Farmall Regulars and F-20s

I know IH used casting dates on their tractors (castings) so even if one was without a serial number plate you can generaly figure out what year it is. Question is: is that true for the Regulars? Another question, how does one that is unfamilar with a Regular or F-20 know the difference?

Serial # stamped into left frame rail regular near front F-20 behind clutch houseing. oldiron29

I believe IH started the casting 'codes' in 1923.At the the start of the regulars(F series).Plus,Regular did not have a sn plate.Its number was stamped on the front of the left frame rail right behind the radiator.F-20 Had sn plate mounted on the tool box under the gas tank.If that is missing,the sn is stamped on the left frame between the clutch houseing and transmission.Plus,Regular was 3 sp trans.F20 was 4sp.There many differences.Once you learn them,it will de easy to differentiate.Steering gears,air cleaner mounts,fuel tanks.......

Actually the Regulars did have a serial number plate riveted to the toolbox. There was a serial number stamped on the engine block too, it will not be the same number as was stamped on the frame or serial number plate, but it will be close.

I am not too sure about the casting codes and dates, but differentiating between the Regular and F-20 is pretty easy and straightforward.

1. Regs used an open geared steering atop the bolster, whereas the F-20 was enclosed and running in oil.
2. Except for the earliest F-20s, the rear end housing had small ridges cast into the top on either side of the differential. Sort of foot rest things. Regulars never had these ridges.

Outside of checking the serial number, the above two items are pretty much clinchers. The other differences listed below are items that were not on original tractors, but may have been added at a later date:

1. Regulars had the exhaust point down and out to just above the left frame rail. F-20s had the exhaust go through the hood.
2. The F-20 air cleaner inlet pipe was taller than the Regular.
3. The starting gas tank on the F-20 was inside the main fuel tank, whereas thr regular had the tank mounted on a bracket at the rear of the fuel tank.
4. A large number of the Regulars had a simple leaf spring that the seat attached to. When several operators were injured when the spring broke, IH went to a coil spring with a hot rolled plain steel bar. All the F-20s used the newer type of seat springs. Later production Regulars had seat srpings like the F-20s.
5. Regulars never had rubber tires originally. The later F-20s often came from the factory on rubber.
6. Regulars never came with brake pedals, just a brake lever that actuated the left wheel.


If I remember correctly, the earliest Regulars did not have an air cleaner as we know it. The air inlet went directly through the hood and was topped by a small round frame that was covered with cloth. The exhaust also went through the hood. The earliest Regulars had a round governor housing, whereas the later units had the familiar rectangular one. The first magnetos were Dixie units. By around 1926 or so, these were replaced with International's own E4A mag.

The serial number is your best bet in identification. Large numbers of Regulars had their magnetos, carbs., intake/exhaust manifolds, and even gas tanks changed to F-20 units. The steel wheels were often cut down and converted to rubber, or replaced entirely with F-20 wheels.

If I have anything wrong here, or missing other points of difference, I am sure that the forum gurus will pipe in. I welcome their input and corrections.

The casting 'codes' didn't show up until 1931 with the letter A


example

4-12-C

would be april 12th of 1933

(quoted from post at 17:31:47 02/02/14) Actually the Regulars did have a serial number plate riveted to the toolbox. There was a serial number stamped on the engine block too, it will not be the same number as was stamped on the frame or serial number plate, but it will be close.

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Actually Kirk the vast majority of them did match. Ive only had a couple regulars where the engine serial was different

I see, the engine serial number does not match the frame number on both of my Regulars.

(quoted from post at 01:58:20 02/03/14)]

Actually Kirk the vast majority of them did match. Ive only had a couple regulars where the engine serial was different

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I have often heard that the engine and frame serial numbers will usually not match on the Regular. Will have to check out my '29 to see if they match.

When I bought the tractor some 25 years ago, I thought it was an F-20. The open steering mechanism quickly revealed to me something was amiss. Since I was unaware of the serial number stamped into the left frame rail, it was fortunate that the tag was still affixed to the tool box and in good condition. The number T 58029 showed that the tractor was a 1929 model. The front wheels had been cut down, the starting tank removed, and an F-20 carb. and manifold had been installed. To top off the camouflage, the tractor had been completely painted Farmall red.

From my experiences with the regulars the serial number should be printed on top of the frame on the left side. Mine is up in front of where the radiator attaches to the frame. The easiest way to tell the difference between the regular and the F 20 is the open steering gears. The F 20 also had the muffler that went up instead of down like the regular. I have seen regulars with the muffler going up, but this was probably something added on later, except for 1924 regulars where it was factory. I am pretty sure that the F 20 also has the brake drum completely covered while on a regular you can see the entire brake drum.

Every F series Ive owned and my regular has matching serial numbers,I think the numbers started varing with the letter series

jimmy

I have a 1932 Farmall narrow tread with all three numbers matching. The late ones like mine have number on frame behind bell housing. Mine is 136325. know of only one in ohio with a later number than mine by 4 numbers

Since many parts between Farmall Regulars and Farmall F-20's are easily interchangeable, the absolute best way to tell the difference is by serial numbers. Farmall Regulars used QC as the prefix until Oct 1926 when IHC moved production from Tractor Works in Chicago to Farmall Works in Moline. T was then used. Even after the move all engine blocks continued to used the QC prefix. The left frame rail wasn't stamped with a serial number until early 1927 which was located just behind the radiator and only for a short period of time. It was then moved aft near the clutch housing. All Regulars had a tag mounted on the tool box using 2 rivets. And this continued onto the F-20 until the end of 1932 when 4 rivets were then used to secure the tag. Tractor identification on the serial tag also changed at the same time. I believe IHC made effort to make sure serial numbers matched. It is hard to find tractors without matching numbers, but they exist. Casting codes started on the Farmall F-30 in 1931 and no Regular has them.