600 series ford tractor

I recently bought a tractor, I am trying to figure out the year
and model. A plate was welded over where the sn would be
and all I can see is 77840 but cannot find anything with that
number. Is there anything else I can do?
Thanks

If the number you mentioned is stamped on the transmission housing just to the rear of the starter, it could be the serial number and if so, it would be during the early part of 1956.
As far as the model, that would depend on how the tractor is equipped. Does it have a 3-point lift and pto? Is it a 4-speed or 5-speed tranny? Can you post a photo? -Will

Here is additional info from John Smith's site:
Decoding the 3 digit model numbers on Hundred series tractors -

First number
6** - Four wheel utility type with adjustable front axle, 134 ci gas or LP-gas engine
7** - High clearance row crop with134 ci gas or LP-gas engine
8** - Four wheel utility type with adjustable front axle, 172 ci gas or LP-gas engine
9** - High clearance row crop type, 172 ci gas or LP-gas engine

Second number
*2* - Four speed transmission, no PTO or 3 point lift
*3* - Four speed transmission, no PTO
*4* - Four speed transmission with PTO and 3 point lift
*5* - Five speed transmission with 3 point lift and non-live PTO
*6* - Five speed transmission with 3 point lift and live PTO

Third number
**0 - Hundred series, '55 - '57

1954 Serial number 1 - 10614
1955 Serial number 10615 - 77270
1956 Serial number 77271 - 116367
1957 Serial number 116368 - up

additionally you can look at the block casting #, and dash metal .. 00 units had an ammeter.. 01 units had a dash charge lamp.. etc

That number you see does look like a serial number. If the tractor really is a 600 then Will is correct on the year. But it could be a 601, in which case that number would make it a 1959 (serial numbers started over in late 1957). Some people don't differentiate between the X00 and X01 series.

If you can find date codes on various components, that would help nail it down. Look for 3 character codes cast into various parts of the machine (engine block, rear end, hydraulic top cover, transmission, rear axles, etc). Here are some photos of date codes pulled off my 850 for reference so you know what you're looking for. Jot them down and post back with what you find. Let us know if any of the letters in the codes are upside down or backwards. That is significant.

Also if you can post photos of the tractor that will help us help you.

Date codes:
Rear end housing. Code is 57M found on the right side.

Engine block. Code is 58B. It happens to be upside down. Found on the left, down low and toward the rear. I have heard of engine date codes found in different locations other than where mine is.

Hydraulic top cover. Code is also 58B. Found hiding under the seat spring if you have a standard flip seat. Easier to see if you have a Rest-O-Ride seat.

Transmission case. Code is once again 58B. Found on the right side hiding under the right running board. My date codes are fairly consistent. This is not always the case. Don't expect all your date codes to be the same. Usually they are not.

Rear axle. Code is G255. This is a different format date code than the others. Found on the forward facing surface of the rear axle trumpets. There should be a code on each axle. Sometimes they are upside down. My other axle code is G225.

Jim- Can you explain the meaning of the codes you show, that is, what is the 'B' in 58B, 'M' in 57M and what does G255 mean? The casting codes I have found on my x01 Fords usually look like '9A6' or similar. I believe the 9 is for 1959 and 'A' for January (?) and the '6' for the day of the month I suppose, is that correct?
Other than the fuel gauge and gen light in place of the ammeter as soundguy mentioned, is there any obvious way to tell a 600 from a 601? Can't always trust decals... -Will

Sure! There are at least 4 different date code formats out there. Starting with the 8N the date codes were mostly the same as my axle code. The code consists of a letter followed by 2 or 3 digits.

The first character (letter) calls out the month:
A = Jan
B = Feb
C = Mar
D = Apr
E = May
F = Jun
G = Jul
H = Aug
J = Sep
K = Oct
L = Nov
M = Dec

The LAST digit calls out the year

Whatever is between the letter and the last digit is the day of the month. So my axle code G255 is July 25, 1955. A code of B26 would be February 2, 1956.

This date code format is found on 8N engine blocks and axle castings. Starting with the NAA this date code system is pretty much limited to axle castings.

Other parts started using a different system starting with NAA and X00 series. This system has 3 characters. The first character is a digit ans calls out the year. The next character could be a digit or a letter and calls out the month.
1 = Jan
2 = Feb
3 = Mar
4 = Apr
5 = May
6 = Jun
7 = Jul
8 = Aug
9 = Sep
0 = Oct
A = Nov
B = Dec

The last character calls out the day of the month and is a letter. This gets a little weird because there are usually 30 or 31 days in a month but only 26 letters in the alphabet. Plus they don't use the letter I so that only leaves 25 letters used.
A = 1
B = 2
C = 3
D = 4
E = 5
F = 6
G = 7
H = 8
J = 9
K = 10
L = 11
M = 12
N = 13
O = 14
P = 15
Q = 16
R = 17
S = 18
T = 19
U = 20
V = 21
W = 22
X = 23
Y = 24
Z = 25

The rest of the days are like this:
26 = Upside down A
27 = Backwards B
28 = Backwards C
29 = Backwards D
30 = Backwards E
31 = Backwards F

With the X01 series, the codes changed to what you are seeing on your tractor. You are correct that 9A6 would be January 6 1959. My brother-in-law's 1964 4000 light industrial has an engine date code of 4K26 (October 26, 1964).

I just realized I didn't answer all of your questions. On my tractor, 57M is July 12, 1955. 58B is August 2, 1955.

Jim- Thanks, that's a lot of good information, I'm going to save this for reference. I've never taken the time to look at all the codes on the two old Fords I have, but now they will make sense to me. I think both tractors are mutts in that they have some parts from different years and probably different donor tractors. But that's OK, everything works good! 'preciate it! -Will

Couldn't you say that the letters are upside down, not backwards? The F is questionable, though. Ford wouldn't likely buy new stamping dies if they didn't have to.

The numbers and letters are cast not stamped. looks the sam looks the same as a frontwards A therefore they used an upside A. All other letters that designate a date after the 25th are backwards.

Montana, welcome to the forum - We're glad to have you!

Providing your tractor is all original, there are casting date codes on most of the larger tractor components.

Peruse [u:42077af1ee][b:42077af1ee][color=darkred:42077af1ee]this discussion[/color:42077af1ee][/b:42077af1ee][/u:42077af1ee] to decipher the codes.