Ford Tractor Airplane Tug

[Memphisdoug]

My neighbor recently got an old Ford Tractor airplane tug. According to the military data plate in the cab, it is a model 21201-77 made in 1964. The previous owner said it had a torque converter in it even though it appears to have a regular transmission. It doesn"t run yet but he would like to get any information possible.

 

[Memphisdoug]

Here's a photo

 

[Fordfarmer]

Ford made airplane tugs ("mototugs") for a number of years; there's one listed in the picture classifieds on this site. My understanding is that they have a torque converter in addition to the regular 4-speed transmission. Your neighbor's is based on a '62-'64 4-cylinder 2000.

 

[showcrop]

A friend has a probably mid fifties ford, I think a 600, with a torque converter and four speed. He has it done up to look like a farm tractor but told me that it started life as a tug.

 

[awhtx]

I recently acquired an original copy of the Operators Manual and Parts Catalog for the 621-62 Ford Tractor (airport tug) which would have preceeded your friend's 21201-77. It does in fact have an automatic transmission style torque converter in place of the clutch. Other than that the 4 speed transmission appears to be the standard 4 speed that came in any other farm tractor.