Ford Indenticfication (340A or B?)

[35 Whelen]

Hi guys. New to the forum. I have a tractor that I'd like help in finding its model number before I order a service manual.
The tractor is a Ford and is an industrial type 3-cylinder diesel tractor with a front end loader. It has a manual transmission with 3 forwards and 2 reverses as well as a low and high range (6 x 4). On the loader is a decal that says "340B", but my research on the internet indicates that Ford 340B's have transmissions with 8 forwards and 4 reverses. I'm wondering if it could be a 340A tractor with a 340B loader?
The info on the data plate is as follows:
Tractor# C703015
Model# CU414K
Unit# 3G05B
Engine# 3F7A
Transmission# 3E11B
Hydraulic Pump# 3E05B
Rear Axle# 3E18B
Hydraulic Lift# 3F5B

I want to find out for certain if it is a Ford 340A or 340B before I order a service manual for it.

Thanks in advance for the help.
35W

 

[Rick from NC]

Your date codes and serial number indicate 1983. According to the NH parts catalog (which is not always 100% accurate) the 340A was made from 81-85 and the 340B was made from 85-88. So it appears you have a 340A.

I don't have access to a decoder for the 1976 and newer model numbers. Maybe someone with a service manual will decode the model number for you.

 

[Sean in PA]

I agree that it's an '83 from the numbers. external_link claims the 340A was made up until '83, and that the 340B was made from '84 - '87. So it's likely a 340A. external_link also says that the 340A and 340B were both available with either a manual reversing 6x4 or a regular manual 8 speed (4 forward/1 reverse with high low) transmission, and the 340B was also available with a 4x4 power reversing (torque converter) tranny.

 

[35 Whelen]

OK, so it's possible to have a Ford 340A tractor with a Ford 340B loader?

 

[Sean in PA]

It may just be a 340A with a 340B decal on it. Or the loader arms may have been replaced at some point and the decal came along for the ride. Or tractordats.com may be wrong about the years of production (it's been known to happen) and it could really be a 340B. You never can know absolutely for sure unless you have personal knowledge of the history of the tractor.

There should be numbers stamped into the flat spot on the transmission bell housing just toward the rear from the stater. Do the numbers stamped there match the tractor number, unit number and serial number on the data plate? Is there any kind of plate with numbers on or around the loader or backhoe controls?