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How come no A's are on steel?

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AGEN

02-05-2001 08:22:48




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I've been restoring my A and it got me thinking. I have seen lots of Hs amd Ms with steel wheels rather than rubber, but never an A. (Just 'cause I ain't seen one don't mean there ain't none) Being as the Farmall A is of nearly the same production run as the Hs and Ms, why don't we see more on steel wheels? Any ideas?




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Jim Becker

02-07-2001 17:03:53




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 Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 08:22:48  
The A was designed as a special purpose tractor. I think that by the time it came out, rubber tires already were dominating in those areas. There probably wasn't much point in doing a steel wheel version.

During the worst of the material shortages of WWII, tractors that were being built were on steel. They weren't even making As. About all an IH dealer could get was an H on steel.



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Dave G

02-07-2001 21:11:38




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 Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Jim Becker, 02-07-2001 17:03:53  
I have a 1945 & 46 Farmall B and they have steel shift knobs. Somebody said that it was due to rubber shortage during WW II. I thought that was strange that they wanted to save on that small amount of rubber and still go with rubber tires.



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Elden Denning

02-06-2001 10:54:42




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 Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 08:22:48  
It seems IH never designed or sold any A, B, or BN tractors on steel, I've got a lot of old IH sales literature and never seen any of these tractors illustrated on steel. Can you imagine bogeying down the road (gravel, of course) on a A Farmall wide open in fourth gear????



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Charles Norwood

02-05-2001 19:55:53




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 Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 08:22:48  
I grew up on a vegetable farm in the 40's and 50's. We had 2 H's that we interchanged steel and rubber. We used 11-38 rears for tillage and narrow steel wheels for cultivating in 20" rows because the rows were a little narrow for the tires. We also had a couple of B's with 9-24 rubber. That width was fine for cultivating. Never saw an A or B with steel, mainly because the tires were the right width for cultivating, and as you say apparently they weren't an option. Have seen a lot of Ford 8N's and Ferguson 20's or 30's with steel though. Steel on those farms had little to do with a rubber shortage, but were based on row width. Why not simply use wider rows? I don't know--tradition, I guess. Haven't been back in years.

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sammy the RED

02-05-2001 15:32:51




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 Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 08:22:48  
Looked at my parts book. No steel wheel option did I find.



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Charlie

02-05-2001 15:04:40




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 Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 08:22:48  
Seems like I've seen pictures of an A on steel but I can't remember where - it would have been in a book somewhere. Given the tight rubber supplies during the war I would have expected some steel wheels on all tractors. I would guess anyone who had steel didn't wait long after the war to get rid of them - they're a tough ride and not as good on traction as rubber.



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Red Dave

02-05-2001 09:01:21




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 Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 08:22:48  
You are right, I can't recall seeing one either, A, B or BN. No reason it couldn't be done that I know of. I'd think that if there was one anywhere, it'd be around my area (Amish country). I've seen W6s, W9s, 656s, 706s and others on steel around here. I'll have to keep my eyes open and ask around. Maybe I can get a picture if I find one.



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JR

02-05-2001 12:01:44




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 Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Red Dave, 02-05-2001 09:01:21  
I'm not knocking IH but, Allis-Chalmers had no trouble putting steel wheels on their model B(which is their version of a Farmall A). I saw a ad for a restored B on steel for sale a couple of weeks ago. I think he wanted $3,200 for it with a sickle. Both are equally good tractors in my opinion.



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lonn

02-05-2001 18:23:08




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 Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to JR, 02-05-2001 12:01:44  
You mean the Farmall A is IH's version of the Allis B. Just being nitpicky.



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AGEN

02-05-2001 09:04:51




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 Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Red Dave, 02-05-2001 09:01:21  
Sounds good, Red Dave. Anyone else have an idea?



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Wardner

02-05-2001 10:34:30




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 Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 09:04:51  
Before I would do alot of head scratching on this, I would check the parts manual to see if they were available. Another thing to consider is that steel wheels suck up more draw bar horsepower than rubber. Thirdly, the small diameter wheel would ride harder than a larger H or M wheel. BTW, what do the Amish use for radiator hose and v-belts?



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Red Dave

02-05-2001 10:56:58




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Wardner, 02-05-2001 10:34:30  
The parts available from the factory would have nothing to do with it. If the Amish want a tractor on steel, they are willing to make whatever they need to do the job. They are very clever and resourceful people. I don't know about steel sucking up horsepower, but, I do know steel wheels are a sad and helpless thing in mud. The ride of a steel wheeled tractor wouldn't be any worse than some other things they ride. Besides, the Amish don't seem to mind the lack of creature comforts that we take for granted. It depends on their individual beliefs, but, most Amish around here use mules or horses in the field and use tractors for belt and PTO power. They use the same belts and hoses we do. Its rubber tires that most don't use. By the way, it's not unusual to see them use a steam engine for belt power either.

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Wardner

02-05-2001 11:58:47




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Red Dave, 02-05-2001 10:56:58  
The question on this thread is why we do not see steel wheels on A's. It matters little whether an individual or a small group of people modify their tractors to suit themselves. All that matters is whether the factory produced the item or whether an aftermarket vendor produced a large quantity for national distribution.

I have seen the Amish work and my hat is off to them. However, if I had been born into that way of life, I would have bailed as soon as possible.

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Red Dave

02-05-2001 12:44:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Wardner, 02-05-2001 11:58:47  
You did ask the questions.
Modifications not envisioned by the factory are discussed on here all the time.



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Guy Fay

02-05-2001 10:41:21




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Wardner, 02-05-2001 10:34:30  
Steel wheels are also harder on transmissions- more shock loads are sent to the gearing, which tends to break stuff. THe A and B tranmissions were designed for rubber, so they could be made smaller and cheaper.



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AGEN

02-05-2001 13:00:45




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to Guy Fay, 02-05-2001 10:41:21  
So, does anyone know whether or not they were offered on steel wheels from the factory? I myself have never seen steel wheels that small, factory or otherwise. Amish people aside, I would have expected pictures of some new As in '39 and the early '40s with steel if there is such a thing.



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JLC

02-05-2001 19:29:43




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 13:00:45  
In a book covering INTERNATIONAL HARVESTOR 1940-60 by Alan C. King, the author states that rubber tires were regular equipment. There is no indication that steel was ever offered.



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JLC

02-05-2001 19:27:40




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How come no A's are on steel? in reply to AGEN, 02-05-2001 13:00:45  
In a book covering INTERNATIONAL HARVESTOR 1940-60 by Alan C. King, the author states that rubber tires were regular equipment. There is no indication that steel was ever offered.



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