Farmall Super a Implements
The Farmall Super A tractor, manufactured by International Harvester between 1947 and 1954, remains one of the most celebrated small-acreage row-crop tractors in agricultural history. What elevated the Super A above its predecessor, the original Farmall A, was the revolutionary factory integration of the dual-valve hydraulic Super-C-Touch-Control system. This hydraulic breakthrough allowed farmers to raise, lower, and precisely adjust front, belly-mounted, and rear implements with the touch of a lever rather than wrestling manual mechanical lift levers. For collectors, hobby farmers, and homesteaders restoring or working with these vintage machines today, mastering Farmall Super A implements is essential to unlocking the tractor full operational versatility.
The Touch-Control Hydraulic System and Implement Integration
The engineering triumph of the Farmall Super A lies in its proprietary Touch-Control hydraulic lift system, which transformed implement operation on small family farms. Powered by an engine-mounted gear-driven hydraulic pump providing approximately one thousand pounds per square inch of operating pressure, the system featured two independent hydraulic control cylinders housed within a central reservoir block located just forward of the operator seat. Each cylinder controlled a corresponding cross-shaft rockshaft arm, allowing independent two-way depth modulation of left and right implement rockshafts.
Because the Super A utilized the offset Culti-Vision design—where the operator seat and steering column were positioned to the right of the engine and transmission centerline—the farmer enjoyed an unobstructed view of the ground and row crops directly beneath the tractor belly. Implements were meticulously engineered around this offset geometry. The front rockshaft arms connected via adjustable push-pull tie rods to forward cultivator gangs, while the rear rockshaft operated tool bars, moldboard plows, and drawbar hitch assemblies with fluid two-way down-pressure that held implements at an exact working depth.
Engineering specifications and operating parameters of the Super-A Touch-Control system:
| Hydraulic Component | Engineering Specification | Operational Range | Implement Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic Pump Type | Pesco / Thompson gear-driven pump | Driven directly off engine timing gear | Generates continuous hydraulic fluid flow under pressure |
| Operating Fluid Pressure | 1,000 to 1,200 PSI max relief pressure | High pressure positive displacement | Powers dual two-way hydraulic lift cylinders |
| Touch-Control Reservoir | Central casting block under fuel tank | Capacity: approx 2.5 quarts Hy-Tran fluid | Houses dual internal cylinders, control valves, rockshafts |
| Dual Cylinder Rockshafts | Two independent left/right control levers | Infinite variable mechanical positioning | Allows independent depth control of front/rear implements |
Primary Agricultural Implements: Cultivators, Plows, and Mowers
The most iconic and widely utilized implement designed specifically for the tractor was the McCormick-Deering Farmall A-144 two-row cultivator. Mounted beneath the tractor belly and directly forward of the front axle, the A-144 featured heavy-duty parallel linkage toolbars accommodating various sweep shovels, duck-foot teeth, and disc hillers. Thanks to Culti-Vision, an operator could straddle young corn, tobacco, cotton, or potato rows, watching the sweeps cultivate within inches of fragile tender plant stems without neck strain or blind spots, eliminating weeds with pinpoint accuracy.
For primary tillage and field preparation, International Harvester produced the Little Wonder and A-152 single-bottom trailing and direct-connected moldboard plows. Featuring a sixteen or eighteen-inch hardened steel plow bottom, these plows utilized the rear Touch-Control rockshaft for rapid hydraulic lifting at headland turnarounds. For forage management and roadside maintenance, the belly-mounted McCormick-Deering No. 22 sickle bar mower attached directly to the tractor right side, driven by a dedicated belt pulley attachment that powered a five or six-foot cutter bar capable of harvesting dense hay and alfalfa.
Primary factory McCormick-Deering implements engineered for the Farmall Super A:
| Implement Model | Agricultural Category | Mounting Location on Tractor | Operational Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-144 Cultivator | Secondary tillage and row-crop weeding | Belly-mounted and front axle gangs | Precision mechanical weed control in row crops |
| A-152 Moldboard Plow | Primary soil inversion and field preparation | Direct rear frame connect with hitch | Turns over heavy sod, crop stubble, and virgin soil |
| No. 22 Sickle Bar Mower | Hay harvesting and ditch bank mowing | Right-side belly mount with drive belt | High-speed cutting of hay, clover, and brush |
| No. 250 / 251 Planter | Row-crop seed planting and drilling | Rear drawbar and belly tool bar frames | Precision seed drop for corn, soybeans, and cotton |
| L-29 Middlebuster / Lister | Bedding and furrowing implement | Rear toolbar hitch assembly | Forms raised ridges and water drainage furrows |
Sourcing, Restoration, and Modern Utility of Super A Attachments
In modern times, Farmall Super A implements have become prized commodities among vintage tractor restorers, market gardeners, and sustainable homesteaders. Original implements are frequently sourced through regional agricultural consignment auctions, vintage IH collector swaps, and specialized antique tractor forums. Because these implements were constructed from heavy-gauge hot-rolled forged carbon steel, they exhibit remarkable durability; even attachments that spent decades exposed to weather can typically be restored to pristine operating condition with needle-scaling, sandblasting, fresh IH Iron Red paint, and new bronze bushings.
The ongoing practical appeal of Super A implements lies in their efficiency for small-scale organic vegetable production. Unlike massive modern tractors that cause severe soil compaction on compact farms, the lightweight Farmall Super A with its factory implements can cultivate between narrow thirty-inch vegetable beds with unmatched precision. Furthermore, modern aftermarket manufacturers now produce three-point hitch conversion kits that integrate with the Super A Touch-Control rockshaft arms, enabling the tractor to lift standard Category 1 modern implements alongside its vintage attachments.
Inspection criteria when purchasing or restoring vintage Farmall implements:
| Implement Assembly | Key Wear Inspection Point | Common Defect / Damage | Restoration / Repair Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultivator Tool Bars | Parallel linkage pivot pins and clamps | Oblong pin holes, bent square tubing | Re-bush pivot holes with bronze sleeves, straighten steel |
| Touch-Control Rods | Threaded clevis ends and adjustment pins | Stripped threads, seized turnbuckles | Chase threads with tap/die, apply penetrating oil |
| Plow Share & Landside | Cutting edge thickness and frog integrity | Excessive erosion, cracked cast frog | Weld new hardened plow point or replace wear parts |
| Sickle Bar Drive Arm | Pitman wooden stick and sickle knives | Cracked wood pitman, broken knife teeth | Replace hickory pitman arm, rivet new serrated sections |
How to Mount and Adjust Farmall A-144 Cultivators in 5 Steps
Follow these steps to mount belly cultivator gangs to your Farmall Super A Touch-Control system.
Position Tractor on Level Ground with Engine Off
Park the tractor on a flat concrete pad, engage the transmission brake, and shut down the engine before mounting attachments.
Attach Front Gang Frames to the Axle Bracket
Slide the front cultivator frame tubes into the tractor cast front axle mounting receivers and secure with heavy-duty hitch pins.
Connect the Touch-Control Lift Linkage Rods
Attach the adjustable push-pull linkage rods between the cultivator toolbars and the corresponding front Touch-Control rockshaft arms.
Install Cultivator Sweeps and Set Row Width
Clamp sweep shovels onto vertical shanks, measuring equal spacing to straddle your crop rows without disturbing root systems.
Cycle Hydraulics and Calibrate Operating Depth
Start the engine, cycle the Touch-Control levers to verify smooth lifting, and adjust stops on the quadrant to lock in cutting depth.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions Answered)
Q1: What is the difference between Farmall A and Super A implements?
Super A implements integrate with two-way Touch-Control hydraulic lift arms, whereas original Farmall A implements required manual hand levers.
Q2: What hydraulic fluid does the Farmall Super A Touch-Control use?
Always use genuine Case IH Hy-Tran hydraulic fluid or high-quality equivalent tractor hydraulic fluid to protect seals and pumps.
Q3: Can you put a 3-point hitch on a Farmall Super A?
Yes, aftermarket Category 1 three-point conversion kits are readily available that bolt onto the rear rockshaft and drawbar.
Q4: What is Culti-Vision on a Farmall Super A?
Culti-Vision is the design where the operator seat is offset to the right of the engine, giving a clear view of belly-mounted implements.
Q5: How many plow bottoms can a Farmall Super A pull?
A Farmall Super A is engineered to pull a single 14-inch or 16-inch moldboard plow bottom in typical agricultural soil.
Q6: Why is my Super A Touch-Control hydraulic system leaking?
Leaking is usually caused by worn internal O-rings, degraded piston cup seals, or a leaking front hydraulic pump shaft seal.
Q7: What is the horsepower of a Farmall Super A tractor?
The tractor produces approximately 16 to 18 drawbar horsepower and around 20 to 21 belt/PTO horsepower from its 113 ci C-113 engine.
Q8: Where can I find replacement parts for Super A cultivators?
Original parts are sold through vintage tractor salvage yards, collector swap meets, and specialty retailers like Steiner Tractor.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
In conclusion, understanding farmall super a implements provides essential clarity, practical strategies, and actionable advice. By incorporating these foundational insights, adhering to verified safety guidelines, and following structured best practices, you ensure reliable, long-term outcomes while preventing common mistakes. Stay informed, consult certified professionals when needed, and maintain consistent quality care.