My dad’s all-time favorite tractor is the Farmall H. Because he buys and sells tractors for a living, we see a lot of old iron come and go – but a Farmall H is almost always “in stock.” Here’s a picture of my dad with his current H, a 1939. If you aren’t a Farmall H fan, here are my dad’s story and top reasons why he loves the Farmall H. Perhaps he’ll convince you to join the fan club!
I went in with my brother to buy my first Farmall H. I was 15, he was 13, and the tractor was the key to our money-making scheme. I-69 was under construction just a few miles from our home, and firewood was free for the cutting! We figured we could make good money cutting and selling firewood, but the key was a reliable tractor to haul it with.
We found the perfect tractor in a non-running Farmall H. The price was right (just $250), and our dad helped us get it running in no time. We bought a manure spreader to use as a cheap, heavy-duty trailer and borrowed a chainsaw from my grandpa. We were in business!
The only question was who got to drive the tractor. The Farmall H is just plain fun to drive – you sit up high, and the road gear zips along at around 15 miles an hour. It has plenty of pulling power, too. The long stroke engine gives a lot of torque, and the tall skinny tires pull well in snow and muck. The clutch lets out nice and easy, so we could load the wagon (aka manure spreader) high and still have a smooth ride without loosing wood on the road.
We made around $50 a day selling wood – good money for two teenage boys back then! I used my share of the profits to buy a top-of-the-line .22 rifle, which I still have today. That particular Farmall H was sold once the free firewood was all gone, but I bought another not too long afterwards. Today, I use a Farmall H more days than not.
The Farmall H is a great tractor. If you don’t have one already, here are my top ten reasons why you should join the fan club:
- They fit the budget. These days, you can find a Farmall H for around $1,000 – that’s a lot of bang for the buck!
- Parts are easy to get, both aftermarket and original.
- The tractor is easy to work on – it was a great tractor to learn on as a boy, and still a pleasure to repair today.
- It’s a well-designed tractor, without any regular flaws.
- The Farmall H starts easily and runs smoothly, even in the cold.
- It’s perfect for the pushing and pulling tasks I tackle every day. I’ve added extra weights and bigger tires to my tractor, and it handles the added weight with more power to spare.
- It’s fun to drive. You sit up tall on the seat, making it easy to see what’s ahead.
- The tractor is surprisingly fuel-efficient, saving money and time (no need to stop work for frequent fill-ups).
- The clutch can be let out slow and easy – something I really appreciate with pull-starts and when hauling full wagons.
- Red is my favorite color – it looks good on tractors, trucks, and barns (three of my favorite things).
How about you – what do you love about the Farmall H?
Justin says
I agree. My favorite also.
Steven Moss says
Back in the 1970s and 80s I drove by a hay field on my way to and from work every day,the man had two Farmall Hs he cut hay with.He left them out beside the field all winter,I thought what a shame,if those were mine I’d have them in a shed,I now have about 6or 7 Hs
Mikel Hofer says
The second picture is actually MY H! A 1943 completely overhauled front to back by myself, my father, and my grandfather. It gets used for towing aircraft and some farm tasks here in South Dakota. Good blog!
Anthony Delucia says
I bought my first 1949 farmall H and it’s been restored better than it was when it was new and I completely love it I got it for my house in the white mountains of new Hampshire I wouldn’t sell it for anything great tractor anthony…