelihood i say and i know it is expansive but do it right the first time and be done with it and be worry free for many many more years

If the heads are coming off, might as well assess if decking is needed. Hopefully, a re-sleeve isn't needed.

That herding dog is doing a good job at keeping all those Big Buds at check! 😁🤟

Might be time to consider a new Steiger. Although, I do enjoy the repair videos. Reminds me that it happens to us all. Really enjoy they videos. Keep up the hard work. God bless you all.

Another great into, Tks guys.Keep them coming!!’

Definitely do the In-Frame, if you can make it through tillage and planting, go ahead and do the overhaul. JMO. 🤟🏼💪🏼😎

Replace the head gasket now, and if you have time before harvest , then rebuild the motor

That was something we don't see a lot in Montana--rain showers on your seedings!! Looking good!!

the openings have been great. you guys rock. have a wonderful season.

Great video guys, glad to see you getting the rain 🌧️. Loved the opening drone footage. EXCELLENT

Complete over haul depends if it needs it. Once you get the heads off, check liner protrusion. See why the head gasket failed, maybe next roll a connecting rod bearing and main bearing or two and see how they look then decide if a Complete overhaul is really needed. If you know it's been many thousand hours since the last overhaul then maybe consider just doing it...

Great video. Thank you

If it’s open, do as much as you can afford. Coming from aviation maintenance, I would say keep digging until you can’t find more issues!

Great video Fellows, looks like seeding is done for the season, spraying be finished as soon as you get a clear day or 2, Nick wonderful drone shots just beautiful, Scott you ask the Question should we just fix the Gasket or do a a full rebuild, for the Big Bud, it is of my opinion that if you are going to pull the Head Off ,I think the Big Bud being around 40 years Old should have a complete rebuild of the Motor regardless of a Leaking Head gasket, when you pull it down Scott ,your half way there, as you have already replaced the Bushes & Bearing on the Steering and draw bar, and timing & extra, it would be wise to make the motor like New and get another 40 years out of the Big Bud thats my thinking, Bob you & Kobi make my day, Bob the senior & Kobi senior Scout , getting the best out of life looking for the Rabbits, enjoying life to the fullest, on that note Fellows, Greetings from Down under , God Bless, Regards Trevor.W.Bacelli. Biloela Qld Australia👍🐕🐎🦄🐂🐃🐄🐖🐗🐏🐑🐐🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦃🐔🐓🦢🦆🦋🏵🏵🏵🏵🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌻🍇🍉🍋🍍🥭🥥🥑🌽🌽

Another great intro to this video, well done. Good to see some moisture, hope you get more!

You should fix it properly but if the internals are fine only the heads. I would also inspect your orange conveyor belt or the aircart to see if the belt is tearing because Scott found a clip.

Thanks

In your situation, doing the in frame seems like the better option, because if you replace the head gaskets, and you still have issue's, then you've wasted money, and could potentially cause more damage. A rebuild is cheaper than a new rig, and a used engine is a gamble right now if something happens to the block on this engine. You said yourself that if you did a complete rebuild this would be like having a new engine. At least you know what you have, and making expensive decisions is always hard, i would pray about it, and then make a decision. I try to pray about thing's like this, and usually thing's turn out okay, so good luck whichever way you go with this. G-d bless all you Welker's.

In my 50 yrs trucking l got by with head gaskets if it wasn't using alot of oil. If not usually the cylinder liners are starting to drop making new gaskets short lived. You will know more when you lift the heads. Good luck.

To bad about the leak!! But my process would be: Question 1: how long do you want to keep the Bud? 2 if its long enough (say 5+ years) do a full rebuild after the season if possible 3 if you want to keep it for a shorter period then see if it is only the gasket and fix that, save the money for another tractor; 4 if more than the gasket and you have the money rebuild it, if you want to keep it; or 5 if better-cheaper put in another engine instead..... So good luck with your decisions!! And keep on going, you will be fine 😁.

Another option you forgot to mention Leg Arms was a Brand New Bud😀😀 I think this is the one you should go for 👍👍

Prayers to you all to get a break love you guys

When you open it up check it over like you said head gaskets are easy to do and cost effective if engine still pulls well,does not burn too much oil.Major bushels of wheat to big engine overhaul.You know engines as well as anyone in the end your call.Just keep the big buds working,good video.

Pull & deck heads, new valves & HG. If everything looks good inside, put it back together. If not good, Total inframe on a KTA600 is gonna be costly but will run along time. Other option, re power with a donor motor of similar HP.

Borescopes are pretty cheap anymore. If you scoped it that might give you a better idea of weather a new gasket or an in-frame makes sense.

1:16 now I have heard of the rare meteor shaped bowling ball looking things in the middle of the field in the middle of nowhere. It's really rare to have a 60 foot piece of drip line or something out in the middle of nowhere.

Good luck to a great season. May your bins bust! Planting in Indiana this week.

If nothing is too bad. Heads off, new piston rings and bearings (rolled in), heads not surfaced, valves ground with paste.

Deck them and pistons. Last longer with less issues

Headgasket swap for the season, involve the machine shop after the harvest.

We took two sections out of CRP doing notill. July 1 we sprayed with 2 lbs of Roundup. In August sprayed again and using a coulter to put 10 34 every 10" where we planted wheat in October. No sub moisture or rain the wheat failed. The next year 35 bu wheat followed by 100 bu corn for 2 years. the third year 850 lbs of cotton. We average 18" annual moisture but when it rained more we made good crops. Our neighbor disked his out of CRP and has never made an average crop. Only grazing his wheat.

From MN, like everything you won't know till you get into it haha you know as well as I do it depends on what you look for and what you find, good luck!!

Gamechanger.... super cool that it took off as prescribed!!!!

Bonjour la famille welker super video super vue bon courage pour la mecanique

Scott, you didn't mention the hours on the engine, but just doing the heads on that Cummins seems like a lot of work for little return when the hours are high enough that you'r considering the In-Frame at least. Maybe I'm wrong but I could sear I saw an N14 sitting near the door of one of the shops. If so, I'd be full on that "spare". Get the machine work done and go back with a 100% rebuilt engine for that Bud next year. Just doing the heads to get through the year would be the next choice if I'm wrong about that spare engine sitting in one of the shops. Spending the time to do the heads just to make sure you finish the year might be worth the cost. But, to me and I'm guessing since none of us have seen the oil reports you've probably have seen. Then start a full rebuild during the winter. You asked buddy... But hey, it's not our money.. You know all of us saying spend Big on the Big Bud...

I think you're dropping a liner, usually you can run them until the water and combustion, heat, do in the liner seals, milky oil is bad. The block liner seats have to be checked. Usually it's just one liner that moves up and down.

Coby on the fender. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Great video!

Nice video, good job guys

If you run equipment, you'll have trouble with it. I pray you folks have great yields this year.