[Farmall] 1945 Farmall A with Exhaust Lift

[Dean Vinson]

Ben, you ask an interesting question here:  "Does anyone know what an A with
the exhaust lift is worth to a rare tractor collector who would take care of
it?"

I can't answer it, and I don't know detailed answers to your other questions
either.  I can tell you your A would catch my attention at a tractor show,
since it has the exhaust lift and since it all looks to be in very nice
condition.  I can't recall ever seeing a tractor with the exhaust lift at a
show, and I've been to a fair amount.

The "how much is it worth" question depends entirely on the people who see
the ad.  I recently paid twice as much for a tractor as I could probably
sell it for, because it has a rare but non-functional feature which was
important to me personally and I decided I had to have it.  If I hadn't seen
the ad the tractor would have been worth much less, as least as far as the
seller's bank account goes.

One way to test the waters would be to post a free photo ad on the ytmag.com
website, with the highest asking price you'd feel comfortable listing, and
an invitation to contact you for higher resolution photos and more
information.  If you get some responses and the tractor sells, you'll know
it was worth that much.  If not, you'll have learned some useful information
and could revise your listing, or wait a while and try again, or decide to
keep it.  Putting an ad in Red Power magazine would be a good idea also,
although those cost a little bit.  Either way, you're correct in thinking
that a collector is who you want to attract, somebody who'll think "Now
there's a really nice setup, I wouldn't mind having that."

By the way, I appreciate your well-written posts.  Nice to see a young
person who can communicate in actual sentences, let alone one who's
interested in these classic old machines!

Dean Vinson
Dayton, Ohio
www.vinsonfarm.net

-----Original Message-----
From: farmall-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:farmall-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Ben Wagner
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 1:47 PM
To: At; Farmall/IHC mailing list
Subject: [Farmall] 1945 Farmall A with Exhaust Lift

Hello,

I have uploaded pictures of my restored 1948 Super A onto my website...

http://www.olde-books.com/tractor/

Some of you may remember that a couple of months ago I purchased a 1945 
Farmall A.  The link above also has two pictures of this tractor.  The 
1945 A came with an original plow and cultivator, as well as a L59 
Wood's Belly Mower and homemade snowplow.

The tractor has a pneumatic exhaust lift mounted on the front for a 
cultivator.   It has not been used for a couple of years, but it seems 
like it could work if the gasket was replaced.  I have heard that if you 
don't use it, the gasket dries up and the valve sticks.

I am trying to decide whether to keep the 1945 or sell it.  The tractor 
runs great, always starting on the first crank.  Everything is probably 
original, except for the wiring and generator, with new paint in the 
last ten years.  It was garage kept, only being used with the belly 
mower and snowplow.  The only problem with it is that the clutch is 
frozen, but I am in the process of replacing it.

Does anyone know what an A with the exhaust lift is worth to a rare 
tractor collector who would take care of it?  How many of these things 
did Farmall make?  Can you still find parts?  How "in demand" are these 
tractors with the lift?  Have you seen any for sale before?  Finally, 
what is the approximate value of the cultivator and bottom plow?

Sorry that I am asking so many questions, but any advice I get from 
those more experienced is helpful.  I would like to make a decision soon 
since I am repairing the clutch.  If you know of anyone interested in 
purchasing a tractor like this, I would be much obliged!

Thank you,
Ben Wagner
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