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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Found a Super M - Need advice.

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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 05:11:58




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Howdy, Boys:

Just got back from North Alabama where I went to finish up the purchase of my little farm. While there, I found a 1953 Stage One, Super M sitting at the edge of a field, disc harrow still attached. Obviously been there for a few years. It is SM 508431 AJ and all the casting codes I could see were "Y" except one. Right side rear axle housing was "R". Probably original broke and was replaced years ago? Cannot read all the casting numbers due to the flaky paint, grease and rust, but can see "264" on the engine. No starting tank and there is no hole for one in hood, but tractor has "A" after serial number. Looked like a gasoline manifold to me - although I am not an M expert. Could not see the head casting to see what head (gas, distillate) it had on it. I looked carefully, but did not see any freeze cracks in the block behind the carb.

Has rusty patched battery box under rusty seat pan, has Behlen power steering, has a romote 2-way "Christmas Tree" valve and dual hydraulic lines at rear. Steering shaft wobbles around Behlens body - as though some support brackets or u-joints are loose, broken or missing. Has swinging draw bar. Narrow front end. Sheet metal is totally brown in color, and probably could be used, but different grill and hood would be better. One tire down, but both back look surprisingly good as do the rims. Fronts look fine. Gas tank looks clean inside. Steering has play, as you would expect. Not live power, but has a pump at distributor for power steering. Has PS hydraulic tank under hood (narrow, tall). Every hydraulic hose on this tractor is rotten. I will assume that the engine is stuck. Seat pan is rotten. Headlights - what headlights!?!

My instincts tell me to leave it alone - that I can do a lot better by starting out with a better SM or SH tractor. But I have this mental thing which affects a lot of guys: "I want to save it". I would hate to see it get crushed or cut up for scrap.

If the owner wants to get rid of it, what should I do: A) offer $500; B) get drunk; C) flee to Argentina; D) A & B only; E) B & C only. (I think I already know the correct answer.)

mike

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Clarkbug

11-19-2006 08:27:46




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
Well, you have gotten to see lots of it first hand. I say contact the owner and find out why its sitting there... It could be something is majorly wrong with it, or its just something that he didnt have time to fix. You might not even have to spend the 500 on it. If you have the space to let it "follow you home", why not? The worst that happens if you decide that its more than you want to tackle is that someone else here on the forum might want to give it a good home.

It might turn out to be a bunch of money in the end, but it might turn out to not be that much either. And unless you are trying to do a 100% correct parade leading tractor, maybe it wont hurt the wallet as much as you think.

Just my $.02

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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 11:35:54




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to Clarkbug, 11-19-2006 08:27:46  
Excellent advice, Clarkbug. Thanks.
mike



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farmallwrangler

11-19-2006 07:38:24




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
City-Boy McCoy, Don't let this get away or you will be here on this board regreting it within a year. They aren't making any more of them so they only get more rare. As far as the money goes sure thats a lot but when does any hobby make you money? Now I have a lot of respect for all the guys on here but you naturally look at things differently if you want to turn a profit.



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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 11:38:33




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to farmallwrangler, 11-19-2006 07:38:24  
I know I might regret letting it get away. I don't want to turn a profit; I just want to use and enjoy a nice SM or SH. Thanks for your ideas. Lots to think about.....!
mike



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JRV

11-19-2006 06:56:55




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
What part of north alabama? I live in limestone county on the state line. Ialso have a super m that needs restoring. JRV



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tractorsam

11-19-2006 05:40:22




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
What"s the fun in buying one that"s already working? I just like fixing tractors but I"d rather have one that I"d fixed and know than one someone else has fixed. If you like the tractor I"d go for it. Hope this helps, tractorsam



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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 07:26:32




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to tractorsam, 11-19-2006 05:40:22  
Sam:
I like what you say about doing the work myself instead of someone else doing it. But..... all I need is another project!
Still, it is a tempting thought. And, the SM is only 3 miles from my farm.
My wife looks at me and laughs. She says I am going to end up restoring one from one end to the other. She says she knows me better than I know myself. Boys, don't ever marry a woman who is smarter than you. It can be rough.
Cowman makes the most "head sense"; $10,000 is a lot of cabbage.
mike

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D Slater

11-19-2006 05:35:24




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
If the serial # you give is correct, its a Louisville Stage 2 SM.You are correct in thinking it will cost more to fix than what you could buy a better one for if theres lots that needs repaired. That said a lot of us learned that the hard way and went ahead and fixed them.



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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 07:15:42




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to D Slater, 11-19-2006 05:35:24  
Hmmmm! I wonder if it is a Stage 2 which was ordered with the live hydraulics deleted? Pump does not look like an IH pump, and reservoir is sure not there, although battery is under seat. Regardless, I guess it would be easy to add live hydraulics. That PS system would be nice also.
mike



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James Williams

11-19-2006 05:26:02




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
City Boy,Reguardless what others say,rescue it.You've allready made up your mind,and you will always wonder why?The more that is wrong with it and the more time and money you put in this thing the more it will mean to you.The way you described this tractor is a lot better than anything I started with.At least the tractor was working when some one abandon it
James



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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 07:20:25




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to James Williams, 11-19-2006 05:26:02  
I know. I'm thinking about it!!!!

Maybe the guy won't sell it; that would put me out of having my heart over-riding my head.

mike



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ChadS

11-19-2006 08:47:16




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 07:20:25  
Man, if you could pick it up for 600 or less, go git that thing!!!!! You wont regret it, even if it sits in the back yard for another 10 years till you get time to do something,, but,,, you did not let it slip past ya, and wish you would have, should have, but didn't. if it was me, it would be on my trailer,, headed for home. JMHO,,, ChadS



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Nebraska Cowman

11-19-2006 05:22:37




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 05:11:58  
$500 is not a lot of money but by the time you get done you could easy have 10,000 in it. Unless you realy want the work I'd watch for a better one. Or buy it and save it for parts.



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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 07:17:44




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 11-19-2006 05:22:37  
Good advice - probably what I ought to do.
Thanks.
mike



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old

11-19-2006 08:29:42




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 07:17:44  
If it where me I would go talk to the guy, make an offer and leave my card and or number if he doesn't bite right off. Then keep checking back once in a while and see what happens. I've run in to them like that and couldn't buy it the first time then a month down the road have a call and the guy says come get it. Guess thats why I have 30-35 tractors one the place now.

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City-Boy McCoy

11-19-2006 11:23:21




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to old, 11-19-2006 08:29:42  
Gee, It would probably be better not to let my wife see where you have 35 tractors. I already have the two Super A's. Sure want an SH or SM, though. She's already wondering where it's going to stop.
I might have to just man-handle her a little if she protests too much. HAW-HAW!
mike



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old

11-19-2006 17:13:03




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 11:23:21  
Well I'll just name off the Farmalls. 3 Hs, a 340, parts of a B, and an M. I also have Fords, JDs, MH, Case, Oliver and a cletrac and cat.



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Patrick Martin

11-19-2006 16:51:12




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 Re: Found a Super M - Need advice. in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-19-2006 11:23:21  
Snag it and rescue it!!!!! I hate seeing old machines go to waste! Kinda like seeing good solid early 20's cars get chopped up for street rods, makes me cry! Besides, you can always part it out if you need to and maybe make double. The parts will at least go towards rescuing another tractor. Ask the dude because he might so fed up with it he might even let you have it? I've run across stuff like that all of the time and if I followed through I'd have one heck of a salvage yard. You can't go wrong unless you spend too much. Just establish what you'd spend restoring it "worst case scenario" with the mechanics and establish a price from there.

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