Not a bad old SU

Ultradog MN · Jan 29, 2015

A friend of mine told me about this tractor a couple ~ 3 years ago so I went over to St Paul and found it in the parking ramp where it was kept.
It looked to be a clean, well maintained old tractor.
At the time it had a pair of bumper weights bolted to that iron on the front. I wonder where they went.
I would have remembered it being an SOS and the code says it's an 8 speed so their 10 speeds is wrong.
Notice it has a 3400 front axle under it. I thought that would have made it a 4410 but maybe you could order an SU that way.
Wouldn't be a bad deal if someone wanted one.
I'll bet the hours are accurate though I would have to verify that with my own eyes to be certain.
The tach is sure nice and clean.
Just a nice old Ford.
SU in St Paul, MN

Royse · Jan 29, 2015

Looks pretty good actually. Long way from home though.

mhb@ufe · Jan 30, 2015

Messed that up I was looking at the serial number

Mark

Sean in PA · Jan 30, 2015

It does look to be in nice shape, but I don't know anybody up that way that would be interested in a tractor (except you and Kenny).

Definitely was an 8 speed when it left the factory. Model number on the foil sticker is D1424C, which is a 4000SU with gasoline engine, non-live PTO and an 8 speed transmission. Unit number makes it to be a November 26, 1973 tractor. Serial number is just a hair above the claimed starting s/n for 1974 according to most sites on the internet, including this one. But I've found that those starting serial number lists are just approximate, with some years being slightly too high and others being slightly too low.

mhb@ufe · Jan 30, 2015

Should be independent PTO Sean

Mark

Ultradog MN · Jan 30, 2015

Agree.
D1424C

Tom in TN · Jan 30, 2015

Okay Guys. I confess my ignorance.

What's the difference between a "special utility" tractor and a regular old agricultural tractor?

Tom in TN

Dean · Jan 30, 2015

The SU has the light duty swept back front axle and, usually, 28" rear tires, although the pictured SU appears to have 24" rears.

The SU model has a lower center of gravity and makes a good mowing tractor for steep areas but is not well suited for FEL duty.

Dean

Sean in PA · Jan 30, 2015

Sorry, my dyslexia surfacing. My brain saw a 2 in the second to last spot. You are correct, 4 is independent PTO,.

Ultradog MN · Jan 31, 2015

Think of an SU as a 4000 with a 3000 front end.

Sean in PA · Jan 31, 2015

The original 4000SU is basically a 4000 with a 3000 front end, but this one, as you pointed out, has a 3400 front end instead. I guess that makes it a 4000VSU (Very Special Utility).

Zack(NC) · Feb 2, 2015

The original concept for the 4000SU came from a dealer in Rocky Mount Va. Mr. Clements at Clements Ford Tractor, he was the brain behind the SU he developed the tractor in his shop with the idea using the wet brakes, I have no proof to show you about this story but he told us the whole story about it & how the engineers came down from Michigan & seen his tractor he made & they took his ideas & the tractor back with them & started producing the 4000SU. He used a 4000 AP & a 3000 splitting them. He made it after his customers told him they wanted a more horsepower tractor but lower to the ground like the 3000 & geared lower for the hills that are around the area of Franklin Co. Va. I wished I had proof to share with you but we heard the story from the man himself when me & dad would stop in there. I am now friends with his grandsons that still live up there. They sold the dealership & had a sale which we attended about 1o yrs ago. Mr Clements was a very smart man & sharp mechanic too.

Not a bad old SU

Ultradog MN

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Royse

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mhb@ufe

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Sean in PA

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mhb@ufe

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Ultradog MN

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Tom in TN

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Dean

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Ultradog MN

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