Ronny tractor serial numbers

[WilliamInOz]

Hi all,
Just wondering what they started at and stopped at was it from 001-? or somthing else, and where do you find the serial numbers on these tractors.

[Patrick M Livingstone]

There was a lengthy article in TOMM a few years ago about the R-T tractors; I will see if I can find it. I would guess that they did not start at No.1 as they certainly didn't with the engines.

[Patrick M Livingstone]

A bit more info (found after a bit of a search):
Starting in 1924 R-T imported 73 American 'Illiinois' tractors and fitted them with their own radiator with 'Ronaldson-Tippett' cast on it to improve cooling.
Ronaldson-Tippett manufactured a copy of this tractor starting with No.101.

[Wayne Timms]

Hi WilliamInOZ,
I think you will find the engine number stamped on top of the diff housing and the top of the steering column.
Regards,
Wayne

www.bluefuel-whitesmoke.com

[WilliamInOz]

Are the numbers Cast or stamped?

Cheers, Will

[Eric Schulz]

It is extremely rare for any product to have cast serial numbers. A pile of components was assembled and when finished, a number was stamped on a plate or directly on a casting.
In the case of the R-T, I can't remember if the number stamped on the top of the flywheel housing was stamped into the casting or on a tag.
If there is no number stamped into the steering column end, it should be on the flywheel housing. That is, unless it was on a tag that has since gone missing.

Eric

[WilliamInOz]

How many are still in existance too?

Cheers, Will

[Rusty Pete]

Hi will , unsure as to how many are left . I own number 53 and i know of 10 others just in my area. It was stated somewhere that the numbers run out to 640 tractors. But as we already have read that the fist batch of Illinois tractors ran up to 73 and then the numbers started at 101 and so forth. But it was quite common for the tractors to be refurbished at the ronny factory and renumbered when they were sent back out. Thus the actual figure of production is around the 430 number mark. As for the radiators there is still a few around with the smaller Illinois radiator fitted. I will take a photo and post it tomorrow . On which ronaldson tippett was hand painted. I have also seen an extra large ronny radiator kicking around somewhere , which must have been made for extreme heat situations. Please feel free to disagree with any of my reply as this is only what I've heard from other people who collect ronnies.
Cheers. Pete.

[Rusty Pete]

Hi All , as promised a couple of pics of a R+T tractor. The owner indicated to me that this is the first tractor or No1 if you like, to be imported and assembled in Australia. Hopefully pics work. Cheers .Pete.

[WilliamInOz]

rusty pete,
thats a nice tractor there! Im still hunting for the serial on this one i know about.

Cheers, Will

[Rusty Pete]

Hi Will, to answer your original question, the only number I know of is the one stamped into the top of the steering column as Eric previously suggested. Can't say I've ever seen the one on the flywheel cover but I will be looking there too from now on. I will check around and try to see if I can find some engine numbers on the few I know of and see if there's any pattern there. But then again ,can't say I've ever found an engine number either. Cheers .Pete.

[Tractorfan]

Hello, as previously stated I've seen serial numbers on the end of the steering column, but also stamped on the top of the diff housing (under the seat).

Will, if you can get a copy of issue 90 of the TOMM, there is a very detailed article about the changes made to the R-T tractors, and you'll be able to estimate a rough year of manufature from that. 430 made sounds about right. There were heaps of changes made over the years.

[Rusty Pete]

Hi All. Checked over a few ronnies in the shed the other day and of the 7 I looked at only one 1 had a number stamped in the diff housing. I think it was 522. A fairly late number. So maybe they only started stamping the diffs in the later years?????
Cheers Pete.

[WilliamInOz]

If the first tractor produce could it have it saying in the sump 1101. cause who whould by the first tractor of that model thinking that it could have problems? Just a thought.

Cheers, Will

[Wayne Timms]

Hi Will,

There seems to be a number of manufacturers who started at 101. It has already been suggested that the numbers run out at around 640. So 1101 on the diff housing does raise some questions.

I had a tractor and the engine number was on the diff housing, it was a 3 digit number.

Sorry, I can't add anymore, but it sure is interesting.

Regards,
Wayne

www.bluefuel-whitesmoke.com

[Ironsides]

Come on Wayne,narrow down where you live as Victoria is still a big place.If you have a look the 3 posts above you have given us a city/town.Up to you but I sometimes don't answer when people leave only a state.As you can see I place my city on this means and I don't have a private number but it's up to you,Norm

[Wayne Timms]

So as not to distract this thread, I have answered this in a new thread. 'Personal Details on Websites'

[WilliamInOz]

Would a picture help with the 1101 number?

Cheers, Will

[Wayne Timms]

Hi Will,

A picture would be good, it can't hurt.

Regards,
Wayne

www.bluefuel-whitesmoke.com

[WilliamInOz]