Fixing up an old M for use with a tiller

I really don't want to take apart a good old M so that I can use it with the tiller, but I have found one that is missing a lot of things although it really doesn't look that bad. I was going to buy an MTA, but really I don't think the TA will help me slow the tractor down to run the tiller, because I think the tiller will push the TA. Maybe someone could tell me for sure?

Could someone tell me where I could get a wide front end for an M? The tractor is also missing the pto, hydraulics, part of the standard draw bar and I am not sure what else.

I would really like to put a diesel engine in this very early M. Could someone give me some ideas on how hard that would be and what all I would need to do this? Also, if I put in a diesel from what I understand, you can get a live hydraulics kit for it, I just don't know where.

Also, I have sort of asked this question before. Someone had a really good answer, but I can't seem to find it in the archives. I want to slow this tractor down, but only in low gear. From what I understand there was an option for a lower low gear. Does anyone have any information on this? It would also be helpful to have some information on what the wheel speed should really be for a Land Pride tiller?

There is one other thing and that is I will need a 3 point hitch. Could someone tell me what I should be looking for?

Thanks!

You have an interesting point, that really an M would be a good tractor to enjoy. I think the time of my life that I enjoyed the most was on an old farmall tractor.

To answer your questions:

Is M a good tiller tractor? Not really unless you already ran a plow or disc through the field.

Can you get a low first gear kit? Yes if you can find one, but it might cost a lot.

Can you add live hydraulics? Yes, but it is not cheap. New pumps run $750 or so. Try Bates Corp dot com for some used ones.

Where can you buy a three point hitch? Try "saginaw county tractor dot com."

Can you swap in a diesel? Sure if you are a good fabricator, and you can find one that fits inbetween the frame rails. Keep in mind the main bearings for the original M Diesel are spendy.

I would advise buying the MTA- you get the live hydraulics, TA, and live pto. Add a 3 point hitch and a tiller and it may do a good enough job. Otherwise, I consider buying a plow, disc and harrow instead of the tiller...and then the M would work just fine.

Do you know anyone who would have one of these low gear kits? I guess I just want to drive tractors like the ones I drove long ago. One was a very early M that was turned into an MD and the other was an MD that had a modified engine, duals, and a lower low gear. Really, I can't remember anything that was fabricated on that tractor related to the engine. Although, it seems like the sheet metal was too short, so the MD must have used longer frame rails or something to cause this. So, I don't think that it could be too hard. I have been considering buying a MDTA and in fact, I found one for a good price. I am not sure if I would like that tractor. Every time I would take the 560 out, I would get yelled at. It would take me too long and they couldn't understand why I would come right back with the M. I was a little bit scared of any of the 560s that I drove and I was always forgetting to throw the TA lever before going down a hill. Now the newer tractors like the 856 I didn't have that problem with. You could pull the torque level and it would slow the tractor. Although, I can't remember International Harvester building one smaller than a 706. That seems like a lot of tractor for a tiller, but I could be wrong. Maybe I should be looking for a utility tractor and then that would be the only thing I would use it for.

Thanks!

The MD rails and hood is longer than a regular M.

The MDTA would be a real collectable tractor!

I think a 656, 70, or 84 hydro tractor would be you best option for a tiller tractor. Or a newer utility..

Just put some small tires on. Something like a PU tire and rim or shidsteer. You will have to make a wheel adaptor from scratch or from an IH wheel. All you need is a sawsall and drill. Send pictures.

You don't need a 3pth. Hang the tiller from an upside down front truck axle and lower/raise it with a hydraulic cylinder. Pivot the axle and tiller separately with radius rods to drawbar.

If you want a MD, get one. It won't be much more money than the engine and all the diesel gear that goes with it.

As for using the archives, enter your screen name in the search box. You will find 124 posts that you authored. All the previous info is still there.

I'll bet there are tractor shows in AZ at this time of the year. Check out what other people are doing.

Well, I don't know if I will build a think out of an old truck axle, but it is an interesting idea. I think that I saw something like that once.

Thanks!

I though the M would be much more reliable than a Kubota.

I didn't think a MD was really hard on fuel. In fact, I think it spend 3 days in the field before we had to bring more fuel to it. Although, I could be wrong it was a long time ago.

I guess that I don't know what I need then. I just though I would save another old tractor from being scraped.

On the other hand, a plow-disk-harrow combination for the M would do the job. How much ground are you planning to plant? The newer tractor would not pay for itself unless there's a fairly large plot involved.