Farmall A

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Farmall A
Farmall A tractor VA2.jpg
Farmall Super A
TypeRow-crop agricultural tractor
Manufacturer International Harvester
Production1939-1954
Length106.8 inches (271 cm)
Width62 inches (160 cm)
Height64.25 inches (163.2 cm) (to wheel)
Weight3,570 pounds (1,620 kg)
PropulsionRear wheels
Engine modelInternational Harvester C113
Gross power17 horsepower (13 kW)
PTO power18.34 horsepower (13.68 kW) (belt)
Drawbar power16.32 horsepower (12.17 kW)
Drawbar pull 2,387 pounds (1,083 kg)
NTTL test 329
Preceded by Farmall F-14
Succeeded bySuper A/A-1, followed by Farmall 100/130/140

The Farmall A is a small one-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1939 to 1947. The tractor was popular for its set of innovative features in a small, affordable implement. It succeeded the Farmall F-14. The A was incrementally updated with new model numbers as the Super A, 100, 130 and 140, but remained essentially the same machine. Like the smaller Farmall Cub, the Farmall A features a distinctive offset engine, displaced to the left over wide-set front wheels, to allow vision straight ahead. An International Harvester C113 4-cylinder in-line engine was used for early models, increased to an IH C123 with the A-1. The most significant change was the introduction of hydraulics with the Super A. The series was produced until 1973.

Contents

Description and production

Styled by Raymond Loewy, [1] [2] it was one of International Harvester's "letter series", with 117,522 produced over the 8-year run, replacing the Farmall F-14. The A was rated for one 14-inch (36 cm) plow. [3]

The Farmall A is equipped with the F-14's International Harvester C113 4-cylinder inline overhead valve engine, with a 113-cubic-inch (1,850-cubic-centimetre) displacement. The transmission contains five total gears in a sliding gear arrangement: four forward and one reverse, transmitted to a portal axle. The A featured a wide front wheel track with an offset engine, intended to allow for a better view ahead and branded "Cultivision." [4] . The Model A had a 20 pound stamped-steel disk on the left rear wheel and a 170 pound cast-iron disk on the right wheel; the right front wheel had a bolted on weight. The offset engine benefited front-mounted cultivators, compared with the towed equipment used by competing Ford-Ferguson tractors. [3] As with other Farmall letter-series tractors, the design featured an integral frame and unitary construction, allowing entire assemblies to be replaced. Rear wheels on all models used a geared portal axle to provide sufficient ground clearance, and could be adjusted in width over a range of 40 inches (100 cm) to 68 inches (170 cm). [5] [6]

Farmall Super A Farmall Super A tractor PA1.jpg
Farmall Super A

A variants

Versions were produced for both gasoline and kerosene fuel. [3] [7] The Farmall B is essentially the same tractor, but with the engine centered for narrow front wheels, and the seat offset instead of the engine, with a wider range of rear wheel adjustment for two-row cultivation. [5] The AV hiboy variant, with 5 inches (13 cm) more clearance, was intended for vegetable crops, and the International A (or AI) for industrial use. The International A featured a foot throttle and a heavier front axle, and was chiefly used as a mower. [8] [9] About 210,000 As and Bs were produced, selling for between $575 and $1,000. [10]

Super A

From 1947 to 1954, International Harvester produced the Farmall Super A, with the same engine displacement, but with a hydraulic lift system. About 94,000 Super A tractors were produced, including Super AV variants. [6] In 1954 the Super A-1 was produced, using a higher-rpm International Harvester C123 engine, and was otherwise identical to the Super A.The Super A/A-1 was replaced by the Farmall 100. [11] [12]

Farmall 100

Farmall 100
Farmall 100 tractor MD1.jpg
A Farmall 100 on a flatbed
TypeRow-crop agricultural tractor
Manufacturer International Harvester
Production1954-1956
Length107 inches (270 cm)
Width62
Height65 inches (170 cm) (to steering wheel)
Weight3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) operating, 4,333 pounds (1,965 kg) ballasted
PropulsionRear wheels
Engine modelInternational Harvester C123 (gasoline)
Gross power22 horsepower (16 kW)
PTO power20.13 horsepower (15.01 kW) (belt)
Drawbar power17.83 horsepower (13.30 kW)
Drawbar pull 2,503 pounds (1,135 kg)
NTTL test 537
Preceded byFarmall Super A-1
Succeeded byFarmall 130

The Farmall 100 was introduced in 1955 as an update to the A-1. It was identical to the A-1 in all respects, but with a new grille and raised chrome lettering. [13] Engines could still be configured for gasoline, kerosene or distillate. [14] Total production was 16,191, with an additional 1,057 high-clearance models. The IH 100 was produced as an industrial tractor. [15] [16]

Farmall 130

The Farmall 130 was produced from 1956 to 1958. It differed from the 100 in having white trim and a higher compression ratio. [17] The IH 130 was produced as an industrial tractor, and a high-crop version, called the 130 HiClear, was produced. [18] [19] About 15,000 130s were produced, selling for about $2,000. [20]

Farmall 140

The Farmall 140 was similar to the 130, but with a 12-volt electrical system in lieu of six volts. It was produced from 1958 to 1973. In 1963 it was restyled in a squared-off manner to match larger Farmall tractors. [21] Total production was 66,290. The IH 140 was produced as an industrial tractor, and a high-crop version, called the 140 Hi-Clear, was produced. [22] [23] [24] Sale prices were between $2,400 and $4,300. [20]

Comparable products

Comparable products to the A included the Ford 9N, Allis-Chalmers C, John Deere H, and Case VC. [25] The Massey Pacer was similar to the 100. [13] The Ford 640 was comparable to the 130. [17] The Ford 651 and Oliver Super 66 were similar to the 140 and 240. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall</span> Model and brand of tractors

Farmall was a model name and later a brand name for tractors manufactured by International Harvester (IH), an American truck, tractor, and construction equipment company. The Farmall name was usually presented as McCormick-Deering Farmall and later McCormick Farmall in the evolving brand architecture of IH.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall Cub</span> Motor vehicle

The Farmall Cub or International Cub was the smallest tractor manufactured by International Harvester (IH) under either the McCormick-Deering, Farmall, or International names from 1947 through 1979 in Louisville, Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall H</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall H is a medium-sized two-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1939 to 1954. It was the most widely produced of International Harvester's "letter series", with approximately 390,000 produced over the 14-year run. It succeeded the Farmall F-20. The H was incrementally updated with new model numbers as the Super H, 300, and 350, but remained essentially the same machine. The original H used an International Harvester C152 4-cylinder in-line engine. Production of all versions lasted until 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall M</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall M is a large three-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1939 to 1953. It was of International Harvester's "letter series". It succeeded the Farmall F-30. The M was incrementally updated with new model numbers as the MD Super M, Super MD Super M-TA, but remained essentially the same machine. The original M used an International Harvester C248 4-cylinder in-line engine. Production of all versions lasted until 1954, when it was replaced by the Farmall 400 which was essentially the same machine with updated sheet metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall C</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall C is a small two-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1948 to 1951. The C was developed from the Farmall B as a slightly larger, more versatile implement, raising and moving the B's offset operator seat to the centerline and increasing the wheel size to allow a straight, widely-adjustable rear axle. The C kept the International Harvester C123 engine that had been used in the Super A model. The tractor was heavier and more robust, and featured hydraulic capability from the beginning. The C was incrementally updated with new model numbers as the Super C, 200, 230 and 240, but remained essentially the same machine. The closely related successors to the C were produced until 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall B</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall B is a small one-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1939 to 1947. It was derived from the popular Farmall A, but was offered with a narrow set of centerline front wheels instead of the A's wide front axle, allowing two-row cultivation. The operator's seat was offset to the right to allow better forward visibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall 60 series tractors</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall 60 series tractors are general-purpose row-crop tractors that replaced the larger models of the Farmall letter series beginning in 1958. Produced from 1958 to 1963, the Farmall 460 and 560 tractors represented a modernization of the Farmall H and Farmall M respectively, with higher-horsepower 6-cylinder engines in a restyled body. The heavy general-purpose 660 was sold under the International brand, and was a successor to the McCormick-Deering W series tractors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McCormick-Deering W series tractors</span> General-purpose crop tractor

The McCormick-Deering W series tractors were a range of standard-tread farming and industrial tractors produced by International Harvester that were derived from the Farmall letter series row-crop tractors of the 1940s and 1950s. Branded by International Harvester as McCormick-Deering products, with the same styling and red paint as the Farmall line, the W series had fixed wheel widths, lower height and wide front axles. Starting in 1956 the W series was integrated into the International Harvester numbering series and the McCormick-Deering branding was dropped.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall F-30</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall F-30 is a large three-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1931 to 1939, with approximately 28,900 produced. It was a larger successor to the Farmall Regular, and was replaced in 1939 by the Farmall M as the largest tractor in the Farmall line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall F-20</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall F-20 is a medium-sized two-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1932 to 1939, with approximately 148,000 produced. It replaced the Farmall Regular, and was itself replaced in 1939 by the Farmall H.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall F-12</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall F-12 is a small two-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1932 to 1938, with approximately 123,000 produced. An improved model, the two-plow F-14, was produced beginning in 1938 and ending in 1939, when the Farmall letter series tractors were introduced.

The Farmall 340 is a medium-sized row-crop tractor, first produced as part of the Farmall line by International Harvester in 1957. The 340 was a completely new design, unrelated to its predecessor the Farmall 350. Production ran until 1963 for the Farmall model, while production under the International and International Harvester name ran until 1965.

The Farmall 04 series tractors are a family of row-crop tractors with four-cylinder engines, continuing the tradition of four-cylinder engines in Farmall and parent company International Harvester for general-purpose and row-crop tractors. In the early 1960s demand for more power led to the 06 series with six-cylinder engines. Four-cylinder engines were reserved for tractors equivalent to the Farmall H and smaller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall 06 series tractors</span> Row-crop tractors

The Farmall 06 series tractors are a family of row-crop tractors with six-cylinder engines, providing greater horsepower than the parallel product line of four-cylinder Farmall 04 series tractors. Until the late 1950s, Farmall and parent company International Harvester tractors used four-cylinder engines for general-purpose and row-crop tractors. Demands for higher performance and greater horsepower led to broader use of six-cylinder engines, with the bulk of International's production moving to the larger engines. The Farmall 806 and 706 were introduced in 1963, with production running to 1967. The Farmall 1206 was introduced in 1965 as the most powerful tractor of its time, using a turbocharged diesel engine. Production of the 1206 also ran until 1967. The 06 series sold well and was regarded as extremely successful.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall Regular</span> Row crop tractor

The Farmall Regular, or just the Farmall, was the first in the Farmall line of general-use row-crop tractors manufactured by International Harvester. The Regular was the first affordable tractor that could be used for plowing, stationary threshing, or cultivating. For most of its product life it was marketed as the "Farmall," with the "Regular" added when the Farmall F-20 and F-30 appeared as its successors. More than 134,000 were sold from 1924 to 1931.

International Harvester produced farm tractors in Australia under both the Farmall and McCormick International brands from 1939 until 1973, after which only the McCormick International brand was used. As in the North American market, the Farmall brand was reserved primarily for row-crop tractors with narrow front wheels. Farmall tractors were sold alongside wide-front McCormick International-badged tractors of the same series. Initial production was mainly from imported parts. The first fully-Australian-made tractors were not built at the Geelong works until 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall Britain</span>

International Harvester's Farmall brand of tractors were built in the United Kingdom between 1949 and 1970. The Farmall name was applied sparingly to International Harvester's UK products, appearing only as the BM, BMD and B-450.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmall France</span>

International Harvester's Farmall brand of tractors were built in France between 1951 and 1964. Initially produced from US-made components, tractors were made at the International Harvester (IH) plant in Saint-Dizier with French parts from 1952. A range of models were produced, many based on the Farmall C, with special narrow-track models for use in vineyards. The offering gradually broadened, with adaptations of IH Germany models. The Farmall brand was phased out in 1964, with subsequent machines bearing the International Harvester brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Deere Model G</span> Row crop tractor

The John Deere Model G tractor was a large three-plow row-crop tractor produced by John Deere from 1937 to 1953, with successor models produced until 1961. It was followed by the 70, 720, and 730.

References

  1. Pripps, Robert N. (2020). The Complete Book of Farmall Tractors. Motor Books. pp. 58–59. ISBN   978-0-7603-6389-8.
  2. Klancher, Lee (2017). The Farmall Dynasty (1.2 ed.). Octane Press. p. 108. ISBN   978-0-9821733-0-5.
  3. 1 2 3 Pripps pp. 59-63
  4. Klancher, p. 109
  5. 1 2 Klancher, pp. 110-113
  6. 1 2 "Farmall Letter Series". SUNY Fredonia. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  7. "Farmall A". TractorData. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  8. Klancher, pp. 115-16
  9. "Farmall B". TractorData. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  10. Pripps, p. 109
  11. Pripps p. 92
  12. "Farmall Super A". TractorData. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  13. 1 2 Pripps, p. 114
  14. Klancher pp. 180-181
  15. "Farmall 100". TractorData. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  16. "International Harvester 100". TractorData. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  17. 1 2 Pripps, p. 128
  18. "Farmall 130". TractorData. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  19. "International Harvester 130". TractorData. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  20. 1 2 Pripps, p. 137
  21. Pripps, p. 131
  22. "Farmall 140". TractorData. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  23. "Farmall 140". TractorSpecs. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  24. "International Harvester 140". TractorData. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  25. Pripps, p. 60
  26. Pripps, p. 132