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
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