Farmall Super M

[RobJ]

My neighbor has one I finally took some pictures of. It actually ran about 2 years ago. It has a bunch of cultivator lying around. Has a 3pt on the rear and a PTO.

Worth doing anything with? Were these good, bad, indifferent?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[JB4310]

If it ran 2 years ago then I would say try and get it fired up! I personally have never been that interested in those row crop machines but that thing would look beautiful all painted up nice, it sure has a good set of rear tires.

John,

 

[ChuckinNH]

My uncle had a pair of these that he used up until his death last year. He was milking over 100 head of Holsteins, and did all his farming with them for years. They are tough as nails, and pack a lot of power. After a life outdoors, there isn't much paint left on his, but they still run fine. I used the Farmall H some, and only used his M, and Super M's a couple of times. Compared to the Ford 8n, and 9n's, and small Masseys, and Allis Chalmers that most folks around here farmed with, they were pretty big tractors! Makes me smile a bit when I see folks here talk about 50 pto hp Cuts not being big enough to run a square baler with. We used a Massey Ferguson baler with a Wisconsin motor on it with our Allis Chalmers "C" (probably about 15 hp) to hay nearly 100 acres a year. Even with the engine on it, that baler pushed the little tractor around some, but we got it done.

 

[RobJ]

Thanks, yes this is not that small, weighs about 5,000k, and a 45-50hp 4 cylinder gas motor. This old it'll out pull my little L. I grew up with the row crop tractors in MS in the cotton and bean fields. Now with all the no till stuff you plant and forget. Plus with the price of corn many have moved to it. Short crop and not to many bugs to worry about...just add water!
Rob

 

[ChuckinNH]

The tin looks in prettty good shape, and I don't see any major oil leaks. The exhaust stack looks like it has been exposed for a while, so there may be some water / rust in the manifold, etc. I would sure take some precautions before trying to fire it up, but you might be pleasantly surprised. If you ever pull a harrow with it, keep your thumbs out of the steering wheel, especially for the first few passes. Those tricycle front ends can sure yank that wheel when crossing furrows! The Super M is a lot heavier than the tractor I used most of the time for that, so it might not bother as much.

 

[Soundguy]

M's and H's are great machines.. I'd try to get er running.. might not take much.

soundguy

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Not sure but I don't think its a Super M. The tag tells it all...if it was an SM it would have had that on it. I believe it said "M". Also they made less than 20,000 SMs, the serial on this tractor is 160xxx. There are afew other items like disk brakes (vs band) and location of battery, etc that sets the SM from the M. Now, having said that, go get that thing!!All the tires are up, 3PT hitch (it has a "belly pump" for hyds), pull the plugs, check in there for water, if he has a hand crank see if it'll turn over....if it does do not hesitate to get it home somehow. It's a lot a tractor!! Good luck and let us know how it comes out. BobG in VA

 

[ChuckinNH]

Your right Bob, the decal on the hood says Super M, but the serial number plate doesn't. Looks like a couple of swapped parts, but still a pretty clean M.

 

[Soundguy]

Fill the plug holes with atf before you try to roll it over.. then after setting.. roll it over and let it puke out the excess oil... will provide some cyl lube and perhaps free up the rings..

soundguy

 

[PoodlePimp]

That looks like a great fixer upper with a lot of potential. I use to drive one of those when I was a kid. The Super M was a hot tractor in its day... but I think you have just a regular M, but either way, they are strong tractors!!!!!!!

 

[RobJ]

BTW if yall know are parts still available (easy). Where is the best place to round some up. If I buy or get it from him I have no plans to restore. Just make run reliable to use for heavy stuff.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[BobG_in_VA]

robj, you can still get most every part/filters for the M in a number of places. You can start by going to that "auction" place on the internet and do a search for Farmall M. It may take you a day or so to get thru everything you find....also the "RedPowerMagazine" (do a google on it) on the net is a good place to go..but by far go to "tractorbynet" and introduce your self on the Farmall forum. There is more knowledge there than you can shake a stick at..also it has advertisers that you can find just about anything you will need, including a complete rebuild kit for your engine. Good luck and keep us informed. BobG in VA

OOpps!! should have said Yesterday's Tractors - Discussion Forums in lieu of the Tractorbynet as yeah, that's where we are now....sorry 'bout that. Bobg

 

[wolc123]

Nice looking tractor. If it ran, and everything worked (especially 3 pt hitch), I would pay about $2k. As is, with stuck motor, $750, not stuck motor $1000. If you have hills or ditches or gopher holes, be carefull with the trike as they are far less stable than wide front tractors (and no longer produced for that reason).

 

[chh]

Wow, that brings back some memories. My father had a Super M with a wide front on it up until 68 or 69 when the engine toasted. Traded it for a IH 454 deisel. He had bought it new. That one looks better than his did then. I still have his B sitting out in the pasture. Let us know if you get it fired up.

 

[Fordlords]

I don't know if that 3.22.48 is a date code indicating 1948, but if it is the Super M didn't come out until 1952, making this one a regular M model. Looks very worthy of a refurbishment.

-Fordlords-

 

[RickB]

By serial number, it's a 1948 M. No live PTO, no live hydraulics.

 

[Soundguy]

Does look like an M..

still a great machine.

soundguy

 

[ScottAR]

Looks like my Grandpa's M. I'm no expert on these, but my grandpa said he converted his M to a SuperM with some kind of kit from the dealer. It had some hydraulic lines going down the left side of the frame. I don't see them in the pics though. I seem to remember his had live hydraulics but that was a long time ago. That tractor looks pretty complete. I'd give'er a go.

A good parts store should be able to get you the simple electrical bits, cap, rotor, etc. Doesn't look very authentic, but a delco alternator is easy and cheap to replace.

 

[RickB]

Does look like an M..

still a great machine.

soundguy

Band brakes not disc, also indicate a regular M.

 

[Bill Barrett]

I'm looking for a old IH 560 or maybe M. Parts are every where, probably make one from scratch, wouldn't worry about that.