Farmall B ID question

Ed Morford · Nov 21, 2016

I apologize if this is a duplicate post. It is my first or second one. I'm considering a purchase of a Farmall B with offset engine and narrow front end. All my research shows that the B has a centered engine and a narrow front end. The rear end is much more narrow. Does that mean the tractor has been modified? And if so, are there any concerns I should have and (for example, stability) and would that affect the value/purchase price?

Janicholson · Nov 21, 2016

It is not a B it is (in the words of "Old" who post often on the forum and made one) a BA. Composed by an owner of the fromt half of a B and the rear half of a A. Is it valuable? No more than its utility value to you as a tractor owner can find use for it. Is it dangerous? A little bit more than an A because of the limitations of the offset, wide front on a A. If the right rear wheel is the heavy cast wheel, and the left is steel, it should be fine. Driving any tractor on sloped ground demands prudence. Jim

khouse6 · Nov 21, 2016

there were 2 different b s made. one was wide and the other narrow. the narrow b is bringing more money from collectors.
hard to say about modified. these tractors are 50+ years old and anything could have been done to them. the a s had wide front ends as far as i know.

Janicholson · Nov 21, 2016

The left axle housing is real short, and is from an A. The BN was narrow, but not as narrow as the pictured tractor (which is offset to the left) Jim

Red Dave · Nov 21, 2016

The tractor in the picture appears to be a Farmall B that somebody removed the left side differential shaft and housing and replaced it with the short left side shaft from a Farmall A. That makes the tractor 22 inches narrower across the rear wheels. They likely also shortened the drawbar to fit between the final drives.

Judging by the seat mounting, it looks like they kept the 22 inch long right side differential shaft and housing from the B, if it had an A rear, that housing would only be 18 inches and the right-hand seat mounting bracket would be against the fender.

The advantage is that the tractor is narrower.

The disadvantage is that the tractor is not as stable. You would need to be sure to keep the wheel weight on the right rear, or better yet, use the heavy cast wheel center on that right side and a pressed steel wheel center on the left like a Farmall A would have used in order to keep the tractor from tipping to the left. Better yet, put the 22 inch differential shaft and housing back on the left side like the designers intended it to have.

gene bender · Nov 21, 2016

Its easy to move the rear out like it was built just get the diff shaft and the housing and a drawbar. I have the shaft and housing if you want.

Jim Becker · Nov 21, 2016

Everybody is on the right track here. But Red Dave exactly nailed it. Value? As far as I am concerned, it is worth the same as a B, minus the cost of putting it back to the original configuration.

Farmall B ID question

Ed Morford

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Janicholson

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khouse6

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Janicholson

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Red Dave

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gene bender

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Jim Becker

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