ID year questions

[adavis]

I have what I believe is a TEA-20. The # on the plate by the steering wheel is TEA 283660. The number by engine is C30541 and the number on the transmission is 8 5 7 with a 6 under that. I was told it was manufactured in July of 1952 from the previous owner. This does not seem right according to past discussion? Any ideas?

 

[Jeff-oh]

Serial number TEA 283660 is a 1952 model

Year Starting Serial Number
1946 1
1947 316
1948 20895
1949 77773
1950 116462
1951 167837
1952 241336
<----------- 283660
1953 310780
1954 367999
1955 428093
1956 488579

It is the 42,324th tractor that year out of 69,444 tractors. Using the inexact estimate of % ratios. 61% of this years tractors were produced before yours. Assuming linear production rates this put the manufacture of your tractor ~ July 15th, 1952.... Thus a transmission casting date of 8 May 1952 is consistant with the SN. (I contend 8 5 2 is more likely as no TEA's were made in 1957)

Jeff

 

[adavis]

Thanks for the reply. I will check the transmisson # again. What does the 6 under the other numbers refer to?

 

[Bob (Aust)]

What does the 6 under the other numbers refer to?

I'm yet to find anyone that knows what the "6" means, but it has no bearing on the casting date. (Forge number; employee number; shift number; time of day?????)

That SN and date seems familiar. Didn't I answer this ID question by ahdavi on another thread? :?

If you doubt the transmission casting date (i.e. the tractor back end may have been changed), you [u:a59ebdc88f]may[/u:a59ebdc88f] find a casting date on the engine, behind the generator, here:

("1 7 3" = 1 July 1953).

The Lucas starter motor also has a month and year of manufacture stamped into the case.

As Jeff correctly pointed out, there were no TEA20 transmissions cast in 1957, so I'm sure you are misreading the last number.