Farmall M question

JT · Nov 24, 2013

I have a new to me Farmall M. Accoring to the person that was selling it, it is a 1953, but, according to all the info I can find, it is a 1952, SN tag reads M FBK295328X1. The odd thing, it has live hydraulics, that I know is an add on, but the control arm on the Lift All pump is gone and has a pipe coming out where the arm would be. The second thing is it has disc brakes, I thought all the M tractors had band brakes. so, what I am wondering, is the brake thing correct? or could it be someone has changed rear ends off a SM? The orginal owner is deceased and was sold on an estate sale, so the only info I got was from the man who used to work for him and he told me the tractor was all original, soo, I am a little miffed about this whole thing. Anyone have any knowledge on this that could answer any of this puzzle.
thank in advance.
Jim

rankrank1 · Nov 24, 2013

Not sure why your miffed. You saw what you bought.

Many of the very last Farmall regular M's had disc brakes from the factory as they were already ramping up production for the soon to be coming Super's and used what parts they had. All Super M's had disc brakes.

The add on live pump is a plus.

The lift-all rod being gone could also be a plus. I am guessing that a baker valve was added to give you 2-way hydraulics over standard 1-way hydraulics. Usually the lift all rod is then wired in the on flow position so the operator rod is not needed and sometimes removed. I would need a picture for sure to tell.

Sounds like you bought a very late model regular M. It is a good tractor so nothing to be miffed about.

Janicholson · Nov 24, 2013

The change over to super M components was not "clean" there were elements of standard issue M production used on SM tractors, and SM features on the last production Ms. Disk brakes were one of the elements placed "rearward in time" and bullet shaped light housings were one placed "forwards".
Of course the tractor is old enough to be like George Washington's axe. Our family has owned from the 1800s. We have had issues with it: The handle was replaced 6 times and the head twice. Jim

JT · Nov 24, 2013

I guess not really miffed, just had never seen a regular M with disc brakes, so was just kinda curious as to what it was. That was the two main reasons I bought the tractor, disc brakes, knew it was different, and the live hydraulic pump, plus it has good rear tires, but one so-so rear rim, fronts are checked a little, but overall a good tractor, will try to post a picture late of the tractor.

D Slater · Nov 24, 2013

FBK294226 and higher came with the disc brakes.
Hydraulic control rod probably wouldn't do you any good if a pipe is in the hole. Sounds like the pump and other parts are removed inside the liftall and the housing is just used for a reservoir. Most times when the liftall operating stuff is removed from the unit and pipe threads are added, the hole is used for the return line from a control valve or used as a oil fill opening. Tractor was built in feb. 52.

JT · Nov 24, 2013

Thank you, sir, I appreciate the info.

F-Dean · Nov 24, 2013

IHC never threw anything away! They would mix, match and cast parts to produce a tractor. For example, the 1940 F-20s were assembled to use the left over F-20 parts.

Ken Ind · Nov 24, 2013

I have the same qundry about my "49" M. In 49 they still had the band style brakes BUT, mine has disc style like came out in 51 or 52. So, I am needing to fix the brakes desperatly ( has none) so how can I get the right brakes for this tractor????

kevinj54 · Nov 24, 2013

(quoted from post at 21:20:44 11/24/13) I have the same qundry about my "49" M. In 49 they still had the band style brakes BUT, mine has disc style like came out in 51 or 52. So, I am needing to fix the brakes desperatly ( has none) so how can I get the right brakes for this tractor????

Put up a pic, there was an aftermarket disc unit out there also.

D Slater · Nov 24, 2013

If the brake housing covers have 5 bolts mounting them and a adjusting bolt that goes through a hole near the bottom of the right brake pedal. Just use late M to 450 brake parts.
If 3 bolts mount the brake housings parts are not easy to find.

Janicholson · Nov 24, 2013

If you have Osco-Lambert Discs (says this on the casting) you have limited resources to repair any broken parts other than having them made. The friction disks can be relined at a good brake and clutch shop. If you find no possibilities with these posibilities, the good thing is they can be replaced by the original band brakes (which are in my opinion much better than the IH or Osco disks. They are retro fitted onto only the Osco equipped tractors, not those equipped with IH produced disks, as the mounting holes for the band system are in the housing. I do not know if it is necessary to change the pinion shafts, but if so it becomes harder to retro fit the IH band as the bull gears will need to be moved to allow the pinion carriers to be removed. Jim

Farmall M question

JT

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rankrank1

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Janicholson

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JT

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D Slater

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JT

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F-Dean

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Ken Ind

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kevinj54

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D Slater

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Janicholson

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