What year and model do I have?..

puttinaround · Aug 1, 2018

I need help identifying the tractor I
acquired..its an old fully restored
Ferguson..but all the numbers all over the
castings are confusing..according to what
I've read the Z120 engine was not supposed
to be in a TO-35..but it clearly has that
on the crankcase..but under the battery
shelf it clearly says TO-3550..I've
enclosed a crude drawing of all the numbers
I've found all over the tractor and need
help..thank you..EW

steve19438 · Aug 1, 2018

Z-120 is most likely a TO-20.

all your other numbers are "casting" codes/numbers when the various parts were made.

some one will most likely provide you with the means to decipher the casting codes.

Tom Bowman · Aug 1, 2018

Why do you think it's a TO-35? (That's not what that "TO-3550" means.)
Is there a serial number plate on the dash?
Like Steve says, it sounds like a TO-20, but someone here can likely figure out the casting numbers. (Some of those numbers sound familiar, based on my TO-20.)
The Ferguson Enthusiasts website has a very helpful tractor identification guide.
Some photos of the tractor itself would also be helpful.

jturn36178 · Aug 1, 2018

Shoot!!! I wish I could draw that CRUDELY?

puttinaround · Aug 1, 2018

I just read the model no was located on the
steering column support..nothing on the
dash.. and it said TO-3551 there..I read
the "51" designated the year but not
sure..thank you for your help..EW

Steve@Advance · Aug 1, 2018

Some other clues...

A TO20 has a single shift lever.

A TO30 has a single shift lever, air filter inlet through the dash.

A TO35 has 2 shift levers.

On the left of this page is a serial number section. Process of elimination, look up some of the date codes cast in to various castings. I believe the 3 and 4 digit numbers are date codes, 249 would be Feb 49. I could be wrong on that though, someone will verify. Remember, a machine this old may very well have been "Johnny Cashed" together!

Steve@Advance · Aug 1, 2018

The serial number will be on a polished metal tag, held on with screws, so likely gone or replaced.
TO30

puttinaround · Aug 1, 2018

Here are pics..

Tom Bowman · Aug 1, 2018

I think I can see the edge of a serial number tag on the dash, right under the throttle lever. What does it say?

Dan S (NY) · Aug 1, 2018

That is a TO20 or TO30 steering post. I can see the edge of the serial number plate at the top of the picture. It may be painted over but it should have your serial number stamped at the top of it. A picture of the complete tractor would help give a positive identification of what it is.
Dan

steve19438 · Aug 1, 2018

be very careful how you clean that ID plate. very easy to remove numbers. do NOT ask how I know.

Tom H. · Aug 1, 2018

Great drawings and ID numbers. HF castings mean Harry Ferguson. The Z120 on the engine suggests either a TO20 or TE 20 and the TO3555 on the dash would be a 1949 TO20

puttinaround · Aug 1, 2018

Thank you for your help Tom..great info!!..

puttinaround · Aug 1, 2018

Good eye!!..I missed that..its got several
layers of paint over it but still
attached..I tried a soft brass bristle wire
brush..that took the haze off..then a small
brass wire brush in drill and it quickly
took one sample corner down to bare
metal..have to wait till this weekend with
a softer brush and my dremmeltool to
investigate farther..I could see the corner
of a raised letter or number stamped from
the backside of that tag..I'll have more
info by this weekend..thank you for your
help..EW

puttinaround · Aug 1, 2018

Thanks to all of yawl for the great info and tips..I knew if I needed help go to groups like you..thanks again..should have more definate details soon..EW

miner09 · Aug 1, 2018

120 Crankshaft will interchange and work in a Z134. You said crankcase did you mean crankshaft?

Charles in Aus. · Aug 2, 2018

Tools are far too brutal to use on the very soft alloy these serial number plates are made of . Once the number is obscured it is lost forever , there are no cross referencing records that can retrieve it .
I would recommend using Acetone or paint stripper to remove the paint , using anything abrasive will only run the risk of fatal damage .
I have heard of enthusiasts using welding Xray services to reveal badly obscured serial numbers such is the capacity for these numbers to be lost .

steve19438 · Aug 2, 2018

after I ruined one plate I then used a "orange" paint stripper. much better results.

Tom H. · Aug 2, 2018

Just brush the bottom of the plate gently to get the serial number. As others stated use a mild paint remover to clean off the rest of the plate.

We would also like to see a picture of the whole tractor.

Tom

puttinaround · Aug 2, 2018

Bear with me guys..I am very new to this site and having trouble getting pictures up where yawl can see them..sooner or later I'll figure it out..I have a lot of pics to show yawl..

Tom H. · Aug 3, 2018

Take a look on the side here at Serial numbers. Under Ferguson you will find your info.

Post a pic af the whole tractor when you can.

puttinaround · Aug 6, 2018

Well..after spending time cleaning and stripping paint off the serial number tag I was telling my grandpa I had figured out what model the tractor was when my worst fear came true..he told me that tractor had been built from 2 tractors..at 86yrs old getting information from him is a real challenge..he said the steering head and console came off a different tractor..but the engine and drivetrain are original..that would explain odd combinations of ID numbers..I hoped I had an all original unit but I'm still happy..it may not be showroom
quality but it runs great and does what I need..thanks for the help guys..EW

What year and model do I have?..

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