Looking at a Super M Tomorrow

I'm going to look at a Super M tomorrow. Wondering what all i
should test to make sure that it is what i want. I have an H but
wanna make sure i check everything i should tomorrow. I know the
tires are good but other areas to double check before i buy it?
Thanks in advance.

You should check to make sure that it is a super m to start with some just have the super decal i found out the hard way it will have a sm on the serial number plate if it is a true one.

First make sure it’s really a Super M! There’s a lots of regular M’s out there converted to “Super M” by a simple decal change.

Check the serial number – it should begin with either an SM or an L. Other spotting features: Engine block will be marked “C264” in large letters above the oil filter canister. Date codes on large castings will end with X or Y. Brake covers will be heavy cast iron, NOT stamped tin.

-----

If you establish it’s truly a Super M here are several things to check that are peculiar to the Super M:

Brakes. The SM has disc brakes. Properly maintained they work very well. However if the friction or actuating discs are worn, the shaft seals are leaking, or the brakes are simply out of adjustment, braking action can become grabby, weak or non-existent. Fortunately brakes are easy to clean/repair. Parts like friction discs however are not cheap ($100 or so for a set)

Cam gear. If the tractor is a “Stage II” (has live hydraulics) the cam gear hub can break. Symptoms can range from a mild metallic knock to loss of power to not running at all. A replacement gear is about $150. Unfortunately the front must be removed to get at the gear.

Gear shift. As end of the shift lever gets worn shifting will become sloppy. It also makes it possible to catch 2 gears at once, “locking” the transmission. Repair is simple – lay some weld on the end then grind back into shape.

Hope this helps!

Be sure and bring a 3/4 drive ratchet or breaker bar to take out the oil fill plug on the rear end. Then you can shine a flashlight in there to look for surface rust and excessive ring gear wear.