Ford 3000 diesel, hard time figuring out year

[jimmyl]

Greetings!
I've had this tractor almost 20 years now. 95% of the time I just use it to mow. Have a few implements like a boom pole,dirt scoop, pallet, etc..... but the rear hydraulics haven't worked in a couple of years, so shredder is just chained on the back. :confused3:
Anyway, I'm trying to get some things together to work on the hydraulics and that had lead me to my question about the year. Pretty sure its one of the earlier years but I do not have the 3 stamped numbers like every example shows. I have what I thought was one long number, but I do believe it may be two that are next to each other. No third set of #'s to be found. Can yall give me a hint with the images I supply?
Btw, the stamped number appears to be:
B800817A5 but I believe it is really B80081, then a gap a bit larger than between that first set, then 7A5.
This was of course stamped on the ledge right behind the starter.
Any info would be appreciated, or any other places I should look.
Typing this out on laptop. Going to submit then try to edit and attach pics from my phone....

 

[Peter 315]

Here you go...TractorData.com Ford 3 tractor information

 

[Roadworthy]

I got a little information about your tractor from TractorData.com. If Peter is correct (and he usually is) and your serial number really does start with a B your tractor was built in England.
TractorData.com Ford 3 tractor information

 

[jimmyl]

Could being built across the pond account for my odd or lacking serial #'s?

 

[HakanTh]

The louvered hood and the metal net grille indicate a Pre Force tractor. That means 1965 - March 1968.
Headlights in the grille (which you do not seem to have?) and the transmission handbrake indicate a unit made for the European market.
"B" in serial number means it is assembled at the Basildon plant in England.
Production code after the serial number is rare, but that is what the shop manuals actually say.
So, it is assembled January 5 1967.
Clean the whole area above the serial number and see if there is more there.

Take a look at this site:
FORD CODES and SERIAL NUMBERS
and look for other numbers. The model number will show you the chassis type, transmission and PTO. But you probably know all that already.

Parts Lists:
Official New Holland Online Parts Store and Online Parts Catalog for New Holland and Ford Tractors.

 

[HakanTh]

I have checked the serial number and the tractor is made for export (from England).
The transmisssion brake was available for all markets, not only the european market.
It would be interesting to know the chassis type.

 

[jimmyl]

I will clean up the areas with the numbers and see if more info is available. I'm sure thankful for the help so far!

 

[RickB]

You have the serial number and unit code which dates the tractor. Maybe a model code is there, maybe not. Post #5 is correct.

 

[RoyKing]

My 1966 made in England had the same grill and the bolt on bug head lights, My codes were under the lid over the battery. Has a Lucas generator, tied to a mechanical hour meter. They don't seem to be collectible mine sold for $1800 and everything worked and original.

 

[HakanTh]

It is a bit confusing with the numbers on these tractors, to say the least, and there are some things with this Serial Number I do not like.

The Pre Force (6X) tractors should in the beginning have had stamped numbers according to the Ford documents in the attached "numbers_engine.jpg". No model number behind the starter. At some time during the Pre Force production, they seem to have changed the numbering towards the new structure.

The Force (6Y) tractors came April 1 1968. "68Page1.jpg" and "68Page2.jpg" are screenshots from the Ford document "New Model Supplement". There is the new structure mentioned. The model number behind the starter.

Looking at the "manual_info.jpg", which is a screen shot from Ford's Shop Manual, gives a third variant of the Serial Number/Production Code.

Take a look at these numbers from a 3000, also assembled in Basildon:
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200401/64f0f6519c33b1abb43d5ecf206118b0.jpg
It is made according to the information about the early Pre Force tractors. The tractor is assembled April 3 1967, and the Serial Number is B065956. According to the Ford documentation: April 1, 1968, the highest Export Serial Number was B088828. 22 872 export units during one year's production is not impossible. This plant made around 50,000 units a year, including the units for the domestic market.

So, let's look at jimmyl's tractor:
The Serial Number B80081 and the date code 7A5 (January 5 1967) does not fit together.
There is no leading "0", as for an export unit.
Even if the "0" was forgotten at the stamping, it is about 20,000 units off.

A domestic number with "7" as the last digit (B800817) could work with January 5 1967. Maybe one ending "7" (or another digit) was missed.

We do not know the year, for certain. Keep looking for numbers at the places that the Oaktree site shows.


It is not unknown that tractors has been re-stamped. If someone with not enough knowledge did that, and only read what is in the Shop Manual, this could be the result.