# Farmall A

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The **Farmall A** is a small one-plow [row crop tractor](/source/Row_crop_tractor) produced by [International Harvester](/source/International_Harvester) under the [Farmall](/source/Farmall) brand from 1939 to 1947. The tractor was popular for its set of innovative features in a small, affordable implement. It succeeded the [Farmall F-14](/source/Farmall_F-14). The A was incrementally updated with new model numbers as the Super A, 100, 130 and 140, but remained essentially the same machine. Like the smaller [Farmall Cub](/source/Farmall_Cub), the Farmall A features a distinctive offset engine, displaced to the left over wide-set front wheels, to allow vision straight ahead. An International Harvester C113 4-cylinder in-line engine was used for early models, increased to an IH C123 with the A-1. The most significant change was the introduction of hydraulics with the Super A. The series was produced until 1973.

## Description and production

Styled by [Raymond Loewy](/source/Raymond_Loewy),[1][2] it was one of International Harvester's "[letter series](/source/List_of_International_Harvester_vehicles#Farmall_F_and_Letter_Series_(1924–1954))", with 117,522 produced over the 8-year run, replacing the Farmall F-14. The A was rated for one 14-inch (36-centimetre) plow.[3]

The Farmall A is equipped with the F-14's International Harvester C113 [4-cylinder](/source/4-cylinder_engine) inline overhead valve engine, with a 113-cubic inch (1,850-cubic centimetre) [displacement](/source/Engine_displacement). The [transmission](/source/Transmission_(mechanics)) contains five total gears in a sliding gear arrangement: four forward and one reverse, transmitted to a [portal axle](/source/Portal_axle). The A featured a wide front wheel track with an offset engine, intended to allow for a better view ahead and branded "Cultivision."[4] The Model A had a 20-pound stamped-steel disk on the left rear wheel and a 170-pound cast-iron disk on the right wheel; the right front wheel had a bolted on weight. The offset engine benefited front-mounted cultivators, compared with the towed equipment used by competing Ford-Ferguson tractors.[3] As with other Farmall letter-series tractors, the design featured an integral frame and unitary construction, allowing entire assemblies to be replaced. Rear wheels on all models used a geared [portal axle](/source/Portal_axle) to provide sufficient ground clearance, and could be adjusted in width over a range of 40 inches (100 cm) to 68 inches (170 cm).[5][6]

### A variants

Versions were produced for both gasoline and kerosene fuel.[3][7] The [Farmall B](/source/Farmall_B) is essentially the same tractor, but with the engine centered for narrow front wheels, and the seat offset instead of the engine, with a wider range of rear wheel adjustment for two-row cultivation.[5] The AV hiboy variant, with 5 inches (13 cm) more clearance, was intended for vegetable crops, and the International A (or AI) for industrial use. The International A featured a foot throttle and a heavier front axle, and was chiefly used as a mower.[8][9] About 210,000 As and Bs were produced, selling for between $575 and $1,000.[10]

## Super A

From 1947 to 1954, International Harvester produced the **Farmall Super A**, with the same engine displacement, but with a hydraulic lift system. About 94,000 Super A tractors were produced, including Super AV variants.[6] In 1954 the Super A-1 was produced, using a higher-rpm International Harvester C123 engine, and was otherwise identical to the Super A.The Super A/A-1 was replaced by the [Farmall 100](/source/Farmall_100).[11][12]

## Farmall 100

The **Farmall 100** was introduced in 1955 as an update to the A-1. It was identical to the A-1 in all respects, but with a new grille and raised chrome lettering.[13] Engines could still be configured for gasoline, kerosene or [distillate](/source/Distillate_(motor_fuel)).[14] Total production was 16,191, with an additional 1,057 high-clearance models. The IH 100 was produced as an industrial tractor.[15][16]

## Farmall 130

The **Farmall 130** was produced from 1956 to 1958. It differed from the 100 in having white trim and a higher compression ratio.[17] The IH 130 was produced as an industrial tractor, and a high-crop version, called the 130 HiClear, was produced.[18][19] About 15,000 130s were produced, selling for about $2,000.[20]

## Farmall 140

The **Farmall 140** was similar to the 130, but with a 12-volt electrical system in lieu of six volts. It was produced from 1958 to 1973. In 1963 it was restyled in a squared-off manner to match larger Farmall tractors.[21] Total production was 66,290. The IH 140 was produced as an industrial tractor, and a high-crop version, called the 140 Hi-Clear, was produced.[22][23][24] Sale prices were between $2,400 and $4,300.[20]

## Comparable products

Comparable products to the A included the [Ford 9N](/source/Ford_N-series_tractor), [Allis-Chalmers](/source/Allis-Chalmers) C, [John Deere](/source/John_Deere) H, and [Case](/source/Case_Corporation) VC.[25] The [Massey](/source/Massey_Ferguson) Pacer was similar to the 100.[13] The Ford 640 was comparable to the 130.[17] The Ford 651 and [Oliver](/source/Oliver_Farm_Equipment_Company) Super 66 were similar to the 140 and 240.[26]

## References

1. Pripps, Robert N. (2020). *The Complete Book of Farmall Tractors*. Motor Books. pp. 58–59. ISBN 978-0-7603-6389-8.

1. Klancher, Lee (2017). *The Farmall Dynasty*. 1.2 ed. Octane Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-9821733-0-5.

1. Pripps pp. 59-63

1. Klancher, p. 109

1. Klancher, pp. 110-113

1. ["Farmall Letter Series"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151126213756/http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/szocki/projects/spring_10/26/specifics.html). SUNY Fredonia. Archived from [the original](http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/szocki/projects/spring_10/26/specifics.html) on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.

1. ["Farmall A"](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/8/285-farmall-a.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 4 August 2021.

1. Klancher, pp. 115-16

1. ["Farmall B"](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/8/286-farmall-b.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 4 August 2021.

1. Pripps, p. 109

1. Pripps p. 92

1. ["Farmall Super A"](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/9/292-farmall-super-a.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 5 August 2021.

1. Pripps, p. 114

1. Klancher pp. 180-181

1. ["Farmall 100"](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/004/6/5/4655-farmall-100.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 5 August 2021.

1. ["International Harvester 100"](http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/3/0/303-international-harvester-100.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 24 August 2021.

1. Pripps, p. 128

1. ["Farmall 130"](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/004/6/5/4656-farmall-130.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 5 August 2021.

1. ["International Harvester 130"](http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/3/0/305-international-harvester-130.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 24 August 2021.

1. Pripps, p. 137

1. Pripps, p. 131

1. ["Farmall 140"](https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/004/6/5/4657-farmall-140.htmll). *TractorData*. Retrieved 5 August 2021.[dead link]

1. ["Farmall 140"](https://www.tractor-specs.net/farmall/frmall-140.html). *TractorSpecs*. Retrieved 6 August 2021.

1. ["International Harvester 140"](http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/3/0/306-international-harvester-140.html). *TractorData*. Retrieved 24 August 2021.

1. Pripps, p. 60

1. Pripps, p. 132

## External links

- [NTTL Test #329 - Farmall A - Gasoline](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1953&context=tractormuseumlit) at the [Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory](/source/Nebraska_Tractor_Test_Laboratory) archive
- [NTTL Test $330 - Farmall A - Distillate](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1954&context=tractormuseumlit) at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory archive
- [NTTL Test #537 - McCormick Farmall Model 100](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2067&context=tractormuseumlit) at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory archive
- [NTTL Test #617 - McCormick Farmall 130 Gasoline](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=tractormuseumlit) at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory archive

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Farmall A](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmall_A) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmall_A?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.