That's a nice looking H, it should be a fun project to follow.
Project "H"
It's time for a new project!
I bought this 1944-H from an online auction last week, picked it up yesterday. It's not as good of condition as I'd hoped, but not too bad.
The bad: Generator is missing, headlights missing, rear tires shot & maybe rims. Some sheet metal issues, but nothing serious, could stand rewiring including a new battery.
The good: has electric start, hydraulics, fenders (very hard to find) & is in overall sound condition.
![Wheel Tire Tractor Vehicle Automotive tire]()
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Motor vehicle Tractor]()
![Wheel Tractor Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive tire]()
Seller wasn't as helpful as he could have been, he said he'd put in a new battery, didn't happen. He told me his son would be there for loading, didn't happen.
I had a friend & fellow collector made the trip with me, we left at 8:30, got home at 4:30, 635 mile trip. Fortunately, I took my portable winch along so we were able to winch it onto the trailer. The weight is fine on my 10' aluminum Hillsboro trailer, but not enough length to balance the load, so a new trailer will be in order, possibly one of these, we'll see.
![Wheel Tire Automotive tire Tread Automotive design]()
The plan is to get a new battery this morning, unload & pressure wash the tractor & put it in the garage to start some of the minor tasks on it.
I bought this 1944-H from an online auction last week, picked it up yesterday. It's not as good of condition as I'd hoped, but not too bad.
The bad: Generator is missing, headlights missing, rear tires shot & maybe rims. Some sheet metal issues, but nothing serious, could stand rewiring including a new battery.
The good: has electric start, hydraulics, fenders (very hard to find) & is in overall sound condition.
Seller wasn't as helpful as he could have been, he said he'd put in a new battery, didn't happen. He told me his son would be there for loading, didn't happen.
I had a friend & fellow collector made the trip with me, we left at 8:30, got home at 4:30, 635 mile trip. Fortunately, I took my portable winch along so we were able to winch it onto the trailer. The weight is fine on my 10' aluminum Hillsboro trailer, but not enough length to balance the load, so a new trailer will be in order, possibly one of these, we'll see.
The plan is to get a new battery this morning, unload & pressure wash the tractor & put it in the garage to start some of the minor tasks on it.
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There was a restored model H at a wedding that I attended last summer. The tractor pulled a trailer with seating for guests to a remote site. Even the city people loved it. You made a good choice.
If you are going to get a new trailer, I would recommend a tandem axle. They tow so much better than a single axle. Always go bigger than you think you need.
Very nice Lowell
Good beginning to a nice project.
Looks decent enough in the pics. Post a few more as you spruce it up.
Looking forward to seeing this progress. Have fun!
Things aren't going as well as hoped, starter drags, weak spark, not enough to fire a lick! I'll start by getting rid of the Champion spark plugs & new plug wires. I know a guy that works on mags, not sure where to get the starter rebuilt yet. Still, it's a good base tractor to work with!
Rolled it into the garage this morning, back out this afternoon for a good cleaning, Just going to be tinkering with the simple stuff for now.
As for the trailer size, I sold my 20+ year old 18' tandem axle 1-1/2 years ago, simply don't need one that big anymore.
Rolled it into the garage this morning, back out this afternoon for a good cleaning, Just going to be tinkering with the simple stuff for now.
As for the trailer size, I sold my 20+ year old 18' tandem axle 1-1/2 years ago, simply don't need one that big anymore.
My B was getting hard to start. There was spark, but it didn’t look very hot. I exchanged the mag for a rebuilt one from a guy in Minnesota, put new plugs and wires on it it fired up on just past the first compression stroke. Mine doesn‘t have all that fancy electrical stuff like lights, starter, and generator. Just an old hand start. It was nearly complete in this 2005 photo. I still had to add the correct muffler and pto cover. The pto cover was hard to find because most farmers probably threw them away. They were an enclosed tube that covered the pto shaft and used the bolts that held the seal on. Not very handy for taking it on and off. I added the spoke wheels to the front and still have the original closed pan wheels and hubs.
Pressure washed the H this afternoon:
![Wheel Tire Tractor Vehicle Automotive tire]()
![Tractor Green Dog Motor vehicle Automotive tire]()
![Tire Wheel Tractor Automotive tire Vehicle]()
Not sure about the left rear rim yet, looks like it's had fluid in it, doesn't show any now though:
![Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Motor vehicle]()
Not sure about the left rear rim yet, looks like it's had fluid in it, doesn't show any now though:
Your B is a nice looking tractor also, Lee.
Lowell, the H will be a real show piece when you finish with it.
Lowell,
NIce looking H. If you were closer I would let you borrow my 18 foot trailer.
NIce looking H. If you were closer I would let you borrow my 18 foot trailer.
Good luck Lowell, looking forward to following this project.
Forgive me Lowell, but have you ever had an H before? I think I've lost track of your tractor ownership over the years!
No H's in my past!Forgive me Lowell, but have you ever had an H before? I think I've lost track of your tractor ownership over the years!
I do recall seeing three sell at a farm auction for $250 for all three (two running & one for parts), but that was some 55 or so years ago!
Finished the step:
![Green Terrestrial plant Grass Motor vehicle Machine]()
Piece of an old hammermill screen flattened out & scraps I had on hand. The top piece will lay down better when I get it bolted to the front of the axle housing, I'm waiting on a tap to clean the threads of the mounting holes.
Also made a flag holder for the front:
![Rectangle Wood Gas Circle Baize]()
Piece of an old hammermill screen flattened out & scraps I had on hand. The top piece will lay down better when I get it bolted to the front of the axle housing, I'm waiting on a tap to clean the threads of the mounting holes.
Also made a flag holder for the front:
Will you be ready for parades and tractor shows this summer, Lowell?
Don't know yet, I hope to!
Just been tinkering with the H, finished bolting down the step & flag holder. Drained the old gas out yesterday, nasty stuff. Put on new spark plug wires, harder than it sounds, trying to get the wires through the conduit. Put the new lights on this morning, decided I'd never be satisfied with black lights, so I took them back off, buffed them, coated them with liquid sander & painted them with "classic green".
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