1953 farmall Super H

[Dwashebek]

I?m looking at a restored ?53 Super H on Saturday to buy. Anything special I should be aware of or cautious about? It?s with the original family who
purchased it and was restored by the grandson of the original buyer.

 

[pat h]

Check the motor block that it's still a C-164 and enjoy - one of the finest tractors ever made !
Pat in Wis

 

[DR. EVIL]

Look the tires and rims over closely, the rears especially, a '53 should have the belly mounted non-live hyd pump, and probably won't have the quik-attach front bolster like the 300&350 Farmall's. Battery box under the gas tank. Check if the rear horseshoe shaped drawbar has been welded. Most have been reinforced AFTER they broke. Should have disk brakes, faster 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gears than a straight H. Check the wire harness over closely for condition and make sure the lights all work. The factory original harness on my '54 Super H was in terrible shape by 1980 and I replaced it. I got prints from Engineering at Farmall, I worked there, guy that sat next to me bought wire harnesses, and he had one of his suppliers make me all 4 new harnesses to the prints. Also, check to see if it's still 6V or 12V. 6V works, 12V works much better. Hope for a set or two of rear wheel weights, fenders, and that all the gauges work.
And if you get it, Let Pat H know the tractor serial number and the engine serial number which will be above the distributor on a flat machined pad on the right side of engine block.

 

[fastfarmall]

If it's got live hyd pump, on the right side, a very nice tractor, and the battery under the seat,the hyd reservoir is under the gas tank, towards the rear, chances are it's a generation 2 tractor !!

 

[Dwashebek]

Thank you very much for the advice. Tractor is completely retired right down to the original cloth covered plug wires replaced by same.

 

[Dwashebek]

Thank you!

 

[Bob M]

A '53 will be a "Stage I" with belly pump hydraulics and the battery under the gas tank. '54 will be "Stage II" with live hydraulics and the battery beneath the seat. I own one of each - they are solid, reliable tractors.

As others mention take a close look at the rear tires - a new replacements can cost as much as an otherwise good-running tractor. Also check the rear wheels for corrosion from calcium ballast (new wheels aren't cheap either!).

Check the steering for excessive play. If sloppy it may need to be rebushed and/or a new worm and sector gear - not a difficult nor costly job.

Also check the brakes. If worn or oil-soaked Super H disk brakes are almost worthless. The good news is the discs and seals are easily and inexpensively replaced.

 

[cuby]

I allways look under the rear end to see if it is cracked, been welded, or a patch. If either one to me it was used hard. Not that it hurts anything to have a patch, just not original.

 

[Dwashebek]

This tractor is a 1953 Super H serial # 19170. It has the belly hydraulic pump, but the battery is under the seat and it has the quick disconnect bolster. The owner said they started installing gen 2 ?stuff? toward the end of 1953 at about serial #16000.

 

[Dwashebek]

The tires do need to be replaced so I was able to adjust the price somewhat to compensate. Are 11.2-38 rear tires correct for replacement? After getting it home in a heated garage I did notice several drops of gear oil dripped onto the floor at a seam underneath the tractor. There is some type of inspection cover there too. Everything else about the tractor is perfect, all rebuilt and beautiful paint.