Kiwi Minneapolis Moline RTU

Hi Folks
I am a New Zealander and I have just collected my first US origin tractor a Minneapolis Moline RTU. Or have I?
My collection to date is all UK, being a 1954 Farmall Super BM, 1954 TEA 20 Ferguson (known locally as a TE28) and a 1958 Nuffield Universal 3.
I used to be a regular on this forum but have lost the Password and have adopted a new name.
My name is a popular eating fish we regularly catch when not on the farm.

The RTU is I believe a late 1946 model, Serial Number RTU 416395U. It was purchased new by a local farmer and in recent years has been held by some
collectors. Back in 2013 I took it to our local Vintage Harvest Day, but the tyre split and the tractor sat all day unable to work.
The plan is to take it to the 2019 harvest day which is next March, ready to work.

I have now shifted the tractor into a shed and will get it going. Main tyres need replacing, front tyres have been replaced.
The engine turns over but we have not got a spark yet, I think the distributor maybe the problem.
In 2013 the engine ran perfectly but she came out of a shed, since then it has been stored in a hedge with an old tarp over it.

Now what interests me is some history of this tractor. The photos shown were taken in 2013.
Did MM build export specific models?
1) If you look along the bonnet on the air cleaner side, you will see a second cap ahead of the fuel tank cap.
This is an auxiliary fuel tank, connected to the carburetor through a brass 3 way valve, with a capacity of 1.2 to 1.5 litres.
I cannot find this filler cap on any US origin photo of an RTU that I have examined. I will obtain some better photos of the setup this week.
I have exactly the same dual fuel tank setup on my Doncaster built Farmall Super BM.
Was it a starting tank to use high grade petrol? once warm the farmer turned over to the main tank containing low grade fuel say paraffin.

2) I have the original handbook that was supplied to the first NZ owner. It refers only to magneto ignition which appeared to be the standard.
But this tractor is fitted with a Delco distributor ignition.

3) The tyres are 38 inch diameter not 36 inch which I believe is the standard US size.

So did MM build to export market specifications especially the UK market.
When the tractor was shipped to New Zealand, it may have been specified to UK market requirements, which may explain the differences.

Looking forward to sharing this tractor journey with you.
Don

Hello Don. Welcome to the forum. We live in Central Alabama. We just purchased our first MM. A RTU !! Ours had been sitting for nearly 5 years and wasn't running when we bought it. We found a wiring diagram on line and chased some wires, cleaned the points and plugs. Cleaned the carb added fresh gas and it fired up! Only new part we bought was a battery. Don't throw parts at it ,maybe it will start as easy as ours did! Keep us posted on your progress. My email is open. I have a brother who married an Aussie and lives in NSW so I understand the crazy time difference!! Hope you get things going quick and easy! Kevin in Central AL.

You have a late 1946 RTU. They switched from magneto to distributor ignition at serial # 414456 in mid 1946 production. 38" rims were optional on the RTU during that time frame. The small fuel tank mounted under the hood is the gasoline starting tank. This was used on tractors equipped to run kerosene or low grade tractor fuel at the time. What cylinder head casting is on your tractor? RE 226C is the common gasoline head. I suspect yours may have a lower compression head. We have an RTI industrial with that extra tank. It's not an option you see on very many R models but I can understand why it's on yours given it was likely an export and right after WWII fuel quality may not have been the best. It's unknown if your tractor was an export model from the factory or just ended up that far around the world since MM records from that time are not readily accessible to reference.

Wow that was quick.....the great thing about this forum is that I know the experts are here.

First thank you BMG.
For those who are interested I have put up a picture of the auxiliary tank and fuel line to the carb.
The head number is RE226D. So hopefully help identify the motor details.
One query I have is that there is two serial numbers.
Under the throttle on the gearbox is the Model RTU serial number 416395U.
On the engine block directly under the pigtail in the photo is an engine plate;
Lower line reads 3 5/8 X 4 4 cyl. Model FE (could be FF) Serial No; 416556 (possibly 418556)
The alternates above are because the stamping is not absolutely clear.

Thank you for the encouragement Kevin.
I am hopeful of putting some second hand main tyres on this week - it will get the tractor level and easier to move around.
Then I will sort out the wiring and ignition......
And I have a goal of displaying at our 2019 Glenbrook Vintage Harvest Festival in March.

The following photos attached.
1) Clear shot of bonnet showing auxiliary tank fill cap.
2) The auxiliary tank under the bonnet and fuel hoses. Note engine serial plate.
3) Close up of engine serial plate described above.
4) Engine head casting number.


Did anyone note in the first post photo that both the tractors nearest the camera we both called 'Universal'?
That is my Nuffield Universal 3 (in original colours) and the MM RTU Universal photographed in 2013.

That is the correct low compression head for your tractor. Moline always used a separate serial number on their engines since they could be stand alone power units or used in tractors or other equipment. Your engine is a model EE which is correct for the R tractor. The model RE engine was used in the ZT tractors. You'll find several parts of the engine cast with "RE" part numbers as the EE and RE engines shared many parts but the RE engine was developed first.

Thank you so much BMG1.
Owning old tractors is as much as determining their history and provenance as it is restoring them and using them.
I am sure I will have some more questions in the future.
Your help and knowledge is much appreciated.

Welcome to MM tractors. I saw your post earlier but thought others could better answer your questions, as they have.

hi snapper i have 2 R's alwayes wounderd what that hole was for know the good news when in the navy on way to antartica and back visted your county for 5 to 6 weeks in christchurch and duneden south island loved every minute great county

pa Don
Always great to hear from folk who have enjoyed their visit to our South Pacific.
We do live in a lovely place in this paradise called earth.
You are spoiled owning two Rs.
I am happy to settle for getting this tractor up and running, which hopefully will not take long.
Thanks to the help from the folk on this board.