My 400 Is A Mutt...

Absent Minded Farmer · Jun 16, 2009

I unearthed two numbers on my 400. The ser. tag says 4070 S & the engine is stamped 142249 with a "Z" casting code on the block. Is the engine from a Super M? The front cover has an "A" code. The rest of the tractor is a mix of "Z" & "A". Did someone in the tractors past have a severe uh-oh & parts out a SM? An inquiring mind would like to know. Maybe only the Shadow knows.... Who knows?

Thanks - Mike

pics · Jun 17, 2009

The foundries and the machine shops are not at the beginning of the assembly line. Your tractor was probably assembled in January or February 1955. It takes various times for the different castings and sub-assemblies to make their way to the assembly building. I don't see anything unusual about your date codes.

If my 400 (serial # 519) had "A" codes, I would know something had been replaced. Actually, it has one "A" code. It is on the mid-mount Electrall gearbox. That tells me it was installed as a kit after it left the factory.

One of my SMTA's (serial # 60177) was assembled in February 1954 on the first or second day of production. It wouldn't surprise me to find a "Y" code. I haven't looked.

mkirsch · Jun 17, 2009

That's true. It takes time to make the parts, so it wouldn't be unusual for parts to be cast several months before the tractor was assembled.

Regardless, it's plausible for a 400 with a low serial number like that to have Z casting codes in it. Nothing "mutt" about it.

rustyfarmall · Jun 17, 2009

I personally have seen at least one 400 with the "Z" casting codes. It was at a consignment auction, and was a pretty rough old beast with some of the sheet metal pieces missing. I've got a sneaky suspicion that tractor ended up in the hands of someone who turned it into a SMTA.

teddy52food · Jun 17, 2009

I don't know how true it is but I heard the JD 2 cylinder blocks were left outside in the sun for a period of time before assembly. The heating & cooling was supposed to relieve the casting stress.

randy hall · Jun 17, 2009

there were thousands of 400's built in '54. i have one with september and october casting codes on it.

karl f · Jun 17, 2009

our 400 has all Z codes (major casting pieces anyway).

karl f

Wardner · Jun 17, 2009

The Bridgeport Machine Tool Company used to "age" their castings for six months.

My 400 Is A Mutt...

Absent Minded Farmer

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pics

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mkirsch

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