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New guy advice needed re a Farmall super A

S

scott1953

Member
I need some advice. I know little about tractors, but do you guys think that a 1950 super a Farmall or something similar, could be used in place of a garden tractor? I've got about an 1.5 acres of lawn to mow, a 100 ft driveway to clear in the winter (I'm in Western Ma) and the occasional garden tractor chore to do. The garden tractor I have now is not quite enough esp to clear the snow.

I'm not sure how big or maneuverable those things are. I did find one with a mower and plow nearby.

I've got room to store it in the garage.

I've never heard of anyone using one of things the way I want.....



What do you think?

Thanks

Scott
 
That set of tasks is exactly what they are designed to be used for. It can handle more garden than that, but it is way better than a radically underbuilt big box lawnwhatever. If it is a good runner, you will like it. This site is your resource, we have the thinking to help in every particular. The site store also has all common needed parts and reasonable prices. Do it Jim
 
That tractor will be perfect for your needs.Install
a 3 point hitch on it and it will be even better....
 
Do you have any trees with branches less than 8' off the ground?

One thing you will get tired of quickly is getting strained through trees, and speared by branches. You can't slow down and ease through with a Super A like you can with a riding mower. The Super A has a transmission-driven PTO to run the mower, so when you push the clutch to stop the tractor, the mower stops.

With the transmission-driven PTO, you also have to plan ahead for mowing up to things, because the momentum of the mower will back-drive the rear wheels of the tractor, pushing it as much as several feet before the mower stops spinning.

These are not show-stoppers. The tractor will work well especially once you've gotten used to driving it, and you will like the 60" cut of the mower deck over your typical 42" rider. They are just considerations you need to make. Just learn to think ahead.
 
(quoted from post at 18:50:51 05/05/14) I need some advice. I know little about tractors, but do you guys think that a 1950 super a Farmall or something similar, could be used in place of a garden tractor? I've got about an 1.5 acres of lawn to mow, a 100 ft driveway to clear in the winter (I'm in Western Ma) and the occasional garden tractor chore to do. The garden tractor I have now is not quite enough esp to clear the snow.

I'm not sure how big or maneuverable those things are. I did find one with a mower and plow nearby.

I've got room to store it in the garage.

I've never heard of anyone using one of things the way I want.....



What do you think?

Thanks

Scott
Click to expand...

made to order
The little SA's are very popular here.
Most have belly mowers or snowplows on them when homeowners have them.
You still see them working here on the many fresh fruit and vegetable farms.
Local growers say a SA with the full cultivator setup can't be beat.....

no comparison at all to a box store lawn tractor.
And even though I have a bunch of very old REAL garden tractors, Wheel Horse, which are pretty tough for their size,
any Farmall SA or other brand equivalent will outwork them easily.
 
well, im using a cub [regular cub] for exactly that on my place which is quite a bit larger and the cub is a smaller, less powerfull tractor than a A. i can tell you one thing i will never own another chinese made garden tractor again, these old farmalls are great!
 
Sounds like my setup at my old house. I used a Cub and it did great. I would have loved a Super A.

I plowed the garden, pushed snow on my long driveway and mowed the grass.

Be careful though, you will want more...more tractors and more land!
 

No, no low trees like that. But, could I put the tractor in a low gear, keep the mower running while moving forward slowly...like a car in 1st gear...higher rpms...slow forward speed.

Thanks for your advices
 
The only one better for turing radius is the BN ALTHOUGH it does
not have hydraulics it can turn a mush shorter radius ""almost on
its own axis. BUT what you describe the SUPPER A with all its
attachments would do you JUSTICE for a very long time,; find other
attachments on the web here.
BEST of the day to you
WM.
 

Thanks for all your reply's. So it's not a dumb idea for a home owner. It's a go then. I'll take a look at that Super A. And take a look in CL for others.

I'm assuming Craigs list is the best place to look. Any other good sources for these things?
 
The one thing you might find problematic is
changing between mower/snow plow/cultivators, etc.

It don't have cultivators, I use mine mostly for
cutting hay and tedding. So I don't know for sure
- but if adding cultivators is anything close to
mounting a sickle mower - expect to need help
doing it.

Not sure how west you are in MA, I'm in Sutton
If you're close and you want to drive a super a
around just to get a feel for it - email me. I'd
be more than happy to let you play around on it.
 
Just be patient, you'll find one on craigslist.

Try yakaz.com to search multiple areas at once.

not sure what you're looking to spend, but expect to
spend an extra $150 or so in parts to fix the loose
steering and sleeving the worn hyrdraulic pump
shaft. Those are probably the two most common
issues on super A's.
 
oh - one important point I missed.

Get a price for turf tires if you're going to use
it to mow.

The regular ag tires will leave tracks in your
lawn if the ground's even slightly damp.

And if you're plowing snow - you'll need wheel
weights (mostly on the back, but front ones will
help too). AND tire chains. Expect to find
chains in the $100+ range.

Almost always cheaper to find a tractor WITH all
this stuff included.
 
Those are the reasons I ended up with a Cub. All of those attachments are a lot cheaper for a Cub.

Heck, I got a whole Cub cheaper than I sold a snow plow for a Super A.
 
(quoted from post at 10:42:50 05/06/14)
Thanks for all your reply's. So it's not a dumb idea for a home owner. It's a go then. I'll take a look at that Super A. And take a look in CL for others.

I'm assuming Craigs list is the best place to look. Any other good sources for these things?
Click to expand...
For the uses you list, my preference would be a Cub. Smaller mowing area and relatively short driveway would be perfect for the smaller, more maneuverable Cub.

That being said, the SA is available, close by and equipped for what you need. If it is mechanically sound and suits you, go for it.
 

Price a ZT mower that will handle that size yard. You could buy TWO A's for the money. Have one set up permanent mower and snow plow, and the other permanent garden tractor, and be cheaper. And you will buy a new ZT every 5-10 years, where an A or a Cub is a permanent solution.
 

I posting just to say thanks to all for taking the time to reply. Each one was very helpful and informative.

When I look over all the posts, its a pretty consistent "go for it". actually a 100% "go for it". just a question of a cub or an SA........So, I'm off to look at the Super A that is just 45 mins away, In Goshen Ct just south of me. And I'll email JRSutton and take him up on his offer to play with his SA.

I'll post what I find and let me know what you think.

Again....many thanks....my wife is busting my chops....singing that theme song from the old TV show Green Acres......one of our dog does kinda look a lot like Arnold the Pig.

Cheers!
 
Scott - my friend nearby has a JD M you can look
at if you'd like too.

(just to look - it's not for sale)

I'm sure he'd let you take it for a spin and give
some pointers on them.
 
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