Unstyled A

[J Bouchard]

Does anyone know if the 1936 tractors with the experimental air cleaners were painted differently than the usual air cleaners? The bottom half of the air cleaner canister on mine was originally black. The top half is green, but the bottom half is black under the green. The cup itself could have been black too but it was previously repainted just with green. Am thinking of painting mine with the black to highlight thus unusual feature.

 

[Paul_IN]

If the factory installed at time of tractor assembly it seems very unlikely for a part like that to be masked during painting. Perhaps if JD was field testing before regular production the vendor’s paint was left in place.

What is experimental about the air cleaner?

 

[J Bouchard]

Rather than the two long bolts that fasten the cup through the strap on the bottom , this type has a cup with 2 tabs that are held by 2 studs at the sides of the canister. Supposedly JD got 200 to try out. The serial numbers are included in Malcom’s book on unstyled A’s. The cup has other internal differences as well.

 

[mijohn]

I can't remember the company name that mass produced the first successful oil bath air cleaner. but John Deere probably tried them under license. until they could produce themselves. IH also had the same stile when the H, M & As came out in 1939. I know the F12s, F20s and F30 were similar but a little different. maybe someone can add to it. john

 

[Paul_IN]

Rather than the two long bolts that fasten the cup through the strap on the bottom

Thank you for explaining. I don’t have Wes Malcolm’s book.

 

[41B-boy]

Does anyone know if the 1936 tractors with the experimental air cleaners were painted differently than the usual air cleaners? The bottom half of the air cleaner canister on mine was originally black. The top half is green, but the bottom half is black under the green. The cup itself could have been black too but it was previously repainted just with green. Am thinking of painting mine with the black to highlight thus unusual feature.

would love to see a picture, never heard this before. Fr. Bob

 

[Fixingfarmer]

I’ve seen one on a restored tractor it was painted green.

As the entire air cleaner would not have been green before arriving at Deere it’s unlikely it was painted separate or left off until fluid fill.

Judging by the fact there isn’t much paint on the back of the 3 bolts that air cleaner mounts to when you pull them off (on a non experimental one) I assume it was installed on the chassis then painted before the hood was installed but I wasn’t there to know for sure. There’s also not usually paint inside the air cleaner like they would be keeping the cup off till fluid fill

It’s possible too it’s an aftermarket or replacement cup as well they are often black then the owner painted it.

 

[ChrisInPA]

Rather than the two long bolts that fasten the cup through the strap on the bottom , this type has a cup with 2 tabs that are held by 2 studs at the sides of the canister. Supposedly JD got 200 to try out. The serial numbers are included in Malcom’s book on unstyled A’s. The cup has other internal differences as well.

Which edition of Wes Malcom's book do you have? I have the 1998 edition, which doesn't have pictures of the experimental unit, but has a paragraph and serial numbers on page 7 about the experimental unit and Decision 5929, but he says there's no other information. Does it exeternally resemble the Vortox used in regular production, other than how the cup is fastened?

 

[J Bouchard]

Which edition of Wes Malcom's book do you have? I have the 1998 edition, which doesn't have pictures of the experimental unit, but has a paragraph and serial numbers on page 7 about the experimental unit and Decision 5929, but he says there's no other information. Does it exeternally resemble the Vortox used in regular production, other than how the cup is fastened?

I have the 4th edition, which does have a picture. Other than the cup attachment it looks the same as the later style ones. It doesn’t have the elbow on the side of the Vortex ones. It attaches to the cast piece on the radiator and that has an elbow to attach the inlet piece to the carburetor.