This tractor was purchased brand new in 1948 by my wife’s great Grandfather Claire Coates of Gunnison Utah. Its original purpose was to be a belt drive for the largest stationary thrasher in Utah at that time. It ran the thrasher until sometime in the 60’s when they got there first combine. By this time the Farmall proved to not serve much purpose on our farm as the technology had changed so much and larger more versatile tractors were being used. It was put in a shed until the late 80’s when it was brought out and setup with a Farmhand loader as the IH 450 the loader was on had just dropped a piston. My M served as our loader tractor faithfully until 2008. In the fall of that year the wide front end fell victim to the gravel we were moving and snapped in half. The tractor was destined for the scrapper until I decided to restore it as part of my graduation project from Utah State University. So in January 2010 we loaded the 48′ M and a large amount of parts from a 51′ M that was still around and hauled them to Logan Utah. My wife, a few friends, and myself began the project of restoring the tractor by May 1st. It took many long hours and a lot of frustration but we were able to see it through.
It has been neat learning about Farmall tractors and the differences. We have really gotten a kick out of the purists who hate the two-tone paint. No one knows why but that is how it was picked up from the dealer brand new.
One additional funny story. Our tractor had lost the teeth on the flywheel in the late 90’s. My wife’s 78 year old Grandpa (who was there at the dealer to see the red and white paint in person) worked the farm alone until 2005. The way he would start the Farmall was to hook it to the 2440 John Deere, put the M in low gear with the choke out, and pull start it. He would then stop the John Deere and run back to the Farmall as fast as he could to let it out of gear before it crashed into the back of the Deere. He was quite a master at this and I regret not getting it on film. He did this at least once a day for over 10 years.
I attached a before picture from about six months prior to the beginning of the restoration as I am very proud of the finished result. We used many parts from Steiner and still do to keep it running tip top for antique tractor pulls and its weekly harrowing job on our 4 acres.
The picture I submitted is from the middle of one of our hay fields where this tractor spent its first 60 years.
Guy Whalen
Veyo, Utah
Veyo, Utah
tim hughes says
looks good.i am glad you saved from the scrapper. I think the white makes it stand out.
Bill says
very nice restoration you can be very proud of it
Chelsea Swaller says
I think the two tone paint looks amazing!! Great job! I think the two tone makes the tractor look original and custom at the same time! Amazing Job!
Rebecca Gates-shortz says
I’m very impressed ! You made my grandpa clairence Coates very proud. I’m sure he’s looking down below. I remember sitting on that tractor!
Becky gates
Nick Corbett says
I’m looking at buying a Farmall AM (Australian version), it has the same two tone paint. The original owner mentioned that this is how it presented, when he purchased it new from the dealer. Love the two tone, great job
John Gold says
I too like the two-tone paint scheme. It was a dealer repaint to make it look (at a distance) like the newer tractors (Farmall 460/560). I have several M’s of various ages, and will paint one of them like this. I like that others (like you) are keeping the history of the dealer repaint scheme alive. It was common for the dealer to repaint the tractor during the winter overhaul. Gray early Farmalls would get a new coat of red paint, to look new. Farmers, like my grandfather, tended to be slightly vain when comparing tractors to their neighbors.
Terry Kennard says
My name is Terry Kennard. I am the Chair of the Freedom Festival Parade In Provo, Utah. The Parade is on the 5th of July this year. We are seeking to have restored, vintage tractors in the parade. Anyone know of tractor owners who would be interested in being in one of the biggest 4th of July parades in the Country? We usually have about 350,0000 spectators. Please email me at terry.kennard@freedomfestival.org Thanks.