1949 M
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:00 pm
About six years ago I found a '49 Cub for my son Kris and it was met with a mediocre response. So for the past 5 years he would occasionally look at the Cub but that was it. Well, about a year ago he decided that old tractors were about the coolest thing on the planet and his Cub was at the top of the list. Next thing I know he's washing it, tinkering on it and driving all over the neighborhood with a big grin on his face. About six months ago he mentioned that a bigger tractor would be helpful with making hay and began searching for something suitable.
Last Saturday we found a '49 M that has spent the last 32 years "resting" in a barn just 8 miles from the house. Two of the tires were flat & horribly dry-rotted, the starter was gone, and the motor was stuck. On the upside it has a belly hydraulic pump and there is very little play in the steering. After much discussion with my wife and all of my tractor friends, we made an offer and became the proud new owners of an M. The farmer we got it from was kind enough to tow it out of the barn for us so we could "tinker" before the ride home. On a whim Kris aired up the flat tires and they actually held air! He then greased anything that resembled a zerk fitting. We also pulled the spark plugs and split a quart of MMO between the four cylinders. Before we loaded it up I tried rocking the tractor in fifth gear and noticed the flywheel was actually starting to move! After we got it home I called another friend of mine and told him about our find. He laughed and said "I know that tractor...I have the starter for it. Do you want it back?" Needless to say we were psyched to get it back. Now our plan is to free up the motor, hone the cylinders and put in some fresh rings. Then a carb rebuild, change all the fluids, a fresh tune-up and then find some nice used rear tires.
The M seems to be happy at her new home, Kris is beyond excited and I'm happy to spend time working with him. His high school just started an FFA chapter and he's already scheming how to get his tractor to school.
Last Saturday we found a '49 M that has spent the last 32 years "resting" in a barn just 8 miles from the house. Two of the tires were flat & horribly dry-rotted, the starter was gone, and the motor was stuck. On the upside it has a belly hydraulic pump and there is very little play in the steering. After much discussion with my wife and all of my tractor friends, we made an offer and became the proud new owners of an M. The farmer we got it from was kind enough to tow it out of the barn for us so we could "tinker" before the ride home. On a whim Kris aired up the flat tires and they actually held air! He then greased anything that resembled a zerk fitting. We also pulled the spark plugs and split a quart of MMO between the four cylinders. Before we loaded it up I tried rocking the tractor in fifth gear and noticed the flywheel was actually starting to move! After we got it home I called another friend of mine and told him about our find. He laughed and said "I know that tractor...I have the starter for it. Do you want it back?" Needless to say we were psyched to get it back. Now our plan is to free up the motor, hone the cylinders and put in some fresh rings. Then a carb rebuild, change all the fluids, a fresh tune-up and then find some nice used rear tires.
The M seems to be happy at her new home, Kris is beyond excited and I'm happy to spend time working with him. His high school just started an FFA chapter and he's already scheming how to get his tractor to school.