We Got A Tractor, now we have questions

Just purchased a Ferguson TO-20, 1949 by serial number.

Why is half of the tractor painted blue? All "under carriage", wheel hubs, etc. The rest appears to be the original grey.
I first assumed a previous owner did that. Then I noticed that even the right side Ferguson plate has a blue background. It is worn, so possible still that the last farmer liked blue. And had too much time to kill?

I found no pictures online to show a similar tractor sporting lights on top of the hood. My hood has two mounting holes on hood. One hole has a "wing" attached, one missing. I found in the parts list on this site that clearly the "wings" are indeed for lights. Anyone have a picture? Everything on Google shows lights to either side of the hood.

Tractor had wiring updated. Also had a different ignition put in. This ignition is a bit goofy and I'd like to replace. Is there a particular recommended replacement that functions with upgraded wiring (what's that, 12volt?)

I imagine I'll think of a few more. The Mister is quite excited about his new toy, I'm just the researcher.

Hi. Welcome to YT. There are
great folks on this site with a
wealth of knowledge!!! You might
also post down on the Harry
Ferguson site. It's is dedicated
to your tractor. Good luck and
enjoy your tractor!

I guess I should say the Harry
Ferguson "forum"

The Ferguson TEA-20 had a single head-light on top of hood front. There were sidelights on arms on the side of the hood. The only place I have seen this arrangement, apart from old photographs are on Ferguson tractors in Iceland. later headlights were also available on each side of the hood.

Della welcome to YT! Your Fergie is blue because in 1964 the Fords went from being "red bellies" with red chassis and gray sheet metal to being blue chassis and light gray sheet metal. The previous owner, knowing how much better the Fords were than his Fergie, decided to disguise it as a Ford, and no doubt was also convinced that it would do more work as well with the upgraded paint scheme.

Welcome Della!

The TO20 came in any color you wanted as long as you wanted gray!

To my knowledge they were all solid gray. The blue background in the badges is original.

The headlights were on the front sides of the hood, and they did have the "wing" behind them. They were probably an option, as I have seen many without lights or holes in the fenders. You say on top of the hood, do you mean actually on top, or on the sides close to the top? If they are actually on top, they may have been relocated there if it once had a front loader on it.

As for the wiring, you can buy premade wiring harnesses. If it has been converted to 12v, the harness will need some modification. The wiring is very simple. Myself, I would make my own harness, make it to fit the modifications, but that's your decision.

One caution on the wiring, that tractor originally came with a mechanical starter contractor actuated by pushing the shifter to the "S" position. Most times, when the wiring gets modified, that feature is replaced with a starter solenoid and a key switch or push button. The problem with that, it bypasses the neutral start safety feature. That is a very dangerous situation, especially for novice users or kids playing on the tractor!

If the safety switch has been bypassed, it should be a priority to get it back in use.

Something you will want to check, check the transmission/differential housing oil for water contamination. If it has been driven, the water will be emulsified in the oil and will have to be drained. It will take several days to all drip out.

You can try cracking the drain plugs to see if any liquid water will come out.

Or you might get lucky and there be good oil already in the transmission.

A couple things you can do now...

Keep driving it! Start keeping a journal, make a list of everything you find, right or wrong, things you have questions about, noises, leaks, concerns. Put it through it's paces. If you have any implements, put them on and try them out.

What you want to do is find every thing you can that will need attention. What you don't want to do is take it all apart, fix one problem, put it back together only to find it has to come apart again!

Also, buy a shop manual! Read it cover to cover, familiarize yourselves with it's design, get into the mindset of how things were done 70 years ago. You can get the manual on this site or Ebay. They are not expensive, and will more than pay for itself in mistakes not made!

Stay in touch, don't be afraid to ask questions. Our goal is to keep them running out of the scrap yard! There is also a "Harry Ferguson" section below, dedicated specifically to the T series Ferguson. Some very experienced owners there!

(quoted from post at 03:04:29 04/19/19)

Della welcome to YT! Your Fergie is blue because in 1964 the Fords went from being "red bellies" with red chassis and gray sheet metal to being blue chassis and light gray sheet metal. The previous owner, knowing how much better the Fords were than his Fergie, decided to disguise it as a Ford, and no doubt was also convinced that it would do more work as well with the upgraded paint scheme.

Click to expand...

Ba dum pum. Tssss

Forgot the link...
TO20

Very thorough response Steve! A great welcome for Della!

Della, what do you mean by "the ignition is a bit goofy"?
The original would have started with the shift lever.

This is my TE-20, which is also painted the wrong colors.
It has incorrect headlights, but are in the normal position for
when they were installed. As far as I know, they were optional
on Fergusons like they were on Fords. If they're on the literal
top of the hood, then I agree with Steve, it probably had a loader
on it at one time. If that's the case, you may want to check the
front axle pivot pin for excessive wear as well as the spindle
bushings and wheel bearings. Above all, have fun with it!

(quoted from post at 21:14:44 04/18/19) Just purchased a Ferguson TO-20, 1949 by serial number.

Why is half of the tractor painted blue? All "under carriage", wheel hubs, etc. The rest appears to be the original grey.
I first assumed a previous owner did that. Then I noticed that even the right side Ferguson plate has a blue background. It is worn, so possible still that the last farmer liked blue. And had too much time to kill?

I found no pictures online to show a similar tractor sporting lights on top of the hood. My hood has two mounting holes on hood. One hole has a "wing" attached, one missing. I found in the parts list on this site that clearly the "wings" are indeed for lights. Anyone have a picture? Everything on Google shows lights to either side of the hood.

Tractor had wiring updated. Also had a different ignition put in. This ignition is a bit goofy and I'd like to replace. Is there a particular recommended replacement that functions with upgraded wiring (what's that, 12volt?)

I imagine I'll think of a few more. The Mister is quite excited about his new toy, I'm just the researcher.

Click to expand...

lot like a wife/husband, do you really expect " original' after 70 years? Duhhhh!

Here is Harry Ferguson circa 1950 with single headlight and hinging sidelights

Thanks for the replies, guys.
I cannot figure out how to post a picture...to show the odd headlights holes for example.
(Scratch, found it, brb!)

Worried about the ignition thing you're telling me. I'll have to have the Mister read that reply. The wiring has indeed been upgraded and she starts via key ignition. I presumed that was normal actually, silly me.[/img]

I kind of like that blue color.

(quoted from post at 15:54:09 04/23/19) I kind of like that blue color.

Click to expand...

I do too.