Farmall M
The Farmall M is a tractor produced by Farmall. It is equipped with a 247.7 ci 4.1 L engine. The listed engine power is 36.07 hp 26.9 kW. Transmission: 5 forward and 1 reverse. Operating weight: 4858 lbs 2203 kg.
Engine Power
36.07 hp
26.9 kW
Fuel & Capacities
Gasoline
Transmission
5 forward and 1 reverse
Operating Weight
4858 lbs
2203 kg
Overview
 | 1939 - 1954
Row-Crop tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Farmall (a part of International Harvester) |
Row-Crop tractor | |
Built in Rock Island, Illinois, USA | |
Total built | 270,140 |
Original price | $1,440 (1946 ) |
$2,600 (1952 ) | |
The M was also available in the MV high-clearance "vegetable version" and the MD diesel. The Farmall M was the row-crop version of the McCormick-Deering W-6. In the late 1950s, the M continued production at Doncaster after it had ceased at the Farmall Works, these are often referred to as a model BM. | |
Variants | |
|---|---|
MD | diesel engine |
MV | high-crop |
MDV | diesel high-crop |
AM | Australian-built M, built 1949-1954 |
BM | British-built M |
W-6 | standard-front |
I-6 | industrial |
Farmall M Transmission | |
|---|---|
5-speed sliding gear | |
Transmission details ...  |
Farmall M Power | |
|---|---|
Drawbar (claimed) | 25 hp
18.6 kW |
Belt (claimed) | 31-33 hp
23.1 kW |
Plows | 3 (14-inch) |
Drawbar (tested) | 33.1 hp
24.7 kW |
PTO (tested) | 36.07 hp
26.9 kW |
Belt (tested) | 36.66 hp
27.3 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two-wheel drive | |
Manual steering | |
Mechanical contracting band brakes | |
Open operator station. |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Type | Lift-All *Optional. Transmission-driven pump. |
Pressure | 500 psi (early)
34.5 bar |
800 psi (late)
55.2 bar | |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO Type | 540 (1.375) |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 88.5 inches
224 cm |
Weight | 4858 lbs
2203 kg |
Front tire | 6.00-16 |
Rear tire | 11-38 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
Farmall Letter Series Tractors by Lee Klancher | |
No. 30 Power Loader published by International Harvester | |
Farm Loaders published in 1962, by International Harvester | |
Operator's Manual Farmall M and MV | |
General Line Catalog published in 1949, by International Harvester |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
International Harvester 4.1L 4-cyl distillate | |
International Harvester 4.1L 4-cyl gasoline |
Engine Detail — 247.7 ci / 4.1 L Kerosene
Manufacturer | International Harvester |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head |
distillate | |
Displacement | 247.7 ci
4.1 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.875x5.25 inches
98 x 133 mm |
Compression | 4.75:1 |
4.5:1 *Kerosene engine | |
Rated RPM | 1,450 |
Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
Oil capacity | 8 qts
7.6 L |
Coolant capacity | 24 qts
22.7 L |
Sparkplug gap | 0.025 inches
0.635 mm |
Point gap | 0.013 inches (Magneto)
0.330 mm |
0.020 inches (Distributer)
0.508 mm | |
Intake valve clearance | 0.017 inches*Hot
0.432 mm |
Exhaust valve clearance | 0.017 inches*Hot
0.432 mm |
Engine Detail — 247.7 ci / 4.1 L Gasoline
Manufacturer | International Harvester C248 |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head |
Displacement | 247.7 ci
4.1 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.875x5.25 inches
98 x 133 mm |
Compression | 5.65:1 |
Rated RPM | 1450 |
Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
Oil capacity | 8 qts
7.6 L |
Coolant capacity | 24 qts
22.7 L |
Transmission
Transmission — 5 forward and 1 reverse sliding gear
Type | sliding gear |
Gears | 5 forward and 1 reverse |
 | |
Dimensions
Farmall M Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 6.00-16 |
Ag rear | 11-38 |
Ag front | 22.50x4 (steel) |
Ag rear | 51x8 (steel) |
10-38 | |
12-38 | |
11.25-36 | |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 88.5 inches
224 cm |
Length | 133 inches
337 cm |
Width | 84 inches
213 cm |
Height | 78.3 inches
198 cm |
Shipping weight | 4858 lbs
2203 kg |
Ballasted weight | 6770 lbs
3070 kg |
Bar rear axle | 2.75 inch diameter
69 mm |
Front tread | 9.125 inches
23 cm |
Rear tread | 52 to 88 inches
132 to 223 cm |
Tests
Tractor Tests | |
|---|---|
NTTL 327: distillate 5-speed 2WD | |
NTTL 328: gasoline 5-speed 2WD |
Nebraska Tractor Test 327 | |
|---|---|
Distillate 5-speed 2WD
September 5 - 16, 1939
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 327 file | |
Belt power (max) | 34.82 hp
26.0 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 2.8 gal/hour
10.6 l/hour |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 34.16 hp
25.5 kW |
Fuel use | 2.7 gal/hour
10.2 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 30.62 hp
22.8 kW |
Gear 2 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 4,365 lbs
1979 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 328 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline 5-speed 2WD
September 11 - 21, 1939
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 328 file | |
Belt power (max) | 36.66 hp
27.3 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 3.0 gal/hour
11.4 l/hour |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 36.07 hp
26.9 kW |
Fuel use | 3.0 gal/hour
11.4 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 33.1 hp
24.7 kW |
Max pull | 4,266 lbs
1935 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Farmall M
Farmall M
Farmall M operator station and controls.
Farmall M with International 234 mounted corn picker with M & W Super Snoot.
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Farmall M based on its 36.07 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 2 to 3 Bottom (14-16")2 - 3 铧 (35-40 cm) | Medium Duty | Standard utility farm tillage. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 5 ft (60 in)1.5 m | Medium Duty | Pasture maintenance and weeds up to 1.5" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 54 to 60 in135 - 150 cm | Medium Duty | Thorough seedbed preparation in orchards and vegetable plots. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 5 to 6 ft (16-18" discs)1.5 - 1.8 m (40-45 cm 耙片) | Light Duty | Small acreage soil break-up and secondary aeration. |
Hay BalerHay & Forage | Small Square Baler (14x18")小方捆打捆机 (36x46 cm) | Medium Duty | Classic 2-string baler for horse and small livestock hay. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Farmall M.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 1.6 hrs
Approximately 1.6 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (3 gal / 11.4 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~1.9 gal/hr (7.1 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Farmall M Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Farmall M.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)36.1 hp
Kilowatts (kW)26.9 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)36.6 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Farmall M against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Farmall
Farmall M
Engine Power:36.07 hp
26.9 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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