The serial number registry is a database to allow you, the tractor owner and collector, to not only to register your tractor but also query statistical information about your brand and.
How to find tractor serial numbers:
TractorData.com lists tractor serial numbers under the individual model. Use the menu at the top to select your tractor manufacturer and model, the serial number list will be on the tractor's data page.
TractorData.com lists tractor serial numbers under the individual model. Use the menu at the top to select your tractor manufacturer and model, the serial number list will be on the tractor's data page.
How to read a tractor serial number list:
Tractor serial number lists nearly always show the first tractor built in each year. The other tractors for that year will have successively higher numbers. Your serial number should lie between two of the stated numbers.
Example serial number list:Tractor serial number lists nearly always show the first tractor built in each year. The other tractors for that year will have successively higher numbers. Your serial number should lie between two of the stated numbers.
Year | Number | |
1980 | 501 | |
1981 | 879 | <<< 900 |
1982 | 1034 | |
1983 | 2103 |
Example: In this example, tractor serial number was 900 was built in 1981 because it is after the first serial number for 1981 but before the first number for 1982.
The list only shows the number from the first tractor built in eachyear. Unless you happen to have the first first tractor off theproduction line, then your particular number will not be on the list.Your number will lie between two listed numbers.
Find the TRACTOR serial numberThere are usually a lot of different numbers on a tractor. The engine, front axle, and cab may all have their own serial numbers. Various components may have parts or casting numbers. Make sure you have actually found thetractor serial number, and not one of these other numbers.
Model years versus calendar years
Tractors, just like automobiles, are manufactured on a model or production year. The new production year usually starts around September. A tractor built in October of 1955 would have been considered a '1956' model. Serial number lists almost always show the production year, not the actual calendar year the tractor was built. This information is generally more useful, because major changes would have been made to a model at the start of the production year, not on January 1.
Tractors, just like automobiles, are manufactured on a model or production year. The new production year usually starts around September. A tractor built in October of 1955 would have been considered a '1956' model. Serial number lists almost always show the production year, not the actual calendar year the tractor was built. This information is generally more useful, because major changes would have been made to a model at the start of the production year, not on January 1.
Read the number carefully
On older tractors, the serial number plate has often faded. Make sure you do not confuse a 7 for a 1. Also, ensure you have read the entire number.
On older tractors, the serial number plate has often faded. Make sure you do not confuse a 7 for a 1. Also, ensure you have read the entire number.
If the plate has faded very badly, try making a rubbing of the imprint. Place a piece of tissue paper over the plate and rub gently with charcoal or a pencil. Another method is to color the number with a marker and then quickly wipe it off, hoping to leave ink in the stamping. Some people have found that they can read the number off the back side of the plate
A serial number is not a tractor's life story
In general, you cannot determine anything but the year from the serial number of an older tractor. You cannot find the exact date of construction, original dealer, or previous owners. Your best chance at finding your tractor's history is to talk to the person you purchased it from. Find out who they bought it from. If you're lucky you may be able to trace it back to the original buyer and the original dealer. If you are really lucky, that dealer would still be around and have records of the sale. There are couple of exceptions...
In general, you cannot determine anything but the year from the serial number of an older tractor. You cannot find the exact date of construction, original dealer, or previous owners. Your best chance at finding your tractor's history is to talk to the person you purchased it from. Find out who they bought it from. If you're lucky you may be able to trace it back to the original buyer and the original dealer. If you are really lucky, that dealer would still be around and have records of the sale. There are couple of exceptions...
John Deere owners can contact the Two-Cylinder Club to have their serial number researched for a fee. I am not aware of this service being available for any other brand. If it is, email me and I will post the information.
Newer tractors from major brands will likely be tracked by the factory and its dealer network on computer. If you tractor was built around 1990 or later you may be able to have a dealer run the serial number. The exact information available would depend on the dealer and brand, and what they are willing to release to you. In general, they track sales, repairs, and stolen equipment.
IH owners: look for the U
Many International Harvester tractors will have a long number sequence with the letter 'U' in the middle. The numbers on the list correspond to the digits after the letter.
Many International Harvester tractors will have a long number sequence with the letter 'U' in the middle. The numbers on the list correspond to the digits after the letter.
Missing serial numbers
With an older tractor it is not uncommon for a tractor's serial number to be missing. The serial number plate might be lost. The stamping might be worn to the point that it is unreadable. In most cases it is impossible to ever determine the original serial number. The serial number was typically marked in only one location on the tractor. The engine serial number is usually unrelated to the tractor serial number (certain Farmall models are an exception to this).
With an older tractor it is not uncommon for a tractor's serial number to be missing. The serial number plate might be lost. The stamping might be worn to the point that it is unreadable. In most cases it is impossible to ever determine the original serial number. The serial number was typically marked in only one location on the tractor. The engine serial number is usually unrelated to the tractor serial number (certain Farmall models are an exception to this).
As Green Magazine's 'Mr Thinker' column has stated many times, 'If you want a tractor with a serial number plate, you should buy a tractor with a serial number plate'.
©2000-2019 - TractorData™. Notice: Every attempt is made to ensure the data listedis accurate. However, differences between sources, incomplete listings,errors, and data entry mistakes do occur. Consult officialliterature from the manufacturer before attempting any service or repair.
Speedex Tractors were a line of small garden tractors[1] produced in various factories in Ohio between 1935 and 2000.
Early years[edit]
Harold Pond, along with his brother Elmer and brother in law, Glen Heilman all worked for Shaw Manufacturing of Galesburg, Kansas, a company which produced walk-behind tractors. Harold was assigned the territory of Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1935, Pond left to form the Pond tractor company and began producing Speedex walk-behind tractors.[2]
Harold Pond developed the Model B Speedex Riding tractor in 1938. Pond set up a head office in the town of Ravenna, in Portage County, Ohio. The Model B would become known as the first four-wheel garden tractor in America.[citation needed] It had an air cooled engine and pneumatic tires. The Model B tractors were produced and sold from 1938 to 1948.[3] The engine was Briggs & Strattion Model ZZ Gas Engine. The tractors included a Ford Model A Transmission and a Ford Model T Rear Axle.[4] This tractor had tiller steering with a single stick that would move forward and backward to control the steering gear.
In addition to the Model B, Pond also produced a Model A and Model C Walk Behind tractor.
In 1942, Pond developed a Model FG (Farm and Garden) tractor. This model would use a Ford Model A Four-cylinder engine, a Ford Model A Transmission and a Ford Model T rear axle. Early models were distinguished by the Shiny Chrome Ford Radiator. Later models were higher with a painted radiator.
Pond was contacted in 1948 by Ford who told Pond that the Pond Tractor company was competing with Ford's own tractor line and that he would no longer be able to purchase Ford components for his tractors. As a result, Pond developed his own line of transmissions and rear axles for his tractors.
In 1949, Pond renamed his company to the Speedex Tractor Company.[5] A name that would carry through with the production of tractors until 2000 when the last Speedex tractor was produced.
After the changes were made to the transmissions and axles, Pond began selling the M-23 and M-25. In addition, other changes were made to the Walk-Behind tractors that were being sold by the company.
Pond sold the Speedex Tractor Company in 1957. New owners Maury Foote and Jerry Stowe were from other backgrounds but would develop the S-Series line of Speedex Tractors. The S-Series would become the most widely sold models of the Speedex Company and many are still in existence in 2015.
S-Series[edit]
The first S-Series tractors were produced starting in 1959[6] and would be made with the same basic concepts being used until 1974. In 1959, the S-14 and S-23 were made available for purchase. These tractors incorporated the earlier changes from the transmission and axle designs of Harold Pond in 1951. However, a steering wheel and steel hoods were added to these tractors. A full line of accessories had been developed and was carried over to the S-Series.[7][8]
In 1960, a mowing deck with its own Engine was manufactured for the S-Series. This model attached to the front of the tractor and made the S-Series the first Four Wheel Riding Lawn Mower in America.
The models S-14, S-17, S-18, S-19, S-23, S-24, and S-32 were to be produced throughout the years. The model number of the tractor initially begin directly corresponding to the model number of the Briggs and Stratton engines that were being used on the tractors. In 1968, Kohler gas engines began being available on certain models.
Production of the S-Series reached approximately 1000 units per year and remained stable until the company was sold in 1969.
The new models[edit]
In 1969, the General Combustion company, which later merged with Mechtron International, boosted to over 1500 units per year. In this time, the First fully floating mower deck was manufactured. As the years progressed, a newer style frame and model line would be introduced. The 832 was a small frame tractor with a diesel engine.[9]
In March 1969, the Eagle Tractor Company purchased the company. Models such as the Falcon and Eagle began production. These models were targeted as the yard mowing consumer Speedex models. These models were comparable to models being produced by many companies and being sold in hardware and retail stores around America. As a whole, these models were not considered as reliable as the heavier line of tractors that Speedex had been producing.
After 1974, The S-Series models were replaced with a Four Digit model system. Models such as the 1430, 1431, 1432, 1630, 1631, and 1632 were produced during the 70's and 80's As the models progressed, a 3-point attachment system would be developed. Older models came with hydraulics for lifting and hydraulic brakes.
Production of Speedex tractors continued in the Ravenna, Ohio facility until 1994. This facility was eventually closed all models moved out of the factory. This factory remains today and is owned by a private owner.
The Armstrong Tractor Company again started production of Speedex Tractors. This company was based in Armstrong, PA. The company only produced tractors with the Speedex name for a short period before changing the name of the tractors to Strongland. Armstrong continued production of the tractors in the same basic design as the Speedex Tractors and continued producing parts and accessories for owners of the Speedex line of tractors.
In 1997, Speedex Tractor Company was acquired by Trans Tech International in Bolivar, Ohio. The last USA Made Speedex tractor was made in 1999 when the Speedex Tractor company introduced the Model 2032. Only a handful of 2032's were ever produced. The Speedex Tractor company is still in existence but, tractors are no longer in production.
Speedex tractors are sought after by collectors, and some of them have formed the Speedex Collectors' Club.[10] The older models are sometimes displayed at agricultural events and festivals.[11][12]
References[edit]
- ^Retired Ala. contractor saves every tractor he can get
- ^Sarvers' passion is restoring Speedex garden tractors - Daily American: Columns
- ^Contractors and Engineers Magazine. July 1958. p. 76.
- ^Oscar H. Will (15 February 2009). Garden Tractors: Deere, Cub Cadet, Wheel Horse, and All the Rest, 1930s to Current. Voyageur Press. pp. 11–. ISBN978-1-61673-161-8.
- ^World Farming. Intertec Publishing Company. 1959. p. 48.
- ^Jerome Irving Rodale (1959). Organic Gardening and Farming. Rodale Press. p. 104.
- ^Civic Administration. Maclean-Hunter. 1961.
- ^Park Maintenance. Madison Publishing Company. 1959. p. 28.
- ^'economical-compact-diesel-tractors'. Archived from the original on February 20, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
- ^'Antique Engine Club kicks off 2007 season'. May 12, 2007 Local News, The Star Beacon; Ashtabula, Ohio.
- ^TractorFest » Local News » Cumberland Times-News
- ^'Brush Valley club members promote interest in antique tractors'. TribLive, Pamela Sagely
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Speedex_Tractors&oldid=921367259'