Breathing New Life into a Classic: The Magic of the Farmall Super A 3 Point Hitch
Let's be honest, there's just something inherently cool about old tractors. They're built like tanks, they smell of diesel and history, and they carry stories in every dent and faded paint patch. And when we talk about iconic small tractors, the Farmall Super A absolutely tops the list for many folks. This little red powerhouse, a staple of small farms and homesteads for decades, has a charm that's hard to beat. But if you own one, or you're thinking about picking up a Super A, you've probably run headfirst into a common question: "How do I make this classic work with modern implements?" The answer, my friend, often lies in one crucial upgrade: installing a Farmall Super A 3 point hitch.
It's a game-changer, plain and simple. What was once a fantastic, but somewhat limited, piece of farm machinery can be transformed into an incredibly versatile utility tractor, ready to tackle all sorts of tasks around your property. Let's dive into why the Super A is so beloved, the challenge it presents, and how a 3 point hitch unlocks its true potential.
The Farmall Super A: A Little Tractor with Big Heart
First things first, let's appreciate the Super A itself. International Harvester introduced the original Farmall A in the late 1930s, and the Super A followed in the late 40s, bringing with it a bit more power and refinement. This wasn't just any tractor; it was designed specifically for row-crop cultivation. Its defining feature, that clever offset engine and seat arrangement, gave the operator an unobstructed view of the right-hand row, making precision cultivation a breeze.
Think about it: back then, you were often sitting on a standard tractor, craning your neck to see what your implements were doing. The Super A eliminated that, offering what was, for its time, truly revolutionary visibility. It also came equipped with IH's pioneering "Touch-Control" hydraulic system, allowing you to raise and lower implements mounted directly to the tractor's frame, like cultivators or belly mowers. It was innovative, user-friendly, and incredibly popular with small farmers, market gardeners, and anyone who needed a nimble, reliable workhorse. These tractors were built to last, and it's why so many of them are still chugging along today, more than 70 years later!
The Original Challenge: Proprietary vs. Universal
Now, here's where the Farmall Super A 3 point hitch conversation really gets interesting. While the Touch-Control system was brilliant for its era, it was also, well, proprietary. That means it worked great with specific International Harvester implements designed for the Super A's frame. You had your cultivators, your planters, maybe a belly mower – all perfectly integrated. But what if you wanted to hook up something else? What if you had an implement from another manufacturer, or a more modern piece of equipment?
That's where the old Super A started to show its age. The industry standard, the ubiquitous 3 point hitch, wouldn't become truly widespread until after the Super A's heyday. Invented by Harry Ferguson, the 3-point hitch is a universal system with three linkage arms that allow implements to be quickly attached, lifted, and controlled hydraulically. It transfers part of the implement's weight to the tractor's rear wheels, improving traction, and allows for precise depth control – a huge leap forward in efficiency and versatility. The Super A, designed before this standard really took off, simply wasn't built for it. It usually just had a simple drawbar for pulling trailed implements.
So, you've got this awesome, dependable classic tractor, but it's like having a vintage car with a fantastic engine that can only run on a very specific, hard-to-find fuel. You want to use a modern box blade, a small bush hog, or even just a standard post-hole digger, and suddenly you realize your beloved Super A is, shall we say, a bit incompatible.
The Solution: Bringing the Super A into the 21st Century
This is where aftermarket innovators come in, offering solutions to install a Farmall Super A 3 point hitch. These kits are designed to convert your classic into a machine that can readily accept Category 0 or Category 1 three-point implements, instantly multiplying its utility.
Aftermarket Conversion Kits: Your Best Bet
For most Super A owners, an aftermarket conversion kit is the way to go. These kits are engineered specifically for the Super A's unique frame and Touch-Control hydraulics. Typically, they consist of:
- A-frame style lower links: These attach to the existing drawbar mounting points or other strong points on the Super A's rear axle housing.
- A top link: This usually attaches to a custom bracket that bolts to the tractor's fender or axle housing, providing the crucial third point of connection.
- Lift arms and connecting rods: These cleverly connect to your existing Touch-Control rockshaft, leveraging the Super A's original hydraulics to raise and lower the new 3-point hitch. It's a brilliant bit of design, allowing you to use the original controls you're already familiar with.
Companies specializing in vintage tractor parts have developed these kits to be as straightforward as possible to install. While it's definitely a project that requires some mechanical aptitude and a good set of tools, it's generally something a dedicated hobbyist can tackle over a weekend. The instructions are usually pretty clear, and there are tons of online resources and forums where fellow enthusiasts share tips and tricks.
What to Consider When Installing
When you're looking into adding a Farmall Super A 3 point hitch, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Hydraulic Capacity: The Super A's Touch-Control system is robust, but it wasn't designed for lifting really heavy modern implements. For typical Super A jobs – small plows, cultivators, small box blades, food plot equipment – it's usually perfectly adequate. Just don't expect to lift a massive hay bale with it!
- Lift Height and Reach: Due to the Super A's compact size and design, the lift height and rearward reach might be slightly less than a modern utility tractor. This is rarely an issue for the implements typically paired with a Super A.
- Ground Clearance: Some kits might slightly reduce ground clearance at the very rear, so always double-check the specs if you're working in particularly rough terrain.
- Front Ballast: With a heavier implement on the rear 3-point, your Super A's front end might get a little light. Adding some front weights or using a front-end loader (if you have one) can help maintain stability and steering control.
The Transformed Super A: A True Utility Hero
Once that Farmall Super A 3 point hitch is installed, you'll be amazed at the transformation. Suddenly, your reliable vintage tractor can perform a whole new range of tasks:
- Garden Tilling and Plowing: Attach a small single-bottom plow or a compact rototiller for garden plots, food plots, or preparing small fields.
- Driveway Maintenance: A small box blade or rear blade can keep your gravel driveway smooth and graded.
- Light Mowing: Hook up a compact bush hog or a finish mower for clearing brush or maintaining small lawns and fields.
- Post-Hole Digging: A post-hole digger becomes a breeze for fencing projects or planting trees.
- Spraying and Spreading: Mount a small sprayer or broadcast spreader for fertilizers, seeds, or pest control.
Essentially, your Super A goes from being a specialized culti-tractor to a fantastic all-around small property workhorse. It's an economical way to get a lot of capability without investing in a brand-new, often much larger, compact utility tractor. Plus, you get to keep the cool factor of owning and operating a piece of history!
Final Thoughts: Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future
The journey of adding a Farmall Super A 3 point hitch is more than just a mechanical upgrade; it's a testament to ingenuity and a way of preserving these fantastic machines for future generations. It's about respecting the incredible engineering of the past while cleverly adapting it to the demands of the present.
So, if you're on the fence, I say go for it. Take the plunge. Your Farmall Super A isn't just a museum piece; it's a working tractor waiting for its next chapter. And with a modern 3 point hitch, that chapter is sure to be full of new jobs, renewed purpose, and a whole lot more red dust. Happy farming, my friend!