My grandpa bought this H brand new in '49 in SW Missouri and farmed it fulltime until the late '60's. Grandpa was at the local Farmall dealer one day and said "I'd like to have one of those one day". He came home from working in the field the next week and there was the H, sitting in his driveway. So, he mailed them a check and put it to work right away. Once it was retired from regular work, it was parked under the lean too next to the machine shed, hooked to a John Deere #5. Grandpa passed about 10 years ago and I brought it home and stored it until I could work on it and had a place to put it to use. The engine was rebuilt not long before the old girl was retired and to this day it runs like a top. I remember roughly 25 years ago my brother and my grandpa pulled the tractor out and drove it around the farm, but then it was parked again. All it took to fire up this time was points, wires, battery and fuel. All the gauges and lights work and the generator still charges.

Something that's pretty cool is the serial number is 275000. :D

I still have the John Deere #5 and plan on cleaning it up and putting it back into service as well. I picked up a drag type 5' mower that will go be hind it soon. After we finish building the new house, I plan on pulling the tractor into the shop and pull it apart for paint, seals, etc...

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I don't remember what dealer he bought it from, but the farm was/is in Sheldon. North of Lamar, south of Nevada right on Hwy 71. When the highway came through, they cut into part of the farm. My uncle still owns and farms the place.
 
That is a beauty of a tractor as she sits. Enjoy it. You have a great story and memories to go with it. Thank you for sharing it.
 
Thank you! The sheet metal on it is very straight and has no cancer in it. My main priority is to ensure it's mechanically sound and then I'll work on cleaning it up and making it pretty. In the next year or so, I want to load it up and take it back to MO for the Sheldon Picnic parade and tractor show. Grandpa had put it in the picnic many times over the years and I know folks up there would like to see it again.
 
When you get to the painting part of the project, get the "original style" muffler. It sounds soooo good compared to the "fitzall" ones.
 
That's what I've heard Wayne and I plan on going with an original style muffler. It won't be a completely concours restoration but it'll be pretty close. I plan on keeping this thing working with mowing and plan on using it in some local parades. I look at it just like my hotrods and cruisers, they are built to be used, driven and enjoyed, not just looked at. 8)
 
Our farm is located on U. S. 71 also, and we still have two of the old Farmalls that my Dad brought home 50 - 60 years ago! Your grandpa would be proud that you have kept it in such good condition and that you still run it. Hugh
 
Well done, BUT please DO NOT PAINT IT, there is not a nother one just like it in the USA. You have all your grandpars memories in that tractor so you must not loose them in a can of paint. I am the proud owner of a 1945 H in similer condition. MJ
 
My dad had a 48 H. Used it on a #24, or 2 M picker. Almost was too much for it. Great old tractor. My brother has it now. I bought a H at a sale 3yrs ago. Paid $400 for it. Ran/runs GREAT. Traced the ser#, and its a 48 also.
 
I agree with MJ! Do not paint it!It is an original 'survivor'!it is full of Grandpa's memories.Once painted,it will become "just another repainted old tractor",thus destroying all of it's present charm/character.BTW,I have a SH in the same condition.It will stay that way. Steve
 
Thanks everyone. I do love this old tractor and kinda like the work clothes it has. It'll be quite some time before I make the decision to start painting or not. I still have some maintenance to do before I can put it to work mowing and dragging stuff around. The only real reason I'd want to paint it is to preserve it. I'd hate to see it rust away. At some point, that surface rust will turn into cancer.
 
wipe it down or spray it with used oil then keep it
parked inside. will preserve it and also give it a
bit of a shine.
 
+1 on the wiping it down with used oil (or kerosene) to preserve it. Frankly that tractor will get more looks at a show "as it is" compared to a fresh painted parade queen.

Use it run it and enjoy it. My guess is you will think of your grandpa and dad for a brief moment every time you run it. That moment may not be special to you now, but it will be when they both are gone....but still around in your memory.

FWIW: There was even an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies TV show where uncle Jed made Jethro wipe down the old truck with coal oil to preserve it. It does work and its cheap.
 
Thanks for the tips, I appreciate them. Grandpa passed away 10 yrs ago and you're right, I think of him and the great times we had together, everythime I fire it up. He used to love taking me on tractor rides in the big tractors when I would visit.
 
(quoted from post at 22:38:14 08/25/13) +1 on the wiping it down with used oil (or kerosene) to preserve it. Frankly that tractor will get more looks at a show "as it is" compared to a fresh painted parade queen.

.
Thats your opinion and I respect that but.....,
I am one of the people who like to see a properly repainted tractor. What annoys me, is if it's painted in any manor that isn't like it came from the factory, within reason. I am sure the paint today isn't exactly the same shade of red as it once was. But I like tractors properly painted and I am not the only one.
 

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