Need Advice on Buying a Super C

Hi –

I’m going along with a friend Monday to look at a Super C he may be interested in buying. I have a couple of IH Utilities, but I don’t know anything about Super C’s and I think my friend may be looking to me for some advice.

I think the most important thing is to find out what he wants the tractor to do for him. He owns three or four acres, mostly wooded. I won’t see him again until Monday; I’ll try to nail down his requirements then.

In the meantime -- From pictures I’ve seen, the tractor in question is narrow-front with a nice older (maybe 10 years ago) paint job. The rear tires look new, or almost new. There is no 3-pt hitch and no fast hitch; only a single swinging drawbar. There appear to be no hydraulics. There is a PTO, but my guess would be it isn’t “live.”

So…My thinking is that it would be fine for dragging logs around, pulling a wagon, and maybe pushing snow with a front blade. As for doing much more that that, he may be better off with a wide-front with hydraulics, a 3-point hitch, and a live PTO. As things stand right now, I’m probably going to suggest that he pass up this one.

Questions:

1 – Was the Super C even available with a factory live PTO?

2 – What common/typical problems should we watch out for?

3 - Any other thoughts or comments?

Thanks in advance.

Mark W. in MI

No hydraulics? I'm thinking that touch control was available on the C and SC...definitely the SC. Maybe someone did not want it and ordered it left off but I think it bears closer examination for that feature. Maybe it has been stripped of a few parts? SC has the reputation of being one of the handiest of letter series tractors. A lot of guys who own them swear by them. If I was looking for another, it would probably top my list.

An aftermarket 3 point is readily available from SaginawCounty Tractor. The slowest gear is too fast for a tiller. The hydraulic pump is on the right side of the engine, just to the rear of the radiator fan, and the Touch Control Unit should be under the gas tank.

I think he would be better off to pass on this tractor. Hal
PS: If he had the fasthitch and hydraulic's he could raise those logs off the ground on one end.

Dave ID below has the idea.
There is almost certainly a hydraulic system.
If it is in the area of 1200$ it will be a good buy.
A belly finish mower can be fit, as can a three point as noted below. They are the handiest tractor IH made for small places. The narrow front is more maneuverable in tight spaces, and just fine. It will pull a bush hog of 4 feet well. It will need a overrunning clutch on both the belly mower, and the bush hog to be safe. It does n9t have live PTO, but it is Live hydro. Jim

They are [u:18719c6a64]the handiest small row crop tractor ever built[/u:18719c6a64], but without the auxillary valve that operates the Fast-Hitch, it will not have remote hydraulics. It will have the touch control which is good for cultivators, mounted planters, belly mower, etc. Hydraulics (touch control) is live, but PTO is not. For someone plantig and cultivating 2 row row-crops, they are wonderful. Pulling power with the drawbar will surprise the heck out of you for no more HP than they have. From 1949 until he passed in 1984, my dad was never without a C or Super C. I spent a lot of seat time on them cultivating corn and beans.
If he isn't doing any row crops, I'd find a tractor with a 3 point... it would be a lot handier for more things.

I love my SC the best and I have
1 - M
1 - 300 (propane, loader)
4 - H's
2 - C's
1 - SC

I would sell everything I have tomorrow EXCEPT the SC and the 300. Actually I would buy another SC tomorrow if I found one, and I am actively looking.

As far as things to look out for. the only thing I can think of other that the obvious condition and engine items are hydraulic leaks, hydraulic system operating smoothly without noise. Also maby the tightness of the steering. and both of those can be fixed relatively cheaply and easily.

Well now guys, you are assuming the OP knows what to look for on a Super C to to determine if it has hydraulics...

He's probably looking for couplers on the rear, which most Super Cs do not have because they have a different type of hydraulics.

Nearly every Super C has hydraulics, but they rarely have a remote valve. One can be added very easily.

All you need is a special bypass block that you can get on ebay for about $50, hoses, and any open-center hydraulic remote valve. It's really pretty easy to do.