Farmall 100 Identification

Johnnykick · Dec 11, 2016

I'm thinking of buying this tractor to restore. The guy tells me it's a 1956 Ford, but my research is telling me it's a 1954 Farmall 100. He says it runs and wants $350 for it. I need some help with identification and if anyone thinks this would be decent tractor to fix up and use in parades, etc. Here's what I've found:
The data plate on the left side is: "566 J"
On the right side, under the #1 plug there is no stamp on the flat surface. However, down near #3 and #4 just above the Firing Order 1-3-4-2 there is "C-123" in cast and just to the right stamped: "10621"
Under the Firing Order there is a cast "2"
Behind the oil filter: "3S49898 R3"...hard to read
The Battery compartment has: "354353 (or 8) R1

Thanks.

Johnny[/img]

gene bender · Dec 11, 2016

I would buy it quick as a wink but i do restore tractors. I do think its a good buy but if you cant do any of the work it needs it could be an expensive toy. But you are correct it is a 100. looks pretty original just will need engine running. For that kind of money you could part it out for some pretty big bucks as that model is not all that common.

Red Dave · Dec 11, 2016

Well it damn sure isn't a Ford. Farmall 100's were made in 1954, 55 & 56.
If 566 is the serial number, that would make it a 1954.

If it runs and the tires hold air, it is easily worth $350.

The "R1" & "R3" numbers are part numbers.

clint s · Dec 11, 2016

Geez just the mower is worth that. I would not hesitate if the tires hold air

steve706 · Dec 11, 2016

Seems to be a 100 industrial because of the square front axle and yellow paint coming through, pretty rare.

Johnnykick · Dec 11, 2016

What is "Industrial." Also, I just read that the serial #'s started at 501...that would mean that 566 would have been #65 off the line. Am I thinking right?

steve706 · Dec 11, 2016

Industrial tractors are usually a version of an agricultural tractor built for non farm use such as construction, factories etc. Same tractor but
could have modifications original from factory to strengthen certain parts.

gene bender · Dec 11, 2016

It apears to have the square front axle that is called industral other models have a round one. It could also have a foot throtle along with the regular throttle

BarnyardEngineering · Dec 12, 2016

(quoted from post at 19:58:04 12/11/16)
What is "Industrial." Also, I just read that the serial #'s started at 501...that would mean that 566 would have been #65 off the line. Am I thinking right?

No, that is the 66th tractor. 501 is the first. 502 is the second...

Oldihtractor · Dec 12, 2016

buy it the grill is worth what he is asking plus hardly and 100 industrials exsist. it would be an easy sale at a profit in any condition..

Johnnykick · Dec 12, 2016

(quoted from post at 08:42:14 12/13/16) buy it the grill is worth what he is asking plus hardly and 100 industrials exsist. it would be an easy sale at a profit in any condition..

Thanks. I bought it today and the owner will deliver it himself. How cool is that? I'm now focused on how to restore the paint and make it original. I ordered the manuals and a DVD on how to paint/restore. I appreciate all the advice. I live in the heart of downtown and my wife and friends think I'm nuts; but at the tender age of 64, what the hell?

steve706 · Dec 12, 2016

I have a 100 and it's my favourite tractor. They are simple to work on and fun to drive. Hope you have fun with your restoration.

rnicholas · Dec 14, 2016

I completely restored my grandfather's 100. The good thing about restoring these size tractors is that you can take them apart without too much trouble. Nothing is too heavy with the help of a engine puller--depends on how "deep" one wants to go on a restoration. For me, there wasn't too many nuts or bolts that were touched. Have fun.

Johnnykick · Dec 14, 2016

(quoted from post at 02:16:36 12/15/16) I completely restored my grandfather's 100. The good thing about restoring these size tractors is that you can take them apart without too much trouble. Nothing is too heavy with the help of a engine puller--depends on how "deep" one wants to go on a restoration. For me, there wasn't too many nuts or bolts that were touched. Have fun.

I appreciate the encouragement and looking forward to it. In a previous post, a member thought this may be an Industrial 100 due to the bleed through of yellow paint. I was about to discount that observation until I came across this site where it shows there were 71 Industrial's produced with serial #'s 504-574...mine is a 566. I've read in another thread that the only way to determine if it's Industrial is by the emblem "International" on the side where where the "Farmall" should be. (See the image of the A1). But as you can see on my tractor, all the emblems were removed. How can I know for sure?

Johnnykick · Dec 14, 2016

that site is: http://tractors.wikia.com/wiki/International_100#cite_note-Heartland-2

Jim Becker · Dec 14, 2016

Some obvious (and less obvious) errors on that page.

There were 135 International (industrial) 100s made, the first 3 in 1954 and the rest in 1955. The Farmalls and Internationals both started serial numbers at 501. Farmall 566 was made in November '54, and had an engine number somewhere less than 1700 or so. International 566 was built in April '55 and had an engine number somewhere between about 7900 and 10800. Your 10621 engine number matches up with the International numbers.

The heavy duty front axle suggests an International, as would a foot accelerator if it has one. You can probably find some casting date codes later than 11/54 too. I believe the serial plate would say International rather than Farmall. That is part of the silkscreened data, so it may be worn off or have been removed by solvent.

Johnnykick · Dec 15, 2016

Thanks!!

Johnnykick · Dec 19, 2016

Jim, I noticed this pedal noted on the attached. The manual doesn't mention this "pedal". Is this the foot accelerator you mentioned?

Jim Becker · Dec 19, 2016

Johnnykick · Dec 19, 2016

(quoted from post at 10:01:23 12/20/16) Yes.

What is the purpose of the foot accelerator?

Jim Becker · Dec 19, 2016

Control engine speed above where the hand control is set.

Johnnykick · Jan 20, 2017

Jim, I was able to locate a copy of Guy Fay's book, "Original Farmall Hundred Series 1954-1958." It confirms what you said about my tractor being an International. What I find interesting is there is no mention, or any pictures, of an International painted in yellow. Mine clearly has a base coat of yellow and the red is pealing off. What are your thoughts?

Jim Becker · Jan 20, 2017

Federal yellow didn't become a regular option on crawlers until October 1958. In fact "federal yellow" as a defined shade was pretty new then. It didn't become a standard color for industrial tractors until even later. Prior to that, any color other than red would have been a special color. Back then, orange was probably at least as common as yellow. Your tractor, if originally yellow, would have been a special order. It could have been #80 "highway yellow". #80 was in use in the 1940s. I don't know if it changed by 1955.

Johnnykick · Jan 20, 2017

Wow, that thickens the plot. I'm a long ways from painting this tractor and have time to ponder. If it was yours, would paint it yellow or red?

Matt E. · Jan 20, 2017

I'd go back to yellow. That's what it was before the red and likely originally. Nice find!

Jim Becker · Jan 20, 2017

Your tractor, your choice. If I was doing it, I'd lean towards yellow. There are a lot of industrial tractors that have been "restored" from yellow to red, not so many in yellow.

As far as which yellow, there are several choices. Most would probably use Federal Yellow and nobody would know any difference. I have never seen a paint decision reference to yellow between the ~1940 use of #80 "Highway Yellow" and the 1958 reference to Federal Yellow. If you can find some clean yellow on the tractor, you might want to use it as a sample at a paint store. To add some more confusion, take a look at this page. I think these are truck colors and may not apply directly to a tractor. I hope this site allows the link.

http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?color=Yellow&con=1&make=International Harvester&rows=50

kopeck · Jan 21, 2017

Not that my opinion matters but I would choose yellow.

Red Farmall are a dime a dozen. It looks like your's was yellow from the factory, I would show it as the unique machine it is.

K

GarryinNC · Jan 21, 2017

From the photos it looks like more of an orange/yellow. I guess hard to tell after 60 some years. You found a neat tractor for a project. Should be fun.

Garry

Jim Becker · Jan 21, 2017

There was a highway orange, #90, fairly common with highway depts. in the '50s.

Johnnykick · Jan 6, 2018

Thanks. Casting code is 4 12 A

Dennis K (WA) · Jan 6, 2018

Nice find Johnny. A = 1955
Because you are in the city you will be able to take it to Starbucks
for coffee when done.
Dennis

Johnnykick · Jan 6, 2018

LoL!! Friends have told me that I need to to that. That's a hoot.

Farmall 100 Identification

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