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Is This a Rare Model L?

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Dave Olson - Il

03-13-2003 19:31:21

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Build Card Case Model L

I just received the build card from J.I. Case in Racine on a tractor that I am considering buying. Serial number 4209298 L. Guy that has it thinks it is rare because of the options that are on the tractor.

As the tractor is now as he described it and sent me photographs:
-What is left of Orange Paint on sheet metal � Seller thinks it is the original color.
-Electric start � Probably factory installed.
-Lights mounted facing forward on fenders & rear-facing light mounted on right fender; � May be factory
-Oil & Amp gauges � May be factory
-Cast Wheels front & rear � Probably factory
-No Pto but has belt pulley.
-Wooden floor under operators seat � Factory?
-Seat has cushion & back support � Factory?
-Hand clutch with foot brakes.

The build card shows that it was built, inspected and shipped on 4-18-38. It was shipped to J.I. Case in Sidney Australia.

Only other notations on the build card are: W/731168 aa � a1552aa Wheels. W/1339aa H.S. Chain.

Anyone have an idea what the notations mean? Since this tractor was built in �38 it should have been painted gray, but would it have been painted Orange because it was shipped to Australia?

Does the wood under the operators seat indicate that it may have had a cab on it when it left the factory? It is my understanding that Case offered a wooden cab, electric start, and a light package as options.

Do you think that this is a Rare Model L? Engine is loose but not running. Tires round & black. Sheet metal appears in good condition but quite a bit of rust. Asking $2500 for it!

Thanks for your time and interest.

Dave Olson � East-Central Illinois

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Tom Railsback

03-16-2003 18:56:09

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

My home E-mail doesn't work so I'm posting under my work number.
Per the L parts book (a254) the first L with electic start was 4206422. The same book shows that mechanical rear wheel brakes were available beginning in 1936; turning brakes were available
beginning in 1939.
All but one of the electric start L's I have seen
were Flambeau.
Are the rear rims two piece? My parts book shows them as an option starting witj 4200000.
My suggestion is the same as "Mr. Thinker" in
"Green Magazine". Get a parts book and study it.
You can learn a lot that way.
Good luck.

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Allan Currie

03-16-2003 12:31:42

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

The wooden platform is correct. They used this style until at least 1944. The wheels? could have been offered by then but could be from an LA as this was common, as was painting them red. I know, I did it once on a 1937 L.

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Chances R

03-15-2003 17:13:35

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

I feel I need to follow up on this issue. Here is the facts. And I can prove them. The L case not only came out on steel, but also cast centers and steel rims so you could mount tires to them. This was a option that came about approximately 1936. True the LA also had the steel wheel option as well as cast centers and rims for tires. If I remember rIght the L used 28 inch rubber and the LA used 30 inch rubber. The mag generator was a CASE factory option for tractors such as the CI and LI from the early 30's. I have a 1931 CINT with it. The 1938 CC, L, 1939 and 1940 DC used it and probally the 39 and 40 LA. After looking at the picture closer I would check on a few things. Check and make sure the rearend is a 3 speed and not a LA 4 speed. I am not possitive about the steering wheel that is on that tractor it looks as though it is a LA style instead of a L. With this said it is possible that the 1938 L used that style of steering wheel. Once again they are rare enough that I am not possitive on the steering wheel. The bottom line is this tractor could be a very nice ORIGINAL tractor. The price is probally top dollar on it, but once again it could be worth it to you. I would do a little more research in some of the areas that I talked to you about. The tractor hobby is a never ending learning hobby. I still learn everyday. Charlie English JR

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Dave Olson Illinois

03-15-2003 19:09:48

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Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Chances R, 03-15-2003 17:13:35

Here is another picture. This one is from Mr. Letourneau's "Illustrated Buyer's Guide, Case Tractors" 2nd addition.

You may not be able to read the text under the photo so here it is:

"A 1938 Model C. The design of this two to three-plow tractor was virtually identical to that of the larger Model L. Case Company

The wheels on this tractor look just like the ones on the L that we are talking about.

Dave Olson - East-Central Illinois

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Jim P

03-14-2003 22:19:58

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

Wow! this tractor is so far from originial I can't believe he's trying to sell it as such. The steering gear is a conversion to high ratio, maybe factory but not like the early ones on steel. I know because my 29 L has the same steering gear. My Dad put it on when he converted to rubber in 1938. Rare L's are ones most original or are close to the first ones put out or close to the end of production, before LA's came in. My L was made in the first run of L's ever built.

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Jim P

03-14-2003 22:10:09

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

I would say the numbers with HS chain means it has larger rear sprockets to get more speed but with less power put to the wheels in each gear.

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Chances R

03-14-2003 04:27:01

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

Yep its kind of rare. Not to many of the 38 L Cases with all the electric start options out there. As far as those build card numbers go, I think they are talking about the 4 wheels being cast iron and it has high speed sprockets in the rear end. If that tractor was running, I think I would buy it. If you think you need it buy it, it will be a eye catcher. To me everything on it is factory except for the seat.

my web site

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Dave Olson

03-13-2003 19:35:43

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Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson - Illinois, 03-13-2003 19:31:21

Another picture of this tractor showing belt pulley and starter.

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Jim P

03-14-2003 21:59:44

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Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson, 03-13-2003 19:35:43

by the way-- it doesn't have a belt pulley it has the inter small pulley with the brake on it(braked as you pushed the clutch handle forward, all L's pulled to engage and pushed to disengage with the handle on the right side where LA's pushed to engage and pulled back to disengage with the handle on the left side.. ). the belt pulley bolts on it and is about six to eight in. wide. and I doubt it has indivual wheel brakes as none had them that I know of.

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Dr Cy Kosis

03-15-2003 13:54:40

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Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Jim P, 03-14-2003 21:59:44

My 29 L has a small "pedal" below the hand clutch that functions like the parking brake on my C. The C has a ratchet locking hand lever while my L has a small foot pedal with notches and a pall to lock and hold the brake band tight. I would bet this is what the owner sees and is mistaking for a foot brake. Normally one would just use the brake feature on the hand clutch to stop. It appears that someone diabled the lock on mine in the past and must have used it like a footbrake. Might have been a common practice, who knows?

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Jim P

03-13-2003 21:27:28

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Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson, 03-13-2003 19:35:43

Ser# indicates it's a 1937. I can't ans. many questions but I have never seen a L or LA with a gear driven generator between the engine and Mag.

My understanding all L's were painted gray and Flambeau came with the LA's.

Wooden platform on all L's? at least I know wood came on the 29 L

I think Elec start and Lights were a option 37 on. as well as rubber tires. Could have been sooner.

Is this tractor still in Aust.?

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Jim P

03-13-2003 21:35:24

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Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Jim P, 03-13-2003 21:27:28

Figured wrong, I went by six numbers, (and was even wrong than), not seven so it is a 38 L

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Jim P

03-14-2003 22:04:15

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Jim P, 03-13-2003 21:35:24

The more I look the more I see.. The mag is not a stock L It looks like a LA mag. Also How do you post pic.'s I cant seem to do it.???

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Dave Olson Illinois

03-16-2003 13:09:14

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Jim P, 03-14-2003 22:04:15

Hello Jim P,

You have to upload your photos to a photo site that will be your host. I use Phone Island here is a link to their site.

Link

When you go to their site you can sign up for free. You can set up a photo album for your pictures that you upload. After you upload the pic, click on the thumbnail and when it enlarges, look to the lower left and click on �Url for auction etc.� copy and paste that to the box at the bottom of this page that says �Optional image URL�. That will put your pic in the body of the message.

Thanks for your feedback on my questions about this Model L.

Dave Olson � East-Central Illinois

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Bob

03-14-2003 14:55:11

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Jim P, 03-13-2003 21:35:24

I will bet that the tractor is not here in Australia. It does snow in the higher mountains here, but it looks like North American scenery to me in the background to the picture. It would be interesting to know the full story behind this tractor.

I will also bet that the tractor has been repainted. 1938 is too early for flambeau red. A lot of people repainted gray Cs and Ls here.

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Dave Olson

03-14-2003 19:59:37

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Bob, 03-14-2003 14:55:11

Hello Bob,

You are right the tractor is located here in the Midwest of the good old USA!

The fellow that has it says he can't find any Gray on it anywhere! That�s why I thought it may have been painted Orange at the factory since it was shipped down under where you are!

Apparently the tractor was in storage for quite awhile in Nebraska. Was sold in an estate sale.

Would kinda like to have the tractor in my collection but it sure is a lot of money for a tractor that is not running! What do you think it is worth?

I've posted another picture of the tractor. By the way I was reading a Case Tractor Buyers written by Peter Letourneau today. He states that a cushion seat was offered on the LI series along with a foot operated clutch, along with other options that I do not think this tractor has.

Dave Olson - East-Central Illinois

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Jim P

03-14-2003 21:46:37

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Dave Olson, 03-14-2003 19:59:37

The only rare part I see is the gen-mag combination and I bet that wasn't a Case option. The cast wheels are from a LA so this tractor isn't rare it's a hodge-poge. The tractor seat is a late 1950's put on. The lights look like from the junk yard ,like from a old car. Someone might have sand blasted the gray paint off before painting it Flambeu Might be a good tractor but long way from original. The price is way to high.

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Will

03-15-2003 19:00:45

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Jim P, 03-14-2003 21:46:37

The mag gen is a factory option. I also have one. The wheels shown are not.

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Jim P

03-15-2003 21:35:56

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Is This a Rare Model L? in reply to Will, 03-15-2003 19:00:45

Your right .. I came across a ad in the summer 1999 Old Abe news and I found a guy from Minn. wanting the bracket the mag-gen mounted on. he even gave the part no. #938AA. So I knew right than I was wrong and that it had to be a factory option. I had a 1928 IH truck that had the gen-dist. as a gear or chain built in drive.

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