Date my fergie

Gidday!
I'm trying to identify a grey Ferguson tractor I bought a couple of weeks ago as a project.
Its my first tractor, it wasn't running and has been sitting in a shed for the last 3yrs.
I did all the usual checks before cranking it over and it showed signs of life so I paid the man and hauled it home.
The previous owner said it was a TE-20 but had no idea of what year it was.
I did a compression test wet & dry when I got her home, pretty low in all cylinders, so off came the head.
4 really badly burnt exhaust valves but everything else was in pretty good shape.
I replaced the exhaust valves, reseated all 8, decarbonised everything, put it all back together along with all new ignition parts and rebuilt the zenith 24t carbie and she fired right up.
Purred like a bloody kitten.

This is what I do know:
- Serial No. Plate is missing from the steering column.
- The motor is a Standard Motor Company gasoline engine 85mm bore.
- Number cast into the side of the steering column is 8537P
- Engine No.S124890E
- Could have been converted to 12v from 6v as battery & generator are 12v but the starter is 6v
All of it looks to be of a similar vintage so I can't tell.

Now I know she runs, stops, pto works just the hydraulic lift came up, went down and hasn't moved since.
From all accounts that should be a fairly simple fix as well, so now I wanna know exactly what it is I have.
My kids love it and have already named her 'Ruby'
I got a new 4' slasher with the deal so Ruby needs to get to work.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers Chris (Samford, Australia)

Check the casting date on the side of the transmission.Build date was usually 4 weeks after casting.
I don't remember the sequence of how the date numbers read,but you can go the the Harry Ferguson form on
this site for more info.
I have a'54 with the Standard engine,12 volt from new,typical British positive ground system.

I'm not a Ferguson expert but I think the TE-20 and TO-20 tractors
had Continental engines. My TE-20 does.
The Standard engines were in the TEA-20 tractors from 1948-1956
with the larger 85mm bore starting in the 1951 model.

The hydraulics only work when the PTO shaft is turning.

Welcome to to the YT forum! I'm glad Ruby
has a loving family.

I would love to visit Australia someday and
talk tractors. I might have to engage a
translator! LOL!

Is it possible that your tractor may have
special features for Australia, or may be a
British version?

I?m not a Ferguson expert either, but I?m pretty sure that the TE-20
was offered with the Continental or Standard engines. The TO-20
was just offered with the Continental engine

Good day GOM.......

TE-20s and TEA-20s that arrived In Canada from England had two very different Engines.

TE-20 Continental Engine...

TEA-20 Standard Engine..

Those TEA-20s that have a 6 Volt factory starter converted to 12 Volts have been known to fail...
There is a component within the Starter that absorbs torsional torque when starter engages the flywheel..
Depending on the continent you reside, can pose a challenge in obtaining a replacement failed Starter component as per above...
All the best...

Bob...Owner TEA-20 Tractor and several parts TEA's

Here's a picture and explanation.....Credits to Charles in Aust.

Original 6-Volt starter replaced by an after market 12 Volt...

This photograph shows a typical six volt tractor's bellhousing which is lacking the much larger twelve volt bulge . This particular example has had the original six volt starter replaced by a six/twelve conversion unit .

Notice also the distributor borrowed from a car , the coil appears to be from one also .
This post was edited by Charles in Aus. at 01:14:59 01/24/14.

Thanks John Deere D, I'll take & post some pics this weekend, and take a look at that number on the tranny.
Cheers Chris