Minneapolis-Moline RTU
Verified
The Minneapolis-Moline RTU is the tricycle-front, row-crop (universal) version of the R series — the smallest of MM’s streamlined Visionlined letter tractors.
Identification & configuration
TractorData describes the RTU as the universal row-crop version of the R series, with a tricycle front and a 2.7-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine, built 1939–1954.
Because the R models shared a serial-number system, a number alone can match more than one — confirm by configuration. See RTU vs RTS and the R-series overview.
Factory paint
Per the MMCI paint records, the R tractors wore the first Prairie Gold (PG1) with Cherry Red wheels through 1947, then the common Prairie Gold (PG2) from 1948. See the full paint reference for the year-by-year configuration.
What to verify
- Serial / plate: The R serial number is on the right side of the transmission case. Decode the serial for model and year; the ranges are listed below.
- Configuration: confirm the front-end and fuel system against the model’s parts book (see our suffix guide).
- Originality: check paint and decals against the factory configuration for the year.
Production-year ranges, manuals, and service bulletins for this model are listed below.
Sources & Verification Notes
Configuration and production years per TractorData; paint per the MMCI Paint Committee references; serial ranges as cited on this page. RTU and RTS share serial ranges — the decoder returns both for a shared number. We do not assert horsepower or production-count figures until confirmed against factory literature. See the R-series overview.
Serial Number Ranges
| Year | Serial range | Number type | Source confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 400001 – 402200 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1940 | 402201 – 405575 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1941 | 405576 – 407950 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1942 | 407951 – 408825 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1943 | 408826 – 409357 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1944 | 409358 – 410747 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1945 | 410748 – 413754 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1946 | 413755 – 416544 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1947 | 416545 – 416545 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1948 | 14800001 – 14900000 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1949 | 14900001 – 15000000 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1950 | 15000001 – 15000001 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1951 | 102156 – 103972 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1952 | 103973 – 104823 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 104824 – 104824 | tractor plate | Conflicting sources Medium |
Engine
- 165 ci (2.7 L) Four-Cylinder Gasoline (165 ci / 2.7 L, Gasoline)
Specifications
| Nebraska Test | No. 341 (1940) |
|---|---|
| Max Belt HP | 23.22 hp @ 1400 rpm |
| Rated Belt HP | 20.52 hp @ 1400 rpm |
| Max Drawbar HP | 20.01 hp @ 1938 lb pull (3rd gear) |
| Rated Drawbar HP | 15.66 hp @ 1477 lb pull |
| Engine | M-M (own), 4-cyl vertical, 3 5/8 x 4 in, rated 1400 rpm |
| Magneto | Fairbanks-Morse F.M. K4B |
| Carburetor | Schebler TSX-30, 1 in |
| Fuel | Gasoline (71 octane) |
| Weight as Tested | 4,135 lb |
| Speeds | 2.3 / 3.3 / 4.2 / 12.0 mph |
| Tested fuel economy | 9.97 hp·hr/gal |
Specifications per the cited source below. Manufacturer-advertised figures can differ from tested values — confirm restoration-critical specs against factory literature.
Nebraska Tractor Test Results
Official, independently measured performance from the University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory (public-domain reports). Figures are as-tested on a specific fuel/transmission variant — your tractor may differ. Look up the full report by test number.
| Test No. | Fuel | Year | Drawbar hp (max) | PTO/Belt hp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 341 | Gasoline | 1940 | 20.01 hp | 23.22 hp (Belt) |
| 468 | Gasoline | 1951 | 23.9 hp | 27.09 hp (Belt) |
Factory Paint Colors
Body, wheel, and powertrain colors documented for this model's era by the MMCI Paint Committee. The exact part-by-part configuration, year breaks, and footnotes are in the full paint reference. Individual tractors vary — special orders and regional exceptions were common, so confirm against your own machine.
- Prairie Gold (body)
- Cherry Red (wheels / trim)
Manuals & Literature
Factory publications cataloged for this model (MMCI / Floyd County Museum). We catalog the publication and its coverage — not its contents. Obtain copies from the museum or a reproduction seller.
Operator's Manuals
Parts Catalogs
Service / Shop Manuals
Finding Parts
We don't publish part numbers we can't verify against factory literature. The authority for this model's part numbers is its factory parts catalog; interchange is serial- and configuration-dependent, so always confirm against the parts book before buying.
Factory parts catalogs
Engine-family parts
This model uses the 165 ci (2.7 L) Four-Cylinder Gasoline, shared with RTS and 335. Many engine-family components are common across these models — verify fitment against the parts catalog, as serial- and configuration-specific variations exist.
Documented parts
Cataloged Minneapolis-Moline part numbers documented for this model. Applications vary by serial, year, and configuration — confirm against your parts book before ordering.
Clutch
- RT158-RT9500 — 8" clutch friction disc, 6-spline, 1.25" dia. (to #413856)
- RT158A-RT9500A — 9" clutch, 6-spline, 1.25" dia. (#413857 up)
Oil Filter
- RE5599 — Oil filter
Piston
- 60P36462554 — 3.625"+0.020" aluminum piston with pin & retainers
- 60P36662554 — 3.625"+0.040" aluminum piston with pin & retainers
- 60P36882554 — 3.625"+0.060" aluminum piston with pin & retainers
Steering Wheel
- Steering wheel — 15″ steering wheel (tractors to #0014901517) — 15" steering wheel (tractors to #0014901517)
- Steering wheel — 16″ steering wheel, 7/8″ — 16" steering wheel, 7/8"
- Steering wheel — 18″ steering wheel (tractors #0014901518 up) — 18" steering wheel (tractors #0014901518 up)
Surviving Examples (collector-reported census)
Owner-submitted survivors, reviewed before publishing. Collector-reported — these corroborate, but do not establish, the documented serial ranges above.
- 10 known survivors
- Serials observed: 102,310–45,000,164
Sources & Verification Notes
Status: Verified
Primary source: TractorData — Minneapolis-Moline RTU tier 4
Last checked: 2026-05-31
Where this model fits in the Minneapolis-Moline history & timeline →
Videos
Curated third-party videos — MinnieMo is not affiliated; links open on YouTube.
Owner Notes & Questions
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