Grandpa's 52 H. What's needed?

dstates · Dec 31, 2010

Well, I stopped by my Grandpa's house over Christmas for a visit. I'm going to be getting his H that he bought new ('52) this summer. I even have his manual w/ his signiture on the delivery page. I took a few pictures and looked it over real quick while I was there. I'm exited to clean it up this summer and get it going. It's always been covered and the sheetmetal is in great condition. I was in a hurry and didn't try to turn it over, but my dad is confident it will start w/ a pull.

I'm trying to make a list of parts I need to get it fixed up. It's not going to be work tractor. It will be more of a parade/hayride tractor than anything else. I know I need a seat, light switch, maybe throttle (do you like his rigged up friction system?), grill emblem and decals. Can anyone see anything else that I need

I'm told he switched it to 12V, but the battery didn't say 12 or 6 V and I didn't see an alternator. Can anyone tell by looking what kind of electrical system he has on there (I'm new to this)? Is it 12 or 6V? Does it have a generator/alternator/magneto/batt ignition?

Thanks for all the help as I research what I've got ahead this summer! I'll have to post some pictures of his 656 and 1086 too.

Owen Aaland · Dec 31, 2010

The tractor has a battery ignition system, 6 volt , with an eight volt battery.

sflem849 · Dec 31, 2010

(quoted from post at 18:35:50 12/31/10) The tractor has a battery ignition system, 6 volt , with an eight volt battery.

Yepper, count the cells. It has 4 and each is good for 2 volts. "All" wet cell batteries can be figured out using this method.

That isn't a friction throttle. That is the POS sawtooth and your gpa put that rope on there bc when the notches wear out the stupid throttle falls out of its notch and flys back down to an idle. You can rebuild that plate, buy a new one, or switch to a friction throttle to overcome this problem. IIRC OEM has the replacement for around $75??? Knowing OEM it is twice as much as last year...

Doesn't look like too much stuff is wrong with it. I wouldn't go buying stuff until I pressure wash it really well and use it A LOT. You won't know what is wrong until you use it.

To the others, can't you strip the red paint off the grill emblem and paint the black back on it or does it look bad?

Harold H · Dec 31, 2010

That looks like a real complete straight tractor. It is still a six volt system with a eight volt battery. Good luck and enjoyment with your restoration.

Harold H

F-Dean · Dec 31, 2010

You need a picture of him standing in front of it.

Bill in NJ · Dec 31, 2010

You got a good looking old horse there. Pressure washing will help quite a bit. Then fix some leaks and you got a better looking old horse. One suggestion before you pull it to try to start it. I would make sure the engine is free. If you try to pull it and it is stuck you could cause some major damage. If you have a hand crank try to turn it over. If the battery/starter can do it that"s fine too. I would also reroute those wires hanging around. They could easily catch on something and rip off.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 31, 2010

Based on the "Farmall" emblem in the center of the grill, I think that grandpa's H is earlier than 1952. I believe that the later model M's and H's had a square "IH" emblem in the center of the grill like the super M's and H's. Could be that it is a 1952 model with a replacement grill. Best to check the serial number to be sure.

ericy · Dec 31, 2010

Thats about what my '44 looked like when i got it . nice tractor you got there clean'er up and gett'er runing and play with it some you will find out all that needs fixen done then go for the money items just PLEASE dont just give'r a yank and to find out the motor is stuck start there first then on to the wires then fuel system-tank-carb maybe a tune-up change the oil and gear lube and all then be carefull and enjoy it

Anonymous-0 · Dec 31, 2010

Based on the "Farmall" emblem in the center of the grill and the old style band type brakes, I doubt that your grandpa's H is a 1952 model. This was the transition year into the super H's and M's and I believe they would have had the disc brakes and the smaller square grill emblem with the "IH" on it.
Best to check the serial number to be sure.

dstates · Dec 31, 2010

Thanks for the info so far. It makes sense that it is still 6V because I didn't see an alternator on it, plus I have a battery ignition owners manual that was in the tractor's owners manual. I figured that was how it was set up, but since I hadn't really looked at the tractor I wasn't sure (and w/ my dad saying it was 12V threw me off). I just spent 5 minutes looking at it since I was there to visit my grandpa. I'll have to get him out there for a picture in the spring/summer (he's 94 and not up for the snow).

I probably could reuse the grill emblem too. We'll try to get it started w/ the battery first and make sure it is free before we pull it.

Does anyone know if the toolbox on the LH side was an option or something my grandpa put on there? If it was original, did it have a cover?

I'm excited. I'd like to get it cleaned up and make sure my grandpa see's it that way. He's told me that it was $2200 and he got $1000 on trade for a 1941 H that he had trouble starting.

dstates · Dec 31, 2010

Oh, and I didn't even think about counting the cells on the battery. Call me Mr. Obvious.

As far as the sawtooth throttle... what I remember my grandpa having before the twine was a huge rubber band to hold the throttle in place. Maybe I'll have to fix it and find a large rubber band to go with it

Roy in UK · Jan 1, 2011

Yes, take the plugs out put a drop of lube in there then put it in top gear , grab a rear wheel and rock it back and forth a few times.

Brownie 450 · Jan 1, 2011

The throttle lever can be taken off & built up with welding & then ground carefully to make a sharp edge again. Same for the saw-tooth---file the notches with a small triangle file to sharpen the ones that are flat.
The spring that holds tension on the lever might need replaced if it is weak. The hole in the lever might have worn egg-shaped over time, so you may need a bushing there after carefully drilling the hole over-size.
Nice looking tractor.

steelandiron · Jan 1, 2011

dstates,
Nice looking tractor. It's nice to have a piece of history, even more so when it's from your own family. My uncle gave me his F12 this Christmas also.
When was the last time it was started? I'm sure he has some cool stories to tell about it.

DanR · Jan 1, 2011

Good advice from everyone. If the engine is free change the oil and filter before starting. There maybe water in the oil. I question the hydraulic line hook-up. You will love those big old Farmalls.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 1, 2011

That hydraulic line hookup is not original, but it was how we got a rear hydraulic line on a working tractor back when that was used daily. That connector would have been used for a trailing plow with hydraulic lift, or a wagon with a hydraulic hoist, or any of a dozen other things.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 1, 2011

That's a John Deere garden tractor seat on there. If it has a textured steel pan, it's worth some good money over at weekendfreedommachinesDOTcom. If it has a smooth pan, it's not worth much.

Jim in Britton, MI · Jan 1, 2011

Really cool to get your grandpa's tractor. Keep us posted as you restore it. There is a treasure chest of knowledge from the folks on this forum. They have helped me often.

Jim

Harold H · Jan 1, 2011

The Farmall grill emblem is correct. The use of the square IH started with the Super H.

Harold H

(quoted from post at 00:40:02 01/01/11) Based on the "Farmall" emblem in the center of the grill, I think that grandpa's H is earlier than 1952. I believe that the later model M's and H's had a square "IH" emblem in the center of the grill like the super M's and H's. Could be that it is a 1952 model with a replacement grill. Best to check the serial number to be sure.

dstates · Jan 1, 2011

Yeah, I've checked the serial number and it is a 1952 (FBH 3770xx X1). I also have his owners manual and it was delivered in March of '52.

For the last 30 years (all I can remember, I'm 33) it was pretty much just used for planting (that's what the hydraulic line was for), mowing w/ a sickle and running an auger off the pto. For the last 15 years it has pretty much only been used to run the auger. It probably hasn't been started in 12-18 months. I plan on checking it over real well before we try to start it. I appreciate all the suggestions. It helps to hear the ideas.

I think at one point he had mounted cultivators on it, but my dad said my grandpa sold them to his brother a long time ago. The sickle mower is still around and I'll probably fix that up as well.

Farmallb · Jan 1, 2011

It needs a pulley. I didnt see the crank shaft out front. That little part on the lower grill being off tells me it might be from a way earlier H. I have a 48 and its on it. The tool box has been added. If ive ever seen a H that covered with oil, Ive forgotten it. Maybe he blew a hose line and oil got covered that way. Didnt see a gen either. Course, I havnt got one on mine either. Gas cap isnt origional. Outa courisity, what shape is the hole in in the drawbar. If its oblong and nearly out at the end, Then that tractors been worked all its life. If its pretty much yet round, or a slight oval, than I again think a hose might have busted on it blowing hyd oil all over it. Rears look good, thatll save u a bunch. Wish mine looked 1/2 that good lol.

HEY GUYS. Ive noticed on this tractor the battery runs longwise, as did my dads 48. My batt case is missing. I noticxed on the post about the guy haveing Johnny Cashes H that the batt on it sat crosswise. When did they change. My uncle had a 41 H And my bro has my 41 M, but I dont remember how the batts sat in them.

GordoSD · Jan 1, 2011

Once you get her running, drain out 1 qt of oil from the pan. Then add 1 quart of diesel fuel Let her idle for about 10 minutes . Then drain her dry, change the filter and add new oil according to your climate.
I'd also crack the rear tranny plug and see if water drains out. Drain any water and top off.
Drain flush and refill radiator with new 50-50 antifreeze.
Pull the fuel line off the carb, check that screen for clean. Remove the sedimate bowl and clean it. Open the sediment bowl valve and drain some fuel into a glass jar. What does it look like? If it's varnished, drain the fuel and replace with fresh.
Check the air in the tires.
Check the brakes
Go for a ride.
Send us a shot of you AND Gramps on it.

Gordo

Anonymous-0 · Jan 1, 2011

Hi, Nice tractor, the battery on it right now seems to be a 8V battery because of the four caps/cells, each cells produce about 2.2 volts, so 3 caps batteries are 6v, 4 caps are 8v, 6 caps are 12 v hope this help and happy new year

dstates · Jan 2, 2011

Thanks for all of the great comments, guys. I'm looking forward to getting it to my place this summer (700 mile trip).

Farmallb, I don't know if it ever had a pulley on it.. I'll have to ask my grandpa.

Grandpa's 52 H. What's needed?

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