Identifying Stages of Super M's

michaelr · Feb 12, 2015

Could you guys please teach me how to identify Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III Super M's?

Charlie M · Feb 12, 2015

I believe the changes were as follows: Stage 1 - more horsepower, stage 2 - live hydraulics, stage 3 - TA and there was a stage 4 - 400 model. I think all stages had disk brakes. Not sure what else went with each stage.

Lucas0522 · Feb 12, 2015

'52 Stage I: Larger engine than regular M. C248(M) to a C264(SM)
Kept battery under the gas tank and belly hydraulic pump.
Came with disk brakes and upholstered spring and shock flip seat (I forget the official name of this style of seat)
Introduction of the newer style factory wide fronts with the tie rods behind the axle.

'53-'54 Stage II: The belly pump is removed and replaced with distributor driven live hydraulics. The battery is moved from under the gas tank to under the seat.

'54 Stage III: Torque Amplifier and Independent Power Take-Off was added. TA and IPTO deletes were a factory option.

Now there wasn't a specific break between the stages, i.e. late model M's with disk brakes, '54 SM's with belly pumps but the battery under the seat. IH used what they had and didn't let anything get scrapped or go to waste.

D Slater · Feb 12, 2015

Serial number breaks will tell. But if not a diesel stage 1 have 2 bolt starter mounting stage 2 three bolt and if calling SMTA stage 3, three bolt starter also. Stage three will have 4 bolts that can be seen on each side mounting the clutch housing or center housing to the transmission housing. 1 bolt inside that can't be seen. stage 1 and 2 have 1 bolt on each side that can be seen without looking up in the bottom of housing.
Diesel stage one have a 3 bolt mount starter without a starter switch on the starter. Stage 2 and 3 diesel use the same 3 mount starter with a switch on the starter. Manual operating linkage is used to engage the starter drive and switch.
If they have original serial plates and parts. Stage 1 Louisville serial # L-500001 to L-504801. Stage two L-504802 to L-512541. No stage 3.
Farmall works serial numbers stage one, F-501 to F-28174. Stage two F-28175 to f-52627. Stage 3, 60001 to 83523.
Some models not exact, example stage two SMD started at serial number 28181, but no diesels were built from 28175 until the 28181 so the 28175 works as the cut off.

DeltaRed · Feb 12, 2015

Yep,I agree. But things get changed after 60 years...Case in point.I have a stage II SM. But I removed the under seat battery box assembly(it was rusted out junk) and replaced it with a older'Monrow' seat suspention.Then I put the battery under the tank.Does that mean that is now a 'stage I'? LOL So, looks can be decieveing.....

michaelr · Feb 12, 2015

Thanks guys, that helps. There is a 'M' I am looking at with disc brakes and belly pump. So I take it to mean it is likely a Stage I, with the larger Super M engine.

Bob M · Feb 12, 2015

FWIW some Stage II SM's were built with belly pump hydraulics or no hydraulics at all (the live pump was a factory delete option for the Stage II).

D Slater · Feb 12, 2015

Delete

rustyfarmall · Feb 12, 2015

(quoted from post at 09:18:26 02/12/15) Thanks guys, that helps. There is a 'M' I am looking at with disc brakes and belly pump. So I take it to mean it is likely a Stage I, with the larger Super M engine.

Not necessarily. There are several Ms, (not Super Ms) equipped with the aftermarket "Ausco-Lambert" disc brakes. These are slightly different in appearance from the IH disc brakes, but to the untrained eye, can easily be mistaken for the IH brakes.

John A. · Feb 12, 2015

Guys, We Buy you Books, Books, & more Books and All Y'all do is Chew the Covers off!!!
Some of You love to discredit Me @ most any Turn!
So! Shut Up, Pay Attention & LEARN!!!!!!!!
As out-lined in The Farmall Bible!
Guy Fays Farmall Letter Series Tractors Book
Now Y'all open your Copy to Chapter 9
the Super M, TA, Super 6, Super W6-TA.
Page 109
LH column
Start with a basic run of the mill, rowcrop M
Stage I,
Standard M + disc Brakes and larger Engine
Stage II,
Stage I + live hydrolics and Super C seat
Stage III,
the entire M-TA series,
Stage II + TA,& Live PTO
********************************
Stage IV,
The 400 Number Series
*
*
*
The Linage of the Super M culminates in the Number series with the 400
*
*Just like in Church as your Pastor says Don't take my word for it! Open up your Copy and Check for yourself!
Later,
John A.

D Slater · Feb 12, 2015

Control rod bracket used on stage 2 SM without a engine driven hydraulic pump.

lee little · Feb 12, 2015

Thats wild! I had never considered a 400 a stage 4 M .

mkirsch · Feb 13, 2015

The "stages" describe only SUPER M's. A plain M is not considered a stage.

Two gotchas with disk brakes:
1. The very last plain M's came with IH disk brakes same as the Super Ms. IH did some mixing and matching of parts during the transition from M to Super M production in 1952. These are rare but they are out there.

2. Some plain Ms were fitted with aftermarket Lambert disk brakes. These brakes only have 3 bolts where the IH brakes have 6, so they are easy to tell apart.

dej(Jed) · Feb 13, 2015

(quoted from post at 09:10:11 02/12/15) Yep,I agree. But things get changed after 60 years...Case in point.I have a stage II SM. But I removed the under seat battery box assembly(it was rusted out junk) and replaced it with a older'Monrow' seat suspention.Then I put the battery under the tank.Does that mean that is now a 'stage I'? LOL So, looks can be decieveing.....

What he said............I would bet that 50% of these old tractors are Johnny Cashed. Heck I know guys here in Pa, who take off the disc brakes and put band brakes on them. Factory Correct...
LOL

Identifying Stages of Super M's

michaelr

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Charlie M

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Lucas0522

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D Slater

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DeltaRed

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michaelr

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Bob M

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D Slater

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rustyfarmall

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John A.

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D Slater

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lee little

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mkirsch

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dej(Jed)

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