Tractors

[keith44]

I'm not sure this is the right place for this post, but given the uses I'll try it here. (move if need be)


My small plot of land (12 acres, mostly wooded) is a bit more than can be tended by hand power.  I have thought of getting an ATV and using attachments on that to work up food plots, garden areas, bush hog with, and then I get to the part about clearing downed trees, and other tasks that the ATV is just too light for.


So I ran across a tractor for sale (was not actively looking, just heard about it) today. A Farmall Super C.  I grew up with the M and H sizes, the C is not so familiar to me.  Given the small area I will be working any thoughts about the C being pressed into service?? it is a 1950's model.

[SHOOTALL]

old tractors ( not fam with what you listed ) often don't disconnect the pto from the equipment being powered when the cluch is pressed in. It disconnects from the engine but with the say bushog still connected to the drive train the bushog turnning will keep the wheels turnning often causing the tractor to hit something. Also if it will be used in the woods rough terrain the spendles on the front of most old farm tractors won't hold up . They are set high to run over crops . When in rough terrain they are at a disadvantage and wear out easy. I had a Ford NAA Golden Jublee and had the spendle problen among others. I traded for a New Holland TC 45 ( compact ) it has 4WD and works so much better , can even push over small trees with front bucket.

[hunt-m-up]

Even a small tractor offers a weight advantage over an atv that comes in handing when pushing, pulling, dragging, plowing or discing anything. I think you'll find the C too small when you are really wanting to use it unless you can get it pretty cheap, like under $2K. I don't remember if the C has live pto like SHOOTALL mentioned, but that would definitely be something to look for. We're getting ready to sell my Dad's Oliver 77 and 88, more like the H and M, and I would feel a lot more comfortable with something in that size.

[keith44]

Price is 1K even, and there is a clutch that can be installed to let the pto driven device over run the pto shaft and eliminate the safety concerns. Otherwise I would stick to the original plan and wait a couple years

[mcbammer]

try   looking   here.   www.tractorhouse.com

[hillbill]

ive farmed all my life and have little use for a gas tractor.that being said, the c is a decent tractor but very old as well. expect to have to work on it. i would expect you would be better served by a older diesel rig maybe fron the 70's. they can sit for 6 months and start rite up. no worrys about gas goin bad,plugged up updraft carbs etc. a small duetz, david brown, case or massey makes a nice small tractor than can be very trouble free if obtained in good shape and kept shedded.and all these can be purchased in my area for 3k or less. and in 10 yrs yu can prob sell them for what yu gave for them if kept in good condition. not to mention that yu can run a 45 hp diesel tractor cheaper than yu can the c on gas.

[chefjeff]

Traded a jeep for a 3000 ford diesel in 1988,traded it for a 150 MF w/loader,traded it for a rare M52 Win. Nat. Match and an UZI. Then Bought a 3830 4wd Kubota w/QD loader.Be careful of the tractor bug! If you are not cultivating to much of that acreage,you might consider an old PowerKing tractor. I bought a steal in a 650JD 4wd low hrs.($2500) and let my pops have it. Look at a 2000 ford also.There are deals around if you look hard enough.Go diesel if possible,even at $4-5 gal. They are fuel sippers.

[hunt-m-up]

Price is 1K even, and there is a clutch that can be installed to let the pto driven device over run the pto shaft and eliminate the safety concerns. Otherwise I would stick to the original plan and wait a couple years

For that price if it starts and runs good and seems to be in good mechanical order it would be worth a shot. Never been a fan of gassers myself either, but the price is good.

[fatercat]

i was told make sure at least 25 hp

[SHOOTALL]

Before you pick a HP go look at the equipment you wish to use. It will be rated as to HP . Better to match , if not enough HP you will have trouble using it. To much HP you risk breaking your equipment ( I had this happen) . Also when you add 4WD you get about 1/2 again the pulling HP. A 40 HP tractor in 4WD will pull like a 60 HP tractor.

[hillbill]

Price is 1K even, and there is a clutch that can be installed to let the pto driven device over run the pto shaft and eliminate the safety concerns. Otherwise I would stick to the original plan and wait a couple years

For that price if it starts and runs good and seems to be in good mechanical order it would be worth a shot. Never been a fan of gassers myself either, but the price is good.

id prob buy it for that price if it looked and ran good. tune it a bit and maybe slap sum paint on it and double my money.see what it needs and check on parts prices.tractors are gettin high cuz everyone wants one for garden and such cuz of food prices.

[keith44]

bought it.  It is in better shape than the '45 C we use to rake hay.  3-point hitch can be had for another 1K.  From what I have found this tractor (when new) was rated to pull a 14" two bottom plow.  I have no plans to work it any where near that hard.

[guzzijohn]

For some reference. I have a 1958 IH 350 which I believe is rated at 35HP. It will pull a three bottom plow in most dirt. If you try to pull trees, pull in reverse with the chain connected in the front. If you do it from the rear the front end of the tractor comes up to easy. Mine works well with a 5' blade and bush hog. I think due to the low compression of the engine gas has to be real bad before it will not start and run on it. Mine leaks various fluids from several spots but other than that is dead reliable and even hand crank starts quite easy if the battery gets to low to crank it.

[keith44]

that 350 of yours looks like a cross between an H and an M (on steroids  )


I'll be bring the C home tomorrow and will post some pics, thanks for the reminder about the light front end

[guzzijohn]

The M is an older model but more powerful. Growing up on the farm we had a Super M and it was quite a bit more powerful.
GuzziJohn

[Land_Owner]

Man, I hate to take this thread in another direction.  I don't know whether your gasoline "C" is "enough" for 12 acres.  I do know that my diesel MF 275 at 67 HP is MORE than enough for my 20 acres.

[keith44]

guzzijohn, we had two M's, but they were sold before I was a teenager, only the H and the '47 C remain, along with a 4020, and a newer version of the same tractor ( not much on green tractors, typically too big and pricey for what we do these days) Anyway your 350 looks heavier, with a stronger looking rear end than I remember the M's having.

Hi Landowner, been a while,

After researching the specs yes the super C is big enough.  It was an upgrade of the model C that replaced the model B that was designed to replace the horse and mule on small farms.  It was factory rated as a 2 bottom 14" plow tractor. With a HP rating of 24, it sounds like a lawn mower size, but it only revs to 1470 rpm.  The letter series Farmall's were the last of the all boiler plate and cast iron tractors they built (the number or "hundred" series were the cross overs, later models having progressively less iron and more steel)

The Super C was replaced by the IH 200 around '55 if that gives you any insite, and my grandfather still uses the 47 C to rake hay with. 

[Land_Owner]

I believe you will find kind usefulness in any piece of machinery taken to the property and pressed into service above and beyond manual labor.  It is a beauty to see a disc'd field, a fertilized and planted field, a germinating field, wildlife in the field, and meat on the table.  Being a part of that cycle and growing your own is satisfying beyond description.

Did you get a handle on the erosion we were discussing before Thanksgiving? 

[ironglow]

Keith;
  When I was ateenager on the farm, we had a "C" for years along with a team of Belgians on 198 acres & 20 cows.  Wasn't easy but we managed..on hilltop land.  It would take a double botttom 14" plow through clay based, hilltop land very well.
  Then changed farms, added a few cows and an "H", which  came with the farm.  The "C" was so close to the "H" in power it was surprising.  I always used the "C" when possible, just because I liked it.  There were some jobs which were a bit much for the "C"..such as hauling the manure spreader out in the winter, through a couple feet of snow.
 
  It should handle 12 acres in a breeze..
 
  BTW:  As I recall there was a noticeable difference in fuel usage between the "C" and the "H"..

[keith44]

Keith;
  When I was ateenager on the farm, we had a "C" for years along with a team of Belgians on 198 acres & 20 cows.  Wasn't easy but we managed..on hilltop land.  It would take a double botttom 14" plow through claish hilltop land very well.
  Then changed farms, added a few cows and an "H", which  came with the farm.  The "C" was so close to the "H" in power it was surprising.  I always used the "C" when possible, just because I liked it.  There were some jobs which were a bit much for the "C"..such as hauling the manure spreader out in the winter, through a couple feet of snow.
 
  It should handle 12 acres in a breeze..
 
  BTW:  As I recall there was a noticeable difference in fuel usage between the "C" and the "H"..

Wow,


Growing up Dad would "let" me spend summer vacation on the farm with my grandfather.  I disked with one of the M's when I was 9 until I was 12, in the smaller field, and carried hay bales with the 4020 JD.  Back then we ran 80 head of white face Herferds, with two Angus bulls.  When I was 12 I came to the farm and the old M wouldn't start, and was sitting on two flats (one front one rear) I ran the 1947 C that year, and boy was it smaller than the M.  What the M used to "walk with" the C would spin and balk at, had to use smaller gang disc, and ended up just cultivating with it, cause we didn't have anything sized for it.  Haying season we tried it with the rake, man that was sweet, turn on a dime and would make clean windrows.  The next year the H was there, and I jumped at it, strong smooth, and more like the M's I had learned on.  Now I'm mid 40's, got a small place of my own, and just have a soft spot of the old red iron tractors.  I still help with the hay, and fencing on my grandfathers place, we are up to wintering over 130 head, Papa is 92 this year, and the old '47 C is still purring along.  We use it for hay rides at the family reunions, and raking hay, and it still cultivates the potato patch.  Dad has retired from the city job he tried to escape the farm with, and went back to the farm.  He puts in 50+ hour weeks during hay season, and we feed out about 10 steer a year for direct sales, and send 30 - 50 to auction. 


Sounds like you and I have alot in common Ironglow, at least when it comes to how we spent our youths

[keith44]

I believe you will find kind usefulness in any piece of machinery taken to the property and pressed into service above and beyond manual labor.  It is a beauty to see a disc'd field, a fertilized and planted field, a germinating field, wildlife in the field, and meat on the table.  Being a part of that cycle and growing your own is satisfying beyond description.

Did you get a handle on the erosion we were discussing before Thanksgiving?

I think I have done all I can without power assistance.  The tiller is useful, but takes a  long time to work up the gardens, and the truck can only do so much.  The cub cadet garden tractor we bought last year has been an asset, but is very limited in what it can do as well.  Those 2-ply tires are getting shredded and the lack of independent rear wheel brakes make getting hung up a given.  Not nearly enough weight to pull a trailer of rock or dirt to where it is needed, and just forget moving any tree trunk that you can't move by hand.  However it is a fine mowing machine, and helps with potting soil bags, hauling tools, and bedding plants.


The erosion issue is... um...well pretty well where we left it.  I have marked where I am going to build swales to slow the movement of the runoff, and have laid out some of the terracing along the hillsides.  The big washout is untouched at this time, but I have marked where I plan to bridge across it so I can work it from both sides.


I am hoping to use this tractor to haul rock to the swale locations in the woods.

[ironglow]

Keith;
  When I was ateenager on the farm, we had a "C" for years along with a team of Belgians on 198 acres & 20 cows.  Wasn't easy but we managed..on hilltop land.  It would take a double botttom 14" plow through claish hilltop land very well.
  Then changed farms, added a few cows and an "H", which  came with the farm.  The "C" was so close to the "H" in power it was surprising.  I always used the "C" when possible, just because I liked it.  There were some jobs which were a bit much for the "C"..such as hauling the manure spreader out in the winter, through a couple feet of snow.
 
  It should handle 12 acres in a breeze..
 
  BTW:  As I recall there was a noticeable difference in fuel usage between the "C" and the "H"..

Wow,


Growing up Dad would "let" me spend summer vacation on the farm with my grandfather.  I disked with one of the M's when I was 9 until I was 12, in the smaller field, and carried hay bales with the 4020 JD.  Back then we ran 80 head of white face Herferds, with two Angus bulls.  When I was 12 I came to the farm and the old M wouldn't start, and was sitting on two flats (one front one rear) I ran the 1947 C that year, and boy was it smaller than the M.  What the M used to "walk with" the C would spin and balk at, had to use smaller gang disc, and ended up just cultivating with it, cause we didn't have anything sized for it.  Haying season we tried it with the rake, man that was sweet, turn on a dime and would make clean windrows.  The next year the H was there, and I jumped at it, strong smooth, and more like the M's I had learned on.  Now I'm mid 40's, got a small place of my own, and just have a soft spot of the old red iron tractors.  I still help with the hay, and fencing on my grandfathers place, we are up to wintering over 130 head, Papa is 92 this year, and the old '47 C is still purring along.  We use it for hay rides at the family reunions, and raking hay, and it still cultivates the potato patch.  Dad has retired from the city job he tried to escape the farm with, and went back to the farm.  He puts in 50+ hour weeks during hay season, and we feed out about 10 steer a year for direct sales, and send 30 - 50 to auction. 


Sounds like you and I have alot in common Ironglow, at least when it comes to how we spent our youths

...
  Yes, Dad worked at a regular factory job at that time also.  My friends whom I have morning coffee with were for the most part, raised on farms.  One of these fellows named Don, is a classic John Deere collector and wears the familiar John Deere hat & T-shirts.  Another friend named Dave was 'raised on Farmalls'.
   After some good natured ribbing , Dave had a T-shirt made, which he recently wore to morning coffee.  The gray T-Shirt had a nice , big, red Farmall "M" on the following words, " If it isn't RED..you better leave it in the shed !"..    

[SHOOTALL]

Nothing runs like a deer , nothing stops one like a Browning    .Saw that on a T shirt once .
 
Every one knows Ford/New Holland rules anyway ............

[keith44]

Ford / New Holland are decent these days, the thing I don't like about them is the high revving engines.  At least on the ones I've been around.  and speaking of not liking newer tractors what's with all the plastic??  A tractor is supposed to be heavy and durable 

[Land_Owner]

Here we go.  Talking about our toys.  My "first" was a Case 450/550 and about 45 HP.  Could not exactly tell as someone had replaced its diesel engine with an extended fork front end and a Ford Truck inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine.  That tractor would go over 70 MPH, one time.  With over 4 inches of dead zone "throw" left to right and back again in the steering wheel before it engaged any tire motion, no shocks, no coil springs, no brakes, "truck" like tires in front, and those big balloon tires in the rear, the person willing to risk their life to drive it that fast wasn't going to survive the return trip from speed to stop...so we drove it once to 30 MPH, nearly wrecked it, recognized what it WOULD DO, and never did that again.  My son uses it still and it is a decent hay wagon hauler, a bush hog puller, and cultipacker dragger...or should that be Dragster.  Oh yeah, almost forgot, I met the mechanic that swapped out the engines.  The City used the diesel as an emergency pump drive.  They named that tractor "Whacky Whacker".

[scootrd]

I have  been running a little 'Bota on our property for a number of years now. As wife and I got older we too were finding it harder to do all the chores I use to once do manually.  The little  'bota has proven itself quite reliable  It's capable of tackling even some of the bigger jobs probably best suited to larger tractors.

I have just learned to pace myself and the machine,  and complete the tasks in smaller bites so to speak.

I agree with the poster who stated determine what implements you needs and tasks you will need tractor to perform.
Then match the HP and features required to achieve those tasks.

[keith44]

This is LIL RED, a 23 horsepower Super C.  Yes it has proven to be the perfect size to drag the trees I need moved, and I am confident that it will still pull that 2 bottom 14" plow that the factory rated it for.