Minneapolis Moline BF

[johndeerefan1176]

My 51 BF Moline. Ignore the model R decal. My father put the wrong one on several years ago because BF decals weren't available. The square lights are also coming off. This picture shows it with the newer hydraulic unit. We still have the pesco unit that was on it originally. It will be installed when we start restoration.

 

[flusher]

My 51 BF Moline. Ignore the model R decal. My father put the wrong one on several years ago because BF decals weren't available. The square lights are also coming off. This picture shows it with the newer hydraulic unit. We still have the pesco unit that was on it originally. It will be installed when we start restoration.

QUOTE]

Very nice tractor.
Paint job looks professional quality from the photo.

I found what appears to be more Prarie Gold paint after wiping off the grease on the final drive units during disassembly.

Looks like the original paint scheme could have been red sheet metal and rims and PG on the rest of the tractor. I don't think that crappy yellow color is faded PG, but I may be mistaken.

 

[Mosesiii21]

Hi all,

From what has been posted I lucked out too. I recently purchased a 1951 BF Avery Model R. This one is in great shape and runs like a top. The guy sold it because of health problems. He had already started restoring it and I only have to finish painting it and the front rims, and maybe tires for it along with other upgrades. I only gave $1,450.00 for it. He had already replaced the radiator, rewired it, new exhaust manifold, new steering wheel, and painted 40 percent of the tractor. It starts on the first turn. I told my wife it was a deal.

Roy

 

[flusher]

Hi all,

From what has been posted I lucked out too. I recently purchased a 1951 BF Avery Model R. This one is in great shape and runs like a top. The guy sold it because of health problems. He had already started restoring it and I only have to finish painting it and the front rims, and maybe tires for it along with other upgrades. I only gave $1,450.00 for it. He had already replaced the radiator, rewired it, new exhaust manifold, new steering wheel, and painted 40 percent of the tractor. It starts on the first turn. I told my wife it was a deal.

Roy

You lucked out all right. Great looking BF and excellent price.

 

[johndeerefan1176]

Took the little BF to its first tractor show the other day. It was just a couple of miles from home and I thought what the heck. Didn't even spray it off. Everyone there was wanting to vote for it for best tractor, but I did not register it. Notice I changed the square lights back to the originals. I used it to break the garden a couple of days before. That is why it has the plow attached. Sorry for the poor photo, I had to use my camera phone.

Congrats on buying the BF. Looks like a nice start. I wouldn't take $5,000 for mine.

 

[Fraser Beatty]

Hey all, stumbled across this thread by accident while searching for some information on the MM BF I just purchased. Would any of you be able to help positively identify the year of my BF? I know by the serial number prefix of 578 it is a BFW made in late 53, or 54, 55, 56, but would like to narrow that down. Serial number is 57800077, engine serial number is IXB3SL 2476453 008.

Here are some pictures if that helps...it runs and operates well, needs wiring work and the carb rebuilt, then clean up and paint. Paid $1100 for it.

 

[johndeerefan1176]

It is a 53 model.

What is that contraption mounted on the frame that is tied together across the hood?

 

[DonWorrell]

It is a 53 model.

What is that contraption mounted on the frame that is tied together across the hood?

It looks like the hydraulic pistons for a FEL. Allis Chalmbers WD-45 used pistons which looked like the and were mounted almost the same place.


I think what is across the hood is a rope holding them up and out of the way.


Don

 

[Fraser Beatty]

DonWorrell is correct, at one point in time the tractor had a loader on it. What's left is the mounting brackets and the hydraulic cylinders, they are strapped down across the hood to keep them in place.

 

[Fraser Beatty]

How can you tell that it is a 53? Do you have serial number lists for 53 after the serial numbers changed to MM, or know where they can be found?

Thanks!

 

[flusher]

Hey all, stumbled across this thread by accident while searching for some information on the MM BF I just purchased. Would any of you be able to help positively identify the year of my BF? I know by the serial number prefix of 578 it is a BFW made in late 53, or 54, 55, 56, but would like to narrow that down. Serial number is 57800077, engine serial number is IXB3SL 2476453 008.

Here are some pictures if that helps...it runs and operates well, needs wiring work and the carb rebuilt, then clean up and paint. Paid $1100 for it.

The tractor s/n should be stamped on the top of the right hand main rail near the brake pedal.

Here's the s/n on my 1951 MM BF wide front


You can see that rail (yellow color) and the right side brake pedals in this photo.



Hope this helps.

 

[Fraser Beatty]

There is no serial number stamped into the rail, the tractor serial number is given on a Minneapolis Moline serial number plate affixed horizonally to the right rail, as I posted (S/N 57800077). Below is a picture of the serial number plate.

 

[Fraser Beatty]

Hey all, still trying to find the year of my BF, if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

 

[johndeerefan1176]

Here is a list I found online. I am almost 100% positive yours is a 53 since it has a MM serial plate. The earlier models have it stamped into the right frame rail.

1950: R500 (Avery R)
1951: R1839 (Avery R)
1952: R4460 (Avery R)
1953: R6538 (BFW)
1953: 57700001 (BFD)
1953: 57600001 (BFS)
1953: 58000001 (BFH)

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/001/7/8/1780-minneapolis-moline-bf.html

 

[flusher]

Here is a list I found online. I am almost 100% positive yours is a 53 since it has a MM serial plate. The earlier models have it stamped into the right frame rail.

1950: R500 (Avery R)
1951: R1839 (Avery R)
1952: R4460 (Avery R)
1953: R6538 (BFW)
1953: 57700001 (BFD)
1953: 57600001 (BFS)
1953: 58000001 (BFH)

TractorData.com Minneapolis-Moline BF tractor information

I'd say you nailed it--1953 BFD.

 

[Fraser Beatty]

That's the first list I looked at when trying to determine year. Notice the S/N on my tractor is a 578 prefix though, NOT a 577 like the BFD, 576 like the BFS, or 580 like the BFH. Also, this tractor is an original wide front, which SHOULD make it a BFW. This is my third MM so I know MM had some record keeping troubles and did some odd things, but I can't find mention anywhere of a 578 prefix, let alone serial number records for the later BFs.

 

[johndeerefan1176]

Regardless of the number sequence, I would still say it is a 53 model. On the older ones, the numbers were stamped into the frame.

I noticed that serial number issue too. I have other sources for the serial numbers, and they all are just like the tractordata one.

 

[Fraser Beatty]

I have other sources as well, and they all state the same as what you listed. I have found, on the Minneapolis Moline collector's website, information from a dealer memo that states all serial number prefixes, and it lists 578 as being used for BFW tractors, but does not distinguish years. So it looks like my tractors is indeed an original BFW.

On a side note, I thought BFs were made up until 56? Or was it only 53?