Industrial Super A?

[ricky racer]

A neighbor of mine had me stop over to help him get a Super A running. The tractor had been repainted red but it was easy to see that yellow was it's original color. The original yellow paint plus the foot throttle tells me it truly is an industrial Super A. I don't recall seeing any industrial Super A's in the past. How common are they? I've not been around a lot of A's before.

[ajhbike]

I like almost everything about the Super A's good power, 2 rock shafts and the foot throttle would be a neat feature. I don't think they sit as comfortable as a cub when I rehabbed one and drove it....the seat vs the floor pan seems lower ...more reclined position

[Super A]

I don't think they're rare but not super-common either.

I'm confident some of the earlier ones (1948/49ish) ended up on farms because they were the only thing available, since wartime/postwar shortages hadn't completely gone away then.

Al

[Jim Becker]

Guy Fay's book says 838 were built. That seems low.

[ricky racer]

As I stated before, I've not been around a lot of A's so my knowledge is pretty sparse. It appears that it's not an Industrial Super A, which if I understand correctly, would be an International Super AI. It appears to be a just 1951 Farmall Super A however it has a couple of differences that I don't understand. The tractor was originally painted yellow so I assume it may have been purchased by a municipality but it also has a foot throttle and a water pump which if I understand wasn't on the 113CID engine but came on the 123CID which came out on the Super A1 and later which would have required a larger radiator, which it doesn't have. The serial tag reads FAA-1, 33111. Any thoughts on why this Super A would have a foot throttle and a water pump?

[Super A]

That’s an I on the tag. That indicates a Super AI (“A-Eye.) My guess? Is the industrial front axle got swapped. The short front spindle indicates an earlier A front axle, not a Super A so a swap seems likely. Also I’m not seeing a water pump in the photos—that looks like the standard lower radiator elbow.

Al

Yellow paint

[ricky racer]

That’s an I on the tag. That indicates a Super AI (“A-Eye.) My guess? Is the industrial front axle got swapped. The short front spindle indicates an earlier A front axle, not a Super A so a swap seems likely. Also I’m not seeing a water pump in the photos—that looks like the standard lower radiator elbow.

Al

Yellow paint

Hmmm... I'll have to take a better look. Now that he's got the tractor running good, he called me tonight and said there's an issue with the clutch.

[Super A]

That’s an I on the tag. That indicates a Super AI (“A-Eye.) My guess? Is the industrial front axle got swapped. The short front spindle indicates an earlier A front axle, not a Super A so a swap seems likely. Also I’m not seeing a water pump in the photos—that looks like the standard lower radiator elbow.

Al

Yellow paint

Hmmm... I'll have to take a better look. Now that he's got the tractor running good, he called me tonight and said there's an issue with the clutch.

The water pump would be here, and that is just the lower neck on a thermosyphon system.

FWIW, This is what tells me the front end is off a regular A--the spindles (even though it's been welded on) are flush with the steering arm. The Super A axle has spindles that stick up past the arm, like a Cub.

Al

[Matt Kirsch]

Serial 331111 and the X date code on the engine block indicate 1952.

[Jim Becker]

Agree with other's comments. International Super A with a Farmall front axle. There is nothing else unusual about it. The yellow paint may be original or there could be a layer of red or orange under the yellow. If so, it looks like the yellow did a good job of covering it.

[muleboss]

Super A ?

[ricky racer]

If it was an International AI, wouldn't the serial tag say IAA instead of FAA?

[Super A]

Super A ?super A 1.jpg

Yes and I see a foot throttle between the brakes, so probably an industrial.

Al

[Super A]

If it was an International AI, wouldn't the serial tag say IAA instead of FAA?

The way they stamped the serial numbers seems to vary over the years. It appears on the later ones they just stamped a big letter I that looks like a one. Here’s a thread over at Red Power. Notice how they stamped the tag on this 1949 Super AI. Also notice the engine serial number prefix is different from a regular Farmall.

https://www.redpowermagazine.com/forums ... mber-help/

[ricky racer]

Thanks for the all the info guys, I appreciate it.