As many of you that have worked on U frame tractors know they are one of the toughest tractors made in their time but there are two things that will kill a U frame tractor.

1. Mice
2. Ice

Mice will make a nest in there and the urine will totally destroy your tractor, If the mice don't get it the Ice will when water gets in there and breaks parts normally well protected from the outside world.

When cleaning the oil pan on a U frame tractor you must always check the oil lines for Ice Bursts like the one in the picure below. If not fixed your engine will not get oiled properly and will soon be in need of repair.

When I took the oil pans out of this little 12-20 and cleaned them up I noticed something I have not come across before. These seem to be painted the dark black color the same color as my little original 12-20 is. Do you supose this engine was painted before it was set into the frame?? Or possibly these trays could have been replaced at one time or another?? I can't really see a reason for painting them this color but if it were painted before the engine was dropped into the frame this would make sense.

Joe