Farmall Restoration

burowa4 · Aug 3, 2011

I am looking into Farmall tractor restoration jobs, mainly for the A B C H & M tractors. Any tips, websites, books, etc. to help out a beginner would be great!

Jay Snyder · Aug 3, 2011

Congrats on wanting to restore one.

There are plenty of books out there about restoring them. There are a bunch of websites to help you out. This one is a great site and a lot of these guys will help you along the way with a huge amount of knowledge. The beauty of tractors are for the most part they are not complicated. If you can do just one thing with the restoration and thats enjoy it!

Have fun! Any questions dont be afraid to ask.

Jason

gene bender · Aug 4, 2011

Before buying books just how much money and what place are you going to do this. How are you fixed for tools, lifting devices,heat in the winter electricity, air compressure and the list goes on. If you arent realy up to snuff on mechanics with a good set of tools better stop before you go any further this is an expensive thing even if you can do your own work. Verry easy to get 3-5000 in a tractor even doing most of it your self. There isnt any books that tell you the small things like what do you have to support main frame and the list just goes on. The books are wrote by someone who has never done one and the model you decide wont be covered.

farmallboy15 · Aug 4, 2011

i agree with bender. the books are pretty much worthless. service manuals are nearly worthless. but a parts manual, help from people with the same tractor or similar and figuring it out on your own is the best way to go. Are you wanting to restore for your own use, restore other's tractors or restore and resell? there is no money in restoring tractors! i have over $6000 in my 1939 H and its only worth about $2000. $1600 in my manure spreader and $800 in a two bottom plow.

burowa4 · Aug 4, 2011

I am good friends with i guy who has already restored two H's himself (and he still owns them), I have a place to do this, and I know what part does what and where they are located on the tractor, so I am pretty well off in those categories, I just want some very general tips on restoring this tractors.

Jim Becker · Aug 4, 2011

Antique Tractor Bible is the book you need. I hope the Amazon URL isn't blocked.
http://www.amazon.com/Antique-Tract...rbooks/dp/0760303355/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

burowa4 · Aug 4, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:00:40 08/04/11) Antique Tractor Bible is the book you need. I hope the Amazon URL isn't blocked.
http://www.amazon.com/Antique-Tract...rbooks/dp/0760303355/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I will definitely check this book out (It happens to be at my local library). Thanks.

and how good is this book: http://www.amazon.com/Restore-Classic-Farmall-Tractors-Yourself/dp/0896580571

chevy_cowboy · Aug 5, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:10:10 08/04/11)

(quoted from post at 20:00:40 08/04/11) Antique Tractor Bible is the book you need. I hope the Amazon URL isn't blocked.
http://www.amazon.com/Antique-Tract...rbooks/dp/0760303355/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Click to expand...

I will definitely check this book out (It happens to be at my local library). Thanks.

and how good is this book: http://www.amazon.com/Restore-Classic-Farmall-Tractors-Yourself/dp/0896580571

I've got that one, along with this one, and would highly recommend both. http://www.amazon.com/Farmall-Lette...oks&ie=UTF8&qid=1312533448&sr=1-6

Once you decide on a model to restore, you'll also want to pick up reproductions of the original owners, service and parts manuals, you'll need all 3. There's a guy on ebay that sells them together for $60 that are pretty good quality repro's.

Tom Fleming · Aug 5, 2011

Tools = $$$$, and if you don't have all the tools/knowledge, then that = $$$ also.

I have been rebuilding and restoring antique engines ( not just tractors) for over 35 plus years now, and have worked on mechanical things even longer. I am still buying tools so I can do things. Growler, armature lathe, valve grinders, seat grinders, hydraulic press, sleave puller, hones, ridge reamers, taps/dies through 2", the list goes on for ever. About the only thing I don't/can't do now is turn cranks or grind cams.....and I have my eye on tool auisition.

I encourage you to spend time on this board. Gene, Jim, and others have a wealth of experience and knowledge. So, anything we can help with, just ask. However, remember one thing: If something is worth doing, it is worth doing it right. Do the best your pocketbook and time can stand. It is better to be a bit patient and get it right that it is to cobble something or shortcut that ends up costing more later.

Good for you that you are interested in getting into this, and anything I can do to help or share, I am very happy to do.

JRSutton · Aug 5, 2011

Very personal decision, and depends on what your needs are - but I'd recommend going with a smaller tractor for your first one. A/Super A

They're a LOT more fogiving in weight.

They're easier to transport safely. Easier to lift safely. Easier to remove and manuever parts safely.

For example, a rear wheel from an A falling on you would hurt you, but a calcium filled wheel from an M would squash you like a bug. The same could be said of many of the various parts you may need to get into.

Of course, it depends on what your ultimate use is for the tractor.

But even so, if you're totally new to it I say go small to learn, then sell it and try something larger. The knowledge you gain will transfer nicely to the larger machines. If you're carefull you can keep your costs somewhat contained, and hopefully not lose your shirt in the process.

Whatever you do, good luck. The more people keeping these old machines alive, the better.

JRSutton · Aug 5, 2011

Very true, the owner manuals for the older tractors are FULL of great information.

A must have.

Not at all like modern owner manuals which tell you (in five different languages) that you should bring your tractor in for service for anything more complicated than changing the oil.

GeneMO · Aug 5, 2011

And he ain't talking about this Gene

Gene

Joe Dowling · Aug 7, 2011

Check out this well done web site:

http://thefarmallh.com/

It goes through the restoration of a Farmall "H" very well.

Joe Dowling · Aug 7, 2011

Check out this well done web site:

http://thefarmallh.com/

It goes through the restoration of a Farmall "H" very well.

burowa4 · Aug 7, 2011

yes, this and yesterdays tractors are currently my two primary sources, thanks though.

Farmall Restoration

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