Compare/Farmall M vs Farmall MD

Farmall M vs Farmall MD

Verdict: Farmall M vs Farmall MD

The Farmall M and the Farmall MD are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Farmall MD leads on rated power with 35 hp against 34 hp. Farmall M is the lighter machine (2,203 kg vs 2,268 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Farmall M holds more fuel (79.5 L vs 75.7 L) for longer stints between fills. Farmall MD is the newer design (1941 vs 1939). In short: choose the Farmall MD for outright pulling power, or the Farmall M if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

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Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Farmall

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Farmall

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

34 hp

35 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

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Overview

Manufacturer

Farmall (a part of International Harvester)Reference

Gasoline 5-speed 2WDSeptember 11 - 21, 1939Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 328 fileReference

Diesel 5-speed 2WDJune 1 - 16, 1951Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 460 fileReference

Total built

270,140Reference

18,253Reference

Original price

$2,600 (1952 )Reference

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Steering

—

manualReference

Variants

diesel engineReference

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high-cropReference

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MDV

diesel high-cropReference

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Australian-built M, built 1949-1954Reference

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British-built MReference

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W-6

standard-frontReference

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I-6

industrialReference

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WD-6

—

standard-frontReference

ID-6

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industrialReference

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gasoline engineReference

Engine

Fuel tank

79.5 LReference

75.7 LReference

Aux. fuel

3.8 LReference

Drawbar (claimed)

18.6 kWReference

—

Belt (claimed)

23.1 kWReference

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Plows

3 (14-inch)Reference

Drawbar (tested)

24.7 kWReference

25.0 kWReference

Belt (tested)

27.3 kWReference

28.5 kWReference

Displacement

4.1 LReference

Bore/Stroke

98 x 133 mmReference

Compression

5.65:1Reference

16.8:1Reference

Rated RPM

1450Reference

Firing order

1-3-4-2Reference

Oil capacity

7.6 LReference

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Coolant capacity

22.7 LReference

28.4 LReference

Sparkplug gap

0.635 mmReference

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Point gap

0.508 mmReference

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Intake valve clearance

0.432 mmReference

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Exhaust valve clearance

0.432 mmReference

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Belt power (max)

27.3 kWReference

28.5 kWReference

Power at rated engine speed

26.9 kWReference

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Max power

24.7 kWReference

25.0 kWReference

Starter volts

—

12Reference

Transmission

Gears

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (tested)

26.9 kWReference

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Type

sliding gearReference

Pressure

55.2 barReference

Rear PTO Type

540 (1.375)Reference

540Reference

PTO (claimed)

—

26.1 kWReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

224 cmReference

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Weight

2203 kgReference

2268 kgReference

Front tire

6.00-16Reference

6.50-16Reference

Rear tire

11-38Reference

12-38Reference

Ag front

22.50x4 (steel)Reference

22.50x4 steelReference

Ag rear

11.25-36Reference

51x8 steelReference

Length

337 cmReference

322 cmReference

Width

213 cmReference

215 cmReference

Height

198 cmReference

Shipping weight

2203 kgReference

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Ballasted weight

3070 kgReference

3433 kgReference

Bar rear axle

69 mmReference

Front tread

23 cmReference

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Rear tread

132 to 223 cmReference

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Operating weight

—

2268 kgReference

Farmall M attachments

M Serial Number Location

M Serial Numbers

1939

FBK501Reference

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1940

FBK7240Reference

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1941

FBK25371Reference

25371Reference

1942

FBK50988Reference

50988Reference

1943

FBK60011Reference

60011Reference

1944

FBK67424Reference

67424Reference

1945

FBK88085Reference

88085Reference

1946

FBK105564Reference

105564Reference

1947

FBK122823Reference

122823Reference

1948

FBK151708Reference

151708Reference

1949

FBK180514Reference

180514Reference

1950

FBK213579Reference

213579Reference

1951

FBK247518Reference

247518Reference

1952

FBK290923Reference

290923Reference

Final

FBK298218Reference

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Test results

Belt fuel use (max)

11.4 l/hourReference

10.2 l/hourReference

Fuel use

11.4 l/hourReference

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Max pull

1935 kgReference

2291 kgReference

MD Serial Numbers

Electrical

Ground

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positiveReference

Batteries

—

2Reference

Battery volts

—

6Reference

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.