H, M, Super H or Super M?

A good point made by a few of the guys, is that 50 years ago...an H would have been big for a 50 acre operation, so maybe you just don"t want to go right to the M.

In my opinion (and it"s nothing more than that)... it all depends on how fast you need to work that 50 acres. I"ve got all the time in the world to get my 12 acres of hay cut, raked, and baled. When the shed doors go back, it"s the H nine times out of 10...whether it"s the haybine, spreader, 7" disc, or the 2 bottom. The H is easier on fuel by a d*mn stretch and is a bit more nimble than the M. Though the M could accomplish all of the above chores stated.

Do take into consideration how important live power and live hyrdaulics are to you. There are days I wish the H had both, but there still hasn"t been a job that we couldn"t do without either of those two amenities.

Maybe the safe bet is to buy both of them...then you have your bases covered! :)

Billy

PS: I had written this last evening, and had even seen it posted @ 9:46...where it spent the night, who knows?

The key to what you need is what you are intending to do. Then you have to adjust that to what you want.

The advice given so far is based on what each individual thinks is farming. There is a lot of difference between 50a of vegetables, 50a of wheat, 50a of corn/soybean/wheat rotation, 50a of alfalfa, and 50a of cow/calf operation with 10a of grass hay ground.

I run M's, have about six that I use regularly: '39 M on loader, M on sickle mower, M on a rake, M on round baler, SMTA on square baler, SM on haybine when we use it. I ride an M 8 to 10 hours lot's of days. We're running three right now, grandson mowing, son-in-law raking, me baling.

It's stupid to use an M on the sickle mower. An H can handle the sickle mower, rake, and square baler just fine. I only have three running H's right now and they stay hooked up to rotary mowers parked at various farms to use if we get stuck, have a few minutes to brush hog, or just need a tractor.

The H's are a LOT easier on fuel than the M's.

I don't have live power except on the SMTA and a 400 we use with the M to handle round bales (each end of the haul).

M's and H's take a little longer to do the job but in the long run they are a lot cheaper to maintain and run in general.

The lack of power steering helps keep your upper body strength in shape.

Elaborate on what you intend to do and you'll get better advice. M's and H's do great on my 600a of grass hay and cattle. I only till about 50a for alfalfa, hay grazer, or mung beans, all for hay.

That said, if I was shopping for another tractor I certainly would consider the 300s. Either row crop or utility, they make a heck of a tractor. Still look like the letter series too.

My dad did 30 cows on 200 acres with a Cub and an H, Later on in 59, it was 40 cows on 250 acres with a 300, 130 and Cackshutt 540, see how we were slipping. The very first year we plowed 100 acres we did it with 130 and 2x12 plow. Cockshutt and 300 were loading and spreading manure.

And to think, just 4 years later we added 30 more acres, 560D with a 4x16 plow and 10 more cows. 130 became dad's toy. Man did that little tractor take a beating in it's first 5 years.

Seriously now, I'm getting almost as old as Allan, and if I were going to do any seroius farming it would be nothing less than an 04-06. Those tractors have all the qualities of a Farmall H or M, but most of all they have it with comfort, they are nice on your legs, your bum, your back and most certainly must be good for your head. But don't get a gasser, just look at what that old gasser's been doing to Allan in the past few weeks, it's certaimly getting to his head. Allan said Harley's been farming with Ms, he's already very good natured, just think what that 706 is going to for his well being.

My friend, if your doing yard work or looking at them, pre 1963 is fine, if your planning on a days work, post 1963. That my friend is the great devide at Farmall.

Gordo

None of the above. How's about a 460 or 560?

Allan

I am the same way; love those old tractors!

However, you are now talking about some realistic work here. You'll want all the live power and the power steering even tho you think you won't need it from the vantage point of your computer chair.

Ask Harley. He just got a 706 and has been running the Ms. I'm sure he'll tell you the same darned thing.

Dunno, ya might have to buy more than one tractor! :>)

Allan

Dunno if it is just me or everyone is this way, but that darned seat on the letter series comparied to a little newer model really makes a difference!

Those old letter series tractors were built for a young man in mind, I think. They beat me to death on a long day.

Allan

steveormary