Model name or letters

[TCPDRETIRED218]

I need a little help in regards to the model name ( Jet Star) as opposed to a model letter or letters( ZTU ).
I have a 1961 MM Jet Star engine ser #16303552, ser# on Frame 16501226. Model #206L-4.
Never quite understood the difference if nor have had any reason to up until now.
Thanks!

 

[molinegb]

Is called a Brown Jet. MM painted all brow in Motec era to try to boost sales. It flopped. Jet Star was a stripped down model with few options. Sold for like 2300$. Hydraulics,power steering and 3 pt were options. Was replace with Jet Star 2 in 1963. Only difference was yellow tin. In 1964 Jet Star 3 came out with many differences and updates. Continued until 1970.

 

[Ill John]

To add to what molinegb said, the earlier, 1955 or so, the models used the letters for models. ZTU Z model, T tractor, U universal. Universal was narrow 2 wheel front, # was wide front end, I was industrial configuration, N was single front. hope this helps

 

[T.R.K.]

The 206L-4 is the engine model number. That is on the tag by the starter. The tag saying Jetstar is on the transmission case.

If you study MM and all the other brands, they all tried something different in the mid to late 50s. There was a transition from the 'same old same -0." mentality to the 'new and improved' mentality. So MM went from the Z series with the ZA, ZB to the Jetstar. They had the Z series from 1937 or 1938 to about 1955. Deere went from the A,B,'D G system to numbers (which updated every few years.) and similar things were done by other tractor mfg. IHC went from Alphabet series tractor models to numbers too.