Minneapolis Moline RTU with wide front end??

[rdhaley1]

Hi all I just got my hands on an old MM, first time tractor owner, and I am going to need some help while I learn all about it. Figuring out what model of tractor is a good start so I am hoping someone can help me with that.
The nameplate on the tractor says RTU with ser#421056U. It looks like some of the pictures but everything I can find says that the RTU model is a narrow front end where this one has a wide front end.

Is there a model of RTU that does not have a narrow front end?

 

[DT86]

Hello, how about some pictures?

 

[rdhaley1]

Here is what it looks like, the bucket hardware kind of hides the details of the side and the hydraulic tank covers the front end so its hard to get a good read on it.

Also I can't get a good picture of the info plate because there is a metal bracket right in front of it but it definitely says RTU #421056U

 

[bakerg]

Looks like it has a standard front end and with the low profile it could be an Industrial version of the RTU.

 

[DT86]

Industrial yes, that's what I was thinking, RTI.


Like this.



The other wide front ends look like coffee straws compared to this one. I personally think its the only one that would support the extra weight of a loader.

The only problem is I don't think the serial number matches to an RTI.

 

[bakerg]

Here's some info on a RTI from tractordata.com
TractorData.com Minneapolis-Moline RTI tractor information

 

[bakerg]

Here's a picture of a restored RTI.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Here's some info on a RTI from tractordata.com
TractorData.com Minneapolis-Moline RTI tractor information

The parts and owner manuals on that page would be nice to have. Sounds like a workhorse from that era.

 

[rdhaley1]

That looks a lot like mine. Tractor Data says the RTI has a foot throttle and clutch which mine has. I will do some more looking and see what else I can find.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Hi all I just got my hands on an old MM, first time tractor owner, and I am going to need some help while I learn all about it. Figuring out what model of tractor is a good start so I am hoping someone can help me with that.
The nameplate on the tractor says RTU with ser#421056U. It looks like some of the pictures but everything I can find says that the RTU model is a narrow front end where this one has a wide front end.

Is there a model of RTU that does not have a narrow front end?

Since the serial number does not match what is in the photo where is the serial number located on the tractor? That part of the tractor could have been pulled from a used RTU since it clearly looks like a RTI version.

 

[DT86]

That part of the tractor could have been pulled from a used RTU since it clearly looks like a RTI version.

I figured they put a heavy RTI front end under a RTU.

 

[rdhaley1]

Since the serial number does not match what is in the photo where is the serial number located on the tractor? That part of the tractor could have been pulled from a used RTU since it clearly looks like a RTI version.

Good point, the serial number plate is attached to the side of the tranny it looks like so it may be that they pulled a tranny from an RTU somewhere along the line but it looks like an RTI. The front end sure looks like the RTI as it is pretty heavy duty. The loader is a Reese rated at 2500 lbs which seems pretty stout for that size of a tractor but I don't really know because I am truly a newbie...

Thanks for the info I will see if there are any markings on the frame that would confirm your suspicions.

 

[jeff9366]

You will need to do some measuring to ascertain if you have an industry standard three-point hitch.

With production years of 1940 - 1953 hitch may be industry standard or it may be non-standard/proprietary to MM.

ANYONE OUT THERE FAMILIAR WITH THE HITCH SYSTEM ON THIS TRACTOR?



FERGUSON 3-PT HITCH DIMENSIONS REFERENCE THREAD:

http://www.tractordata.com/articles/technical/threepoint.html


Have you looked at this T-B-N thread?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/all-other-brands/168099-old-minneapolis-moline-rti.html

 

[rdhaley1]

Thanks for all of the info but I think it is just as it is supposed to be. I found a couple of resources that have lists of numbers and it wasn't until 1948 that the RT(X) designations really came into affect. For instance here is an example:

http://jetstar.minneapolis-moline.com/MM-Louis_serials.txt

RT TRACTORS
-----------

1944 409358 - 410757 inc.
1945 410748 - 413754 inc.
1946 413755 - 416544 inc.
1947 416545 - 422057 inc.
1948 (RTU) 0014800001 - 0014802402 inc.
1949 (RTU) 0014900001 - 0014903039 inc.
1950 (RTU) 0015000001 - 0015002155 inc.
1951 (RTU) 00102156 - 00103972 inc.
1952 (RTU) 00103973 - 00104823 inc.

This list does not call out RTU specifically until 1948 when the serial number sequence changes. Mine fits into the 1947 row before the 00 was added to the serial number. On another list:
The Model "R" Series M-M Registry List

There is a comment that the RTU from 1947 (serial number listed is one later than mine) that it has a wide front end.

RTU 421507 U Has wide front end

So I guess the answer is that this is an original 1947 RTU but not really considered the RTU yet... Best I can figure...

 

[jeff9366]

I think you have a beauty!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That is great it is stock.

 

[deerseeker001]

welcome to the TBN forum.