Choices; Which One?

[frjeff]

Have been looking at a 1953 Farmall Super C: wide front, Fast Hitch and a couple garden implements and homemade front blade. $1800 or less.

Now, just down the road, a 1947 Farmall M comes for sale. Stopped to look, but no one home. Does not have fast hitch. No implements. $2500 OBO.

My uses will be a small (3200 sq. ft.) garden, dragging trees, spreading dirt, some snow plow, etc.

Insofar as my needs, which is the better machine for me. Leaning toward the Super C as the owner is a best friend and a wrench, and the previous owner since new was his father in law. Plus the few implements, Fast Hitch. And, I do not believe I need the bigger engine.

All input greatly appreciated.

 

[Grateful11]

Is the M a wide front end?

 

[frjeff]

Is the M a wide front end?

No, it is not.

I think I would like the wide better (which the Super C has).

 

[motownbrowne]

Buying from friends is always a little dangerous, but that sounds like a pretty good deal if you're in the market for a tractor. And if he's your best friend, and handy with a wrench, then that seems like a good choice. The M is heavier and more powerful, which is handy sometimes, but not always. At $700 more without any implements, the M is gonna cost quite a bit more before you can anything with it. Also, if you don't buy your friends tractor in favor of another one down the road, will he still help you fix it when needs repair? Do they both have good tires?

 

[DJ54]

The Super C will be a lot more handy, as far as maneuverability. The Fast Hitch implements are definitely a big plus. I have 2 of them, and are my go to tractors for most of what I do here on my little horse farm. They plow & disk the garden, haul manure, ted hay, I have two Fast Hitch carry-alls that are just pretty handy for hauling small quantities, such as firewood, fence posts etc.

They are also very easy on fuel. Light duty chores such as tedding hay, and hauling manure they will only use about a gallon an hour.

The M will require drawn, or mounted implements. Much handier to have the Fast Hitch to pick up and go with them.

The M's still have their place, but I believe the Super C will do what you want, 95% of the time.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'd take the C, they are just a lot more handy than an M...that is IF you don't need the power of the M.

SR

 

[frjeff]

Buying from friends is always a little dangerous, but that sounds like a pretty good deal if you're in the market for a tractor. And if he's your best friend, and handy with a wrench, then that seems like a good choice. The M is heavier and more powerful, which is handy sometimes, but not always. At $700 more without any implements, the M is gonna cost quite a bit more before you can anything with it. Also, if you don't buy your friends tractor in favor of another one down the road, will he still help you fix it when needs repair? Do they both have good tires?

Friend would assist on repairs anytime I asked him. Might wait a week for him to get here, but he'd be here. Rubber is good on both machines.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Take the SC, hands down...check the oil level in the hyds...sometimes the seals in the hyd pump let hyd fluid into the crankcase...also if your friend is good with a wrench and you trust him...give him what he asks...you won't regret it later...oh, how are the tires..and do the rears have fluid...does the SC have wheel weights (in the front as well...those front weights are good as gold..) BobG in VA