New A Owner

[CPIII]

I am the new owner of a 1947 Farmall A. I have restored a 48 Cub in the last few years and have been looking for an A to restore. I finally found one that is in my price range. So I bit the bullet. I was looking for a Super A but couldn't find one in my price range. Is it possible to purchase the hydraulic unit and controls and install them to make mine a Super A? I would think so as it is possible to do something similar to a Cub...but I just wanted to make sure. I am looking forward to restoring this one.....as I spent many summers mowing my grandpa's farm (The lower 40 acres) on my dad's A with a pull behind shredder. It was a endless job ...pretty much as just as I got to one end it was time to start shredding the end I stated with. I am also looking forward to driving the A in the 4th of July parade in Shiner ....maybe not this year but the next.

All suggestions and comments are appreciated.....

[havoc1482]

Congrats on the purchase! Got any pics?

As far as I know getting a TC hydraulic unit on an A isn't easy because the area where it sits under the gas tank on a Super A is not flat.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Not practical to add touch control to an A. Most of them do not have a place for the pump on the engine, and unless it has been changed there is no place on the torque tube for the touch control to mount. also, implement mounts for A and super A or considerably different.

[SONNY]

I agree with the guys from the "costly/possible no fit" standpoint! ---as stated earlier these are two VERY different model tractors and a lot of parts will be the same,--- a lot of critical parts wont be the same!
I have one A tractor plus one SUPER A sitting right here now behind the house under 5' of snow!

[Super A]

You'd need a Super A torque tube, instrument panel, the block would need to be late enough to have the hole for the pump (It might be since it's a 47) and there's some other little stuff that would have to be changed. As others have said it's not very practical or cost-effective.

Al

[CPIII]

Thanks for all the replies. I was unaware that it would tale that much to add a touch control. I will just leave it as it is then as my dad's "A" was like this one except it didn't have electric start. I am recovering from another hip replacement at this time so I won't get to play with it for quite a while. I still have to arrange to have it picked up. I forgot to mention that the deal also includes a 2nd engine and set of fenders.Below are a few pics

My A.jpg (43.94 KiB) Viewed 352 times

My A2.jpg (49.17 KiB) Viewed 352 times

My A3.jpg (50.01 KiB) Viewed 352 times

[SONNY]

Does the second engine have the hyd pump hole in it?---If so then you would still need torque tube! thanks; sonny

[Dale Finch]

I actually have a Super A torque tube from my parts SA, if you did have an engine with the spot for the hyd pump. However, I sold the hydraulic pump and manifold, as well as the hyd control quadrant...all of which you would still need. Oh, as well as the TC unit!!

Probably a LOT cheaper just to get a SA to begin with!

[SONNY]

I have looked closer at my A and can see adding a front mount pump/res./directional control valve/hoses, AND have standard full hyd system!!!----A rock shaft could also be made to fit!!---BUT you want to start out with an A tractor that is in great shape before going to this work! thanks; sonny

[artc]

the rear fenders on a super A are much heavier than those on an A to accommodate the rockshaft. final drive mounts are different as well as the steering post/ dashboard to support the touch control unit. then the gas tank is different to fit on the touch control. I could probably go on, but all of that makes trying to turn an A into a super A completely impractical.

[CPIII]

Thanks for all the replies. I have resigned myself to just keeping it as is.......I am still recovering from a hip replacement so I still don't have possession of the tractor as I am not able to pick it up. But I worked out a deal and the seller is delivering it this weekend. So I will give more updates on the condition of the second motor and the extra pair of fenders. I am so chomping at the bit to start working on this one......but I still have 2 more weeks until I can put weight on my right leg.

Thanks again for all the help!

[Don McCombs]

Don't rush your recovery. The tractor will be there when you're ready.

[CPIII]

Thanks for the reply Don..... Its hard but I know I have to take it easy. This has been a rough year for me so far.... two rounds of back surgery and now this......It has been a long road for me and i really miss being able to tinker in my shop.......but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I haven't started my cub since July when I drove it in the parade.

[SONNY]

The fenders on my A are same weight as my SA,---so somewhere along the line one of the tractors has been changed! thanks; sonny

[CPIII]

Well I had my A delivered this weekend and everything looks fairly good. There is broken ear (Has been repaired well) but I have the second engine that looks really good. I am planning on getting it running and then go from there as it will only be used in parades and light work around the house....but anyway first things first.....get it running. Checked the magneto and I am getting a nice blue arc....Great! Then I checked compression by turning it over with the hand crank...really good compression from what I can tell. .. Now I have removed the carb and bought what I thought was the right kit from TSC.......NOT....so I started looking on the net for the correct kit based on the bowl gasket that I removed from the carb. So far I haven't been able to find anything close can I attached a picture below if anyone can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

Carb Gasket.JPG (31.43 KiB) Viewed 144 times