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LenNH
11-10-2007 08:20:58
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Re: childhood farmall in reply to Brad Croakman- NC, 11-07-2007 16:29:57
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I have an original IHC brochure, "The Farmall System of Farming, Farmalls H and M," which I have had since the 40s. There is, as usual with these brochures, no date, but judging from the appearance of the tractors, I would guess the booklet is from between 1942 and 1944. On page 7, there are pictures of all the wheel options available.
The standard front wheels are the two you see the most of--close-in to the steering post, and not adjustable for width. This type of wheel was available for both steel and rubber-tired versions. Then there are similar rubber-tired wheels which can be adjusted from 8 to 16-1/2 inches wide, for use on ridges. A single front wheel is available on both steel and rubber (intended for narrow-row crops like potatoes). The "wide front axle attachment" is available for both H and M. The brochure says, "It is adjustable from 57 to 81-inch treads by 4-inch intervals. It has wheelbase adjustments for 90 and 100-1/2 inches." I don't know how this wheelbase adjustment is done, but it appears that there is a way to move the entire axle forward of the radiator vertical line. Someone else may have experience with this axle and be able to explain how to make the changeover.
A little practical advice, if I may: If you have any idea of using the tractor you buy for light chores (for example, mowing a large yard, moving firewood in from a woodlot--anything involving maneuvering in tight quarters), the M is definitely clumsy. In actual fact, the wheelbase of both H and M is the same--a clever design feature which allowed the same equipment to be attached to both tractors, I believe. However, the steering on the M is pretty heavy when you are moving slowly, as you might be when trimming, backing a trailer, or any other job calling for a lot of steering movement (the shipping weight on steel was given as 4260 pounds--a fair amount of that has to be on the front wheels). Out in the field, things are different. There, the M is a delight. When you are moving along at normal working speeds, the steering isn't particularly heavy, and the feeling as you sit up there looking over that beautiful hood is that you are at the helm of a powerful ship. If you are buying a tractor to restore and/or show, then your only consideration might be the weight for hauling the tractor (the H shipped at 3175 pounds on steel). I don't have any measurements for height, but from pictures it looks as if the seat and steering-wheel height is about the same for both the H and M. Either should fit nicely in a normal garage or shed. The muffler height could be a little higher on the M, but I don't know that for sure.
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