TO 30 or TE 20???

[Brainhurts]

Hey all,
I came up with a serial # of TE 84018 but an engine stamped Z129. How did that happen? I am hoping to buy this tractor tomorrow. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Brainhurts]

More info: I own a TO 30 right now and have a TO 20 parts tractor. I am buying the tractor in question so that I can canabilize the three tractors, and have one really good TO 30, and a running spare. It sounds like the front of the tractor in question is a TO 30 and the back is a TEA20. It has ferguson 30 badges on the hood and a Z129 engine. The transmission has no transmission plate and has the one piece shifter with a marble sized metal shift knob--not a screw on plastic piece. Is this trouble? The tractor supposedly runs good and is $1800 with a newer bush hog. I actually came across this deal searching for a used bush hog! Anyone own one of these creations? I searched and found a TO 30 with a Z120 engine that seemed to be working.
Thanks

 

[Bob (Aust)]

TE 84018 is a 1949 manufacture and I would have thought it would be a TEA20. TE20 with Continental engines and TEA20 with Standard engines were built concurrently up to S/N 48000 - however I think John (UK) mentioned there is some evidence of later serial number tractors having Continental engines, so it may be a TE20.

The TE20 never had the Z129 engine. My guess you have some type of hybrid? For that money I'd be cautious..... especially if you intend to further mix TE20, TO20 and TO30 parts.

 

[Brainhurts]

I agree. I did read a post from Clem a few years back, where he actually got a Z129 into a To20, so I just emailed him. I think I may bump back the purchase date another day to get more info.

 

[Bob (Aust)]

I've never seen a TE20, TO20 or TO30 - they never came to Australia. You say it is a TO30 front end (engine and front axle) and TEA20 back end, and you have a TE/TEA20 data plate and TO30 bonnet? (If it was a TEA20 it should have the "A" between the TE and serial number on the data plate.)

I guess you need to think how much the slasher/brushhog is worth cause I wouldn't be paying too much for the "hybrid", regardless of how well it is running.

 

[Brainhurts]

Good point. The bush hog is worth about $400 so the hybred is going to cost me $1400. As long as it is not too much of a Frankenstein, and I can figure out what parts to get, the $1400 does not bother me. Of course, I would rather spend $1400 on a good working TO 30! The funny thing is that if I drive 5 hours to Georgia (near Atlanta) and bring the tractor back to Charleston SC, I can probably sell the hybrid as is--being totaly honest about its background--for $1800. If it actually keeps running, it would allow me to strip my TO 30 down (it needs to be split and get a new ring gear and hydraulics) and I could maintain the acerage while it is down with the hybrid and then sell it off. I am hoping Crem will chime in as he actually did this conversion a few years ago to a TO 20.

 

[Jeff-oh]

Here is another possibility. I like it better, perhaps.

You may Have a TO-30 with a TE-20 steering gear. It is much easier to change out the sterering gear than a whole engine, hoode etc. Though both can be done. The steering gear includes the shift lever, so no this would not be a concern.

Now that said how do you tell a TO-30 rear end... The TE's had an aluminum Tranmission housing. While the TO-20/30's had a cast iron transmission housing. Look for an area without paint, and see if it is aluminum or iron (ie is there rusting or not, is the metal soft under the pressure of a small blade etc. Should be obvious once you really look.

I am almost willing to bet you have a TO-30 with a replacement steering gear/shift cover plate.

Also look at the inside of the hood. If the hood has rails and a "V" bracket to or thoes parts then it would indicate a TE/ else it indicates a TO.

Look at the fuel filter if between the 3rd and forth spark plug then it indicates a TE Fuel Tank, if the filter is aft of the 4th spark plug then a TO fuel tank. You can also look at the break drums the TE is larger than the TO's but I cannot tell you by how much.

Jeff

 

[Brainhurts]

Thanks Jeff,
So it is possible to swap a te 20 steering gear to a to 30, but in doing so you end up with a one piece unit, including the old style shifter? The guy read me numbers off the transmission reading J21 3 and TO7006. The hydraulic says TO 4024A. Thanks,
Tom

 

[Brainhurts]

Hey Jeff,
Thanks again for the help. I just got off the phone with the owner and we compared a lot of numbers off my TO30 and his TO30. It turns out that his transmission case is not aluminum and that the number cast into his transmission is the same number cast into mine. The axle covers that bolt into the differential are the same numbers as well. I am going to go buy it tomorrow.
Tom

 

[Jeff-oh]

Yes the parts are interchangeable. The TE 1 piece and the TO-20/30's two piece are fully interchangeable and you will not loose any functionality. The axel and transmission case numbers are a give away that the frame is a TO frame... i.e. TO#####. That with the engine being a Z129. You have a TO-30 with a swaped out steering gear. I think the price of $1800 is fair for my area particularly with a mower. Assuming it runs well and the tires are decent.

 

[Jeff-oh]

Good for you. Now realize since you do not have the serial number you will never truly know the year of manufacture. But that's okay.

May I also suggest yo consider joining FENA? It is a national Ferguson Club that put out a newsletter 5 times a year and is another good network of Ferguson Fans, knowledge, parts, and people.
FENA

 

[Brainhurts]

I sure will!