Stupid pointless question about fenders

I intend to restore my M. Still, with the front loader, the original lights bounce off the bucket occasionally, and always at the wrong time. I was thinking if I could rig a pair of these fenders onto my M when I was working, I could see better. If I wanted to show the tractor, I could always re-install my M (reproduction) fenders. I already have 12v electrics and a fairly large alternator. (And didn't have to cut the hood to get it to work!) So, I'm sure I could rig the lights OK.

I'm not really thrilled with the idea of altering my M this way, but I want to keep my options open. If I do go this route, I want the fenders to be in house when I paint the tractor, so that the paint matches.

So, which tractors had these fenders? What is your opinion on the idea?

I never really liked those two light fenders. I had them on a 504 and 656 and from operators platform they create a lot of glare when turning. I found this especially annoying turning at night on headlands. I later removed those fenders from 656 and installed a cab with lights on front of cab, that corrected the problem.

The interesting part in all of this is, I installed the fenders from the 656 on my 560, and because of the seating configuration the glare was not a problem on the 560. All you need do, is be seated behind the lights. Your seating configuration on the M will as it relates to position be the same as a 560. There are a few photos in the YT gallery of 560s with flat top fenders, they look real sharp. I have seen a 400 at a show with a set of flat tops, that looked sharp also.

I for one don't believe anything that made an old tractor safer or work more efficiently should be frowned on by old iron enthusiests. There is a good reason those old H and M fenders were not on a lot of tractors. You were actually safer with nothing, and they sure never kept you clean. Of course the alternator is a better and more efficient way to generate electricity. 6 volt alternators are also available and work very well. In my opinion all generators did was promote battery sales.

Mr. Farmall450man... I hadn't thought of mounting the tear-drops on the clamshells. This is a very exciting idea, as it does not take me away from the flavor of the M. I love the idea of explaining it via the "field mod" excuse. With the extension brackets, my clamshell fenders should be outside the frame of the loader. I've got the OEM catalog. Any idea as to which bracket bracket would be the best to try?

The great thing about this board is that I can post a stupid question, show how ignorant I am, and have people propose innovative solutions I hadn't even considered! Thanks to those who started and are running this board!!

Part of the flattop fender idea was to have a place to set my coffee, while the engine warmed up in the morning. :-) To be honest, I hadn't considered Oliver or JD fenders. I was cringing about the reaction on putting newer IH fenders on my M, and didn't want to stir the pot too deeply. I guess a bunch would depend on what's available in the yards, and how much cash they want to pull from my wallet. Thank you for this suggestion, too. It may save me some $$$.

There should be brackets/posts that have 3, 2, or 1 mounting holes. Some of these would have been from utility tractors and some would have been from the battery boxes or rear light. I didn't look in the OEM catalog, but I think they carry some of these. You can also find them from time to time on e-Bay, Link http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3801521486&category=11756, but you may end up having to bid on the lights also. You may want to look at one of the originality guides for the letter series or the hundred series to find the best bracket/post and then call a salvage yard. Good luck!

You said you had a set of reproduction fenders. I thought about this, but I happened to find an original set. By the time I got them straightened and the rust pits filled I might have been better off buiying new. I was wondering, are you happy with your reproductions? Are they heavy enough?
Paul