Which F model should I buy?

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2010

I restore tractors as a hobby and am looking to start another one. I have never owned a Farmall but have always liked the look of the f series. Which one should I keep my eye open for: f12, f14, f20, f30? Which one is the most popular, most valuable, wide front or narrow front, a curtain year that is more rare then another, and so on? Please write your opinion on what you think. Thanks

36F30 · May 5, 2010

F30 Cane tractors are really rare (high speed, high crop), as for all the others first year regular would be a great find or any model in narrow tread, or high altitude pistons. High altitude narrow tread combined. Electric start and odd or rare features help.

Restored F20's can be had for 3 grand or so. Don't figure on fixing one up right and getting back what you put in it. They just don't bring big prices. I think most guys just don't want to crank em.

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2010

dont buy any of them...my own opinion

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2010

Ok, why do you say that? Is it because of appearance, function, or something else?

Charlie M · May 5, 2010

I've got a F14 and its a nice little tractor - it has a few improvements over a F12. F14's may be a little harder to find as they were only made for 2 years. The last ones could be found set up for electric start. You may want to watch rear tire size - many F12 and 14's had 40 inch rubber tires which are available but very expensive to buy. Seems like lots of steel wheels available for the rear if you want but I think the fronts are harder to find. If you find one with a factory wide front end its worth a lot more money then one with a narrow front end as wide front ends weren't very common from what I can tell. They are all easy to work on and there are surprisingly a lot of parts around. If you're interested in implements getting one with a plow or mowing machine is fun to play with. Good luck.

Tom Fleming · May 5, 2010

Personal experience. I have an F-12. Fun little tractor, but not much power and the carb/fuel pump setup can be cantankerous. But, I own one, and I have no plans on selling it.

I love my F-20. Period. Probably my favorite tractor with the '42 H running a close 2nd.

If you are going for rare, then the first responder called out F-30's, narrow tread, early regulars are very desirable.

If I could pick only one to start with, I would pick the F-20. Most parts available for it. Lots of them out there. Easy to work on.

As always, IMHO. Personally, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the F series.

36F30 · May 5, 2010

These are the tractors that started the rowcrop revolution and set the standard for tractor design for decades to come.

I own an F30,(2)F20,F12 and a W30 plus a 10-20. There is something about these old girls that just gets to a guy. Nothing finer than a well tuned and cared for F series motor that comes to life with a quarter pull up on the crank. My opinion is you can't have too many.

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2010

What is meant by narrow tread? Are you referring to narrow tread width of rubber tires? Is it a narrow rim that is rare? Also, are steel wheels something to look for on these f series? Just browsing around on the internet, I can get a pair reasonably cheap for these tractors.

36F30 · May 5, 2010

Narrow tread is the rear axle width. My F30 is 102" wide making a deckover the only option for a trailer. Narrow treads fit on most trailers and don't take up as much space in the shed.

Most guys are looking for F and H round spokes if they want rubber tires. These were factory setups. Alot of these tractors were converted from steel and have cutoffs, the steel tires/wheels were cut off and rims welded to the flat spokes.
Cut offs are probably least desirable, late model tractors could also have cast centers with galvanized rims like you see on h's and m's (very desirable).
There are a multitude of tire and rim sizes, rubber and steel, that were used on the F series even duals. All part of the fun. Steel or rubber is a matter of your preference.

Nebraska Cowman · May 6, 2010

The narrow tread is 12 inches narrower at the rear end housing.

steve il · May 6, 2010

(quoted from post at 23:12:10 05/05/10) I restore tractors as a hobby and am looking to start another one. I have never owned a Farmall but have always liked the look of the f series. Which one should I keep my eye open for: f12, f14, f20, f30? Which one is the most popular, most valuable, wide front or narrow front, a curtain year that is more rare then another, and so on? Please write your opinion on what you think. Thanks

i like the duck bill f20 and f30s. they are the early ones with steering gears like a regular, only enclosed.

dmartin · May 6, 2010

I've got a narrow tread Regular (in Ma.)on F&H round spokes that is a really good tractor and needs a new home.

F-Dean · May 6, 2010

I would start with a F-20 (I started with my Dad"s). It has the basic F-Series engine and parts (new and used) are readily available.

From there you can branch out to the more rare (and more expensive) models.

BOBM25 · May 6, 2010

F14 or F30. The slanted steering shaft makes them look a little better, I think. Kinda sets them apart from the others

J.J. from Afton · May 6, 2010

I would say start with either an F12 or F20. As others have already stated parts are plentiful for both and the F12 tends to be more challenging because of the fuel system, and not real powerful, but is also smaller and easier to haul than the others.

Anonymous-0 · May 6, 2010

The F-12 and F-14 are completely worthless. A man on a bicycle and a rope would pull as much. On the other hand, the F-20 is a wonderful machine and had no equal in its day. Try to get a 39 model with foot brakes and the cast wheels like on an H or M.

John M · May 6, 2010

I had hoped you had died!

Anonymous-0 · May 6, 2010

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I found one that I might want. It’s a 1937 F20, wide tread, rears are flat cutoffs, narrow front with factory round spokes, runs and drives, matching serial numbers, the paint is in good shape, no missing parts. He’s asking $700. He also has a pair of steel wheels for the rear that are 12” wide but they aren’t included in the $700. What do you all think about that?

36F30 · May 6, 2010

Haggle with him a bit and take it home.

36F30 · May 6, 2010

(quoted from post at 11:05:15 05/06/10) The F-12 and F-14 are completely worthless. A man on a bicycle and a rope would pull as much. On the other hand, the F-20 is a wonderful machine and had no equal in its day. Try to get a 39 model with foot brakes and the cast wheels like on an H or M.

They only sold 140,000 F12/14s to tightwad old farmers, guess they were better than horses.

Tom Fleming · May 6, 2010

BTW, I also wanted to add, that there is no sweeter sound in the world to my ears than the deep, throaty "bark" of the F-20. with the 90degree exhaust elbow, and tuned correctly, it is a sound that puts chills up your spine, a smile on your face, and looks from surrounding on-lookers.

Nothing like being in the tractor parade, idling along in 1rst gear. When you get up to the review stand, crack the throttle wide open............ah the sound! Nothing else like it in the world!

Which F model should I buy?

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