Farmall A

[Ricn]

So today I came into a very nice (I think) Farmall A. I know little about them so you guys will be seeing me here in the very near future. My son is getting this tractor for me through doing some driveway remodel whereby the owner says he wants to trade some of the work for his Farmall. Reports are it runs well but now needs a fuel filter and perhaps a new coil. The owner has been driving it in parades only so not used hard for many years. Can take pics when it gets here maybe next week.

 

[DJ54]

A's are nice little tractors. If it has an inline fuel filter, that means the fuel tank has rust and other sediment in it. Hopefully the sediment bowl is still in place.

If that is the case, I'd advise removing the fuel tank and put some sharp stone, like limestone in it, shake it around to loosen/remove the crud. Some radiator shops offer a service of lining tanks, and there are some DIY liners too. I took mine to a shop and had them line it, solved my problem.

If it still has the sediment bowl, clean it well and install a new gasket. I prefer the cork one's that can be reused. Cheapest place I found to get them was from ebay, was like $12.00 for 10. But I have multiple tractors which use the same gasket, but someday you may need another. Doesn't hurt to have a spare on the shelf.

If it has a rubber fuel line, replace it with a metal line. I prefer brake line size should be 5/16". NiCopp brake line bends the easiest, although a little more.

 

[John0829]

Good luck with the "A", fun little tractors. I owned and used one for years even pulling a 5' bush hog.

 

[Thomas]

Thanks for keeping yesterday's iron still alive.

 

[Dawg in Fl]

I'll start out with this disclaimer. I really like TractorByNet.

Yesterdays Tractors has a very large group of folks who are extremely knowledgeable about all things Farmall. (Website also covers lots of other "old iron")

Antique Tractors - Yesterday's Tractors : Parts and Online Community

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www.yesterdaystractors.com

I have a Farmall Super A - learned to drive on it.

 

[Ricn]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. Is this the correct place for discussing everything Farmall, mainly repairs questions etc. and for my "A" - if not, can someone lead me to the right forum, thanks!

 

[John0829]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. Is this the correct place for discussing everything Farmall, mainly repairs questions etc. and for my "A" - if not, can someone lead me to the right forum, thanks!

Your good post away.

 

[Ricn]

Your good post away.

Good post away?

 

[John0829]

Good post away?

Maybe a regional thing/saying, it means post all you want.

 

[deezler]

Good post away?

He meant: You are good (here). Post freely!

My dad picked up a 1948 Super A back in, oh, 1996 or so, and had it fully restored. It ran great for several years before our lack of maintenance kind of let it decay, and now it's been sitting dead for a decade. I look forward to bringing it over to my shop and tuning it back up eventually! One mistake we made was in not converting to 12V. Keeping 6V batteries charged was always annoying.

But right after restoration, our Super A was a joy to operate and a real workhorse. We plowed 16" snowfalls, dragged dozens of logs out of the forest, and towed yard trailers around. Amazing what 14HP can do with the right gearing and big wheels/tires.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I also have an "A", they are pretty good tractors.

They share parts with other sizes of Farmall's, so parts are pretty easy to come by.

SR

 

[Ricn]

Update: Late afternoon my son and I went to get the A going if possible; the owner had not fired her up for 2 years or more. Once there I found out what we had, a very nice Super A with hydro lift intact and working! After tinkering, we headed to the auto parts for couple electrical parts then came back where my son had them all installed in 30 minutes. The gas tank was very clean so poured in one gallon, after a few sputters and pops the SA was running perfectly, no smoke either, just a nice running motor still in it's work cloths other than the hood that had been repainted long time ago. Tires are like new tread wise with one rear having lots of cracks. We turned it off and waited awhile then tried the hand crank that was still with it, fired up the first pull of the handle..Got home to late for pics but will get some soon, right now its in the dark inside the shop.