Does anyone know anything about............

......a "transition M"? Something about a model year change? I think I am looking at one.....

There are early and late Super M's and they also changed A LOT of stuff between 39 and 42ish.
Put what you are looking for in your title to get more responses. A lot of people are too lazy to click on something tjat they don't know what it is about.

Maybe if it has a serial # or you know the year made it would help. Unless it would happen to be a experimental tractor or made out of country we would just be guessing at which changes you mean.

Sounds like a bunch of tractor jockey made-up flim-flam hogwash to me. I've read a lot of books on IH history, and guys like C.H. Wendel, Guy Fay, Ken Updike, etc. (i.e. the experts, the guys who have done countless hours of research through the IH archives on this stuff) have not used the term "transition" as an official term to my knowledge.

Knowing the model year (serial number, or a few casting date codes) would help.

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Incidentally another informal "transition" occurred in late 1951: The last production M's were equipped with a few Super M features - eg. disc brakes.

they are probably referring to the very late m's from the early 1950's before the stage 1 super m came out. they had factory disc brakes and the later stlye front timing cover to accept the live hydraulic pump. here is my 1952 m. this also has the engine driven hour meter, plus some aftermarket doo-dads that got added over the years, ie power steering, char-lynn 2 way hydraulic valve, 260 amp dc welder off the belt pulley, 3 point hitch from saginaw tractor parts, and an m+w 9 speed.
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yup she is greasy and grimey, but its a working tractor. also 12v generator conversion.
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Here are some number I've found:
Left axle housing: 2-18-X
Right axle housing: 12-26-W
Transmission: 1-17-X
Bell housing: 2-28-X
Serial Number: FBK 296513 X1

what you are looking at it a late regular 1952 farmall m with factory disk brakes like a Super M Would Have Glen And Myself Have The Same Tractor Any Questions Email me at [email protected]

The serial number is a 1952. Also your date codes are early 1952 (except the right axle which is very late '51). Likely then your M was assembled sometime in April of 1952.

Now since Super M production commenced in 1952 you might argue your M is indeed a "transition" tractor.

glennster, your tractor is BEAUTIFUL! Grease and all! Espicially all those options. It must be a pleasure to operate. How do you like the nine speed?

the nine speed just makes it a great tractor to run. the ranges in hig give 4 speeds above 4th and between road gear. the big problems with the h and m's was 4th always too slow, but 5th was way to fast except for road transport. this m is just a killer on a rotary hoe!!!

Using a term like "transition" in quotes is a way of showing that the writer knows it is not the normal (or official, in this case) term. This writer did exactly that.