War Time B ID

[Southern4020]

I have searched this site for information in identifying this tractor. It is missing the serial number. I know it should be a 43 or 44 model. It has the cast frame,non pressurized cooling system, 1 3/8 PTO, Electric Start / Lights, PowerTrol # PLB 96685. I feel like this should be a 44 model with these features but wanted to run it by the experts.
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[Husker44A]

southern4020 I just looked at one of these today just like the photo..The guy said it is a 43 B. With electric start also..BUT, without the tag its really hard to tell. Maybe, a photo of the other side ?

 

[greenmech]

It should have a small pressurized radiator cap if it's a mid 43 or 44 . Ron Mn.

 

[Doug Sr.]

I have a 46 long hood B like that.

 

[A GURU]

The B GURUS will correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Cast frame/non-pressure cooling was from 136662-148999 and 167000-167699.
Your lift is a Powerlift as opposed to a Power-Trol.
I have a only a few records of original powerlifts from around this time frame. The ones I do have would indicate the powerlift was originally installed in maybe Feb/March 45, which wouldn't be original to that configuration of frame/radiator.
If there are some readers with B's in the area of this, by serial number or time frame, they could help verify this.

Hope this helps.

 

[molinebob]

I just finished putting one together that looks just like that, mines a 44 model with a serial number that starts with 169, but mine does not have electric start, it does have powertrol though, at least thats what the guy that used to own the john deere dealer ship said it was, Bob

 

[Will P]

169,*** is a 1945 model, not 1944.

 

[StyledModelB]

May-June 2002 Two Cylinder magazine, page 19.
1. The angle steel front support was replaced by a closed-bottom cast iron support from serial number 136662 through 166999.
2. Becuase of copper shortages, the cooling system was pressurized from serial number 148500 through 166999. The temperature gauge registered 230 degrees rather than 210.
3. At 149700, a reversible drawbar with one-piece support, eliminating the roller assembly was adopted.
4. During 1944, at serial number 155445, new brake shoes with shorter linings were adopted.
5. Hydraulic Power Lift was available from the start, and Hydraulic Powr-Trol became available in May 1945.
6. The seat, 9 holes through late 1941. From then until late 1944 7 holes. By 1945, and through part of 1946, there were 5 holes. By mid to late 1946, it was down to 3 holes and stayed that way through 1947 when the padded seats became available.

 

[johndeereman]

I have a 43 b ser. 145 has non press cooling system powerlift cast frame no elec. start has standard 540 pto can"t recall diameter but it"s the normal size not the small one pressed steel wheels was bought by my family used in 1946 so I know a good majority of the history on it and the way it sits now is the way they bought it.

 

[Southern4020]

The tractor does have the roller style drawbar so that should put it below the 149700 serial number range. So with the non pressure radiator and early roller drawbar it should fall in the 136662 - 148500 range. That would make it a possible 1943 model. I don't know why its so important to me to know this information and to be honest its almost fun to do the detective work and research to narrow it down. I know its not rare by any means but I think its odd to be a war time tractor with all the options it has.

 

[Will P]

You originally state it has 1 3/8" PTO, which came out at 149700 also. Or is it really 1 1/8" like it should be?