With each set up "stock," both should be quite reliable, since we are essentially comparing a "standard tread" or "wheatland" version of the M Farmall (W-6) versus the H Farmall (W-4). The first of these was built in 1939 and the last in 1951 or 1952. The design is time tested as the first models built are approaching 80 years of age. Keep in mind they must also be taken care of and maintained. I have a 1949 H Farmall we have had since 1979. Changes of oil, tune ups, and minor repairs in all these years, but the engine is getting rather tired, too. I am sure if it was torn down, it would be rather costly to start "re-newing" all in need of repair. Those "supped up" M's and Super M's with the M & W Firecrater pistons could and would crack engine blocks if pushed too hard.
 
W4 and W6 are basicly an H and M. They are both extremely reliable. The W6/M is at least1/3 to 1/2 bigger/more power than the w4/H
 
they are both a good unit. the W6 was probably one of the best tractors in its time, and it just keep getting more improvements with each model right up to the 560.i remember we did a couple valve jobs on our W6 in the 1960's and in 1973 at 16 years of age i put a set of rings and brgs in it and replaced the clutch. then those tractors did a lot of work and run pretty steady getting the crop in.not like now doing a bit of light duty work. we pulled a 3/16 john deere plow in 3rd gear and a 10' john deere disc in 3rd gear also. dad said if the pulling gets hard shift to second gear , not too often had to use second.
the W4 was just a smaller version and they pulled good for their size.
 

They'll still be going after the electronic plastic junk is scrapped.

Kind of obsolete for doing much now though. Have a 4 in the shed, still 6 volt. Still runs good.
 
Still waitin' for the "electronic plastic junk" to die as predicted... "Electronic plastic junk" 71 series Magnums are 30 years old now and still going strong, and are regarded as some of the best modern tractors ever made.
 
A ?souped up? M would crack the block?? Hmm never heard of that. I have the M we used on the farm for years. It has fire crater thin wall sleeves and pistons in it since it?s overhaul in the mid seventies. I?d bet there aren?t many others that could brag that their M has coverted more gallons of gas into useable power than this one. It has NEVER cracked the block or head for that matter. For 10-12 years it turned a NH 357 grinder mixer with the 21? mill and the big mixer tank(I think it was called 100 bushels vs the smaller 80). The bigger mixer had a bottom mixer cone about 3 feet in diameter that turned with the center mix auger. When the mix tank was about 1/2 full it took about 1/2 the power the M had just to turn that. Then we always fed the mill grain with a 4? electric auger out of the bin, which loaded the tractor to at least the other half of its output. So the last 50 bushels of the mix tank was put in with the old M basically flat out throttle plate pinned wide open with the governor for about 30-40 minutes. We would grind 3-4 full mixers a week to feed the hogs and beef cattle. Still has the same sleeves, pistons and rings put in in the 70s and sure it has some wear uses a little oil, but she?s no old smoky. Tractor is now light duty assisting with tree brush clean up using the trip loader. So how is that for reliable?
W-4/W-6, H or M all very reliable IMHO.
 
Never driven a W4 or a W6, but the first tractor I ever drove was an AW-7 Diesel raking hay with a GL-100 rake under my Dad's watchful eye. That was the beginning of my love for IH products. Dad eventually sold the AW-7; I would love to buy it back or get hold of another one. Magnificent tractor! Photograph is of an AW-7 Diesel at an IH Club Rallly in Geelong.
SadFarmall
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