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fleeter allis fan 
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Joined: 05 Apr 2018
Location: Niagara Ont
Points: 135
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 Topic: Model B "Orchard" special
Posted: 09 Jul 2019 at 8:05pm |
Hello All. I am looking for some information on the Model B. I own one and have done some research and I am familiar with most the evolution of the model over the years. I am familiar with the IB and although I have never seen an asparagus or a potato model, I am aware that they exist. Here in the Niagara region of Ontario where I live, there are lots of orchards and vineyards. I have seen five or six low or "orchard" B's in my area, but I don't believe they were ever factory produced. They were evidentially a local dealer modification for the local orchard market. They were lowered by turning the final drives forward 90 degrees and replacing the arched front axel with a straight axel and at first glance, look like an IB without the C channel frame. I have heard that they may have been made to supplement a shortage of IB's, but my understanding is that they were made specifically for orchard duty. Is there anyone else in the many and various orchard or vineyard areas around who have seen or are familiar with this modification? Does anyone know of any dealers who may have done this modification and if so, where? Thanks.
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Bill Long
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Bel Air, MD
Points: 4556
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Posted: 09 Jul 2019 at 9:35pm |
You are right in saying that the B - to my knowledge - did not have a factory Orchard Model. There were some modifications done by dealers for special needs and that could well be what you have. I do recall the original IB's - which as Agricultural Dealers we were not allowed to sell - were without the I beam frame. Could be one of those. If you can post a picture would be very helpful. In any event take good care of my favorite. Good Luck! Bill Long
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 22472
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 5:52am |
MTO also used 'B's with sickle mowers to trim the grass on the QEW and sideroads. Late father-in-law told me and it sounded like those were 'modified' as well. Maybe they got a second life ?
Jay
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Steve in NJ
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 6:57am |
The Model B was such a versatile Tractor, that it was made into all kinds of configurations to perform certain jobs. From High Crops to low riders to hotrods, the B fills all kinds of postitions. Like my pal Bill, I to am a big B fan. I've had my B almost 20 years already. Doesn't seem possible, but its been a very useful Tractor around the property as well as a fun Tractor to restore and play with. The ole' girl needs to be redone again, and next year when I retire, I'll have at it again and get her all cleaned up with a new set of dress clothes. We named her "Alice" years ago when I first purchased her and pulled her out of the woods of the Adirondacks.... Steve@B&B
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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GreenOrange
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 8:51am |
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I’ve seen some “orchard B’s” as well, but have not found any factory documentation of it being a factory offered configuration. I also have gathered they were a dealer/distributor modification, or perhaps at the branch level.
The 260 pre-war IBs did not all have the channel frame, as Bill mentioned - it was optional equipment. The post-war models all had the frame, which also included the front axle support. Pre-war did have the shorter torque tube though (slightly different tube than the post war IB tractors) not the standard torque tube of the “orchard b”.
Edited by GreenOrange - 10 Jul 2019 at 8:54am
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fleeter allis fan
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Location: Niagara Ont
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 8:55am |
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I don't have any pictures but as I am sure you are aware, the IB had a shorter torque tube and the battery box was relocated to the left fender, and the steering column was different. These "orchard" specials that I have seen are normal B's in every other way except lowered as described.
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fleeter allis fan
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Location: Niagara Ont
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 1:07pm |
Jay, I know that the roads departments used IB's with sickle mowers and the railways also used IB's. Maybe they also used these "low" modified B's as well. If they did, I would think there might be lots of them around, as of course, there are roads and railways almost everywhere. My theory, so far unproven, is that they were modified specifically for orchard and vineyard use. If that is true, there should be survivors in areas where orchards are common. Rusty
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Kiwi
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Joined: 23 Jan 2018
Location: New zealand
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 2:35pm |
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I have seen photos of hops allis B in the uk which sound like the same thing and I think they were made up by the local engineering shop
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steve(ill)
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Location: illinois
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 2:50pm |
As mentioned , the IB had a shorter torque tube and steering column and therefore did not have room in front of the shift lever for the battery. The battery was moved to another area, normally by the fender.. ORCHARD means "lowered" to go under the trees.. No factory units were OB... but many people have modified the B to make a generic "OB"... This would be obvious by looking at the location of the battery box, still in front of the shift lever, and probably retains the original "B" fenders , and would not have the C channel frame as it would be 6 inches too short ( short torque tube on the IB).... I built at OB 15 years ago by rotating the rear housings 90 degrees forward and building a straight axle similar to the IB unit....NOTE ... some modification needs to be done to the spindle upper arms as I remember to get the steering rod / etc aligned.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 2:53pm |
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 2:55pm |
Edited by steve(ill) - 10 Jul 2019 at 3:03pm
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:01pm |
Notice the IB is shorter torque tube and no room for the battery box.... and an IB would have a C channel frame ( after the war), and WD45 type fenders.
Edited by steve(ill) - 10 Jul 2019 at 3:05pm
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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fleeter allis fan
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Location: Niagara Ont
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Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 7:04pm |
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Steve, your photos look a lot like the examples that I have seen. The torque tube length and battery location seems to be the key to determining if it is an IB or a lowered modified B. Thanks. Rusty.
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Goodolboy
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Joined: 24 Sep 2024
Location: Effingham il
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Posted: 24 Sep 2024 at 3:59pm |
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I have either a B orchard with rounded fenders or I’m not quite sure what I have . Someone want to help me distinguish
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 24 Sep 2024 at 4:11pm |
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an ORCHARD would be a Dealer or Individual modification to a B tractor.. the BATTERY would probalby be left in front of the steering post as in the photo above... an IB has a short torque tube and no room for the battery. Battery would be on the rear fender or mounted to side on the tractor on the C channel frame... Do you have a C- channel frame ? What is the serial number by the shift lever ?
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 24 Sep 2024 at 4:17pm |
An INdustrial B or IB was made at the factory. It would have big oversize fenders, similar to the WD45.. It would have a short torque tube so the battery would be mounted on the fender or frame. Tractors built after WW2 had c-channel frames. and IB xxxxxx serial numbers. and IB would have a pan seat where the factory B tractors had a bench seat.
Edited by steve(ill) - 24 Sep 2024 at 4:19pm
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Steve in NJ
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Posted: 24 Sep 2024 at 6:35pm |
My IB was originally fit with a sickle bar. The Battery was mounted on the right side frame rail. When I restored the Tractor, I put it right back where it was.
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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