Years Uni-s Were Made

[alsparl]

From everything I can find through the various MM sites show the Uni machines being built from '51 to '62. Does this sound about accurate? I was thinking they were earlier but I know I could be wrong. Thank you.

 

[BMG1]

My resources show 1951-1963.

 

[Cowpuncher]

(quoted from post at 02:18:33 04/09/20) From everything I can find through the various MM sites show the Uni machines being built from '51 to '62. Does this sound about accurate? I was thinking they were earlier but I know I could be wrong. Thank you.

I worked on the Uni's at the Hopkins plant of MM. We made the Uni's there (the last ones In 1963). I was on the test stand / final inspection and put on the serial number tags in 1961; 62 & 63. We checked them ( the two of us) and adjusted them as to RPM at the variable speed pulley (the speed control unit); form correct engine RPM and adjusted them to specs. NEW IDEA OF COLDWATER Ohio had purchased the line in late 1962, if I remember right, since I watched them come through the plant inspecting the "mules" and attachable implements. Many of the "brown mule" Uni's made in 1963 had serial number plates that said "made for New Idea, Coldwater Ohio by Minneapolis Moline" and a few if I remember right had MM division of Motec Industries. Some of the very last ones were painted New Idea grey in 1963.

 

[alsparl]

Cowpuncher, thank you very much for the information, love hearing first-hand info and stories. Would you mind sending me a direct email message? I have a couple questions I would like to ask and its simply easier to do via regular email. Thank you for your time.

Aaron
[email protected]

 

[rrlund]

So there was some real early gray New Ideas then? I had a 701, which I believe was the first New Idea model. It was orange and
white. Must be they went to that color scheme when they switched production to Coldwater then?

 

[JK2]

If I remember correctly, the first New Idea units were the 700. They had the 4 cyl 206 CuIn Moline engines in them, the same as the brown mules. The 701 Uni had the 292 6 cyl GM engine and the 702 had the GM V6 engine.

 

[Cowpuncher]

(quoted from post at 17:18:33 04/14/20) If I remember correctly, the first New Idea units were the 700. They had the 4 cyl 206 CuIn Moline engines in them, the same as the brown mules. The 701 Uni had the 292 6 cyl GM engine and the 702 had the GM V6 engine.

I am sure that you are right if my memory serves me. But I will rack my brain for remembrances and check my original MM and New Idea manuals and sales literature to be sure and get back to you! Cowpuncher

 

[rrlund]

I got to wondering later if there was a 700 that I forgot about. My 701 had the 292 Chevy, yes. I had a 702 too. That one had the V6. The cab was the same,the rear axle was a little wider on the 702.

 

[MMDEL]

The first NI built orange uni had a 6cyl flat head continental engine.
MMDEL

 

[Cowpuncher]

(quoted from post at 17:18:33 04/14/20) If I remember correctly, the first New Idea units were the 700. They had the 4 cyl 206 Cu In Moline engines in them, the same as the brown mules. I heard that they also had a different engine option, but what I don't remember what engine. The 701 Uni had the 292 6 cyl GM engine and the 702 had the GM V6 engine. The last Uni's in 1963 had the 206 (N I believe) engine and the steering column was changed to a straight sided vertical column with light placement on both sides. The first New Idea units (7oo's I believe also had the MM engine, though I believe that they changed motors last in that first run. The NI 701's came out in 1965 / spring of 1966 and through at least part of 1967; and had a different drive axle with a central drum and straight up almost steering post with the lever controls to the right of the seat and had the 6 cyl Chevrolet engine (292). In the early 1967 you could get the 702's with the GMC-V6 engine(401) gasoline or the 702-D (diesel) GMC-V6 (477.7 displacement and they were available through at least 1971 according to information that I have brochures for and even could get tool carriers (for planters -up to 8 row; as well as for fertilizer and herbicide placement with a mounted tank). Also available for them were rotary snow plows.

 

[MMDEL]

Cowpuncher;
I agree with you for the most part. BUT the very first year 1965 701s had a continental flat head engine in them. It also had an overheating problem. NI then went to a Chevy.
Also there were no gray units of any model until the late last models. Gray units started in Jan 1986 after Allied Products took over.
MMDEL

REF: New Idea Company's Uni-system. Passport to History Series Book XXIV July 2017
Also I have MM Uni's Flat head V4, 6V one headlight; Overhead valve V4. 12V two headlight; S24 Brown uni 206 inline engine: 700 Brown uni W/ NI serial plate; 701 w/ Chevrolet 292; 702 w/ GMC; 708 w/ Perkins; and 801 w/ AC Buda engine. Have worked on many including 701 w/ Continental.

 

[MMDEL]

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