New To Me: 1944 ZTU

Hello all! Well, I have added a new color to my heard. Having spent most of my time over at the IH, Case, and JD forums... I'm now the proud owner of a 1944 ZTU (S/N 575616)! A little back history on this tractor - the gentleman bought it in a 5-tractor package deal from someone whose father had passed away. The young man wanted nothing to do with tractors. The grandfather had reportedly overhauled it not long before he parked it, and then passed away. Motor is loose (has compression), tinwork and fenders are nice and straight, and everything is there including the battery box cover and hand crank. Tires are weather checked slightly but have good tread and hold air. There are a couple broken headlight lenses, but other than that the tractor looks real nice, complete and solid. Checking the oil, it is good and black (not milky), the radiator is full of coolant, and the transmission shifts. The gentleman said that when he towed it to the place it is now, he threw it in gear and it does have good oil pressure. Only reason he bought it was the young man he got it from said, "Take all five or none"... He wanted one of the tractors out of the five.

I guess what I am looking for is some pointers on where to start. I know MM tractors are a little bit of a unique design. I figured I would take the tank off, flush it real good, clean/rebuild the carb (has a Marvel Schebler), new spark plugs, go through the mag, and then adjust the valves to tolerance. From there, add a little fuel and see what happens.. Here are a couple photos I snapped of the tractor, and also a video that I took with gracious permission.

Any information is appreciated! Excited to start on this old girl.



On the Hunt for a MM

Congratulations on a great find. That's a good looking machine.

From the description you gave of the condition and history, if it were me, I would check to see if you have spark from the mag, flush the gas tank and put in some fresh gas, and give it a whirl. Bet she runs. Unless the carb actually needs attention, I wouldn't mess with it just yet. Good luck.

The only thing that has me concerned about the carburetor is the fact that the intake hose has not been hooked up for some time. The choke operates, but being open to the elements for a while, I think I at least want to give it a thorough cleaning. The fuel tank definitely needs to be cleaned out, though.

Being it is a 1944, just some info from what I have heard, if there is an " S-3 " on your rear tires they are a synthetic rubber tire used during the war.

I will have to take a look at it - thanks for the heads up!