FARMALL TRACTOR M OR SM (HELP)

Anonymous-0 · Jun 18, 2008

I AM BUYING A FARMALL THE GUY SAYS IT IS A SUPER M, THE ONLY NUMBERS I CAN FIND ARE
357023R1 (THAT IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE)
HE HAS A PAPER HANGING ON IT SAYING
MODEL M
SS# S-30797AJ
IDLE SPEED 1600
CAN ANYONE HELP ME, WHAT YEAR THIS IS AND IF IT IS
A MODEL M, OR SUPER M OR IS IT A (H)???
SHERRY

Hugh MacKay · Jun 18, 2008

Sherry: All numbers on IH tractors, cast in place and ending in R1, R1, R3, Rxx etc are part numbers.

If you wish to check the serial number go to left of page under research & info.

mkirsch · Jun 18, 2008

There should be a black and silver tag riveted to the frame of the tractor, on the right side, behind the engine. It's right out in the open. You can't miss it.

If the tractor is an M, the serial tag will have FBK, then a number, and then one or more letters.

If the tractor is a Super M, the serial tag will have SM, then a number, and then one or more letters (such as a J).

Don't trust what is on the paper or what the seller is saying. He may be just as clueless as you are at this point. He may be lying. If the information is not on a tag riveted to the tractor, walk away.

NawlensGator · Jun 18, 2008

If the serial # is SM-30797J, it's a '53 super M. However the engine # should be 356981R93. I would verify the serial # before parting with any money.

Andrew Z · Jun 18, 2008

Those numbers would Super M with a A= distalate engine. J= rockford clutch

Andrew

Anonymous-0 · Jun 18, 2008

Let's say the seller is really dishonest and has changed the ID tag. For you experts out there, what can SherryW look for on the tractor that will determine without a doubt that it's an M or SM?

Bob M · Jun 18, 2008

Several quick Super M spotting features:

1 - The characters "C264" cast prominently in the upper right side of the engine block above the oil filter canister.

2 - Date codes on the larger castings ending in X, Y or Z (corresponds to 1952, '54 and '54 respectively). Letters W and lower in the alphabet indicate 1951 and earlier and hence a regular M.

3 - Disc brakes (heavy, cast iron brake covers). A regular M has band brakes with smooth sheet metal covers.

sammy the RED · Jun 18, 2008

For you experts out there, what can SherryW look for on the tractor that will determine without a doubt that it's an M or SM?

She can take a picture and post it here.

Eric Bergstrom · Jun 18, 2008

Also, I hate to say this, but I believe it is possible to swap serial # tags on these, so if it were me, I would learn as much as I could about casting numbers and rely on them.... they can't lie.

NDS · Jun 18, 2008

For all practical purposes you are right but M can have Lambert disk brakes and the very last Ms had same brakes as Super M.

D Slater · Jun 18, 2008

You are confused, the # posted 357023 R1 is on the transmission case of a SM tractor or could be a very late M tractor, but not likely.
A SM with a serial # 30797 AJ, should be F 30797 AJ instead of S 30797 AJ and will have features that a regular M doesn't unless modified. Some are a pull rod to engage starter. If it has a belt pulley gear box the original has the engagement rod on left, battery box under seat, on off switch in the same box that charging gauge is and could or may not have a hydraulic pump on right side of engine with hose running back to a tank under rear of gas tank.
To see if it has the correct SM engine look over top of oil filter canister on right side of engine block for some raised cast numbers or letters. Should find 356980 R1 and below that C264, on toward front of engine at near the same level look for two numbers followed by the letter X or Y. Going toward front of engine from the C264 level look for the engine serial number stamped on a flat raised area. If original to tractor serial number you posted it should have the letter A following the engine serial # and # should be between 35595 and 50288.

Red Mist · Jun 18, 2008

(quoted from post at 08:09:28 06/18/08) I AM BUYING A FARMALL THE GUY SAYS IT IS A SUPER M, THE ONLY NUMBERS I CAN FIND ARE
357023R1 (THAT IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE)
HE HAS A PAPER HANGING ON IT SAYING
MODEL M
SS# S-30797AJ
IDLE SPEED 1600
CAN ANYONE HELP ME, WHAT YEAR THIS IS AND IF IT IS
A MODEL M, OR SUPER M OR IS IT A (H)???
SHERRY

With an "S" prefix in front of the serial number, might it not be a SMTA? Of course, this assumes the paper tag with that number is accurate.....
mike

M Lake · Jun 18, 2008

Bob your 100% right on the casting above the oil filter. Our SW6 has that as well

FARMALL TRACTOR M OR SM (HELP)

Anonymous-0

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Hugh MacKay

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mkirsch

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NawlensGator

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Andrew Z

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Anonymous-0

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Bob M

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sammy the RED

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Eric Bergstrom

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NDS

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D Slater

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Red Mist

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M Lake

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