Super A

[Tractored]

I have been searching for information on this. It is the word "Special" cast into the engine block of my 1951 Super A. If anyone has any insight for me I would appreciate it! THANKS!

 

[Jack OH]

Why does it have a u-joint on the steering shaft, my SA doesn't have that? What else about that tractor is special?

Jack

 

[Mark]

I haven"t got a clue....but I want to know all about your power steering set up.

 

[Andy Motteberg]

It was probably added for the power steering torque motor??

 

[Tractored]

This is my mowing tractor. I have the front tires loaded and weights on them to help stabilize the tractor on the hills around here. When I added the weight to the front tires it became hard to steer especially when trimming around trees. I fabricated a mount for the Charlyn power steering motor that attaches to the front engine block mounts. It was necessary to add the universal joint so the steering motor would work correctly. Somewhat like the fancy spline joint that is typically on M"s with the Charlyn setup. The motor is the same one that is on M"s, 400"s etc. The pump is one that I found in a salvage yard and mounted it up under the hood above the generator. It runs off the same belt as the generator. The belt is just a little bit longer. It works very well. I also had to install a lovejoy coupler on the other end of the torque motor, again similar to the loose fitting pin that typically on M"s with this system. I"ll attach another picture a with a little bit more detail.
Untitled URL Link

 

[Tractored]

Here is another picture.....

 

[Tractored]

here is another view......

 

[Kendall]

That rang a bell in my head so i looked back through the archives and see you've been searching for an answer since Dec of 1999...
http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=51536
and again in Dec of 2005...
http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=527558

i think i've heard this talked about before so I dug more and found this...
http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=440735

and this...
http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=98854

I think Jim Becker probably had the best answer when he said: "This is interesting. The Super A parts book (if you get the right edition) shows some changes at serial #310300 (in 1951), at least suggesting that block 354898R1 was used from that point on. Yours may have an early casting of that part from when it was still being evaluated."
Im guessing after the evaluation period was over, they removed the "special" from the casting. Seems like I've read somewhere something about markings like this to notify dealers that if this engine ever came in for replacement, it was to be returned for evaluation, but I cant be sure, but it would make since if it was the first run of a new casting design.
You've been looking for the right answer for a long time. I hope someone will eventually come up with THE right answer for you.

 

[Tractored]

Thanks Kendall for gathering all the liks for me. I didn't realize that I had asked so many times. Maybe old age? I remember someone had a Super C with that casting and it was a 1951 as well. This is the first that I have been informed of a factory return request on the block. This is all really interesting to me. Maybe I'm just a fanatic but owning a piece of history and knowing about it great! Thanks again for your help!

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a B that has SAMPLE cast into the block in front of the filter was cast in Feb 47 with hy pump and C rockshaft. They built a battbox and welded the B steering post on top uses the C levers and the B lite sw assy. Not a dent on any sheet metal cast centers on rear wheels. Used the B starter and still has the cutout on the generator. Seen an A in SYMCO WISC that had strange hy pump. Different hy controls and batt under the seat. It was purchased from a retired fellow who worked at Hinsdale and he wanted it for a retirement gift.Castings were early 40s. Several other different things on the tractor. My B appears same as the SUPER B that never went into production. From all observations has never been repaired ex headgasket. They used a worm for the steering and moveD the u-joint back for clearence of the hy pump from an A. Verry interesting tractor. They had a cult for it but i couldnt see because of a divorce in the family. The owner didnt know what he had just paid him his asking price and took it home.