Ford 3000 Serial Number

[StephenC]

Newbie here so be kind. I recently purchased a Ford 3000. Found the 3 sets of stamped numbers but they don't match the expected patterns. My understanding is that the early European models did not always follow the pattern. First number, 5M6C, is not model information but could be interpreted as the manufacture date being 1965 December 6 afternoon shift. The second number, M225, doesn't match anything I have found in my search. The third number is B817799 for Basildon, UK plant. The hood is louvered and the painted over decal is "Super Dexta" rather than "3000". Looking for confirmation or correction if I am off in left field. Also I'm curious if the serial number sequence designates domestic or export? Appreciate any assistance identifying my "new" tractor!

 

[Sean in PA]

B817799 is a fairly early Basildon serial number for a tractor that made to sold domestically in the UK. The tractors made to be sold as exports from the UK had their serial numbers start at 000001 and the ones made to be sold domestically started at 800001. 5M6C is a date code of December 6 1965 during the afternoon shift. M225 could be a date code for December 22 1965. They did not always follow the rules when stamping the numbers on the early European tractors. My best guess is that the transmission was assembled on December 6, since that is the earlier date, and the tractor was assembled on the 22nd. You can't do final assembly on a tractor until all of the major components are already assembled.

Ford had been selling tractors in the UK for several years prior to the 3 cylinder 2000/3000/4000 series being released under the Fordson name with model names like Dexta, Super Dexta, Major and SuperMajor. For marketing purposes and to hopefully keep the folks familiar with those earlier model names to continue buying Ford tractors, they continued to use those names along with the new model numbers for a few years.

 

[Andy Wickiser]

Newbie here so be kind. I recently purchased a Ford 3000. Found the 3 sets of stamped numbers but they don't match the expected patterns. My understanding is that the early European models did not always follow the pattern. First number, 5M6C, is not model information but could be interpreted as the manufacture date being 1965 December 6 afternoon shift. The second number, M225, doesn't match anything I have found in my search. The third number is B817799 for Basildon, UK plant. The hood is louvered and the painted over decal is "Super Dexta" rather than "3000". Looking for confirmation or correction if I am off in left field. Also I'm curious if the serial number sequence designates domestic or export? Appreciate any assistance identifying my "new" tractor!

5M6C is the transmission production date and you are correct Dec 6 1965 afternoon shift. M225 is the tractor production date Dec 22 1965 just in a different order. Yes B817799 is the serial number and B means Basildon England plant. The serial numbers starting with 8 were for domestic use. Below is a graphic that shows the format you found.

 

[Hacke]

What I have found is that the early Basildon units came in one configuration per model, therefore there was no need for a model code. For a 3000: Agricultural all purpose, diesel, live PTO and eight-speed transmission. Code 31013C on a US built unit from the same date.

 

[Destroked 450]

If I remember correctly it was discussed on here some years ago that Fordson tractors were date coded by month-day-year
When the World Series Fords were introduced in 65 Ford used date codes by year-month-day
It was speculated that some of the old Fordson workers now working at Ford stamped the old date codes out of habit

 

[StephenC]

Thanks everyone for filling in my knowledge gaps. So this one got in the wrong line out the factory door and ended up in Alabama!