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need help on a B

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:22 pm
by bear32055
My neighbor bought a farmall B but the serial number plate is missing.He is sure its a 1947 but it seems to be a BN.Is there any way to tell if its really a BN by the engine numbers?I do remember as a kid u could put a shorter axle on a regular B to narrow it.Thank you in advance.

Re: need help on a B

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:36 pm
by RaymondDurban
I believe you will find the SN under the #1 spark plug hole. I believe the A's and B's tractor SN matched the engine SN. I'm sure if I am mistaken some one will correct me.

Re: need help on a B

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:57 pm
by Bigdog
If I recall correctly the B serial numbers start out FAB XXXX and the BN's are FABN XXXX. Look on the left seat rail.

Re: need help on a B

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:06 pm
by Jim Becker
The A/B serial numbers and engine numbers matched until shortly after production moved to Louisville in '47. After that they were not kept in sync. The engine number of each normally included the tractor model, FAA, FAB, FABN.

Re: need help on a B

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:34 am
by LiL' Red
bear32055 wrote:My neighbor bought a farmall B but the serial number plate is missing.He is sure its a 1947 but it seems to be a BN.Is there any way to tell if its really a BN by the engine numbers?I do remember as a kid u could put a shorter axle on a regular B to narrow it.Thank you in advance.

A BN will be 8 inches narrower than a B, the axle housings are equal length just 4 inches shorter. Also, on the BN the seat bracket lays right on the fender, on a B there is a space. I have seen several that have the left axle assembly relaced by one off an A and are reffered to as a BN.