What year is this Ford 6600?

Ouchita · Jun 11, 2017

I have a Ford 6600 with the serial number beginning with ZX. This is the Protecto Plate. All numbers on the Protecto Plate match numbers on the tractor rear axle, tranny etc. The second picture is the transmission right behind the starter.

The New Holland book list a 6610S being manufactured in 1994 with a ZX prefix.
View attachment Ford 6600 ZX prefix.pdf

Last year I replaced the clutch and the clutch that was removed was stamped with the word "LONDON". Here is a picture of the tractor.

Also last year I pulled the hydraulic pump and discovered the return filter is located right next to the pump and in the parts manual for a 1975 6600 it is located rearward.

The question is what year was this tractor manufactured and where? England perhaps? 1995? Left over parts from somewhere?

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

Turbys_1700 · Jun 11, 2017

On my Ford 4610SU the unit code identifies the date of manufacture, month, date, plant, and year. I see 5119B identified as the unit code. I would interpret that as a 75 year model produced in the 11th month (November), 9th day, B or 2nd shift. My 4610 SU is an 83 model tractor. The 10 series was produced after the 00 series. That is why I would think 75 on the year model. If I incorrect some Ford experts can help out.

Ouchita · Jun 11, 2017

Thank you. That all makes sense. The ZX is still perplexing. I read that the first letter designated where the tractor was made, C for US and B for England. Does ZX signify a particular location? Also have read that some countries may have continued manufacturing certain models after production had ceased in the US due to EPA regulations. Perhaps it was a one off tractor for some reason. The date identification works, thank you.

Turbys_1700 · Jun 12, 2017

RickB and SoundGuy are the two Ford Tractor guru's on here. If you look at this link from Tractor Data the location of manufacture is identified as either unknown or Brazil. The data for Brazil tractors start at 76. I would guess that the ZX on the housing is a Brazil identifier but still a 75 model. This same link also identifies my 4610 SU country manufacturer as unknown but it is the Romeo Michigan plant.

TractorData.com - Ford tractors sorted by factory

Ouchita · Jun 12, 2017

Thanks Turbys_1700 for the link to the Tractor Data page sorted by factory, it is very interesting. The date stamp on the trans shows December 18th presumably of 1975. Perhaps it is a transitional tractor when they shifted from manufacturing the 5 series to the 6 series. If it is a transitional tractor that might explain the "ZX" prefix. Or Brazil could be identified by the "ZX" prefix. We may never know for sure. It's a good tractor and pretty easy to work on. Thank you for your help.