TE or TO 20?

[tony lee 712]

Just bought an old ferguson from a retired farmer. He owned it for years, even had it re-done although you couldn't tell it now. No SN behind throttle or on the little plate behind the coil. Only numbers I can find are on the block and they are "Z120A-600" and G12W. It has an aluminum transmission housing, 2 headlights, 1 rear light, and an adjustable seat with a spring type shock under it that fastens at or just above where the third link goes. Any advice on how to determine the year, correct model and serial number?

 

[Richard L]

Tony, If the steering housing and transmission plate is one piece it is a TE. If they are 2 pieces it is a TO.

 

[tony lee 712]

I'd say it's one piece as the "steering arms?" come out of the same plate that covers the top of the transmission. And the steering sector? looks like it goes straight down into the housing. there are a couple of bolts at the very top of the housing but to remove it they are on top of the trans. Guess it's a TE?

 

[john[mo]]

aluminum transmission case definitely a te20. you have a knoedler spring over shock suspension seat. that seat is way more user friendly then the ferguson seat.

 

[Irv (Ia)]

John's right....that seats worth the price of the tractor if you butt has anything to say about it!!! I've got one on mine. I had to rebuild it though.

Irv*

 

[Jeff-oh]

Here are photo's to tell the difference.

The First is a TE-20 Clutch housing cover. It is one piece with the steering column.

The Second is a TO-20 Clutch housing cover, It is in two parts. See the split line at the base of the steering column.

Also the TE will have two "T" handels to release the hood (as shown in top picture) the TO will have one lever.

The third picture is of the external filter of the TO-30... But you already told us you have a Z-120 engine so ignore that picture.

 

[tony lee 712]

Thanks for the pictures. It"s officially a TE. Now if I can just figure out a way to get the year and Serial Number I"ll be set. As far as the seat goes, I can see how it would be comfortable but it isnt positioned quite right for me yet. Long legs just don"t fit that well.
Thanks again for the info.

 

[Jeff-oh]

The data plate is located just above the steering wheel. I assume it's gone as you would have seen it. That said you have a 1947 or 1948 TE-20. Those are the only two years it was made in this configuration. About 40% in '47 and 60% in '48.

Exact year does not mean much, except for interest.

Jeff

 

[Bob (Aust)]

[b:d3fae17f0e]Tony[/b:d3fae17f0e]. If your dash panel data plate is gone you are in trouble for a serial number!

However, approximate date of manufacture is easy. Look on the right side, between the gearbox/transmission to diff mounting flange and the round "port hole" inspection plate, and you will find numbers cast vertically into the diff housing:

The sequence is Day - Month - Year. My tractor has "6 - 7 - 3" being a casting date of 6 July 1953.

The date of tractor manufacture will be a couple of weeks later.

Good luck!

Bob in Oz
'53 TEA20

 

[tony lee 712]

Bob, thanks for the picture. Mine is "9 11 8" however the casting numbers are nowhere near as big as the ones in your photo. Also has a big "3" to the front of the numbers. What's that?

 

[Bob (Aust)]

[b:1694cac615]Tony[/b:1694cac615]. Your diff housing casting date is 9 November 1948 so date of manufacture will probably be in the second half of November 1948. No idea what the "3" means; my tractor has a "2" - which may mean 2nd or 3rd work shift?? who knows, but it is not relevent.

The TE20 Serial Numbers for 1948 were 20895 to 77772, so your tractor is probably around serial number 73000.

TEA20 (with Standard Motor Co engine) tractor production began in 1947, along side the TE20 (with Continental Engine), both at Banner Lane, Coventry, UK.

Detroit built TO20 production began in 1948 so my guess the last of the Continental engine TE20s were probably built in the UK solely for export to the USA to meet the demand, which could not be met from the Detroit factory.

TEA20s with Standard Motor Co engine were exported world wide and I know a few found their way into the USA, via Canada.

There were 517,651 TE series gray Ferguson tractors built in the UK between 1946 and 1956. I think it is fair to say that in their time they were the free world's most successful tractor.

I've never seen a Continental engine Ferguson tractor - the TE20 and TO20 never came to Australia.

Hope that is not too confusing?

Bob in Oz
'53 TEA20

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Jeff.

In the center photo (TO20), what is the raised "thing" on the dash panel, above the two gauges? Ignition switch?

Just curious - I've never seen a TO20.

Just noticed another difference TE to TO - location of the transmission oil fill plug.

Bob in Oz
'53 TEA20