Beautifully restored Farmall M

I've been watching all the videos of this tractor as it has progressed. The link will take you to a video of the cost of parts and materials used in this job.

I found it very informational. Hopefully some of the YT crowd will enjoy it also.
Restoration costs

Looks like his air cleaner jar has a JD tractor on it.

That seems to be a fairly common practice. And vice versa.

i agree with him, he just confirmed what it takes. as i say it takes care of 10k and people think im telling jokes. that is what restoring is about , not a wash job and paint job.

Yep, a lot of people think if it runs and has a nice paint it's restored, but all that usually makes is a polished turd.

And that was with a running although knocking tractor to start with. He didn't really touch the transmission and drive train except to replace seals and gaskets and check for wear.

That's common at shows around here. IH in a JD bowl as well. Tractor equivalent of the decals with the kid peeing on Ford/Dodge/Chevy.

The fact of life is if you restore an old tractor you are doing it for your own enjoyment! I don’t care how much money you put in it, you would be lucky to get half your money back on a tractor like a Farmall m. I have nothing against a Farmall m, I own 3 of them.

He also had some you tube video, [i think 4]], of his rebuilding the 445 Minneapolis Moline tractor,was it a expermental from Moline or what, but he is good,and explains the why and what for, as he does it!

It is a prototype 445 that the transmission exploded on.

Squatch is a good friend of mine and has helped greatly with the restoration of the Farmall H I am doing for suicide awareness. I do the best I can with the knowledge, tools, and abilities I have but he is in a league of his own. I will be doing a similar tally when the Suicide H is done, and I would have to bet that due to the special touches we put into it, it will top over $12k (and we didn't replace ALL bearings in the transmission, either). It really gives you a sense of appreciation for those who do this for a living (and a sense of wonder). I am getting to the point now where I want to do mechanical restorations on tractors, but leave the finish as original as possible. They are only original once, and spending $1k on quality automotive paint gets a little old when I still want to use them as they were intended on occasion.

I highly recommend checking out more of Squatch's videos. He is currently doing and early D-2 cat, and a experimental Minneapolis Moline. He also has an experimental MM 44 crawler that he has restored that has a very interesting story. I also have an extensive channel, but am not nearly as talented (or gifted with tools) as he. Very good guy, and "Squatch Sr." is also very thorough and great at explaining things when he makes an appearance. A great father-son team.

Not to hijack a thread, but if anyone is curious, here is a link to my channel as well.
Kens Channel

It actually didn't explode. It was dropped on the rear section while being loaded for delivery which broke the rear casting.. MM sold their experimental tractors to employees and/or farmers at a discount rate. The factory offered to give them their money back, or some other type of deal. The farmers ended up taking the tractor at a discount rate and welded it back together. LOTS of weld on the rear end of that old girl.

I had the opportunity to drive the 445 experimental at our local show about 2 years ago. He told me I was the only other person besides him and his dad that had driven it since restoration. I felt pretty privileged to be in that seat! My first time driving a crawler, too!

I put a dinasoar in my '41 M.

Ken, your channel is where I got the intro to Squatch. I watch and enjoy both of your videos.

Squatch and his dad are quite a pair, lots of knowledge floating around in that shop when they are both working. I bet 253 inherited that twitching eyeball from his dad.(lol) They seem to both be committed to doing the job a little better than new.

The Suicide H looks really good. Keep up the good work.

Had to laugh at that one and you are dead on in your assessment. Wink!

Where is he located?

I think possibly Minnesota, but I'm not positive on that.

East Central Minnesota. About 1 hour north of me.

Thank you, Eric. That is very much appreciated. I do not EVER claim to be a professional mechanic, nor do I rarely say that "This is the proper way to do things"... But it works for me, and I seem to get by pretty good.

Squatch and Squatch Sr. are a great duo, and it is great to see them working as father and son on these projects. Memories that will be cherished forever. Both are very thorough and very talented.

It has always been my motto to do things to the best of my ability. And if it doesn't look FACTORY then it isn't done RIGHT. (there is always room for improvements)!