Fast and Slow B

I tend to agree with Dean, I think your "B" is actually older than you think. I have a '41 and a '48. I think '47 was a transition year for the transmission, (and other changes: more weight, more displacement, electric start, etc). If you find out exactly what the story is, please let us know here.
Gary

Nebraska tests yielded 28.69 belt hp and 25.50 drawbar hp (gas engine) and 24.33 belt hp and 22.19 drawbar hp (all-fuel engine).

There's probably more, but that covers the basics.

Stan

What is the serial number on your '48 model B? I have always thought that the single-shift transmission started with S/N 201000, which was the first of the "late styled" B models (square seat, pressed steel frame, etc.), and came out in early 1947.

According to a sales brochure from 1947, sixth gear on the single shifter Model B was 10 mph. My '41 B (high/low shifter) has a road speed of 12-1/2 mph, according to the Operator's Manual. Your "1/3 faster" for the later model is about right.

Stan

Just thought I would add something.

You're absolutely right about the '41 B coming out on steel w/ flat spokes. Dad's 41 B came that way, with only 4 speeds forward. After WW II we had the spokes cut off, put it on rubber, added 5th & 6th gears and were it tall cotton!! When the new "Cyclone" engines came out with the '47 models, we had ours converted to gasoline and moved up from a 1-16" plow to a 2-12". We had already had a Power Lift put on it during the war so Grandpa could cultivate corn (no young men to hire as hired hands during the war).

Fond memories (they get better as time goes by).

Stan

That's a great story.

I have often thought of doing the same to mine. (power-trol and 5/6 gear). I have had a hard time just getting her back to a good original condition were she will start w/o pull starting and less than 5 cranks of the flywheel.

I have made my 2 diesel mechanic neighbors crazy trying to figure her out. That's been fun.