Is it a 2000 or 3000

[joshm28]

I am working on getting my late grandfathers Ford Tractor back in good working order. I am having a hard time however determining if it’s a 2000 or 3000. There is a date code and serial number but the model number is missing. According to the date code it was manufactured in Belgium in 1966. It has square axle tubes, 8 speed transmission and I’m pretty sure the hood grill is not original as it has light mounts on the sides vs in the grill like most European models. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[strum456]

A few things are telling me that this may not be a 2000 or 3000.

1. The back fenders
2. You said the grill is odd. Do you have a picture?
3. The numbers don't follow the proper format. The first digit should be a "B" for 2000 or "C" for 3000. Maybe it is a missing number, or??? The next part of the serial should be "10" for agricultural.

After that we have the "1" which means diesel
The "5" which means independent pto (only found on SOS transmission 2000 and 3000 tractors)
And the "C" which is the 8 speed transmission.

I don't know the first thing about Fordsons, but I'm going to bet that is what you have.

 

[radios1]

it looks to be a 3000 according to this.. Ford 2, 3, 4, 5 Serial Numbers | Vintage Tractor Engineer

 

[strum456]

it looks to be a 3000 according to this.. Ford 2, 3, 4, 5 Serial Numbers | Vintage Tractor Engineer

Am I missing something?

 

[joshm28]

Here’s a side view. I can get a better pic over the weekend

 

[radios1]

Am I missing something?

the first digit is a C according to the picture. C is a 3000..

 

[radios1]

Here’s a side view. I can get a better pic over the weekend
View attachment 572582

it may have replaced parts, the picture you posted clearly says 2000, but the serial numbers suggest 3000..

 

[strum456]

Is that a "C" or a "6". Next should be 10 for ag tractor. Doesn't make sense to me, but now that I see the rest of the tractor, it looks like a 2000 or 3000.

 

[radios1]

Is that a "C" or a "6". Next should be 10 for ag tractor. Doesn't make sense to me, but now that I see the rest of the tractor, it looks like a 2000 or 3000.

I see C 5 NN 7006 AA but then, on the hood, it says 2000.. maybe a mishmash of parts?..

 

[strum456]

I see C 5 NN 7006 AA but then, on the hood, it says 2000.. maybe a mishmash of parts?..

Now I am following you. I think that number is the part number for the transmission. The tractor model number is shown in the other picture. "6L15C" However, this does not follow the traditional format for Ford tractors (as far as I know).

 

[strum456]

I am fairly certain this is a Ford Dexta. I can't locate a source for decoding the model though.

 

[HakanTh]

It is a Ford 2000 or 3000. A144-336 is the serial number (A for Antwerp, Belgium), normally, the Model Number should be stamped nearby it. This does not seem to be the case here. British and US made tractors had a sticker on the underside of the hood, over the battery, with the numbers on it. Antwerp made tractors may have that (though I can not see one on the picture), but instead there may be a metal plate riveted somewhere. I have only seen the plate close up on pictures, but I guess it would be placed on the firewall or on the inside of the hood.

Edit
****
I tried to understand some discussions in Belgian/French forums, and it seems that some owners found the plate on the wall in front of the radiator, see arrow in attached picture. Perhaps it could be on the other (front) side of the wall, or the fan shroud.
****

An easy way to find out if it is a 2000 or 3000 is to look for the spring for the draft control. I can not determine from the pictures, but if you can see a fat spring behind the driver's seat, then it is a 2000. 3000 had a cover over the spring.
Here you can see the spring on a 2000:
Lot 34 Ford 2 Tractor Lift Operating - YouTube

 

[strum456]

The mrs driving the Ford Dexta 2 - YouTube

Looks to be the same tractor as the video

 

[HakanTh]

It is a Ford 2000 in the video, probably a British video.

Fordson tractors were made at the Dagenham plant in Great Britain. At the end of production the models were Dexta, Super Dexta, Petrol Dexta (not many of those were made) and (New Performance) Super Major.

Fordson tractors were very popular in Europe, especially in Great Britain. When the "World Series" 1000-series came in 1965, Ford decided to keep the Fordson model names, together with the new model names on brochures and hood decals on units made in Great Britain, during the first years of the 1000-series. The idea was to make the customers see the new models as enhanced versions of the popular Fordsons. In fact they have nothing in common.
Here you can see the decals:
Histoparts

4000 got Major as a supplement, Major was an earlier Fordson model.

So, the 2000 got Dexta as a supplement, but it has nothing to do with Fordson Dexta. The name still lives on in Great Britain and other parts of Europe.

 

[strum456]

Could it be that the Ford 1000 series tractors made in Great Britain and branded with the old Fordson names as you explained have their own model code format?

 

[HakanTh]

Could it be that the Ford 1000 series tractors made in Great Britain and branded with the old Fordson names as you explained have their own model code format?

No, it was just a sticker gimmick.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Here痴 a side view. I can get a better pic over the weekend
View attachment 572582

I think 2000 should work since the current 2000 label looks old and it does not have power steering which proves nothing. On a 50+ year old tractor I think old decals are more likely correct. I mean like what farmer or dealer would remove 3000 decals and replace them with 2000 30 years ago?

 

[HakanTh]

I think 2000 should work since the current 2000 label looks old and it does not have power steering which proves nothing. On a 50+ year old tractor I think old decals are more likely correct. I mean like what farmer or dealer would remove 3000 decals and replace them with 2000 30 years ago?

You could turn that the other way around.
Say it is a 3000 and the hood panel was damaged during the 50+ years and a replacement from a 2000 was used. What farmer would take the time and cost to put the correct decals on it?

 

[HakanTh]

Could it be that the Ford 1000 series tractors made in Great Britain and branded with the old Fordson names as you explained have their own model code format?

Now I see what you mean...
It is the 6L15C and 6L16? Those are date codes.
6L15C means that the transmission was built November 15th, 1966
6L16 means that the tractor was assembled November 16th, 1966

C means Afternoon shift, shift code omitted for the tractor unit.

Look here:
FORD CODES and SERIAL NUMBERS

 

[joshm28]

I can’t find a model number anywhere on this tractor. Here is some more data I’ve found.
Stamped on opposite side from where the serial number is C7008. Manifold stamp is C5NE-9425-k below that is SM