My John Deere B vs Farmall M.

[FoxrunFarms02]

I'm not here to color bash. I respect every color and know they have all have pros and cons and all break down. I respect for whatever reasons also for owning whatever color if it's a family tradition, or you have a good dealer with a excellent sales, service, and parts team. I've been noticing some major differences in my John Deere B vs the Farmall M and thought I'd share them. You guys can add to it, disagree or agree with me. These are just my observations and know the B and M aren't an apple to apple comparison.

I have a 7 acre hobby farm. Most of the work is done with a Kubota. I still like to play though and use an antique tractor to pull a plow, qauck digger, planter, and hayride wagon around.

 

2 years ago I bought a 1951 John Deere B as my 1st antique tractor. I was lucky to run it 3 hours a year.

 

After being involved in a traumatic accident it was hard for me to get on and off from the tractor and the little bit I ran it, it'd give me grief. With my injuries I just didn't have the motions to be able to crawl around or work on it comfortably. Also needing any kind of pointers it was kind of hard to come by having friends and neighbors all being IH guys.

I sold the tractor for more than I bought it for and what I had stuck into parts oddly. I bought a 1951 Farmall M in the area that I really liked and was comfortable on.

For my personal preference with my injuries these are the differences I observed and noticed. Pros and Cons.

Climbing up:

Both the B and M have  about the same step strid going from the draw bar to the axel housing to the platform. The M though has a wider drawbar and more space between the fender and seat vs the B. You had to pivot sideways to get on the B Plat form.

Fenders: 

I feel safer and more secure with fenders. The B fenders sat up much higher than the M's. If I get a sore back I could hang onto and lean on a fender. The M's are pretty low.

Seat:

The B seat was solid and had a nice wrap around cushioned seat that hugged you. I felt very safe, and relaxed on it. Being skinny I fit in the seat well. For a larger person it might be a tight fit. The seat had zero suspension though, you see a lot of farmers standing up on these tractors in pictures and see why now. Your back takes the brunt of the shock. The M has a pan seat with a spring. The p.o put a cushion on it and it helps. With the spring I can push the seat down and it gives me an extra opft to get up or room to swing my leg. The spring helps with any shock but feel like I have a death grip on the steering wheel feeling like I could tip off.

Clutch:

The B has a hand Clutch vs the M with the foot clutch. The hand clutch was in the way trying to get onto the platform but seemed a little smoother to run. The foot clutch is out of the way and so much easier for backing up wagons. The B you could tighten the clutch very easily vs the M you couldn't it was split or nothing.

Brakes:

The B had brakes on each side vs the M on one side you could lock. 

Hood:

To remove the hood on the B you have to remove the steering wheel, pull out the steering shaft, and loosen the bolts holding it on vs the M. You pull the 4 clips down.

Hydraulics:

The B had a lever on the left side of platform for the Hydraulics. There were special John Deere ports you needed or you could tap into the pump with pioneer adapters. My m has live Hydraulics and have a leaver by the throttle. 

Front end:

The B had a roll a matic front end that each wheel moved up and down independently. The m doesn't have that, but I haven't noticed a difference.

Battery:

The battery on the B was under the seat. You had to balance on the draw bar and try to pull it up and over your head. The M it's right under the colom.

Parts:

Granted I have a jd dealer about 10 minutes away but you're paying for the color. Any farm store like TSC, Farm and Fleet or Fleet Farm have basic tractor parts and carry every brand except jd. I like looking at parts and sometimes need it right away. I don't like ordering online or driving to a dealer just for them to do the samething.

 

This list isn't really based on design or something engineered but just what I noticed. Again 2 different tractors, 2 different sizes.

Size:

 The B was easier to put gas in, it fit in the shop, it was pretty nibble parking it in a tight spot in the shed and doing field work didn't have to worry about low branches. The M being taller it's hard to reach the tank, I need to remove the muffler to get it into the shop, it's a pooch in tight areas, and need to be careful in fence lines.

Sound:

A lot of the family and passer bys enjoyed watching me do field work listening to the putt putt putt of B. At 1st I enjoyed it but it got old real fast and a few cases the wife came running into the shed thinking I had a shot gun when she heard the tractor backfire starving it. The M has a nice grunt to it, I'm not sure about a straight pipe on it or not I guess if people miss the 2 cylinder sound I could pull some spark plug wires. Being a 2 cylinder you had a 50/50 chance on figuring out compression, spark or firing issues also.

 

Resale:  When I was 1st looking at tractors any 2 cylinder JD rusted out, hardly running seemed to be going more than a farmall. Asking around on forums most responces, was the name/color and the 2 cylinders are more collectibles vs say an h or m that is still used.  I kind of agree with that. You drive by any smaller farm yet and an h or m is on the hayrake, shuttling wagons, on a drill or running the pto no Jd A's or B's though. You might get more for a JD but you need the right buyer vs a working tractor someone would use.

Style:

The B was kind of boxy and the rims just seemed blah. The M has some nice curves and nice designed rims.

All in all  both tractors have it's pros and cons and did everything I wanted them to do but I feel like I'm way ahead on the M with my injuries.

 

 

 

 

[Ihfan4life]

When I read the title to this thread I said to myself that there is no comparison between a JD B and an M. Apples to oranges kind of deal. You showed me wrong as there is a comparison between these tractors. 
Well done! 
And with or without injuries, you’re always way ahead on a Farmall 😂

[Big Bud guy]

I have a GM and my grandpa’s M.  Both good tractors in their own right.  M is the handier tractor around the yard and with a loader and on the PTO. In the field doing tillage both about equal.  The G was the much stouter tractor leaving room for more hp increases later on.

[FoxrunFarms02]

55 minutes ago, Ihfan4life said:

When I read the title to this thread I said to myself that there is no comparison between a JD B and an M. Apples to oranges kind of deal. You showed me wrong as there is a comparison between these tractors. 
Well done! 
And with or without injuries, you’re always way ahead on a Farmall 😂

Thanks. I think a jd A would be more comparable to the M or even a G? 2 very different tractors, but simular for age, style, and use. Would I be a good telemarketer convincing people to buy something? Can I interest you in under water reality? I feel like I'm ahead on the farmall. Funny/sad/ironic thing is looking for my 1st tractor there was a super m and regular m about a 20 minute tractor drive from my house for sale. 1 was out of budget and the other was buried in a shed until Spring and not as nice as this. Buying this one though is kind of me moving forward with my injuries, and kind of an interesting story to add to the color war.

[Mark (EC,IN)]

Good post and a fair representation of both tractors

When I was a kid my dad had a 1949 Deere "B"................. a few years ago I bought a Farmall "M"  just because I always wanted one.

The two things you mentioned that I noticed the most (other than horsepower and size) were the Roll-A-Matic on the Deere....it was a plus.

And the hand clutch on the Deere ..................  a definite negative (to me,  dad liked it).

Both are good machines.

[randy hall]

you don't  tighten the clutch on an M.

[FoxrunFarms02]

22 minutes ago, Mark (EC,IN) said:

Good post and a fair representation of both tractors

When I was a kid my dad had a 1949 Deere "B"................. a few years ago I bought a Farmall "M"  just because I always wanted one.

The two things you mentioned that I noticed the most (other than horsepower and size) were the Roll-A-Matic on the Deere....it was a plus.

And the hand clutch on the Deere ..................  a definite negative (to me,  dad liked it).

Both are good machines.

Other than being in the way and hitting the left brake my first few attempts of using the tractor I didn't mind it, but definitely like the foot clutch more.

[FoxrunFarms02]

23 minutes ago, randy hall said:

you don't  tighten the clutch on an M.

Yes. Sorry if I made it sound that way.

[IHandJDman]

There have always been steps installed on my B and it is way easier to get on than our M.  I grew up with a 1949 B and a 1951 M and we still have both.  I love the sound of a 2 cylinder but I agree that the M gets way more use than either of our 2cyls.  We also have a G

[FoxrunFarms02]

2 minutes ago, IHandJDman said:

There have always been steps installed on my B and it is way easier to get on than our M.  I grew up with a 1949 B and a 1951 M and we still have both.  I love the sound of a 2 cylinder but I agree that the M gets way more use than either of our 2cyls.  We also have a G

Very cool you have both tractors from growing up. I had a 2x4 across the draw bar of the B. It helped a little. I always thought about steps on the back but never got around on deciding on a pair or building some. Pivoting onto the platform is what bothered me the most. I've seen guys put steps on the front of their m's that looked sharp. Only issue I could think of is the light in the way and stepping over the shifter.

I was thinking of something on the other side for filling the gas tank.

[Red_Man]

I grew up on a 49 A and '51B, a 50,60,520 and 730 Diesel. We also had a Farmall M. The A was equal to the M hp wise. Roll-a-matic made a big difference, especially in plowed ground. I always liked Deere's roomy platform and seat with spring cushion and cushioned back rest. I liked the hand clutch as that's what I learned on.

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

The only reason that Deere has the Roll o Matic is because IH didn’t want it. I think that was a poor decision. 

[766 Man]

  We have had our M here since new in 1942.  It has not disappointed.  The early JD A was on the order of a Farmall H but towards the end of production the power was increased so the A would compare to a Farmall M.  Grandpa did not want a hand clutch tractor and the 4 cylinder engine was easier on the ears so the M was his choice.  The Ford dealer tried real hard to push a 9N but power was power when it came to the PTO and belt.  The 9N simply would not measure up to a M.  I think the only other tractor grandpa seriously considered was an Oliver 80 but that was simply obsolete when compared to a M.  

[766 Man]

19 minutes ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said:

The only reason that Deere has the Roll o Matic is because IH didn’t want it. I think that was a poor decision. 

  I think that the roll-a-matic saved a finger or two from being broke when the front end hit a frozen clod or rock in the field.  I recall one time drilling oats with the M and hit a rock and the steering wheel jerked my hand away from it.  Good thing I was young and quick and hit the clutch so as not to screw up the pass.  

[FoxrunFarms02]

35 minutes ago, 766 Man said:

  We have had our M here since new in 1942.  It has not disappointed.  The early JD A was on the order of a Farmall H but towards the end of production the power was increased so the A would compare to a Farmall M.  Grandpa did not want a hand clutch tractor and the 4 cylinder engine was easier on the ears so the M was his choice.  The Ford dealer tried real hard to push a 9N but power was power when it came to the PTO and belt.  The 9N simply would not measure up to a M.  I think the only other tractor grandpa seriously considered was an Oliver 80 but that was simply obsolete when compared to a M.  

Looking around for tractors in my area. It seems like farmall h's and 8/9 n's are the stereotypical hobby farm or food plot go to tractor especially with the 3 point on ford's.  From what I read the ford's bottom out easily and don't have slow enough gearing for brush hogging let a lone no live Hydraulics or pto until you move up onto something bigger.  They have their place, just not with me though. My neighbor is an oliver/white collector. Looking at his super 88 it seemed ahead of it's time, but in this area it was only light green and red sold.

[FoxrunFarms02]

1 hour ago, Red_Man said:

I grew up on a 49 A and '51B, a 50,60,520 and 730 Diesel. We also had a Farmall M. The A was equal to the M hp wise. Roll-a-matic made a big difference, especially in plowed ground. I always liked Deere's roomy platform and seat with spring cushion and cushioned back rest. I liked the hand clutch as that's what I learned on.

That's a really neat line up. A 730 is on my dream list to buy some day.

[FoxrunFarms02]

47 minutes ago, 766 Man said:

  I think that the roll-a-matic saved a finger or two from being broke when the front end hit a frozen clod or rock in the field.  I recall one time drilling oats with the M and hit a rock and the steering wheel jerked my hand away from it.  Good thing I was young and quick and hit the clutch so as not to screw up the pass.  

I haven't done any serious field work with the m yet, but I'll definitely keep that in mind when I am.

[New Englander]

I've had both roll-o-matic and non and the former is definitely a better ride than the latter. Hand clutch was a plus for me using child labor. Setting the wheels all the way in would just fit down the rows; got to remember the axles sticking out.  A 5' finish mower was just right but the non-live PTO a negative. It needed an overrunning clutch..  Fruit long gone as are the B JDs. I still have a 620 which gets some use roto tilling and grading with a York rake; International is too big for those. Live PTO, real 3 point, and pretty good hydraulics on the 620 considering its age. 620 is the one little kids get to drive when family bring them, puts a big smile on their faces. Little boys want to drive a loader but that's not going to happen.

[FoxrunFarms02]

11 hours ago, New Englander said:

I've had both roll-o-matic and non and the former is definitely a better ride than the latter. Hand clutch was a plus for me using child labor. Setting the wheels all the way in would just fit down the rows; got to remember the axles sticking out.  A 5' finish mower was just right but the non-live PTO a negative. It needed an overrunning clutch..  Fruit long gone as are the B JDs. I still have a 620 which gets some use roto tilling and grading with a York rake; International is too big for those. Live PTO, real 3 point, and pretty good hydraulics on the 620 considering its age. 620 is the one little kids get to drive when family bring them, puts a big smile on their faces. Little boys want to drive a loader but that's not going to happen.

A 620/630/730 is on my some day list. I forgot about reading on some other ag forums that most guys started out on something with a hand Clutch at a young age cause they couldn't reach the pedals. So another  + for the B for cheap child labor but maybe a - too for safety.....but it's probably easier for a kid to start the m(my 5 year old one night was sitting on my 700cc atv in the shop and next thing I know I hear the fuel pump cycling through. He found the hidden key, knew to to switch on the power and let the pump prime). I bet it makes the kids day letting them drive. Our place is the go to place for gatherings. The kids go on the atvs or vintage garden tractors and it makes their day. 

[New Englander]

8 hours ago, FoxrunFarms02 said:

they couldn't reach the pedals

Family had Fords. I got to drive the day I could prove I could push the clutch down while still more or less sitting😁. Ford brakes were pretty much useless or at least those were. If one wheel was spinning you had to jump on its brake.

[560Dennis]

Good post