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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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new A owner

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SK0775

03-08-2008 17:14:06




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Just bought a really nice A (1940) yesterday. I looked at quite a few machines and finally found one in good condition that fit my budget. I"ve never owned a Farmall, or an older tractor for that matter, so forgive me if I"m sounding a little naive. I just want to get my new tractor off to the right start. I plan on using my tractor for lighter duties such as towing trailers, hay wagons, etc, and just taking it for rides around my property.

First, I plan on changing the oil/filter. I live in Wisconsin where it can get pretty cold in the winter. The guy I bought it from uses 10W40 year round. What do you think?

Second, I would like to change the tranny fluid. Where is the drain plug and where do I check level as needed? What type of tranny fluid do I use? What is the capacity?

Any other fluids or items of maintenance I should address?

Do I need to add lead substitute to the gas? If so, why?

Any input greatly appreciated.

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LenNH

03-17-2008 06:58:57




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 Re: new A owner in reply to SK0775, 03-08-2008 17:14:06  
I agree that the A is a delightful tractor. I used a neighbor's from time-to-time in the 40s and found it quiet (with a muffler, of course--not common on the older stuff my father had), very easy to steer, quite comfortable to ride on, with very nicely placed controls and pedals, and a roomy platform. The visibility forward is exceptional. Not super easy to get on and off.
Because it was so quiet with the muffler, and the new-style (narrow) gears didn't make much noise, the tractor seemed less powerful than our F-12, but the Nebraska tests show similar power, and, in fact, I used the A to pull our 7-foot double disk, just as I did all the time with the F-12. Neither tractor was supposed to pull that big a load!
There is ONE thing I always wondered about. With such a narrow tread, is the A tipsy either on hillsides or if a sharp turn were made with the throttle wide-open in fourth gear? I never tried either of these things, but it is something that
occurred to me to caution about.
Anybody out there with more experience than I have who can comment on the stability of the A?

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ScottyHOMEy

03-08-2008 18:35:15




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 Re: new A owner in reply to SK0775, 03-08-2008 17:14:06  
A couple of things I'm reading below need to be clarified. The tranny lube is entirely separate from the lube for the final drives.

The drain for the tranny itself is on the side at the right rear. The fill plug is on the tranny top cover, just to the left of your shifter. It will take five quarts. There is a plug to check the level, on the side at the left front. Should be a square head pipe plug, and the rod for your left brake will probably be right in the way.

If you have a PTO/belt pulley, you'll see a drain plug near the bottom of it, as well, and a fill plug on top. This will take an extra half-quart. Any excess will flow over into the tranny, so there is a use for the plug to check the level on the tranny.

To change the lube in the final drives, you have to remove the semi-circular pan at the bottom and reinstall empty. The fill hole is through the plug on the inside of the casting, just above the pan. The book calls for three pints on each side.

If you have a magneto instead of a coil ignition, you won't have any grease point there. You'll see a little metal flip-up oil cap near the front of the mag body, between the cover and the engine mount. Give that a good swig of light oil like 3-in-i periodically to keep your impulse coupler flushed and lubed.

Happy motoring!

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HENRY E NC

03-08-2008 18:04:51




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 Re: new A owner in reply to SK0775, 03-08-2008 17:14:06  
First of all I want to congratulate you on choosing one of the most delightful small tractors around. I was introduc3d to that very same model as a boy in 1940. One of my goals was to own one just for fun which I now do. They are great and very basic for all the items you mentioned and I use mine to move trailers, pull dead trees around etc. I also have a50 year old haywagon to used for hayrides and we pull the haywagon as a float in the local parades(Another bunch of fun) with kids etc.
10-40 detergent oils is fine. I also use a pint of Lucas oil additive in the oil just because.

No lead additive is necessary. the low octane gas today does no damage Almost every gasoline has a bunch of additives to take care of any problems. There is no water pump if it is stock. I cools by thermosiphon. Draining the transmission is done on either side if the final ddrive housing as all of thew diff, drives, PTO.s and lubricated by the same oil. I sould hold 1 1/2 gal. No sweat there. My M holds something like 12 gal ?? at 5.00 per.

Last piece of advice-- Get a service manual # GSS 5031 from binderbooks.com I will provide you with a wealth of knowledge. Happy tractoring Henry

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glennster

03-08-2008 18:03:03




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 Re: new A owner in reply to SK0775, 03-08-2008 17:14:06  
it would be best to pick up a copy of an owners manual for all the maintenance and lubrication points. but to help get you started, 10-40 oil will be fine in your a. the differential takes 90 wt. you can use the 80-90 or even the 80-140. the drains are located near the back wheels, under the tractor. look for small "oil pans" at the bottom of the outer axle housings. the gearcase fill is located by the shifter up on the deck, should be a 1/2 inch square plug. the fill level plug is on the left side of the tractor, forward of the shifter on the side of the case. again 1/2 inch pipe plug. other lube points are the fan housing, screw in the side just back of blade, 30 wt motor oil if i remember. also the distributor housing gets grease too. there should be a slotted screw plug, maybe two, gun grease goes in there. go over the tractor with a grease gun and give each zerk 1-2 pumps for now until you get a manual. dont over do it pumping grease in all the zerks!! i dont remember the rear fluid capacity, prolly couple gallons at the most. you dont need lead substitute.

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sk0775

03-08-2008 17:23:50




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 Re: new A owner in reply to SK0775, 03-08-2008 17:14:06  
Forgot to mention, antifreeze recently changed and looks good. I did change out the air filter oil already.



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