Airplane Tow

[Fifinella]

At the museum we have whats labeled as a 1943 Ford Ferguson 9 aircraft tow tug. Looking to not only verify that thats cirrect but also to get a shop manual and parts manual. The main issue is there is way too much play in the steering. You have to wig-wag the steering wheel about 1/3of a turn each way to keep it going straight. Need to figure out what to replace. Would appreciate help.

Don

 

[DoubleO7]

At the museum we have whats labeled as a 1943 Ford Ferguson 9 aircraft tow tug. Looking to not only verify that thats cirrect but also to get a shop manual and parts manual. The main issue is there is way too much play in the steering. You have to wig-wag the steering wheel about 1/3of a turn each way to keep it going straight. Need to figure out what to replace. Would appreciate help.

Don

Is this at the Estrella Warbirds Museum?

1943 Ford Ferguson 9N Aircraft Tug | Estrella Warbird Museum

1943 Ford Ferguson 9N Aircraft Tug, one of the many restored military vehicles and military aircraft vehicles located at Estrella Warbird Museum, Paso Robles, CA

www.ewarbirds.org

 

[Fifinella]

Nope. Its the WASP (Wonens Airforce Service Pilots) in Sweetwater Texas.

 

[Fifinella]

Its a great museum dedicated to the women that ferried military planes from factory to base or base to base within the states between 1943-1945.

 

[Fifinella]

Opps too many pictures, still trying to figure how how to use this firum.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

At the museum we have whats labeled as a 1943 Ford Ferguson 9 aircraft tow tug. Looking to not only verify that thats cirrect but also to get a shop manual and parts manual. The main issue is there is way too much play in the steering. You have to wig-wag the steering wheel about 1/3of a turn each way to keep it going straight. Need to figure out what to replace. Would appreciate help.

Don

I don't know what your museum has, but here is the correct document and data on the Ford-Ferguson Moto-Tug I wrote in 2010. The TUG was built in 1943 and based on the 9N Tractor with special parts from outside suppliers. The TUG special parts all have the the BNO prefix in part numbers, standard FORD parts all have the 9N prefix. Do you have the OEM Parts Catalog/List? TUGS are hard to find these days, and parts are even harder. Not many were built first of all, 10,000-12,000, and most all survivors have been accounted for. Special parts include a Pintle Hook (there was NO PTO), wheels & tires, and hydraulic brakes. Ordered by the US WAR BOARD the first 500-800 units went to US Carriers in WWII for use to haul Corsairs back and forth. YT won't allow me to post my full document here so if you want one - email me. Here is a timeline for bullet point data info.

Here are a few PIX:
Henry Ford II demos the new TUG in 1943 in Dearborn.
B24's on the assembly line at the Rouge Plant.
Corsair & Moto-Tug plastic model kits
MOTO-TUG PARTS CATALOG.
US Sailors rest on Carrier Tug

History of the FORD-FERGUSON MOTO-TUG -by TIM DALEY:

 

[showcrop]

At the museum we have whats labeled as a 1943 Ford Ferguson 9 aircraft tow tug. Looking to not only verify that thats cirrect but also to get a shop manual and parts manual. The main issue is there is way too much play in the steering. You have to wig-wag the steering wheel about 1/3of a turn each way to keep it going straight. Need to figure out what to replace. Would appreciate help.

Don

Do you have the tug as Tim Daley assumes, or do you have a Ford-Ferguson 9N that is in use as a tug?

 

[Fifinella]

I’ll get some pictures posted in a few days. Ours looks a little different than those in his pictures. But they are close.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Do you have the tug as Tim Daley assumes, or do you have a Ford-Ferguson 9N that is in use as a tug?

The F-F MOTO-TUG was designed ON the 9N tractor, with special BNO parts engineered for it. I do not have a TUG myself but have a list of a half dozen fellas who stay in touch with me as I am always on the lookout for all rare FORD parts. TUG was assembled at the EE Schatz Dealer in Columbus. OH. 9N's were shipped there, BNO parts came in and then TUG was assembled there. No TUGS were ever built at the Rouge. ALL TUGS had a BNO Serial Number on the ID TAG and were either a BNO-25 or BNO-40 prefix depending on model. A few TAGS ended up removed and/or missing.

Tim Daley (MI)

 

[Fifinella]

Thanks for the pictures and info. I looked thru all my pictures and this is the only one that that the tug. It looks stubbier than those people have sent me. Im a little confused as to what I do have. Im post better pictures at the end of the week. Thanks again.

 

[DoubleO7]

Thanks for the pictures and info. I looked thru all my pictures and this is the only one that that the tug. It looks stubbier than those people have sent me. Im a little confused as to what I do have. Im post better pictures at the end of the week. Thanks again.View attachment 63330

Looks like a TUG brand purpose built unit.
Maybe a Clarktor brand.
What engine does it have?

 

[Brown David]

Looks like a TUG brand purpose built unit.
Maybe a Clarktor brand.
What engine does it have?

I'd almost bet there's a Chrysler flathead in that.

 

[DoubleO7]

I'd almost bet there's a Chrysler flathead in that.

And a six cyl. in front of an automatic.

 

[Fifinella]

I dont know about the engine (I’ve never had the ‘hood’ off of it) but it is a 3 speed manual.

 

[Fifinella]

I believe i have found its true calling. I now believe my tug is a Clarktor 6 with a Chysler flat head 6 in it. I’ll have the ladies at the museum do some measurements on it and send me some data along with pictures. Sure glad i found this forum.

 

[showcrop]

I believe i have found its true calling. I now believe my tug is a Clarktor 6 with a Chysler flat head 6 in it. I’ll have the ladies at the museum do some measurements on it and send me some data along with pictures. Sure glad i found this forum.

Your tug may look stubby to you but it looks waaay longer than an N to me. Your tug could have both a three speed and a torque converter.

 

[Fifinella]

Can you tell me the usual location of any identification data plates on the Clarktor 6? Or something specific that will only be associated with a Clarktor 6?

 

[Brown David]

Can you tell me the usual location of any identification data plates on the Clarktor 6? Or something specific that will only be associated with a Clarktor 6?

A quick Google search found this.

I skimmed it a bit, might be helpful to you.

https://www.ewarbirds.org/vehicles/clarktor6tug.shtml

 

[Fifinella]

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at all the Clarktor 6 websites and cant find a single one that matches our tug, but the 6 is the closest I have found.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Thanks for the pictures and info. I looked thru all my pictures and this is the only one that that the tug. It looks stubbier than those people have sent me. Im a little confused as to what I do have. Im post better pictures at the end of the week. Thanks again.View attachment 63330

I know Minneapolis-Moline also built a TUG/tOWING tractor too. I had pictures but cannot find them now. Probably on old hard drive that is now FUBAR. FORD also later built a 621-62 Tractor designed for Industrial/Towing and used on a lot of US FORCE BASES. N-NEWS in 2018 did a cover story. I also have a picture of an airport tug that was built by Chrysler---


Tim Daley (MI)