May Featured Photo, 1952 Farmall H

A Classic with a Twist: Kade Johnson’s 1952 Farmall H

Some tractors are just tools. Others? They’re a labor of love. For Kade Johnson, his 1952 Farmall H is definitely the latter.

Kade’s story with this tractor began in August of 2019, when he purchased it—his very first tractor. The Farmall H is an iconic machine, with over 390,000 produced in the classic International Harvester red from 1939 to 1953. But when Kade brought his home, its paint was so faded that he knew a standard red wasn’t going to cut it. He decided to give it a fresh twist—black with red trim—turning a familiar classic into something uniquely his own.

The restoration took place in July 2020. With the help of a high school buddy, Kade spent hours glass blasting, hand sanding, and repainting the tractor until it gleamed. The mechanical side of the project became a family affair—Kade’s grandpa, Dennis Johnson, helped him convert the tractor from a 6-volt to a 12-volt electrical system, breathing new life into the vintage workhorse.

To complete the rebuild, Kade turned to Steiner Tractor Parts, purchasing a spin-on oil filter adapter, carburetor rebuild kit, governor parts, and a decal set. Piece by piece, the old Farmall transformed from a tired machine into a show-stopping tractor that still works as hard as it looks.

Since its revival, Kade’s Farmall H has been a familiar sight in the community. Every year since 2020, it’s made the trip to the Symco Thresheree, a beloved celebration of antique machinery. Closer to home, it’s also a regular at the local fair, where Kade puts it to work pulling shuttles and sharing a piece of agricultural history with fairgoers.

For Kade, the Farmall isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about preserving history, honoring family ties, and putting his own stamp on a classic. From the first turn of the wrench to its first public debut, his black-and-red 1952 Farmall H stands as proof that a well-loved tractor can tell more than just one story—it can carry generations of them forward.

Connie Rohloff
Krakow, Wisconsin

Our featured tractors are selected thruout the year from the winners of our annual tractor photo contest. Our contest runs from April thru July, for exact dates and details go to our contest site at SteinerTractor.com/photo-contest

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