Nancy,

The preservation of old rubber is very problematic as there are inherent agents of deterioration, what we in conservation call "inherent vice", that is an ongoing issue. Aged rubbers will get very brittle, develop cracks, and can actually decompose into a powdering surface. The ideal situation is to keep the rubber away from conditions that increase this deterioration - so keeping it away from light, keeping it cold, and with controlled RH all help. But this is unrealistic for an outdoor agricultural object.

If you have not done so, putting the axles up on chocks so the rubber is not bearing pressure on the ground is a big help (this is a common technique with antique car collections). Also storing the tractor in a barn or shed where there is far less light exposure and a more stable environment will help. And at some point you may think about removing the original rubber tires - putting those is storage - and having modern replacement tires on the tractor.

I am in California so if you have more in-depth issues feel free to contact me off the list.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Senior Conservator
Los Angeles, CA

On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 11:12 AM, Nancy Dollard <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Please respond to the list as this is an area of concern for us as well. I am actually more concerned about preservation of the tires on a 1946 John Deere tractor.
 
Thanks for any leads or suggestions.
 
Nancy Dawson Dollard
Supervising Ranger, Open Space
City of Walnut Creek
925/943-5899 ext 2135
 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of L Poling
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 9:58 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Preserving Farm Equipment

Greetings! I am wondering if anyone can offer advice on how to treat/preserve old farm equipment. We have several large pieces including a manure spreader, seeder, and a few wagons. Unfortunately, we do not have room in our barn for storing these pieces during the winter months so we have been covering them with tarps. The donor had previously treated these pieces by brushing old motor oil on the metal and creosote on the wood. One other source suggested brushing the metal with WD-40 and treating the wood with an equal parts mixture of boiled linseed oil and turpentine.

 

Thankfully, the donor is willing to pay for any chemicals/supplies necessary, as well as new tarps. Are the methods listed above acceptable, or is there a better way to treat these pieces?

 

If you would like to respond off-list: [log in to unmask]

 

Many thanks for any suggestions or advice!

 

 

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