My shop foreman/boss/friend at work asked me today if I was interested in hauling a 1952 Farmall back from Georgia with him. He figures his truck will do it, 3rd gen Dodge 1500 4x4 short bed, but did not want to. I kinda wondered how that Hemi and auto would do coming up Mt. Eagle? Anyhow, my questions in no particular order.

We would be using one of our trailers from work, 12k or 14k bumper pull with full brakes, my truck. (a) we won't have to stop at the scales going into Georgia will we? (b) Will we have to stop at the scales on the way back into Tennessee? Just two friends, he's buying fuel for the truck obviously and most likely paying for my meals, so would the scales be required when we are loaded on the way back?

If we have to go through the scales are they major rectums to deal with? I've been thinking that I wished I bought that darn GN, probably ride a heck of a lot better than a bumper pull. I'm gonna check out what kind of tractor he is talking about so I can get some estimated weight numbers on this thing. What other things can you guys think of?

 

I believe he said it was a Farmall A, letters he said were ASJ. Anyone want to take a guess at the weight of the tractor? I know that little 52' 8N I hauled was heavier than I thought, just don't make em' like that anymore.

 

A Farmall A is just a baby... I don't have my model book right in front of me, but I think it's right around 3500 pounds, maybe a little less. An M is much, much larger and tops out at 5500 so I know you'll be way under that.

 

Ok, well he also said something about a 300 and the A's that I have been looking at stop around 1947, or thats what tractordata.com said. I think I asked him if it was about the size of a Farmall Cub, but I think he is pretty much tractor illiterate. He keeps on saying 1952 though as if he is surely sure about that. The 300 is only showing around 4800#'s. Oh, and he says it has narrow front wheels. Not a complete tractor expert myself

 

A Farmall "A" should be around 2000lbs. That half ton could pull that. As far as the scales go, I've never stopped at one in a pickup when I was hauling something, and neither has anyone I know. A USDOT number would be the only thing im not sure about. I was told any combined weight over 10000lbs needs one, I could be wrong. I put one on my truck just to be safe.

 

A Farmall A is a wide front. A 'B' is a narrow front... same tractor though.

 

I'm not familiar with the laws in those states, but I believe that if your truck is registered as a private vehicle, you don't need to visit the scales. Private vehicle registration meaning that it's not a for hire truck. Towing something for a friend isn't considered for hire, even if he pays for the fuel.

Thats my understanding anyway. Maybe someone who knows more about that could give a better answer.

 

Ok, I dug out the book. The A and B stopped production in 1947. The 'Super A' ran from 47 to 54. The serial number prefix on a Super A is 'SA'. They are about 2400 pounds.

 

For what it's worth, an 8N weighs in at 2700# if you want a comparison!

 

Thanks Clack, I know he mentioned something about ASJ stamped on a tag or something. I know these old tractors have numbers stamped all over the place and he may have been looking at something else.

 

Now here's where it gets confusing... I just called my friend (he and I collect tractors together... 20 and growing!) and he says ASJ could be a serial number suffix for a model 300 which weighs in at a killer 4800#. They didn't start building those until 1954 though so it's a long shot. No matter what, your truck will just be playing with anything smaller than a Farmall M!

Good luck!

 

Yeah, I saw those numbers at Yesterdays Tractor and was chuckling, 4800#'s? Just about pull that with my trailer.....it's a 7k. We'll go with a 10K from work though!! I've had bigger loads of scrap iron!!

20 tractors!!! I want a poppin' John myself!! Have to increase my shop space first though.

 

If it is the heavier 4800# the 1/2 ton would pull it but not like it too much. I pulled a 4800# scissor lift from VA to Chicago through WV on a 7200# bumper pull trailer. The WV mountains were rough and after I got back to VA I had to replace rear axle seals. About a year later I had to replace a rear axle. It was that trip that I decided the only way to go was with the CTD.

 

Hey dodgeguy, I havent talked to you in a while, how are things? Whenever I have gone past any of the scale I just keep trucking. I figure if they want me they can come get me and see that im not hauling anything put personal stuff. Just how I do it. Do you still have a line on those mirrors if so how much.

 

Wow - I thought my 8N weighed more than that!

I know my Farmall propane "M" (I call it the WidowMaker) weighs a LOT more than that...