Farmall Super MTA In north centeral WV Or SW Pa

Hi Guys I found a SMTA not far from me in a local trader mag. I called the guy and he first priced it to at 10000. which I politly as possible told him it was way out of my price range he then asked me what I would pay I said I'd be interested for about 3 to 4 thousand. He invited me to come take a look. The bad things
1. TA is isnt working in the low gears how big a fx is this?
2. it has a narrow fornt end I really want a wide front how hard are they to find and switch out?

I dont mind doing some work i have all winter, but things in negative colum are adding up. The good is its close, Also if someone knows of another tractor in the area I'd like to find one. I'd also like to find a SMTAD but I know Thats hard to find
Keith in WestVirgina

TA being out on the low side is common, it means the TA will have to be rebuilt. It seems like about 1/2 of them are advertised as "TA slips on the low side". I've known a few that were used for years with the TA out, the tractor functions, you just don't have the TA but verses a M or SM you get the live PTO. If you're mechanical switching from a narrow to wide front is not difficult IF you have a place to work on the tractor with a good floor and stands or jacks to hold the tractor up while it doesn't have a front. As for actual wide fronts it all depends how "correct" you want to be, IH wide fronts from many letter and number tractors will fit, some won't be correct and there are a few aftermarket front ends both era correct and contemporary that will work, again it depends on what you want to accomplish. What in particular is the desire for a SMTA? The number tractors (400, 450) are improved versions of the SMTA can often be bought cheaper and more of them have wide fronts. Also consider if you want a wide front you're probably eventually going to find out you also want power steering, more common on the number tractors, so don't trade the narrow front away you might want to go back to it someday. Harder to find but still interesting tractors from that era are W6TA's the standard version so you already get the wide front and a little bit lower profile. So it's dollars verses desire you know WHAT you want do you spend the $$ up front or buy something that needs work and some parts swapping to get you where you want to be and enjoy the journey?

TE T/A, About $400 in parts and another 400 in labor if you don't do it. And I recommend you have the mech at IH rebuild the unit. You maybe do the clutch while you are in there.
Wide front will set you back 4-500. PS 800 more.
tires? Up to $1300.
ANy particualar reason you want a WF? I am in SD so I have taken them off three letter series I restored and sold them, put on a NF and pocketed $450 on each one. Thr narrow front is much more manueverable in the field and takes up lots less roo in the shop or trailer.
Have a SH and retored SMTA, and just bought a nice 350. When that is done theother two are going down the road.

Don't know what part of West Virginia you are located,but you may wish to contact Billy Knighten near Shepherdstown, 304-876-2648.He may be able to fix you up with one,or the repairs to T/A etc. You'll see more of these for sale as time passes,so may pay you to sit back and "Shop".Billy also may be able to supply a wide front or other options you may want to add to any SM-TA you may buy.

What wishbaker is saying is 100% correct.I might add you could possibly even get a 460/560 for the same/less money as good SMTAs are bringing.Unless of coarse you just "HAVE to have" a SMTA.I can identify!BTDT!!(kinda like me and the JD 95 combine deal I am still working on) :^)

Well if it needs a T/A ya might as well figure on a grand there and another grand for a wide ft. then add maybe tires a a pint job seat fix this and that . That tractor is worth in my money at 2500 with todays prices . If i was not so hard headed i would sell mine all it needs is a new seat paint and two ft tire. and i am the second owner .

Not a burning deire for an SMTA its what is close about 30 min away. If I could find a 400 or 450 it would be fine but I have had a hard time finding anything bigger than an H close to me. As far as the Narrow vs wide I live in WV and there are hills, plus I personlly wouldnt care but my father Who will be using the tractor as much as me if not more is firm NO NARROW FRONT ENDS, but thats just him I personally dont care and understand the points made for the narrow fronts.

If it's the same guy I dealt with he had an SMTA for $10,000 in SW PA. Told me he wouldn't even come down at all it was his uncles tractor and he knew it was worth that... It was no where close. I hope its a different guy. Everyone thinks they are worth 10,000 when they need about everything fixed. I was disappointed cause i had the money at the time to get it for around $3000

Its getting harder to find them but some are still around if you keep looking. Bought the first SMTA I owned in WV. for $1250 and drove it home.
Don't know if anythings for sale in this picture of tractors sitting in the front yard in Arbovale WV. One Farmall 450 and 4 standards.

He didnt mention any story about his uncle but when I said about what I thought they would be worth he didnt hang up on me, then when he told me the TA was out of it I wouldnt wannt to give the price I said (beteew 3000 and 4000)so he was open to negotiation, But I'm not sure he would come down to a price where I could do the fixes and upgrades Oh ! good thing it has new rear tires according to him

I doubt it was him then. I live in SW PA I've been looking for a SMTA but have had. I such luck finding one at a reasonable price. The guy I was talking to was near the Indiana Johnstown area so pretty far from WV

Your father is incorrect. A wide front is NO more stable than a narrow front on a hill. If the wfe was fixed that would be true, but they pivot.

Like i said i would buy one with a narrow front but he is determined that we get a wide front no matter what we end up getting, I have learned over the years as I grow into a middle aged man not to arguee with him over things like this, Keeps both of our blood presures down

no definatly not the same guy this one is close to Uniontown PA,

Keith, I agree with you
I have an early 55 400 with T/a and fast hitch. I really like it I thought I wanted a SMTA, now I don't. I also have a 350 T/A factory LP. I have decided not to look for an SMTA to buy unless one just falls in my lap.

Keith,

I have a SMTA that I would part with, and it's probably in your price range. Don't know what part of WV you're in. I'm in SC and Google says Morgantown is about 8 hours away. If you're interested, reply and we'll move the discussion to email.

Wrong, they are more stable. It's where they pivot, and the fact that they have stops on the pivot. Maybe not much, but it may be enough to save you.

I've watched MFWA backhoes drive down slopes with big cement blocks hanging on the front bucket. On only the front wheels. A wide front is not safer on hilly ground? Yeah, sure.

email me at [email protected]

(quoted from post at 18:47:19 09/12/12) Wrong, they are more stable. It's where they pivot, and the fact that they have stops on the pivot. Maybe not much, but it may be enough to save you.

I've watched MFWA backhoes drive down slopes with big cement blocks hanging on the front bucket. On only the front wheels. A wide front is not safer on hilly ground? Yeah, sure.

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Your story. They wont hit the stops in time in most cases.