Bought a Super MDTA. Thoughts ?

Just bought a beautifully restored smdta from a friend. Tractor is immaculate. Will try to attach pics. Every available option is installed. Power steering, selective cultivator lift etc. don't want to say how much I paid but it is for sale. I hope to get 15000. Thoughts ? Located in south Texas.
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The market has really got soft on these. And with an earlier style front end I think $9000 is about it. Maybe 3 or 4 years ago
 
well I think if you get 1/2 of that you will be lucky. is it just a paint restoration or complete? you would need receipts for that kind of price. its not a rare tractor.
 
Never hurts to try. Think you need to get lucky to get that in Texas. Other places also now that they don't seem as hot as in the past. The adjustable wheel base wide front was offered as a attachment for SMTA tractors for use with some harvesting equipment that wouldn't work with the standard SMTA wide front attachment. Good luck.
 
I don't believe 9K would fly in Kansas any more. It's too pretty to use and the guys who want one to look at already have one.
 
Didn't say it wasn't correct. One pictured could be a attachment for a SMTA but the regular new type wide front attachment for a SMTA was made different and mounted the steering tie rods and linkage to rear of the axle.
 
OK, got it. I wrongly thought the tie rods didn't go behind the axle until the hundred series. Pretty much nothing but nf's where I grew up in NEPA. Never saw a wf anywhere, dealer or on farm, 'til my Dad took me to an IH field day at Hershey Farm about a hundred years ago. Saw the original square dance there too. Time flies.
 
There was one for sale last week and they were asking 17,000.00, and it needed four tires, body and paint work. Good luck.
 
Wrong wide front end, it has the pre 1954 style wf like would have been on supers, Ms ect. Paint dint look that great, diesel decal in wrong location, and as others have said the market is getting soft on these. There has been a really nice professionally restored one on fbook for 10k and haset sold. A local guy bought one few months ago with factory narrow and wide fronts in really nice shape with new rear tires for around 6k. 15k is 5 to 10 years ago prices. Good luck, if he is a true friend he will give you some of your money back. People aren't spending money on old tractors like they use too.
 
hi andrew, i think your tractor looks great.have two of them but not in that condition. also have two super w6ta diesels. good luck and have fun with it.
 
Ok. First, this trqctor was purchased new by this friend. He is a renown collector nationwide and showed me photos of the tractor when it was delivered to his farm. It was exactly like this. Dealer installed charlynn power steering.

The diesel decal is in the correct location. Not sure where you thought it was supposed to be. This tractor has been in the barn for 3 years. It has a layer of dust on it.

The tractor was painted in PPG base coat clear coat paint by a local ford dealership body shop.

Looks much better in person.
 
Think Jim is referring to the debate about diesel going on the hood or fuel tank on a SMTAD. Looked for the IH bulletin about IH releasing the adjustable wheel base wide front for SMTA tractors after they announced the new type but didn't find it right off. Remember the reason given was a implement that needed the front set full ahead and the new type wouldn't work. Did find where they changed 3 different adjustable wheel base attachments for M through SMTA to the same number. 1/8 inch was added to the support rod length and hand cranks needed to be ordered for the model tractor. Very possible that wide front could be dealer installed. Most buyers prefer the other type though.
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Nice looking old MTA. As far as the Diesel decal, heck, I worked on many of them and sure don't remember if it is in the correct spot or not. No big deal to me anyway. What I would be concerned with is the general condition of the entire tractor. Insides often get overlooked in lieu of perfect paint, decals etc. At any rate , it is your money to do what you like and good luck.
 

If it runs perfect and you have receipts to back up its condition, Its worth what you're asking. If you can't proof the engine, tranny, t.a. in good shape then its not worth it.
New paint is no good if one needs to go inside for major repairs. would need to repaint at that point. Lights, paint , new foo ,foo goodies does not constitute a restoration.
So, if you have receipts for major internal repairs then stick to you price its worth it. No one can rebuild and restore a SMTAD for less and do it right.
Tony
 
(quoted from post at 09:58:51 03/28/15) That is the correct rear light! fronts were the pancake satyle!
Tony
That's what I thought I read somewhere. Flat lights in front and teardrop in tear.

I isn't a $15,000 tractor judging by the pictures. Maybe it would look better outside the shop???
 
i do agree it takes alot of time and money to do a correct restoration.but with that said i have noticed that the 1940s tractors were finished nicer at the factory than the 1950s ones. rougher castings, no paint behind certain parts. so i am not sure automotive paint finishes of today would be considered true restorations,after all they were tractors not classic cars.
 

True!
They were rough from factory! But today why are you spending all that money on a 1954 tractor other then for enjoyment, show, Nostalgia, and pride.
If your going through all that trouble and expense might as well make it as nice as a Classic Car ,what's the difference ? Want respect for brand and yourself when in parade or participating in a car show! Out here tractors are being asked to show at car shows because people want variety.
Hopefully classic tractors will increase in value in time, making saving these old girls even more important.
Tony
 
Lets see, You say you bought the tractor from a friend, yet you already have it for sale hoping to make a quick buck.

A friend usually does not take advantage of another friend like that in my eyes. I would expect my friends to let me know if I had something priced way too cheap.

Alternatively, If the tractor is all you say and the owner is such an avid collector as you say then he likely knows the market value of it already. If he sold it to you at less than market value then I would assume he wanted you to have the tractor because you are a friend.

Yet it sounds like you only bought it with the sole intent of turning a quick buck at the price of your friend's generousity. Something fishy here and sure smells bad.
 
Mr. Rank,

You sir are an idiot. You have no idea the situation surrounding the purchase of this tractor. Do yourself a favor and stay the
hell out of the relationships of others whom you have no dealings. Just keep doing what you do and stay typing on your little
keyboard. I would love to see your smdta sometime. Chances are you don't have one. But all is not lost. I've got one I'll sell
you for 16,000. Just in case you haven't noticed yet, you have thoroughly ------ me off.
 
The mta decal is right, the md-ta is a aftermarket decal, there was a big article about this in red power, furthermore my father's friend owned a ih dealership and they never had a mta diesel with that decal, all had the mta decal like used on gas tractors. The diesel decals on the mtas were on the hood not on the fuel tank like on md's and smds. I have also spent alot of time researching these diesel tractors and various changes made during the production from 1941 thru 1954.
 
I have a old literature with a picture of one coming out of the factory with with a decal that clearly says md-ta on it.
 
Honestly I had some of the same thoughts as Rank did. Why would you buy a tractor from a friend at a reduced price and then turn around and sell it for a big profit? Doesn't seem right to me either.
 
From what I'm hearing im the one who got tattooed in this deal. One guy says I paid twice what's it's worth, the next guy says I'm taking advantage of the guy. The story is that I was not planning in buying this tractor at all. I just asked him what he had to have for it and he told me. I was honest with him about my intentions. He really does not care. He has 200-250 tractors and is liquidating his collection. He is having an auction at the end of the year and asked me if I would be interested in anything before it.
 
You are right on one account: I do not own an SMTAD nor a desire to own one either although I would not mind owning a SMTA gasser.

Your reply on the other hand , pretty much tells me all I need to know. Class act indeed.
 

Andrew Psencik,
Those old diesels are getting harder to rebuild or source parts and find people that know how to work on them.
If it runs good and was refreshed when restored ,Its a big asset. The decals are cheap and can be changed very easily. The front end, I am not familiar with but if its wrong front end that can be changed easily and relatively reasonable. What will decide that is the Z cast codes. If this one has a z code stick with it . If not seek a wide front with Z codes or you are wasting your time changing it.
A serious buyer is going to be looking for all Z casting codes on that tractor. If they are there, you have strong case for your asking price along with receipts.
Advertise far and wide, have your documentation handy . It only take one person world wide to buy it. Good Luck,
Tony
 
The bottom right corner of the last photo shows part of a mighty nice looking fender. What is it from?
 
Just wanted to add that I have an original 16 page IHC Sales Pamphlet for the SM-TA model tractors numbered CR-438-D dated 3-1 (I'm assuming the year would be 1954) which clearly shows on the front cover the decals which have been discussed in numerous responses in this thread on a diesel powered SM-TA tractor. The forward most decal in addition to the SUPER on top and Torque Amplifier on the bottom; the letters in the center are "M-TA" without the "D" being included. The DIESEL decal is centered below the horizontal crease under the IH McCormick Farmall decal on the tractor hood and not on the fuel tank, Hal.
 
(quoted from post at 18:15:28 03/28/15) Just wanted to add that I have an original 16 page IHC Sales Pamphlet for the SM-TA model tractors numbered CR-438-D dated 3-1 (I'm assuming the year would be 1954) which clearly shows on the front cover the decals which have been discussed in numerous responses in this thread on a diesel powered SM-TA tractor. The forward most decal in addition to the SUPER on top and Torque Amplifier on the bottom; the letters in the center are "M-TA" without the "D" being included. The DIESEL decal is centered below the horizontal crease under the IH McCormick Farmall decal on the tractor hood and not on the fuel tank, Hal.

Not to fight the decal fight, but to pose a similar question. What is correct when the preproduction literature shows one thing and the assembly line tractors are different??? I have seen this a few times, especially with the diesels.
 
In this case, it should technically be a SMTA Diesel, since the SMD is a different tractor than the SMTA Diesel, technically. I have never seen an original SMTAD decal that read MDTA, and look forward to the poster showing his. Prepoduction stuff is just that, preproduction. There are many samples and examples of preproduction stuff not making it into production.
 
Preproduction pictures end up in the opening pages of parts books and other places. Picture of a SMTAD badged like a SMD and a regular serial plate can't be seen. Think the same type picture of a SMDTA is in some SM parts books.
Also info on the early wide front on SMTA tractors and late wide fronts on previous tractors. For strictly original people the late wide front on a M wouldn't be time correct. But a early wide front already around would be harder to say it couldn't be correct on a SMTA along with the later front.
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That is one good looking tractor. Period wide front, wheel weights, closed bar 45 degree rear tires, many options whose parts are getting very hard to come by today.
These IH Diesels were notorious for cracked heads, with parts prices rising, &amp; parts tractors becoming few &amp; far between I would say you would have a hard time building one just like it now.
Being in S Texas, and not in the Midwest, SMTAD's are pretty rare. This is LP country. I have seen many an LP tractor go for big money up the Midwest. So is it worth the asking price ??
That answer is as individual as the above responses. I would like to take a load or two of Texas LP tractors up to the Midwest, just see what kind of money they might bring.
The market is soft ??? Really?? Seems anytime you want to buy something " They are pretty rare", anytime you want to sell something " They made a bunch of them "........
Everbody WANTS a nut &amp; bolt complete restoration at a barn find price.....let me up !!!
 
i agree with rhtx55.these tractors are very hard to find.and one in that condition is well worth
the money. go try to fix one up and you will find out what it costs.it bothers me to see some
people are envious of others good fortune.wish the man good luck and maybe you will get lucky
someday to.
 

RHTX55,
Your right on! That is always the case with me! I am always told they ,(whatever ) are hard to find.
As l.P.'s are concerned, I am a L.P. aficionado love the looks of L.P. tractors especially Farmalls & M.M.
Here is my SMTA I just completed and if I told you what I have it insured for through one of collectors Insurance Co's most would CRAP! but I have the paper work to back every bolt.
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John, I in no way wanted to extend or create a "dog fight" on the decal issue as there has already been enough of that in this thread. I was just sharing information that I have among some of the letter series IH literature that I have collected over the years. I do not have any idea how photos are posted on this forum and don't have a digital camera either but if you provide a USPS mailing address I will be happy to have it copied at Staples (in Color) and mail you a copy for your information. My email is open if you care to provide an address to which a copy can be mailed, Hal.
 
This one was in very good shape before I even started. Took the better part of four months, minimum of 2 hrs after work through the week, all day Saturdays &amp; Sundays. I had professional help on the mechanical issues, paint, I did most of the "grunt" work at their direction. If you were to put any kind of a dollar evaluation on my labor alone, plus parts. Then add up what I did spend on very reasonable professional help. You would have a very nice start on a retirement fund.
You can certainly buy one "restored" now much cheaper than you can "fix" one up.
As mentioned above, you never know how well it has been restored mechanically beneath the fresh paint, so there in lies the issue.....the only way to know for sure is to document the process. Either way it's time consuming &amp; expensive. Personally, I think they sell way too cheap compared to modern machinery.......but what do I know.

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Andrew,
You definitely have a beautiful tractor, painted and optioned better than any that ever left the factory.

However, I was disappointed by your response to rankrank1 yesterday. If you re-read your original post, I think he was trying to answer your core question in a helpful way by giving you his impressions, and he was not intending any disrespect.

You posted:
"Just bought a ... ...it is for sale. I hope to get 15000. Thoughts ? ..."

Rankrank1 was not critiquing your tractor or your motives, he was only giving you his honest impressions of your sale approach. He did bring up some very legitimate questions that every serious buyer will be wondering about. Most buyers won't ask those questions directly, but some will talk, email and negotiate for months or years until they are satisfied. If you are prepared to provide answers to those questions early in your negotiations (maybe answering them indirectly) it may help you sell your tractor faster or closer to your asking price.

As others have said, this can be a rough crowd from time to time as people try to be helpful. Sometimes it's best to put on a thick skin or your big-boy pants before asking for feedback.

Again, it's a beautiful tractor.

Good luck.
 
I was responding to sflem, not you, and the pic I referred to is the one ncdiesel has. Im sure we have some of the same items in our collection(s). I was attempting to answer the question of the decal(s), noit start any more arguing over the decal. Experts are everywhere, and I was stating info Guy Fay, Jim Becker and others confirmed years ago.
 
Thanks John and information received from Guy Fay, Jim Becker, Ken Updike, etc. relative to decals is as good as it gets and wish one of them would have chimed in early in this discussion - thanks for the comeback, Hal.
 
hi redgems, sure do like your smta lp.my brother and i got one from eastern new mexico. it has the 100 inch axles and the single front wheel also.just got the block and crank back from the machine shop. hope to have ours looking as good as yours someday.congratulations on a job well done!
 
John just in case I was misunderstood the SMTAD I pictured is preproduction. Also the pictures of the tractor in parts book is preproduction pictures. I was trying to point out that some pictures are not like a lot of production tractors. On the SMTAD in the picture IH probably wanted lookers to think it was a SMD working when they were testing the SMTAD. Can't say for sure all SMTAD had diesel on the lower hood but some sure did. SMD was on the tank.
Didn't someone show pictures on this site once showing some aftermarket decals made up wrong with SMDTA on them?
If I was interested in the tractor the decals or placement wouldn't cause me to pass it up.
 

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