Hi all I always liked the looks of the F series tractors. Have been looking at an F20 and a F14 both seem to be in good condition but cant decide which to get. I know the F14 is rare compared to the F20 but that means parts are harder to find. The F14 would fit my trailer so it would be easier to haul.Not planing on working it at all, just to tinker with and for parades. What are the pro"s or con"s of each? Any input would be helpful. I"m both excited and concerned about my first crank start tractor, have read about lots of broken arms trying to start them...
- Thread starter win231
- Start date
Zachary Hoyt
Well-known Member
I can't comment on the F14 vs F20, but I have spent the last few months starting my H with a crank since my alternator died and I need to rewire the tractor. I have started it probably at least 100 times and have never had it kick back even once. My Allis C and B that I used to have were real wrist biters on the other hand. Just make sure you don't wrap your thumb around the handle, and make sure the tractor is out of gear. I turn the crank very slowly to the 5 oclock position( as seen from the front) and then pull it quickly through about 90 degrees. Some people pull it over the top instead, either way is supposed to work. I prefer to pull it under because I'm right handed and it feels more natural. It's not terribly unsafe provided you take the necessary precautions.
Zach
Zach
Bill Lisbon
Member
F-14's are harder to find because they were only made 2 years, F-12's were made before the F-14's F-20 were made in wide tread and narrow tread. The narrow tread goes on a trailer better. I like them all, I guess it is what you find in your price range and the condition of the tractor.
Win,
If you have plenty of space and a large enough truck and trailer, I would go with the F-20. However, if you live in town and only have a half ton truck and two axle trailer i would go with the F-14. If you are just going to play with them, size and convience of moving is one of my main considerations. Personally I live in town. I would love to have a WR-9 but I have nothing to haul a tractor that size and no place to really keep it, so several years ago I bought a I-4, which is basicly the same tractor in miniature and is a resonable size to transport. That is what keeps me in relative small tractors, H, 100, W-4, and two Cub Cadets.
You can consider the F=14 a miniture F-20 as it is of the same design and era and can provide the same amount of enjoyment (or headaches).
Merry Christmas
Harold H
If you have plenty of space and a large enough truck and trailer, I would go with the F-20. However, if you live in town and only have a half ton truck and two axle trailer i would go with the F-14. If you are just going to play with them, size and convience of moving is one of my main considerations. Personally I live in town. I would love to have a WR-9 but I have nothing to haul a tractor that size and no place to really keep it, so several years ago I bought a I-4, which is basicly the same tractor in miniature and is a resonable size to transport. That is what keeps me in relative small tractors, H, 100, W-4, and two Cub Cadets.
You can consider the F=14 a miniture F-20 as it is of the same design and era and can provide the same amount of enjoyment (or headaches).
Merry Christmas
Harold H
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
The F-20 was one of the best tractors ever built and the F-12 or F-14 was one of the most pathetic, worthless machines ever built. You decide.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Not to argue but the only things the same on a f-14 and F-20 are the approx age and the paint!! The F-20 has chain drive final drives and then take off a Viue Pannel and look at that massive crankshaft with only 2 main bearings! Bud.
James Williams
Well-known Member
Win 231,I have the same problem as others have,The F20 is heavy and wide,I think the F 12&14 were just as good as any tractor that has ever been built,You need to be a little better mechanic to make them right,I pulled 2-12 in plows at are plow day with my 14 and enjoyed every bit of it.I have made a hobby out of adding starter,shutters and a complete electrical system to my 14.I still have a long ways to go but if I see a rare part I try to buy it.The carbs,timing,fuel pumps are critical and more complacited than they look.All of these rare parts were optional for the 14 but the 20 were mostly aftermarket,I beleive I you would be happier with the 14.If your mag is set properly you can forget about kicking
jimmy
jimmy
Fawteen
Well-known Member
- Location
- Downeast Maine
I have an F14, so a couple of comments:
1. Tom43's mother must have been scared by an F12, he has an illogical, unreasoning hate for them. He is a donkeyhole, ignore him.
2. Many F12 parts will work on an F14. Parts for both are very available, until you get into rare options like road gears and electrical. A decent usable set of fenders for an F12/14 gets pretty spendy too.
3. They're dead simple to work on. Don't let all the guff about carbs and fuel pumps scare ya. Yes, they are fussier than an F20, but kits are commonly available for the fuel pump and once you get the float level set right, the carbs are very simple and easy to adjust. Timing the mag is not that difficult.
4. They're relatively small, light and easy to haul. An ordinary double axle trailer and a 3/4 ton pick up is plenty, and I wouldn't have issues hauling one with a half-ton as long as the trailer brakes were in good shape.
1. Tom43's mother must have been scared by an F12, he has an illogical, unreasoning hate for them. He is a donkeyhole, ignore him.
2. Many F12 parts will work on an F14. Parts for both are very available, until you get into rare options like road gears and electrical. A decent usable set of fenders for an F12/14 gets pretty spendy too.
3. They're dead simple to work on. Don't let all the guff about carbs and fuel pumps scare ya. Yes, they are fussier than an F20, but kits are commonly available for the fuel pump and once you get the float level set right, the carbs are very simple and easy to adjust. Timing the mag is not that difficult.
4. They're relatively small, light and easy to haul. An ordinary double axle trailer and a 3/4 ton pick up is plenty, and I wouldn't have issues hauling one with a half-ton as long as the trailer brakes were in good shape.
No chain in the final drives on an F-20, its a small pinion gear from the countershaft driving a big bull gear. As far as which to get its really what fits your trailer and you like best. Biggest disadvantage to an F-12/F-14 is they have a fuel pump pushing gas up to a downdraft carb and can be a lot harder to start. F-20 and F-30 have gravity feed to an updraft carb . It can take several cranks on the F-14 to get fuel to carb and if the carb floods it runs right down into engine.
James Williams
Well-known Member
Tom,I have read several of your post about the 12&14 but you never say specifily whats wrong with them.I also see you post on the JD forum and I never see you complain over there.I was plowing beside a JD H with my F12 and there was no compairson,The H had to plow down hill becaues it didnt have the power or weight to plow uphill,the Fseries is much more supurb than any of the letter series deeres in my opinion but I still like them,We need to learn to be more flexible.There has been millions of dollars put in engeering cost for most all tractors and and they have never made as bad of tractor as you say
jimmy
jimmy
Janicholson
Well-known Member
For your purposes, the F14 will be correct. Small lighter, less space for storage, and just fine for parades and tinkering. All tractors are limited by reality. This is an old tractor with a small engine and limited gearing. It will be out classed in pulling power by many other Farmalls and other makes. So what. (Tom 43 continues to miss the point of our passion)
If you were trying to make a tractor purchase for farming you would be discussing 1955 and newer tractors. If you were discussing making money farming with an F14 you would be on a different forum (or planet). Do it. Jim
If you were trying to make a tractor purchase for farming you would be discussing 1955 and newer tractors. If you were discussing making money farming with an F14 you would be on a different forum (or planet). Do it. Jim
Tom Fleming
Well-known Member
Well, I have both an F-20 and an F-12. I like both of them. The carb/fuel pump on the f-12 can make it a bit cantankerous to cold start, but other than that, a good little tractor.
so, hauling makes the difference here. If you are not equipped with a deck over, the F-20 is a challenge. I haul mine by running it up to the fenders and use 500 lbs of counter weight at the front of the the trailer to balance it out since the tractor sits so far back. Works fine.
F-12 fits nice, and no need for counter weight, as I can center it on the trailer between the fenders.
So, my trailer is a 7500 GVW tandem. I haul everything I own with an extended cab F150, with towing package and heavy duty rear springs. I hauled an F-30 350 miles with that setup. although, I will be the first to admit, it was all i wanted to handle (I took the ramps off and any extra weight off the trailer and put it in the bed of the truck, including the rear wheels of the F-30).
make you decision based upon what you can easily haul. either tractor is fine..........and a lot of fun.
so, hauling makes the difference here. If you are not equipped with a deck over, the F-20 is a challenge. I haul mine by running it up to the fenders and use 500 lbs of counter weight at the front of the the trailer to balance it out since the tractor sits so far back. Works fine.
F-12 fits nice, and no need for counter weight, as I can center it on the trailer between the fenders.
So, my trailer is a 7500 GVW tandem. I haul everything I own with an extended cab F150, with towing package and heavy duty rear springs. I hauled an F-30 350 miles with that setup. although, I will be the first to admit, it was all i wanted to handle (I took the ramps off and any extra weight off the trailer and put it in the bed of the truck, including the rear wheels of the F-30).
make you decision based upon what you can easily haul. either tractor is fine..........and a lot of fun.
I have both. Hauling has been covered, parts are readily available for both. Main bearings and sleeves/pistons are pricey for the F20. Get the mag in good working order and make sure the impulse coupler works and you will be fine cranking them. Both are dead simple to work on. You will enjoy either one. Ignore tom43"s comments as his only interest on this website is to take stupidity to the next level and he"s an overachiever in that area.
I have both. Hauling has been covered, parts are readily available for both. Main bearings and sleeves/pistons are pricey for the F20. Get the mag in good working order and make sure the impulse coupler works and you will be fine cranking them. Both are dead simple to work on. You will enjoy either one. Ignore tom43"s comments as his only interest on this website is to take stupidity to the next level and he"s an overachiever in that area.
formerly ny bill
Well-known Member
i had my F12 in a small short parade one time. top speed is 3 3/4 mph or so. fortunately,the people behind me were very easygoing, because they were held up from the front of the parade at an increasing rate. i won't take the F12 in another parade unless i find an overdrive for it, which won't happen unless i win the lottery. just something to consider, as i think the F14 transmission is the same as F12.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
The 1937 F-20 we farmed with had a doubble row roller chain that ran the final drives and it ran in oil! Later F-20's may have been gear but our 37 was chain! Bud.
RegularRog
Member
If it had chain in the final drive it wasn"t an
F-20. Or a Regular.
F-20. Or a Regular.
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