The Farmall H was a medium-sized two-plow row-crop tractor produced by International Harvester from 1939 to 1954. It was the most widely produced of the company’s “letter series”, with approximately 390,000 built over fourteen years. It succeeded the Farmall F-20 and, in updated form, stayed in production until 1963.
Farmall H at a glance
| Maker | International Harvester, USA |
|---|---|
| Production | 1939–1954 |
| Predecessor | Farmall F-20 |
| Engine | IH C152, 152 cu in (2,490 cc) four-cylinder |
| Transmission | five forward and one reverse gear |
| Plow rating | two 14-inch plows |
| Top road speed | 17 mph |
| Electrical system | 6-volt, positive ground |
| Rear track | 44 to 80 inches, up to 100 with extended axles |
| Styling | Raymond Loewy |
| Built | about 390,000 |
| Price | $850–$1,650 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Farmall H, which also covers the Super H, 300 and 350.
History of the Farmall H
The Farmall H was introduced in 1939 as the replacement for the Farmall F-20 and was one of International Harvester’s “letter series”, styled by Raymond Loewy. It was rated for two 14-inch plows and equipped with a 152-cubic-inch four-cylinder overhead-valve engine and a six-volt, positive-ground electrical system with a generator when ordered or retrofitted. The sliding-gear transmission had five forward gears and one reverse. Early distillate and kerosene models started on petrol and switched to their regular fuel once warm; a petrol engine joined the range in 1940. Top road speed was 17 mph, although fifth gear was not enabled on tractors sold with steel wheels, an option in the early years and during the Second World War when rubber was rationed.
The H was the smaller of International Harvester’s two main row-crop tractors of the late 1930s and early 1950s, alongside the Farmall M, but it could use the same implements. Standard front wheels were closely spaced nose wheels, with a single wheel or a wide front axle available as options. The rear wheels could be adjusted from 44 to 80 inches in width for different crop rows, and an optional extended axle allowed widths of up to 100 inches. All Hs had hydraulic lifts, and the modular design let complete assemblies be removed and replaced. The H was marketed to farmers with 100 acres or more of tilled land, and about 392,000 Hs of all kinds were built, selling for between $850 and $1,650.
Functional variants included the high-clearance HV for high crops, with 30.25 inches of clearance, the W-4 with standard tread, the I-4 for industrial use and the O-4 for orchards. In 1953 and 1954 International Harvester built the Farmall Super H, with engine displacement raised to 164 cubic inches and 32 horsepower, sealed disc brakes and a rating for two 16-inch plows; about 29,000 were made and it was replaced by the Farmall 300. The 300 of 1954–1956 brought chrome badging, a torque amplifier transmission and a 169-cubic-inch engine with an LP gas option, dropping distillate fuel; 29,077 were built, plus 170 high-clearance models. The Farmall 350 of 1956–1958 was slightly restyled, offered a Continental diesel and was gradually replaced by the new Farmall 340 from 1957.
Design and features
- Most-produced letter series: about 390,000 Hs over fourteen years.
- C152 engine: a 152 cu in four-cylinder with five forward gears.
- Hydraulic lift: fitted to every H.
- Adjustable track: rear width from 44 to 80 inches, up to 100 with extended axles.
- Fuel choice: petrol, distillate and kerosene versions.
Farmall H versions
- Farmall H (1939–1954): the standard two-plow tractor.
- Farmall HV: high-clearance version with 30.25 inches of clearance.
- W-4, I-4 and O-4: standard-tread, industrial and orchard versions.
- Farmall Super H (1953–1954): 164 cu in and 32 hp, about 29,000 built.
- Farmall 300 (1954–1956): torque amplifier and 169 cu in engine, 29,077 built.
- Farmall 350 (1956–1958): restyled 300 with an optional Continental diesel.
The larger Farmall M shared the same implements, and the H replaced the Farmall F-20. More Farmall tractors are in the Farmall collection.
Video: Farmall H plowing
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Farmall H, English Wikipedia: engine, transmission, track, variants, production
