H or M

[Poncho]

I am considering purchasing an H or M with a wide front end to plow my longer driveway with. I have access to an M without a loader on and a narrow front end. But I was thinking that an H would move almost as snow as the M and I would also be able to put a mower on it. I also have some dirt to move. Any bits of advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Poncho

[TJ]

Poncho ,

I have a M with a swartz wide front, hydrualics starts run good I use it to bushhog and disking works great for what I do.
I had a H before the M used it the same way and same equipment it had a narrow front both run like a top.The M gained me about 5-7 HP but the H has a slower first gear wich I liked better.I would open it up it first gear good pace for going around the woods and trees bushhoging etc.The M if I run it the same I have to throttel it back to slow down it in turns slow down the PTO.

Your talking about plowing personally I would go with the H having the slower 1st gear means it might take you longer to plow but you also have more time to avoid things that could ruin your weekend.

Sure you will gain HP with the M but you will also gain ground speed.I plow ( dirt or snow ) as slow as possible with my cub incase of hitting anything it just stops instead of tearing anything up.

BTW the swartz wide front end will turn shorter than the IH fronts.

[red56turbo]

Poncho,

Either would be a good tractor. Driven both. Easy to work on and parts still fairly cheap. I'm alittle more partial to an M. Alittle bigger and alittle more guts to pull with. Either will run a mower. Can find nice ones still reasonably priced too. Good luck on your search.

Red56

[WKPoor]

Which ever one you get the best deal on! Both will do what you want pretty nicely. Let the tractor condition and price be your guide.

[SONNY]

If you want to do serious snow removal,---better go with an M!----H no good after a certain point,--too light, not enough power! ---fine tractor for mowing with a small mower!----Better yet,--get one of each!!!---can't go wrong there!! thanks; sonny

[RustyFarmall]

An H will surprise you with its capabilities. An H will move every bit as much snow as an M, but maybe not as fast. If the H is not big enough to dig out your driveway in a timely fashion, the M won't do it either.

Here is a picture of my 1950 H snow fighter.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Hey Rusty, I have a loader just like that except it is equipped with a bucket/manure fork rather than a blade. I plan to install it when I get around to rebuilding a pair of cylinders.

[RustyFarmall]

I have the original bucket also. The bucket comes off and the blade goes on for winter. Just as soon as winter is over (whenever that will be), the bucket will be put back on.

[Mag Man]

Dangit loren quit posting pics of my tractors will ya. LOL

[tractorfan1]

An H would make a great tractor to mow with and move snow. Our '48 H had a front loader with a 7' blade, I plowed in 4th gear 3/4 throttle. Worked fine, but without loaded tires I needed chains...

[Poncho]

Does stability matter with a narrow or wide front end? My mother-in-law has the M with a narrow front. I would need to find a loader. Are they difficult to find?

[Bigdog]

Wide fronts are somewhat more stable but narrow fronts are fine if you keep the load as low as possible until it is necessary to raise it. The loaders are pretty common and I see them advertised for sale all the time.

[RustyFarmall]

There is really not a lot of difference in the stability of a narrow front versus a wide front. It has been proven more than once that a tractor equipped with a wide front axle will upset just as easily as a tractor with a narrow front axle.

If you really think you need a wide front, I can get you a brand new Schwartz wide front axle.

[Poncho]

I am not sure if I really need the wide front or just want it. I also need to check about a 3 point hitch on the tractor.

[schmibm]

Narrow fronts turn much better too. You can spin them on a dime if you need. You need a back 40 to turn a wide front. And folks are right, they are not that much more stable. They still pivot in the middle.