FORD TRACTOR TOOLS

MY COLLECTION OF "FORD TRACTOR" TOOLS.

FORD LOGOS

This information on logos is provided so you will know what to look for.

This is the "Ford" script mentioned in the descriptions on this page.

This is the "FoMoCo" logo mentioned in the descriptions on this page.

This is not the same as the modern Blue and grey "Ford" football logo. If you really LOOK closely at it you can see that it actually says "FoMoCo". Most people just SEE "Ford" because that is what they expect to see.

This is the "Ford USA" script as it shows on the Adjustable Wrench.

THE TOOLS

1) THE PLOW WRENCH

1a) Part No. 9N17014 - 11/16 x 1-1/16 Open End Plow Wrench without any Ford markings.

1b) Part No. 9N17014 - 11/16 x 1-1/16 Open End Plow Wrench with "Ford" script.

1c) Part No. 9N17014 - 11/16 x 1-1/16 Open End Plow Wrench with "FoMoCo" logo (after mid-1950).

Visible markings on this wrench are usually the "Ford" script or "FoMoCo" logo, the part number, inch marks, and on the back will be the manufacturer's mark "M" with a casting number. The top one pictured here is a blank wrench without any Ford markings. I believe this is a Ford Plow Wrench, but it may have been produced for retail sale outside of teh Ford/Ferguson network. The second wrench pictured here is a 1948 or later Ferguson wrench. It was made for the Ferguson TO-20 tractor. The third wrench is a badly worn example of the Ford Script wrench and the last one is a good quality "FoMoCo" Logo Wrench. Other than normal wear, look for damage on the ends of this wrench where it was used as a hammer. Much damage to these wrenches and the monkey wrench might have been avoided if Ford had added a small hammer to these tool kits.

2 & 3) TWO OPEN-END WRENCHES

2) Part No. 01A 17015 - 7/16”X 1/2” Open-end wrench.

3) Part No. 01A 17016 - 9/16”x 5/8” Open-end wrench.

Visible markings should include the "Ford" Script and manufacturer's mark "M" or "MH", but no part number. I have been told that the first parts lists for the 1939 9N Tractor lists these wrenches as Part No. 01B, but since the part number was not cast onto these wrenches, any you find might be appropriate for your kit. That said, some of these wrenches are approx. 1/32" thicker in cross section than others. I believe the thinner wrenches are correct for all but the earliest 9N tractor tool kits. The thicker wrenches are generally considered by most experts to be car or truck wrenches. This is an assortment of both types.

4) SPARK PLUG - HEAD BOLT WRENCH

4a) Part No. 81-A-17017 or O1A-17017 -Spark Plug/Head Bolt open end/box end Wrench with "Ford" script.

4b) Part No. O1A-17017-B -Spark Plug/Head Bolt double box end Wrench with "Ford" script (after 1940?).

4c) Part No. O1A-17017-B -Spark Plug/Head Bolt double box end Wrench with oval "FoMoCo" logo (after mid-1950?)

Visible markings on this wrench should be the "Ford" Script or "FoMoCo" logo, the part number, and the manufacturer's mark "M" with a casting number. A very few of the earliest June-July 1939 9N tractors may have come with the No. 81-A-17017 wrench. That wrench was made obsolete by the wrench on the far right in my photo. That wrench has the number 01A-17017 and should be correct for most of the early 9N Tractors through through about April 1940. The other five are examples of the Ford script and FoMoCo wrenches the logo was changed around mid-1950 but they all have the same part number. I do not know if there is a way to tell the difference between a tractor wrench and a car wrench. They all look the same to me except for the casting codes.

5) THE SCREWDRIVER

Part No. B 17020 - Screwdriver.

As with the other tools, there appear to have been some differences over the years. Most experts state that all Ford tool kit screwdrivers were approx 8-5/8" in length with the shaft extending all the way through the handle. Visible markings on some screwdrivers were limited to a "B" stamped on the side of the blade, but many Screwdrivers had no markings at all. Most had a black painted handle and unfinished shaft but on some the shaft was also blackened. The ferrule was polished, plated, or plain metal.

My collection includes some early (9N, 2N) versions that are (or were) around 8 9/16" long, with a 1 1/8" Dia. Handle, 9/32" shaft, and riveted ferrule. I also have some later versions that appear to have been closer to 8 1/2" long, with a shorter 1 1/16 Dia. handle, a 1/4" shaft and crimped ferrule.

It has been reported that there were a few screwdrivers with the Ford script on the shank or ferrule. If you have one of those it should be considered very rare.

If you have what appears to be a Ford screwdriver but it is a bit short, look carefully at the tip. It is very hard to find a screwdriver tip that has not been ground. Other damage to look for is rot or cracks in the wood handle, hammer marks, bent shaft, etc. The screwdriver is one of the most abused tools in anyone's tool box. Most of us have used them as a bry bar or cold chisel, right?

6) ADJUSTABLE WRENCH

Part No. 01A 17021A - Adjustable wrench.

The tractor wrench can usually be distinguished from the similar automobile wrench by the rounded end of the handle and slightly smaller size. The automobile wrench was larger and had a square tang on the end of the handle. It does appear that the automobile wrench was furnished with the early 9N tractor tool kits through April 1940.

Visible markings on the adjustable wrench should be the "Ford USA" script, and the manufacturer's mark "M" usually in a circle, nothing else. Look carefully at the wrenches I have. Starting from the right, I believe the three smaller wrenches are genuine Ford Tractor wrenches. The next two slightly larger wrenches have the same "Ford USA" script, but these may have been ground on the end to make them look like a tractor wrench. This is what happens sometimes when you buy sets of tools on the web. The wrench on the far left is a vintage wrench made by the same manufacturer, but not for Ford. This one came to me in a lot of "Old Ford" tools I bought, but it is not a Ford wrench. Many of these wrenches you will find have been badly damaged on the back side of the slide from being used as a hammer.

7) THE PLIERS

Part No. B 17025A - Bullet-shaped pliers with flat blade screwdriver tip on one handle.

Visible markings on the Tractor tool kit pliers should be limited to the manacturer's mark "M" usually in a circle, there is no part number, no Ford Script or Logo. These are all Ford Tractor tool kit pliers except the second pair from the right. That is a pair of automobile pliers, they are not bullet shaped, and have the "Ford" script.

TOOL BAG

You will often see the tool sets displayed or sold with a black Toolbag. It seems logical that the tools provided would have been in something to keep them from just clanking around in the toolbox. Some experts believe the tool bag was only provided for the automobile tool kits, but I have seen some Ford Tractor parts manuals that refer to part number B17005-A - Tool Bag. The first photo shows both an original and a reproduction Toolbag.

FINISH

The pliers and all the wrenches were originally finished with a black, semi-gloss, baked-on coating. For my refinished tools, I have been using a semi-gloss black powder-coat finish. This baked-on finish is much more durable than any painted finish.

The screwdriver was most often found with a black handle, plain steel shaft, and plain steel ferrule. There were a number of variations in handle color (maybe even red?), and some with a blackened shaft.

OTHER TOOLS

Other cool vintage accessory items and tools you should be on the lookout for include; 17052-Tire Pump Guage and Hose Assembly, 17040-Hand Crank, 17078-Tractor Jack, 17049-Storm Cover, and 17045-17046-Tappet Wrenches. The only other tool item I have right now is a hand crank, but the one I have is a recently manufactured item. It works, but is not a very good reproduction of the original. In fact, the one I bought would not even fit through the hole in the front axle until I ground most of the paint off it!

For more information and history regarding these FORD TRACTOR TOOLS click HERE.