Farmall M Mowing Question

pthenre · Sep 3, 2020

I know very little about tractors, but would like to learn. I want an old Farmall to mow my back pasture. There is a 1951 Farmall M in parade condition that I really like. My biggest question is...what should I be looking for as far as a mower attachment for a Farmall? Without a live PTO, how could I mow with an M....or should I be looking at a 450, 560, etc.? Thanks for any input!

old · Sep 3, 2020

Mow as in brush hog type or sickle bar or finish mower?? If brush hog you would need to have an ORC on the PTO so that when you push the clutch down to stop etc. the blades of the brush hog would not keep pushing you and maybe run you into a ditch of fence etc.

Paul from MN · Sep 3, 2020

I posted a link for the over-running clutch that Old mentioned. You can get one at 101 different places, but this will give you an idea of what it is.

Regarding mowing with an M. You certainly can. But we can help you more if we know if you are trying to mow it like a lawn, make hay, or just want to keep it from being overgrown. Each would involve a different sort of mower and impact the pros and cons of using an M.
PTO over running clutch

pthenre · Sep 3, 2020

I was thinking brush hog, but I didn't know if that was best option. I assume ORC is over riding clutch? Again, I don't know much about this. Is that something that can easily be installed on an M or whatever tractor, if needed? I really appreciate input!

Denny K · Sep 3, 2020

If you are talking about using a sickle mower, many millions of acres of hay/grass have been cut with a tractor without live pto. I grew up on a VAC Case with a # 5 JD mower and no live pto.

old · Sep 3, 2020

Yes ORC over riding clutch. An M has hyds so one can use a pull type brush hog with a hyd cylinder to lift it up an lower it. A sickle bar mower is used to cut hay and a finish mower is pretty much just a big lawn mower

pthenre · Sep 3, 2020

What do you suggest for a tractor like this? I have probably 5 acres worth of grass to knock down.

old · Sep 3, 2020

If it is weedy and maybe have a few small trees etc. a brush hog is what you want.

pthenre · Sep 3, 2020

I've mowed the same area with my riding lawn mower. Basically, I would like to keep it from being overgrown is all. Currently, it's probably shin high. Here is a pic of the M I am looking at.

Goose · Sep 3, 2020

I have a JD #5 7' sickle bar mower on an M.

I mounted a single spool hydraulic valve by the right headlight and plumbed in into the hydraulic pump. When in use, the "lift all" rod is pulled all the way back and the pump runs all the time, just when needed the spool valve diverts oil to a remote cylinder. I welded a catch on the lift all rod to hold it all the way back all the time.

I like this setup because I have far more control over the height of the bar than by just pulling the rod. You can just nudge the bar up or down an inch or two, if you want.

John M · Sep 3, 2020

I think for what youre wanting an M and a brushhog is a bit much. Maybe an H would be better suited, but hey, I love Ms, and that looks like a good one.

RedGreenGuy · Sep 3, 2020

When you need to stop and want pto to continue running, simply make a quick triple move of depressing the clutch, moving gear shift in to neutral and release clutch. This all takes less than 1 second. When ready to move tractor again pto will need to come to complete stop or be disengage to get tractor in any gear. As farm kid dad had an M and Super M. Chopped silage, baled hay, picked corn, combine oats and cut hay all without live pto. Just takes a little practice.

jddrawbar · Sep 3, 2020

That's a nice looking M. Find yourself a 6-7' pull bushhog and let the fun begin. Just stick a over-riding clutch on the PTO. The M was about as tough as it gets.

SkipperII · Sep 3, 2020

I agree with jd. The fact that you like and want an M is enough reason, the fact that you can use it for something practical is just a bonus.

Repairman60 · Sep 3, 2020

Does anyone make a pull type finish mower that would work behind a M? All I have ever seen was 3 point lift. Then again never used one.

Mike(NEOhio) · Sep 3, 2020

I've been using a 5 foot Woods behind a Ford 2000 for years without a live PTO or ORC. Just takes some practice as to when to push the clutch. A little inconvenient, yeah, but far from impossible.

old · Sep 3, 2020

That I cannot say but I have seen things rigged up to pull a 3 point type machine behind a none 3 point tractor. I had such a rig on the 1935 JD B I have but my dad pulled it back off and threw it away and boy would it be nice if I still had it

old · Sep 3, 2020

Yes it can be done but not a good thing for a novice to do

Meangreen · Sep 4, 2020

My buddy had one we use to pull behind his JD B. I believe he bought it through Tractor Supply or a local AG store.

timcasbolt · Sep 4, 2020

I kind of like bush hogging with my M. I had really good brakes, and you could push in the clutch and hit the brakes and everything would stop almost instantly. Saved my tail a time or two.

showcrop · Sep 5, 2020

Mowing the back pasture is what 90% of the small old Fords are kept around for.

Farmall M Mowing Question

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