Tractor Trivia

Submit your tractor trivia to JR and we will post it here for everyone to see.

All Brands:

• Normally you can easily go 2" wider or narrower on tires and rims.


• If your tractor starts missing or sputtering and you want to find out if it is a fuel problem or electrical, simply pull the choke out. If it trys to run better it is fuel, if it doesn't help it is electrical.

Allis Chalmers:

• D14 Grill colors: Before 1959 = orange, 1959 & after = silver mesh with black cross bars.

Cockshutt:

• The 35 was built in Canada, the U.S. equivalent was the Black Hawk & Golden Arrow.

Ford:

How to determine if your Ford is a 9N or 2N:

1939 only 9N

1. Cast aluminum grill with horizontal slots.
2. No freeze out plugs on block.
3. 2-ribs on fender.
4. Approximately first 700 tractors equipped with cast aluminum hoods.
5. Ignition key switch on right side of dash.
6. 2-brush generator.

1940 9N

1. Single rib fenders.
2. Freeze out plugs are now inside of block.
3. Single rib fenders.
4. Ignition key switch is now on left side of dash.
5. 3-brush generator.
6. Hinged battery lid introduced to replace the clip held lid (mid year).

1941 9N

1. 3 spoke steering wheel (covered spokes) first used.
2. Steel grill with vertical spokes.
3. Riveted rear axle hubs replace the 'smooth' rear axle.
4. Ignition key switch is moved to steering column.

1942 9N

    The 9N parts were being used up to build the 2N.

1942 2N

1. 3-spoke steering wheel (w/ exposed metal spokes) first used.
2. Grill now has slotted center bar.
3. Hood side panels have exposed bolt to retain to front axle support (mid year).
4. Front emblem has '2N' on lower edge of emblem.
5. Fender mount holes in rear axle housing are no longer solid, the are opened up between upper and lower vertical hole.

1943 2N

1. Pressurized radiator is introduced (mid year).
2. 32" tires are no longer offered.

1944 2N

1. Trans input shaft gear is changed to helical cut (mid year).
2. Oval style radius rods replace the solid 'I' beam style rods (mid year).
3. Sealed beam headlights first offered.

1945 2N

1. Heavier rear axle housings introduced (mid year).

1946 2N

1. Rear axle housings are improved by making them thicker again.

1947 2N

1. Casting number and date added to engine block (where starter bolts) to rear axle housing.

International:

• The fast hitch was introduced in July 1953.


• Tractors used gray paint thru October 1936.
  Tractors used red paint November 1st 1936.


• Larger parts were typically dated when they were cast. These dates provide clues about when the tractor was built, since most parts were used to assemble tractors in a few months' time. They can also tell you which parts of the tractor were replaced over the years. Letter series castings use a "day-month-year" format, with the year represented by a letter (12-3-K, for example). The letter code translates to a year ('K' refers to 1941). Early Letter Series tractors don't have an abundance of dated parts. By the mid-1940's however, large parts were labeled more consistently. Codes can usually be found on various parts, including belt pulley carriers, engine blocks, transmission cases, cast wheels, hydraulic pumps, and clutch cases. The location of the codes on the parts themselves varies, so you have to look carefully to find them.

Note that:
The system was implented in 1931, with 'A' assigned to that year.
In 1951, several letters were used (see chart).
To the author's knowledge, the letter 'V' was never used.
The alphabet reset in 1955, starting over at 'A'.

John Deere:

Lettered Series Gauge Colors - All were white face gauges until sometime in 1952 when the supply of white face gauges ran out and John Deere switched to black face gauges. Below are the approximate serial number breaks:


• Styled A changed to black after serial number 700200
• Styled B changed to black after serial number 306600
• Styled G changed to black after serial number 60700

Keep in mind these are the serial numbers of when the change was scheduled for, but white face gauges were installed until the stock was diminished.
Tractors with serial numbers not listed probably changed mid 1952 to black face gauges.


• Flatspoke steering wheels were used 1934 thru 1938.


• Nine hole seat pans were first used in 1937.


• 2-cylinder generator colors Waterloo built tractors were black until the black dash 20 series tractors. After that they were painted green unless it was an industrial then it was painted the industrial color.


• 2-cylinder muffler colors - most mufflers on waterloo built tractors prior to the 20 series were painted green, 20 series up was black. Dubuque built tractor mufflers were heat resistant silver from the M series, 40 series, 320 & 420 to serial number 135025 thereafter they were painted black.


• 'A' gauges were white face to SN: 700200, then they changed to black face.


• 'B' gauges were white face to SN: 306600, then they changed to black face.


• Unstyled and early styled tractors had yellow fan blades to mid 1940


• 'H' fan was yellow up to SN: 20614

Massey Ferguson:

• 40 started production April 1956 (a few were painted beige/green)


• F40 & MH50 were discontinued in late 1957.


• 1958 all tractors were changed to red & flint metallic grey paint.


• TO35 paint was grey & green from December 1954 thru April 1956. Then they were painted beige & flint metallic grey. Later in late 1957 it was changed again to red & flint metallic grey. (dates are approximate)

Massey Harris:

• MH 33 & 44 Tractor Serial Numbers - In addition to the serial number plates frequently missing from the frame rail behind engine, the serial numbers are steel stamped into the frame / top of transmission about where driver's left foot might rest. Frequently these areas are covered with grease, dirt, and/or paint, but serial number will be there. It may be in 2 lines with designation such as 33G1RF above the actual serial number.
  
  Common designations are:
  G=Gas (vs K=distillate or D=diesel or B=LP)
  1=Sea Level (vs A=altitude or 5=altitude 5000 feet)
  R=RowCrop (vs S=standard or W=wide front or O=Orchard)
  F=Foot Clutch (vs H=hand clutch)
  
  Not all codes were used on all tractors and designations as W could also be Wheatland on a 555, etc.
  
  Edward Mills
  
  
• If serial number tag is missing on 33 or 44 series look under the front cast frame where it bolts to transmission, there will be a raised number date, this will get you close to when your tractor was assembled.
  
  
• 101 sr. used a 201 c.i. Chrysler engine from 1938 to 1940, 1940 - up used a 217 c.i. Chrysler engine.
  
  

Oliver:

• Super 66 up had green rims and centers until January 19, 1957. Then they switched to red rims and centers.


• Super 77 first one was built October 15th 1954.


• Super 77 1957 and up were all 12 volt.


• Super 77 above SN: 28722 had power steering option (1956 & up).


• Super 77 had embossed fenders starting with SN: 47552 (February 25th, 1957). It was called the 'Improved Super 77'.


• Improved Super 77 serial numbers started with the number '27'. Unimproved Super 77 serial numbers started with the number '17'.