Sorry for the length of read, just wishing to share. Having acquired my 40 ZTU from my grandfather s estate sale in the fall of 97, I had begun immersing myself in a parts book and operator s manual to learn as much as I could about this machine. No matter what I "thought" I knew previously, I learned a whole lot more by studyingimaging that. No the tractor is not restored, but yes, in running condition with crank start. Over time, everything came together and the pieces seemed to fit like a puzzle, except onethe one listed as the optional "red" tail light.
Some time passed after acquiring the tractor, and I was employed by OEM Tractor Parts during a couple of my college years. OEM was far more fun, interesting, and educational than college BTW. My research and development "bug" went into high-gear during that time and never slowed down as I worked with the owner to develop new items. I gained valuable knowledge and resources during that time. Still love it (R&D) to this day.
With the release of the Jensen project photos, I saw the first photos of the optional light but they were not that clear. I had an idea of what it might be but still rather vague. Of all the ZT photos and machines I have seen, I had never seen this light unit on a machine; therefore, I was encouraged by the Jensen photos.
The first lead was finding an NOS lens by MM part number using a resource gained during my time at OEM. This was a puzzling find because the light would end up being completely not what I expected the light to be. The second lead was coming across an NOS mounting bracket with the MM part number still stamped on it and it was simply listed as a misc item. I didn t know what it was until I looked the part number up. Coming across an NOS light assembly was a bit shocking as it was advertised as an automotive fixture.
I have listed photos of the individual parts but also wanted to show how the light was mounted via photo as well. Both of my fenders have the bolt holes on both the front and back of the fender. For the ease of access, I simply mounted this on the front, so yes, the photo may look reversed as the light is facing the front of the tractor.
Through additional research, I had found the light itself was used on the early R and Uni tractors as well. I found the Uni tractor correlation rather odd though. The ZT series ended in 48 yet the Uni did not start production until 51. Having spoken with some on this page with more "in-factory" knowledge than I, my assumption is MM had these left over lights and simply found a place to use them on the Uni. And yes, I could easily be wrong. There is always a reason behind my questions; thanks to everyone who chimed in on here.
Through the research performed, I found this light housing itself was used in a number of automotive applications through the 20s and 30s; however, they had different mounting methods. MM s mount appears to be unique. Allis Chalmers also used the same light housing on their model B, but again, was a different mount method more closely resembling one from automotive. A-C did switch the coloration of the lenses as the white lens is the facing out. Ironically, throughout the years of the ZT series, Farmall was installing their common rear combination light on their machines at the factory level. Out of simple curiosity, I wonder why MM never switched to something light that. Was it financial? Use what you have first before you switch? Want to be different/unique? We are "good" with what we have? I don t knowit simply made me speculate. For fun, while at OEM, I did make a 7" flat lens rear combination light and I personally thought it was awesome sitting on top of the full crown fender like it does.
Lastly, when I mounted the light fixture to my fender, I immediately recognized how far the light extends beyond the tire. I could only guess how many times these lights were hit, backed into, knocked off, etc . If you backed up to a flat wall, you would need a stop brick or something to keep you from smashing the light into the wall. My suspicion is more of the lights ended up in the trash/junk pile than kept on and used.
Could a "bad design" or "location" be the reason MM had so many of these available when the Uni went into production, thus why they used them? With both lenses being glass and very little sealing, were they too fragile? Did the war have something to do with the available inventory? I truly do not know but it s simply left up to us to speculate years later.
In conclusion, yes, the personal quest has taken me this long, which may not mean much to anyone, but I feel accomplished. If others already knew this information and I am late to the dance, please forgive me. This post is not to gain any attention or notoriety; rather, I have been blessed to have made many friends in this hobby and all have been more than generous in sharing of their knowledge and wisdom with this member of a younger generation. This is my opportunity to give back to others and MM. Again, I apologize for the lengthy read. And by all means, please let me know if you have any questions and I do welcome comments good, bad, or ugly.
Some time passed after acquiring the tractor, and I was employed by OEM Tractor Parts during a couple of my college years. OEM was far more fun, interesting, and educational than college BTW. My research and development "bug" went into high-gear during that time and never slowed down as I worked with the owner to develop new items. I gained valuable knowledge and resources during that time. Still love it (R&D) to this day.
With the release of the Jensen project photos, I saw the first photos of the optional light but they were not that clear. I had an idea of what it might be but still rather vague. Of all the ZT photos and machines I have seen, I had never seen this light unit on a machine; therefore, I was encouraged by the Jensen photos.
The first lead was finding an NOS lens by MM part number using a resource gained during my time at OEM. This was a puzzling find because the light would end up being completely not what I expected the light to be. The second lead was coming across an NOS mounting bracket with the MM part number still stamped on it and it was simply listed as a misc item. I didn t know what it was until I looked the part number up. Coming across an NOS light assembly was a bit shocking as it was advertised as an automotive fixture.
I have listed photos of the individual parts but also wanted to show how the light was mounted via photo as well. Both of my fenders have the bolt holes on both the front and back of the fender. For the ease of access, I simply mounted this on the front, so yes, the photo may look reversed as the light is facing the front of the tractor.
Through additional research, I had found the light itself was used on the early R and Uni tractors as well. I found the Uni tractor correlation rather odd though. The ZT series ended in 48 yet the Uni did not start production until 51. Having spoken with some on this page with more "in-factory" knowledge than I, my assumption is MM had these left over lights and simply found a place to use them on the Uni. And yes, I could easily be wrong. There is always a reason behind my questions; thanks to everyone who chimed in on here.
Through the research performed, I found this light housing itself was used in a number of automotive applications through the 20s and 30s; however, they had different mounting methods. MM s mount appears to be unique. Allis Chalmers also used the same light housing on their model B, but again, was a different mount method more closely resembling one from automotive. A-C did switch the coloration of the lenses as the white lens is the facing out. Ironically, throughout the years of the ZT series, Farmall was installing their common rear combination light on their machines at the factory level. Out of simple curiosity, I wonder why MM never switched to something light that. Was it financial? Use what you have first before you switch? Want to be different/unique? We are "good" with what we have? I don t knowit simply made me speculate. For fun, while at OEM, I did make a 7" flat lens rear combination light and I personally thought it was awesome sitting on top of the full crown fender like it does.
Lastly, when I mounted the light fixture to my fender, I immediately recognized how far the light extends beyond the tire. I could only guess how many times these lights were hit, backed into, knocked off, etc . If you backed up to a flat wall, you would need a stop brick or something to keep you from smashing the light into the wall. My suspicion is more of the lights ended up in the trash/junk pile than kept on and used.
Could a "bad design" or "location" be the reason MM had so many of these available when the Uni went into production, thus why they used them? With both lenses being glass and very little sealing, were they too fragile? Did the war have something to do with the available inventory? I truly do not know but it s simply left up to us to speculate years later.
In conclusion, yes, the personal quest has taken me this long, which may not mean much to anyone, but I feel accomplished. If others already knew this information and I am late to the dance, please forgive me. This post is not to gain any attention or notoriety; rather, I have been blessed to have made many friends in this hobby and all have been more than generous in sharing of their knowledge and wisdom with this member of a younger generation. This is my opportunity to give back to others and MM. Again, I apologize for the lengthy read. And by all means, please let me know if you have any questions and I do welcome comments good, bad, or ugly.