54 SMDTA

How many of these came off the assembly line? Anyone still putting them to work? I have a itch to acguire a SMTA or SMDTA for my next winter project. Any pointers on what to look for when purchasing greatly appreciated. Thanks all.


Pete in NC

They made almost 3000 SMDTA's yet when they come up for sale even in tuff shape they get 3000+ seen some restored for 12,000+ at least thats wheat there asking. The gasers they made 28000 or so of them and they go for 1500-2500 in non running shape to 5000 or so in good runnning shape. if your looking for a diesel though i would get 400SD a better tractor and much cheaper.

Andrew

I use a SMTA putting up hay and other chores. I purchased mine a few years ago from a guy who bought it new when the numbered series came out. He told me it was a Super M. It was stuck as the muffler had colapsed and it was outside. It hadn't run in several years and before that he just used it on a blade pushing snow. I was a JD guy and had run Ms quite a bit before but he only wanted $100 for it and I figured I would part it out. Had an after market 3 point on it already. I got to looking it over and realized it had too many levers for a super M, got to talking to guys who knew more about them and found it was a SMTA. The TA was out on low side, tires held air long enough to get it home, single front wheel, rear wheels cracked near centers. I pulled it home and started working on engine, broke a sleeve so I put in new piston sleeve kit and got valves ground a friend had the tricycle front with 2 tires so put it on, bought new rear wheels and tires from another friend. Eventually split tractor and fixed the TA with new ramp and rollers, overhauled engine completely, new cam, gear came loose and cracked out keyway on it. It is a great tractor with the TA, live pto and live hydraulics and use it on the baler and swather. They are getting harder to find but are neat old tractors.

I've used an MTA for hay for the last 5-6 years. Very nice tractor. Last year I put a B in running order and have been having a lot of fun using it on the rake and to haul wagons....less gas y'know. I wouldn't trade either although there are times when the other guys in their AC cabs with stereo and cell phones do make a guy wonder why he is bouncing up and down on a steel seat in the hot sun covered with chaff.

I have one for sale in NC. E-mail me for info.