DC serial # doesn't make sense

I can't answer your question about the particular serial number that marked the change over to the foot clutch on the DC model- but I can give you some CASE production info that you might find of interest-

(all of the following information is taken from the same book that I quoted previously) :

"By February 1952, the decision was made to adopt the foot clutch, live power take-off and brakes on all DI models and the eagle hitch on all DC3's, in an effort to standardize common parts...

...Then in March 1952... the spring-loaded foot clutch was standardized on *ALL* D models. The logic behind this replacement was that with eagle hitch controls, there were now too many hand levers for the operator to use."

"By May 1952...(starting with Tractor No. 5600001), so many changes took place that a completely new parts book was required. All DC's had both of the brake pedals move to the right side of the operator."

"During 1953, 5,742 units were built, all D, DC3 and DC4's. Most of this year's production was inventoried. Records reveal that ALMOST ALL of these tractors were returned to the assembly area, some fitted with FOOT CLUTCHES, RENUMBERED AS 1954 UNITS and sold as such." (emphasis is mine)

So Paul- what I gather from all of that is the "first" foot clutch equipped DCs with an 80 series serial number were probably converted '53 models. (made after the serial number format change of November 17, 1952.)

What that book doesn't make clear is whether or not any of the 1952 model year(pre-serial # change) DCs had foot clutches or not...

-Schotte
(who just thoroughly confused himself)

Paul f

Can you clarify for me. I thought the year was determined by taking the first two numbers and subtracting 4, so 5645623 would be a 1952 tractor.

The "subtract 4" rule does work for most of the Case 7-digit serial numbers- but it does not work for the later production ones (as you'll see below)

I can't credit the author of the quotation in the book I'm citing, because I don't know the title (it's a Xerox copy a friend mailed me)- but the info is from the chapter titled "The Flambeau Series 1939-1955" That chapter states the following:

"The first Model D with an 80 serial number, No. 8023172, was made on November 17, 1952 (1953 build year but 1952 calendar year). All units, as with all other Case tractor models of the time, exhibited serial numbers beginning with 80 (Racine-built SC and DC) and 60 (for Rock Island units). It is not possible to accurately access the year of build for these units without number block information. Earlier units followed a predictable recipe that revealed the year of manufacture; these, however, did not."

Hope this clarifies things.

Can anybody give me the name and author of this book? It's a good read, and I'd love to pick up a copy and see clearer versions of all those great assembly line & loading photos.

Regards, -Schotte

I'm interested in this one because it has both live pto and eagle hitch. It's a long way from home, but nothing a few days on the road and good times couldn't cure.