Early 3000 serial number weirdness

[Mudrig150]

My 3000 is a really weird anomaly in terms of the serial number. I checked on top of the normal spot and there's no numbers there AT ALL. No evidence they were ever stamped there either. The numbers are awkwardly stamped on the side of the raised casting where the serial number normally would be, and they're crammed between the bolt holes.
It mostly matches the literature when I do a full breakdown of everything but there's some weird inconsistencies with the paperwork.

Model ID
3: 3000
10: Agricultural All Purpose
1: Diesel
4: Independent 540 PTO
E: Select-O-Speed
Production Code
3: 1973
C: March
24: 24th
5: ????
Serial Number
C: Highland Park Plant
102550: 1965

Several things weird here... The tractor has a switchable 540/1000 PTO while the serial says it should just have 540 only, additionally, it ALSO has the gears in the wrong order for some reason; the manual states the PTO options should be 540-N-1000 on the selector, but it's actually N-540-1000 instead.
The production code is a bit weird, it should end with a letter but instead it ends with a 5, which means nothing. The production code also states that it's a 1973 but it's definitely a 1965, and the serial reflects that. It also has a lot of early tractor parts on it.
The weirdest part, again, is that the serial number isn't even in the right spot. It's close, it's on the right side, but it's not supposed to be where it is.

I am thinking maybe it's a replacement transmission, but I thought they had production numbers on them? This one just doesn't.

 

[Andy Wickiser]

My 3000 is a really weird anomaly in terms of the serial number. I checked on top of the normal spot and there's no numbers there AT ALL. No evidence they were ever stamped there either. The numbers are awkwardly stamped on the side of the raised casting where the serial number normally would be, and they're crammed between the bolt holes.
It mostly matches the literature when I do a full breakdown of everything but there's some weird inconsistencies with the paperwork.
View attachment 160513
Model ID
3: 3000
10: Agricultural All Purpose
1: Diesel
4: Independent 540 PTO
E: Select-O-Speed
Production Code
3: 1973
C: March
24: 24th
5: ????
Serial Number
C: Highland Park Plant
102550: 1965

Several things weird here... The tractor has a switchable 540/1000 PTO while the serial says it should just have 540 only, additionally, it ALSO has the gears in the wrong order for some reason; the manual states the PTO options should be 540-N-1000 on the selector, but it's actually N-540-1000 instead.
The production code is a bit weird, it should end with a letter but instead it ends with a 5, which means nothing. The production code also states that it's a 1973 but it's definitely a 1965, and the serial reflects that. It also has a lot of early tractor parts on it.
The weirdest part, again, is that the serial number isn't even in the right spot. It's close, it's on the right side, but it's not supposed to be where it is.

I am thinking maybe it's a replacement transmission, but I thought they had production numbers on them? This one just doesn't.

While waiting for the 3-Cyl folks to comment, C-24-5 is indeed a date code for March 24, 1965 just in a order different from usual. I wonder if the 3 is also for the third month March. C102550 is an early 1965 serial number, matches well with March 1965. Weirdness seems to be more likely in the early period of 3-CYL production. Maybe the 4 for 540-only PTO is a simple misstamp, but that's pure speculation. Also subject to speculation is why the stamping is not in the normal place. Ford anomalies crop up from time to time.

 

[Keith Williams]

My 3000 is a really weird anomaly in terms of the serial number. I checked on top of the normal spot and there's no numbers there AT ALL. No evidence they were ever stamped there either. The numbers are awkwardly stamped on the side of the raised casting where the serial number normally would be, and they're crammed between the bolt holes.
It mostly matches the literature when I do a full breakdown of everything but there's some weird inconsistencies with the paperwork.
View attachment 160513
Model ID
3: 3000
10: Agricultural All Purpose
1: Diesel
4: Independent 540 PTO
E: Select-O-Speed
Production Code
3: 1973
C: March
24: 24th
5: ????
Serial Number
C: Highland Park Plant
102550: 1965

Several things weird here... The tractor has a switchable 540/1000 PTO while the serial says it should just have 540 only, additionally, it ALSO has the gears in the wrong order for some reason; the manual states the PTO options should be 540-N-1000 on the selector, but it's actually N-540-1000 instead.
The production code is a bit weird, it should end with a letter but instead it ends with a 5, which means nothing. The production code also states that it's a 1973 but it's definitely a 1965, and the serial reflects that. It also has a lot of early tractor parts on it.
The weirdest part, again, is that the serial number isn't even in the right spot. It's close, it's on the right side, but it's not supposed to be where it is.

I am thinking maybe it's a replacement transmission, but I thought they had production numbers on them? This one just doesn't.

I am wondering if that is an early prototype? 102550 would have been very early in the run. Could it have been one of the earliest SOS built?

 

[Mudrig150]

I am wondering if that is an early prototype? 102550 would have been very early in the run. Could it have been one of the earliest SOS ever built?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was a pre-production tractor. It's got some weirdness all around and a lot of workmaster parts on it, including a workmaster looking front axle that doesn't match even my buddy's 3000 that is serial 103663.