Farmall A

[Ricn]

So today I came into a very nice (I think) Farmall A. I know little about them so you guys will be seeing me here in the very near future. My son is getting this tractor for me through doing some driveway remodel whereby the owner says he wants to trade some of the work for his Farmall. Reports are it runs well but now needs a fuel filter and perhaps a new coil. The owner has been driving it in parades only so not used hard for many years. Can take pics when it gets here maybe next week.

 

[DJ54]

A's are nice little tractors. If it has an inline fuel filter, that means the fuel tank has rust and other sediment in it. Hopefully the sediment bowl is still in place.

If that is the case, I'd advise removing the fuel tank and put some sharp stone, like limestone in it, shake it around to loosen/remove the crud. Some radiator shops offer a service of lining tanks, and there are some DIY liners too. I took mine to a shop and had them line it, solved my problem.

If it still has the sediment bowl, clean it well and install a new gasket. I prefer the cork one's that can be reused. Cheapest place I found to get them was from ebay, was like $12.00 for 10. But I have multiple tractors which use the same gasket, but someday you may need another. Doesn't hurt to have a spare on the shelf.

If it has a rubber fuel line, replace it with a metal line. I prefer brake line size should be 5/16". NiCopp brake line bends the easiest, although a little more.

 

[John0829]

Good luck with the "A", fun little tractors. I owned and used one for years even pulling a 5' bush hog.

 

[Thomas]

Thanks for keeping yesterday's iron still alive.

 

[Dawg in Fl]

I'll start out with this disclaimer. I really like TractorByNet.

Yesterdays Tractors has a very large group of folks who are extremely knowledgeable about all things Farmall. (Website also covers lots of other "old iron")

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www.yesterdaystractors.com

I have a Farmall Super A - learned to drive on it.

 

[Ricn]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. Is this the correct place for discussing everything Farmall, mainly repairs questions etc. and for my "A" - if not, can someone lead me to the right forum, thanks!

 

[John0829]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. Is this the correct place for discussing everything Farmall, mainly repairs questions etc. and for my "A" - if not, can someone lead me to the right forum, thanks!

Your good post away.

 

[Ricn]

Your good post away.

Good post away?

 

[John0829]

Good post away?

Maybe a regional thing/saying, it means post all you want.

 

[deezler]

Good post away?

He meant: You are good (here). Post freely!

My dad picked up a 1948 Super A back in, oh, 1996 or so, and had it fully restored. It ran great for several years before our lack of maintenance kind of let it decay, and now it's been sitting dead for a decade. I look forward to bringing it over to my shop and tuning it back up eventually! One mistake we made was in not converting to 12V. Keeping 6V batteries charged was always annoying.

But right after restoration, our Super A was a joy to operate and a real workhorse. We plowed 16" snowfalls, dragged dozens of logs out of the forest, and towed yard trailers around. Amazing what 14HP can do with the right gearing and big wheels/tires.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I also have an "A", they are pretty good tractors.

They share parts with other sizes of Farmall's, so parts are pretty easy to come by.

SR

 

[Ricn]

Update: Late afternoon my son and I went to get the A going if possible; the owner had not fired her up for 2 years or more. Once there I found out what we had, a very nice Super A with hydro lift intact and working! After tinkering, we headed to the auto parts for couple electrical parts then came back where my son had them all installed in 30 minutes. The gas tank was very clean so poured in one gallon, after a few sputters and pops the SA was running perfectly, no smoke either, just a nice running motor still in it's work cloths other than the hood that had been repainted long time ago. Tires are like new tread wise with one rear having lots of cracks. We turned it off and waited awhile then tried the hand crank that was still with it, fired up the first pull of the handle..Got home to late for pics but will get some soon, right now its in the dark inside the shop.

 

[workinonit]

I have 3 140s. Same basic tractor but mine a re a later version than the SAs. One mod to keep in mind that I did on one of mine and about to do on the second one is electronic ignition. Great upgrade. I think they are the best tractors ever made for plowing tobacco and maintaining a garden. I have a new Cole planter for mine as well as fertilizer distributor setups for all 3. All of mine are setup for belly cultivators and fast hitch.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

All those Farmall letter series (A, B, C, F, & M--and its kid brother, the Cub) along with their upgraded, numbered series machines were great tractors that, with a little TLC, will serve for many years. Enjoy your this new member of the family.
BTW, another option, if it hasn't been converted to 12-volts and if the generator is still working, would be to use an 8 volt battery. It'll start better in colder weather and the generator will keep it up, though you might want to add a trickle charger during colder weather.

 

[DJ54]

Super A's are so much more versatile than the standard A having live hydraulics. Fast Hitch is even sweeter, but pretty expensive anymore to convert.

Thank goodness the fuel tank is clean, it will save you a lot of headaches down the road. I'm assuming he didn't have any attachments with it, or he'd have offered those too.

If the battery cables have been switched to standard automotive 4 gauge cables, when you get the chance, switch to 1/0 or 2/0 cables, you'll think you have a 12V battery on it.

If ever you have problems with the charging system as far as the voltage regulator, go with a Standard Motor Products model VR214 regulator. Although a little pricey at around $100, they are American made, and last for years. 5 of my tractors have them on them now, one on one of my Super C's is going on 7 years old.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have 3 140s. Same basic tractor but mine a re a later version than the SAs.

I also have a 140, they sure are an ugly bugger with the square hoods, but they are a great little tractor.

Mine has a belly sickle mower on it, as it was bought new by the New York road commission to mow roadsides.

SR

 

[Shady oak]

All those Farmall letter series (A, B, C, F, & M--and its kid brother, the Cub) along with their upgraded, numbered series machines were great tractors that, with a little TLC, will serve for many years. Enjoy your this new member of the family.
BTW, another option, if it hasn't been converted to 12-volts and if the generator is still working, would be to use an 8 volt battery. It'll start better in colder weather and the generator will keep it up, though you might want to add a trickle charger during colder weather.

Have done the 8V battery in a 1950 Chevy pickup. Works great!

 

[workinonit]

I have my 3 setup to do different functions, Full cultivator setup on one, hillers on one and planter and rolling cultivator baskets on the 3rd. With a 100 HP JD I don't need any tillage or grass cutting equipment on them.

 

[Ricn]

Man those are great suggestions, every one and the sort of info I'll need to have and soon. Like the idea of electronic ignition as I put that on my 1950 International 30 yra ago, what a difference too! As to farming with SA, my days are mostly behind me now but still mowing hay and pulling the baler; mostly, my boys do everything now.
No implements available with the SA, the guy having it just drove in parades and such. Looking online, additions for the small Farmall's are too expensive now besides, I'll be busy fixing a few things like a new back tire, learning about the hydraulics and what parts are needed making it useful. A good shop manual might explain how all the cultivation tools worked, if finding one. If possible, I'd like to actually use the hydro feature but what it was used for I need to learn.