When I was at the Red Power Round Up in Sedalia, MO this past summer, I spotted this interesting experimental tractor. The M is owned by Wayne Hutton of Clarence, MO.
The tractor comes from Burr Ridge–the IH experimental farm in Hinsdale, IL. The tractor was tested extensively both at the IH farm and at other local farms.
Wayne has done a lot of research on the tractor – here are his own words (from the display card attached to the M) describing the differences and history of this really unique tractor.
Many features were different than the M.
- At the Experimental Farm is was known as M-8. It has 8 forward speeds and two reverse speeds. Road gear was blocked out. This idea was later used in the 06 series.
- The hydraulic system isn’t a belly pump. The pump is in the rear end and uses the oil in the rear end as the different, the hydraulic levers are different and also the platform.
- The brake and clutch pedals were changed. Disc brakes were used then later on the Super M. The Brake lock was changed on the platform also.
- The tractor has a live PTO shaft. The brakes were made lower to allow for the PTO shaft to go to the rear of the tractor. It had an over center PTO gear box and lever that is gone. This is what the later model tractors had.
- The tractor is all different behind the motor. The light bracket, amp box, choke lever, bell housing, starter, axles and housing. The axles were bigger and longer and the housing were made shorter, also the belt pulley is different.
- The axles were changed to bigger as one fall a 2 row mounted corn picker was being used and an axle broke so they took it in and put in bigger axles.
- The tractor has a M/W governor and behlem power steering pump.
- The tractor has a 4 ⅛” piston. It must have been a power plant motor as it has a boss on side of motor for a fuel pump.
After testing, these tractors were supposed to be disassembled (to check wear patterns) and then destroyed. Somehow, this tractor escaped destruction and found its way into Wayne’s hands. I’m so glad it did! It’s really neat to see how early ideas were tested before mass production.
Bob Miller says
That is a cool ‘M’. And I thought ours was so special with the added on live hydraulics and M&W power sleeves!
sterling graham says
i rember these tractors in the central area of PEI,Canada where they were used to plow the soil, cultivate and plant the potato crops and when the potato crop was dug, by elevated potato diggers, these beasts could haul the diggers, with men on each side of the digger standing in platforms, throwing off everything like the stocks to rocks and from there the potatoes would keep on moving on a convayoe made out of chain that would letcertain sizes fall through the links and unto a conveyor where they were bagged, the larger potatoes would contine along the convayor to be bagged, usuall 2 bags at a time and from here the bags would be put on flat deck trucks, all of this ment that the tractor pulling these diggers needed a great deal of power, both to pull the diggers and to run the pto, i suppose in todays world and the fact that different potato harvesters have been invented, this wouldnt seem to be a great task, but for a young fellow in the late forties and fifthies, it was something to see.
Clint says
Enjoyed reading your post. You did a nice looking job restoring that rare find ! I growed up farming with my family as a kid and have always loved old tractors. I have an old bf min.moline and jd 60.
Im afraid were a dying breed of people, a lot of the younger generation doesn’t seem to have the same interest . great job ! keep the dream alive !
don voll says
Good day from Ontario. Interesting. I wonder how transmission was built. It says 8 spds & 2 reverse. Did they use 4 gears & high/low. Thanks