Farmall B model

i just inherited a farmall B model from my grandfather who passed away about a month ago and i am now in the process of restoring it. Growing up being a john deere guy i dont know much about the farmall tractors (besides the M) and was wanting a little history on the B model such as what it was used for and what types of implements it used. If anyone could educate me on this it would be greatly appriciated.

One thing they where used for a lot was to cultivate with. and of course a lot of other things like plowing small areas and any other thing other tractors did

The model B and model A were introduced in 1939 and the B was replaced by the C in about 1948. It was a two row cultivating tractor. In my own opinion it was one of the best small tractors made (highly debatable) Some were critical of poor traction by having 24 inch tires and the lacking of a hydraulic system. An exhaust powered pneumatic lift was optional but was not the greatest system as it was bulky and required much attention in keeping working. My first tractor was a B and I still have it. I also have a Super C and a super A but my favorote is the B. I added a Char Lynn PTO hydraulic system to the belt pulley driven by a roller chain. Mine is a 1941 model with the 1.25 inch PTO and the long oil filter. Very easy to mount as I have added a step from the front and one of the easiest tractors to operate. Before anybody flames me I also own 11 other tractors 2 are diesels.

The B Farmall had many uses from 2row cults to another one used for veggies did up to 6 rows, sickle mower,middle buster, lister planters, mounted plow and two-way mounted plow. All these could be used with the exhaust lift system. .In the Nebraske tests with wheel wts set a record for pulling. Those who seem to run down the exhaust system probably never used one keeping the system was easy unless it was left outside in the weather as we had on that did several hundred acres a yr couse in those days you did the corn three times then went to just twice when hill dropping. I made some serious money in highschool doing custom work as i enjoyed cultivation. I setvise those systems as there seems to be a lot of interest in them. The B also was used to rake hay,haul water used on the hay rope harrowing even discing preparing the ground for plowing and the list goes on. We even did many acres pulling a 10ft windrow mower and the list goes on and on. Hope this gives you some of the uses the little tractor was used for. Only tractor you could unhook a wagon without getting off the seat. Iforgot the tons of feed ground using the belt. I have several of them with some attachments and parts.

Here in the North-East, with the average farm "about 100 acres" The Farmall B was very popular. They simply replaced a team of horses.

Good solid little tractor. They will do anything any other one plow size tractor will do. That size was popular during the 40's either as a replacement for horses or as small tractor for cultivating and mowing, etc. I've done some work on my neighbors 1944 B and it runs very well for 65 year old tractor that has not had the best of care. Looks really ugly, not a spec of paint on it, but it runs like a little sewing machine.
Paul

I have a 46 B with a woods belly mower and I love it like said earlier you can unhook a wagon without ever leaving the seat. It has enough power and is almost as nimble as a zero turn. The steering is very easy, compared to my M with a loader and no power steering, and is dependable.

i've worked on quite a few B's...does yours have a water pump or just heat circulate...the engines without the optional water pump built up a lot of crud inside the water passages...best thing you can do is pull all the hoses and petcocks off block and roto root every passage you can get to while you got fresh water flowing thru the top hose barb...i use coat hangers or any kind of stiff wire...if youre planning on a complete restoration just have the block hot tanked and that will remove most of the build up.