Farmall M Project Purchase Update

Ken Christopherson · Feb 15, 2016

Well, after taking a drive to the salvage yard today to check out the tractor (since I had only seen it in pictures), I decided not to go with the 1942 Farmall M. By the time I switched out the rear cutoffs for cast centers with rims and (used) tires - one of the cutoff rims was rotted and tires were surprisingly still holding air, I would have been into the tractor for $1,000. I found the tractor was also missing the generator, the hood had a large gash, and the grill was pretty banged up. I started looking around at other tractors on the lot to see what else they had for M's. Found a 1947 M that was 100% complete (even has the steering shaft toolbox), motor loose, and had a Paulsen loader assembly mounted. Started asking some questions about it and discussed the possibility of taking that one home instead. Negotiated some (not taking the loader since I've already got one)... And ended up paying for it in full. I'll be headed up next Monday to load it and bring it back home.

Bummed that I'm not saving a war-time M... But I'm saving one nonetheless. Tin is good and straight (except for a couple of minor holes in the nose of the grille), tractor is very complete, and it has nice tires on the front and rear. Enjoy the photos.

kennell · Feb 15, 2016

Looks like a good tractor to fix up. Thanks for the update. Keep us posted. Kent

Old weldor · Feb 15, 2016

I think you made a wise choice,I have a 48 M. They are a good old workhorse.

CenTex Farmall · Feb 16, 2016

That one looks like a good start. None of us has unlimited time or funds. I have '41 out back that is beyond reasonable repair but it may yield some date correct parts for another '41 I have that's in better shape.

PretendFarmer · Feb 16, 2016

Aside from it not being the year you wanted its a better looking project to start with, judging from the pictures. It looks like the other M was a Distillate model. From a usability standpoint, the 47' looks like a gas tractor so it will have more power. And if you ever decided to take it to a local pull, it'll do much better than a distillate tractor, assuming the distillate model still had the distillate head.

f2355j · Feb 16, 2016

I love M's

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

I love these old beasts too. There is just something about hopping on the back of one of the bigger tractors of the era. Truly an awesome feeling thinking about how much hard work they have done.

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

I agree. This tractor is a little bit better candidate than the 1942. I just got to looking on their website on Sunday, and noticed that they had these two other M's (one was a 45, and the other was this '47). the 1942 had cutoff steel with rough rear tires (but still held air). One of the rims needed to be replaced or repaired because it had about a hand-sized hole rusted around the valve stem. It was missing the cup for the air cleaner, missing the generator. Other than that it was pretty complete. Since I am putting a loader on it, I knew that I would need to replace the rear cutoffs for cast centers. I just had a funny feeling that I should at least take a look at these other two M's.
The 1945 M was in good shape too, with the same loader on it. Steering was pretty loose (probably a 1/4 turn of free play), and I know that it can be expensive to rebuild the steering assemblies on these M's. It also was missing some of the hitch, and had a home-built type of "towing mechanism" mounted on the rear (I think I'll take a picture of it when I go up next week just to post it to show you all).
This 1947 seemed like the best candidate. It is missing a bolt in the hitch frame, but other than that everything is there, the motor is loose, and it even still has a magneto on it (which I kind of prefer). It has lights, but not the originals (no big deal for now). It does have the X1 suffix, so it is a gas tractor. Overall I think it is a better tractor and at the end of the day, it is still an M.

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

That is a great looking M!

cuby · Feb 16, 2016

Here is my 53 Super M. Been in the my family 40+yrs.

PretendFarmer · Feb 16, 2016

(quoted from post at 15:28:21 02/16/16) I agree. This tractor is a little bit better candidate than the 1942. I just got to looking on their website on Sunday, and noticed that they had these two other M's (one was a 45, and the other was this '47). the 1942 had cutoff steel with rough rear tires (but still held air). One of the rims needed to be replaced or repaired because it had about a hand-sized hole rusted around the valve stem. It was missing the cup for the air cleaner, missing the generator. Other than that it was pretty complete. Since I am putting a loader on it, I knew that I would need to replace the rear cutoffs for cast centers. I just had a funny feeling that I should at least take a look at these other two M's.
The 1945 M was in good shape too, with the same loader on it. Steering was pretty loose (probably a 1/4 turn of free play), and I know that it can be expensive to rebuild the steering assemblies on these M's. It also was missing some of the hitch, and had a home-built type of "towing mechanism" mounted on the rear (I think I'll take a picture of it when I go up next week just to post it to show you all).
This 1947 seemed like the best candidate. It is missing a bolt in the hitch frame, but other than that everything is there, the motor is loose, and it even still has a magneto on it (which I kind of prefer). It has lights, but not the originals (no big deal for now). It does have the X1 suffix, so it is a gas tractor. Overall I think it is a better tractor and at the end of the day, it is still an M.

I should've mentioned to look for one with an X1A or X1G. They had low first gear which would be beneficial for loader use I think.

Super A · Feb 16, 2016

Looks good! I recently made a deal on a IH 2MH corn picker. Now I have to find myself a M or Super M to put under it.

Al

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

Most of my loader work will just be for snow removal anyhow, so I'll probably be plowing in 2nd gear there. Thanks for the heads up though - I never knew they had those suffixes!

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

They had a 1944 M on their lot with a JD 227 corn picker already mounted. What a mammoth machine that is! I was looking at it just trying to figure out how to get on the seat. Ha ha ha. Here is a link to their eBay site if you are curious:
Biewers Tractor 44 M w/ JD 227 Picker

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

Wow! Look at that thing SHINE! Looks great! Wish I had grandpa's 1940 M. Found out my uncle gave it away a few years ago to a "friend" of his. I've tried numerous times to get my uncle to at least pass my phone number onto his friend in case he ever wanted to sell the tractor, but he has shown no interest in doing that. I just figure that I can by this old M and fix it up to resemble grandpa's M. At least I'll be saving an M, and it will look good parked next to Grandpa's Case SC that I have in the garage waiting to be reunited with an M. It's a bummer but it is what it is. What size tires do you have on the rear of your Super M? 15.5-38?

PretendFarmer · Feb 16, 2016

(quoted from post at 16:38:03 02/16/16) What size tires do you have on the rear of your Super M? 15.5-38?

My 53 SM has 13.6-38's on it now but I am mounting 15.5-38's on in a few weeks. Either tire is more than sufficient for farm work. 13.6's are probably better for snow removal.

Ken Christopherson · Feb 16, 2016

I don't anticipate replacing these tires for a while. They have some weather checking and a couple cuts, but they have a lot of tread yet, and look real good. I agree, I think the 13.6 will work better for snow. I just like the "wide" look of those 15.5's on the back.

Super A · Feb 16, 2016

Cool, I had seen that before.

I'm not super fussy as long as it's a sound tractor, but what I'd really like to find is a late M/early Super M, one of the ones with the multiple-bend gearshift. A late Super M with live hydraulics would be nice too but I just have an affection for the old belly pump tractors. (Add-on live hydraulics would be ok too!)

Al

michaelr · Feb 16, 2016

Old Weldor, That is a sharp M, what size brand tires are on it?

Old weldor · Feb 16, 2016

I don't remember the brand but they are 13.6 38

cuby · Feb 17, 2016

Thanks. The rears are Titan 6 ply 13.6X38s

Farmall M Project Purchase Update

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