Running only petrol on a Farmall M

[RobertM]

I have recently acquired a Farmall M series (1940’s) and shown the 2 fuel tanks - smaller for petrol to start and larger for diesel to run. Question is whether I can run (around 10 mile journey) on petrol alone - without damaging the engine, valves etc? I was told it might run too hot if driven for any great length of time. Have only used petrol for use around my fields, but not for more than half hour at a time. Starts and runs beautifully every time (standard grade petrol).

 

[bill and bens dad]

are you sure the second tank is for diesel? I have a farmall model H which is petrol /TVO, i know they made a farmall bmd is that what you have? great old tractors

 

[Dead Rabbits]

I don’t think it would be bad for it at all. I’m no expert on them but my family has a couple. That’s a really small tank though.

 

[steveR]

are you sure the second tank is for diesel? I have a farmall model H which is petrol /TVO, i know they made a farmall bmd is that what you have? great old tractors

I am farm from knowledgeable about such beasts, but I thought that the usual thing was to start on petrol, and switch to TVO? Had a drum of TVO here that was used for freeing rusted bolts for 50 years!

 

[dave mountain]

shouldnt damage it as long as its only doing very light duty work. if working harder you should either use use kero or TVO, depending on your tractor model. Most are meant to run on TVO but some are meant to run on pure VAK (vehicle agricultural kerosene) which is basically 28 sec heating oil. To make TVO you need to mix 28 sec, petrol and two stroke oil. People will give you all kinds off different mix ratios that will probably all work just fine, i used to use 17L 28 sec, 5L petrol, 0.5L 2 stroke. leaves you just enough room in a 25L can to shake it up.

 

[Wisconsonian]

If it has an injection pump, then it's diesel. If it ONLY has a carburetor, then it's TVO/distillate or kerosene. Hopefully Robert can tell the difference.

edited to capitalize ONLY

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Just to clarify the model he is asking about has both a carburetor and an injection pump. It has injectors and spark plugs. Two individual fuel tanks as well but the gas tank holds maybe a gallon, just meant for starting

 

[5020man]

Hi.
Where did he mention injection pump ?.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Not sure but if it's a petrol start diesel engine then wouldn't it be better to switch it over to diesel for the longer journey? If it is one of these wouldn't it be a farmall MD not an M ?

 

[Dead Rabbits]

He said diesel so assumed it was a diesel rather than a hot manifold running on kerosene. Could be wrong

 

[Wisconsonian]

Hi.
Where did he mention injection pump ?.

He didn't, but there are two trains of thought on this thread, either diesel or TVO/distillate. The easiest way to tell the difference is if it has an injection pump or not. Yes, it would be an MD, but it wouldn't be the first to have the wrong decal on it. Or it could be TVO, nobody knows but Robert.