Farmall M

[WC Haire]

Rebuilding a 1944 Farmall M, I want to stay as original as possible but I see a lot of people converting to 12 volts from 6. Just wanting to get some pros and cons of switching or not switching. When finished the tractor will be only for show, no more field work for this one.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[art]

Rebuilding a 1944 Farmall M, I want to stay as original as possible but I see a lot of people converting to 12 volts from 6. Just wanting to get some pros and cons of switching or not switching. When finished the tractor will be only for show, no more field work for this one.
Thanks,
Chris

12 volt is the most common used today and quite a few are changed over to the 12 volt using the single wire delco alternator which woould charge the battery faster then the generator system. This could be a plus for short duration running typical of shows. The 12 volt of coarse is not original so if going to be judged you would be out of line. Another option although a little harder to find is the 8 volt which would roll it over faster as well for quick starts using the original system.

 

[WC Haire]

I have a place in town that can re wire my generator to a 12 volt to keep the stock look. And with the battery enclosed in the box it's not going to show. The 8 volt your talking about, I have seen a few where they are still wired at 6 but using an 8 volt battery. People are also telling me that just cranking it periodically, a 6 volt battery will go bad. Ever heard that?

 

[BrokenAxle46]

As we grew up on the farm, we had Farmall C-H-M and MD tractors as in plural. Some Supers others just normal piston heads. Overhall is easy with sleave piston walls, one reason there are so many of them still in use. As to your question about the 6 volt system. If the tractor is going to sit for periods of time, I would put a battery maintainer on it. I have a solor maintainer I keep on a 12 volt battery for a fuel pump tank and I like it. Always ready and the battery is lasting.
The M model has more compression and requires a little more amps to turn it. If the tractor is in good condition, like the carb, plugs, timing, the tractor should start with only a few turns even in cold weather. We started them like that in all sorts of weather with little problem. I would stay with the 6 volts, use a maintainer and consider draining the carb if it was going to sit for a year between exhibits and judging. Dirty carbs and timing are 2 items that seem to have caused us more problems than 6 volt systems. We had 8 volt batteries over the years, never really worked out very well. Hand cranking an M is asking for possible broken wrist, arm, finger and very hard to turn over in the first place. Hand cranking an M would be the last resort, be very careful.

 

[art]

Occasional use of a battery will always cause trouble! It is best to cycle them often and to be sure they do get charged fully. That is the problem with a generator, they take longer to chage up the battery when run down. A Alternator can charge a battery in less then 30 minutes of run time and it is double that for a generator.

The 8 volt batteries gave the starter a boost as far as cranking speed and could be used in the standard tractor with original wiring and by bumping the regulator a bit for a little hotter charge they worked fine when that was the only problem.

The 6 volts worked fine when the tractors are used regularly and kept charged.

On the note of another poster, I think everyone that has used a crank has a tale or to and maybe something to show from it!

 

[kevinj]

I kept mine on 6 volt. Use big cables rated for the amps. I think mine are 2/0.

Starts good

 

[ruralruss]

I kept mine on 6 volt. Use big cables rated for the amps. I think mine are 2/0.

Starts good

Beautiful tractor! I bet the seat still moves side to side. I spent most of my non winter life on a Super M.

 

[toddbailey]

Converting to 12 volt would in the long run IMHO be much better, esp if you want to run lights or are not going to be using it much, a 6 volt system is going to require more maintance i still have a Super A that is 6 volt.

 

[kevinj]

Beautiful tractor! I bet the seat still moves side to side. I spent most of my non winter life on a Super M.

Seat is tight, steering is tight, pedals are tight. This seem to be a low hour tractor. Even the engine pulleys show minimal wear.

Still has flat tops in it!!!!!!:thumbsup:

 

[MIKE R]

I kept my Case Sc on 6 volt. How original would a 12 volt system be? I like having it as a 6 volt. When you bring it to shows and the old timers see that it's 6 volt system, the story they can tell about the nightmares they had with their 6 volt system tractors in their younger days brings a smile to their faces.

Kevin, nice looking Farmall. Do you attend any shows with it?