A crucial step when restoring a tractor is taking the time to discover the history behind the machine. Even if you do plan to do your own restoration, it’s a good idea to do some research and to check out the credibility of the model being represented, especially if you intend to buy a vintage tractor as an investment.If you’re interested in a particular model, study factory literature or tractor books to find out how many of that particular model were built. This will give you an idea of how rare that model is and what it might be worth.Find out, too, if there are any distinguishing characteristics of the tractor that might identify it as being the real thing, even if sheet metal or components have been changed.Serial Number ResearchIt should go without saying that one of the first things to examine is the tractor’s serial number. As a general rule, the lower the number, the greater the tractor’s value, as long as it is within a few numbers of the start of production.A high serial number, on the other hand, could indicate that the tractor was one of the last models of its type to come off the assembly line.One example is the last of the 92 John Deere model D tractors built.
Known as streeters, they were literally built in the alley between two buildings after the production line had changed over to another model.Naturally, you need to know some history of the serial numbers assigned to the model you’re inspecting to further determine a value. Quite often, a history book on that particular tractor brand will include a listing of serial numbers by year and model. Another good source is the website, which lists the serial numbers for virtually every farm tractor and garden tractor ever built. Yesterday’s Tractors also provides a thorough listing of serial numbers. Find it at.One more source of serial numbers for the most common tractor brands is.Investigate Its HistoryIt also pays to know the history of a particular model.As an example, 1939 was the first year of production for the Ford 9N.
Locate your John Deere Product Identification Number. Finding your model number and serial number is as easy as locating the identification tag on your machine. As seen in the example, the model number will be displayed below the MODEL heading (Example: Z235), and the serial number will be underlined on the top-right corner of the tag (Example. Operators Manual Reprint: JD 720 Diesel Pony Start Early Serial Numbers. Fits John Deere - 720 (diesel Pony start, to Sn: 7214899); Replaces: OMR2057 116 pages Operator manuals explain how to operate the tractor. This book is sometimes referred to as an owner's manual and it is a reprint of the original book that came with the tractor. The operator's manual Product Number: REP2720 Price: $24.99.
In that first year alone, the company built more than 10,000 9N tractors. So, as a collector, you’d want to find one that was unique, even if it was a 1939 model.The other thing you need to realize is that the first 600 to 700 9N models built had a cast aluminum hood and a grille with horizontal spokes, which some value. Are They Different?You also need to know how many of a certain model were built.Most websites, such as, have that information by model for most years, but they don’t divide it out by different versions, such as the number of gas, diesel, and liquefied petroleum models produced.They also don’t list the serial number of the very last tractor produced. However, because they do list the starting serial number for each year, you can at least find out which year a tractor of interest was built.For example, the Deere model 80 was only built for 13 months during 1955 and 1956, and only a small number of tractors were built. Consequently, a model 80 alone would be rather collectible. However, if you were to locate one with a unique feature that was optional, that unit could be even more valuable. John Deere InfoFortunately, there are other places you can go for serial number information, depending upon the brand and model.For instance, if you’re looking for a collectible John Deere tractor, the Two-Cylinder Club can help you in a number of different ways.The club offers back issues of certain Two-Cylinder magazines as both Internet downloads and on CD-ROM disks.
Each download or CD contains all the issues for a full year. So, your first step would be to peruse the contents of each issue as listed on the two-cylinder website and order the CD or issue that covers your model of interest.While the number of issues is still limited, the club is adding more in the months ahead. For basic information, access its website at or call 319/824-6060. The Two-Cylinder Club also offers serial number searches or production data on certain Generation II tractors, as well as a growing number of later models.International InfoIf you’re a collector who prefers Farmall, you’re also in luck. The Wisconsin Historical Society has an extensive collection of McCormick-International Harvester data, including serial number lists for engines, tractors, power units, trucks, and milking machines from 1925 to 1971.
These aren’t computerized lists, they’re scans of the actual pages that went into the files at the time of production.Start your search at or go directly to the.
Understand your diesel engine serial number quickly with the John Deere Serial Number Decoder from Diesel Parts Direct. Ordering the correct parts for your John Deere engine can be complicated, but we’ve simplified the process with our handy serial number lookup chart. Starting with a simple diagram of the John Deere serial number plate, you’ll easily understand the different components including Factory Prefix, Emissions/Aspiration Code, Engine Model and Serial Number Sequence. Really.After the John Deere Serial Number Decoder, we take it a step beyond to further explain additional details around aspiration codes, emission codes not to mention differences between 300 Series and Powertech engines.
When you’re done, you’ll be well equipped to choose the right John Deere parts for the job.When you need help decoding serial numbers for John Deere engines, visit Diesel Parts Direct. Caterpillar® and all of the Caterpillar® engine models listed on this website are registered trademarks of Caterpillar, Inc. Cummins® and all of the Cummins® engine models listed on this website are registered trademarks of Cummins. Detroit Diesel® and all of the Detroit Diesel® engine models listed on this website are registered trademarks of Daimler AG. John Deere® and all of the John Deere® engine models listed on this website are registered trademarks of John Deere.
Diesel Parts Direct is not an authorized dealer for Caterpillar, Cummins, or Detroit Diesel. None of the parts beginning with 'DS' or 'R' are genuine Detroit Diesel, Cummins, John Deere or Caterpillar items.CID: 24991492.