what makes a ?

What makes a Stage II Super H different than a Super H (better or worse?) ??

Why would it be worth $5,500?

Stage 1 does not have live hydraulics otherwise mostly the same. Battery is stored under the seat and a few other improvements. People ask more for Stage 2 and may get it but $5500 seems high unless it is in very good condition, good rubber etc.

Same engine and transmission but center housing was changed to mount a hydraulic unit on top and starter location moved to left. Hydraulic pump mounted to engine ahead of ignition unit and lines connected it to hydraulic unit. Corners of front bolster had holes added and grills had two extra holes in front. But some late stage 1 SH were equipped with the same bolster and grill. Some late ones had the grill without the other two holes punched out. Seat assembly changed to mount on top of a battery box. Voltage regulator location moved and a few other things.
Have my doubts on getting it if it's the tractor I think. Probably have to get lucky for $3500 in this area.

You can ask any amount you want for a tractor, but what counts is what it actually sells for.

There is no way a Stage II Super H would ever be worth $5500 even if someone spent $15500 to restore it.

How do you make a small fortune restoring antique tractors? Start with a large one.

I don't agree with you. NEVER SAY NEVER!

I've seen Super H-TA's sell for $10,000 on Mecum's Davenport auction. A mish-mash of salvage yard parts
should not cost that much! The improvements on a 300 and 350 are worth more over a Super H. A really nice
factory correct Stage II with all the options could bring $15,000, or a low hour tractor could go crazy
and bring $40,000 like that '51 H did a year or two ago.

Depending on what shape the tractor you start with is in, real easy to roll up $15,000 in a restoration. A
show quality paint job is $4000-$5000, four new Firestone tires for $2500. You priced Super H sleeves &
pistons lately? I have, rebuilding the engine gets up around $4000-$5000. You want a new clutch, throw-
out & pilot bearing too right? And you need to surface grind the flywheel. Any 63-64 year old tractor needs
the block boiled out and a new radiator installed. It's a shame to put a junk Chinese radiator in a great
old Farmall built in Rock Island! And you need to rebuild the distributor too. And to get decent hyd
performance, better spend the $700+ on a new hyd pump. Hope nothing is wrong behind the torque tube.
Rear end bearings, seals & gaskets are expensive. Yes, if you bought a basket case you could piece it
together with used parts. And maybe it would run! I bought a used refurbished starter for my Stage II
Super H about 30 years ago. It finally gave up last summer. $140 later the shop that rebuilt it said
whoever rebuilt it back then had no idea what he/she was doing! So plan on fixing those problems too. And
picking all that blue RTV out of everyplace some bozo put too much in is a cheap fix!

And all that work for a tractor you're not going to use!
That's where I part ways with the "show tractor" people.
To each his own, and if that's what turns your crank, then go for it.
I don't own "show tractors". I just own regular tractors that I sometimes take to shows.
Where do you draw the line for something that's going to get run maybe one or two hours a year?
I saw a beautiful 730 John Deere at an auction a few years ago. I would have been proud to take it anywhere. But the guy next to me says, "That's not a show tractor. It needs new tires, new steering wheel, etc., etc., etc." Maybe so, but his pockets were obviously a lot deeper than mine.
My hat is off to those who do restorations like that, but I personally fail to see the point.
Again, each to his own, I guess.

I couldn't agree more. I have known a lot of guys over the years try to sell me a tractor who would trot out a list of every nickle they spent on it. Won't take a cent less than what I got into it, or...I got $10,000 into it, give me $6000. It just does not work that way unless you can find that rare guy who wants a restoration, is happy with the job you did restoring, and is willing to pay big bucks for a tractor to put in the shed and dust....often.

dont know where your at but around here just bought 13.6x38 8 ply tires new $1000 pair , if you have that much money in an engine rebuild , thats nuts, a complete kit (crater fire -red power) is only around $600 & most kits today are all overbore kits which make it a super by factory spec. , & just to shake the tree what do you call a professional restore paint job? if i was judging a show & that tractor shined in the sunlight to the point i was needing sunglasses ,you get nothing good from me , did that tractor shine like that from new? i know for sure the factory didnt clear coat them ,i get good complements on my paint jobs that cost me $150 in primer,paint & additives to do , takes a while to clean tractor up but my $4000 for paint on something thats worth $2500 on a good day just dont make sence . i do agree thow , you never get out of them what you put in money wise , so its best just to use & enjoy this old equipment , it was built to work not to look good & collect dust.