Minneapolis-Moline UDLX (Comfortractor / U Deluxe)
Verified
The Minneapolis-Moline UDLX — the famous “Comfortractor” — is the enclosed-cab development of the U, built 1938–1941 and one of the most collectible American tractors ever made.
Identification & configuration
The UDLX was a fully-enclosed-cab version of the U with road equipment, marketed for comfort and on-road travel. It is a U-series machine; see the U-series overview.
It is widely considered rare; the total built is collector-reported (commonly cited at roughly a hundred-plus units) and sources disagree — treat any production figure as unverified pending a factory source.
Factory paint
Per the MMCI paint records, the 1938 UDLX wore the first Prairie Gold (PG1) sheet metal with Cherry Red wheels and a silver/plated grille; the cab interior was green/gray and the dashboard a black cherry. See the full paint reference.
What to verify
- Authenticity: genuine UDLX tractors are heavily reproduced/clone-built — verify the cab, road gear, and documentation carefully.
- Identity: confirm the U-series serial and configuration; decode the serial.
- Originality: check paint and the distinctive cab trim against the factory configuration.
Sources & Verification Notes
Configuration per TractorData; paint per the MMCI Paint Committee; the rarity/production figure is collector-reported and conflicting. We do not assert horsepower figures, and we flag production counts as collector-reported until confirmed against factory literature.
Specifications
| Years built | 1938 - 1941 |
|---|---|
| Original price | $2,155 in 1938 |
| Total built | 125 |
| Engine | Minneapolis-Moline 4.6L 4-cyl gasoline |
| Drawbar (claimed) | 27 hp / 20.1 kW |
| PTO (claimed) | 36 hp / 26.8 kW |
| Transmission | 5-speed synchronized gear |
| Drive | Two-wheel drive |
| Steering | Manual |
| Brakes | Mechanical drum |
| Plows | 3-4 |
| Wheelbase | 81 inches / 205 cm |
| Weight | 6,400 lbs / 2,903 kg |
| Front tire | 6.00x16 |
| Cab | Cab standard with heat, radio, and second seat |
Specifications per the cited source below. Manufacturer-advertised figures can differ from tested values — confirm restoration-critical specs against factory literature.
Sale Prices & Values
Documented sold prices: $129,150 – $200,000 (median $152,250, from 4 results)
| Date | Price | Condition | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-01 | $129,150 | restored | Mecum Gone Farmin' Spring Classic (Iowa) |
| 2019-11-01 | $147,000 | — | Mecum Gone Farmin' Fall Premier (Davenport, IA) |
| 2019-11-01 | $157,500 | — | Mecum Gone Farmin' Fall Premier (Davenport, IA) |
| 2016-06-04 | $200,000 | restored | Mecum Gone Farmin' (Charles Schneider Collection, Lapeer, MI) |
Public auction sold-price data points, for reference only — condition, originality, options, and locale drive Minneapolis-Moline values widely. This is not an appraisal.
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.
Surviving Examples (collector-reported census)
Owner-submitted survivors, reviewed before publishing. Collector-reported — these corroborate, but do not establish, the documented serial ranges above.
- 4 known survivors
- Serials observed: 310,514–310,558
- 125 built (per TractorData — Minneapolis-Moline model listings)
- Observed survival rate so far: 3.2% (4 registered of 125 built — grows as more are logged)
Add your UDLX (Comfortractor / U Deluxe) to the registry → Browse the full census →
Sources & Verification Notes
Status: Verified
Primary source: TractorData — Minneapolis-Moline model listings tier 4
Last checked: 2026-05-31
Where this model fits in the Minneapolis-Moline history & timeline →
Videos
The Minneapolis-Moline UDLX "Comfort Tractor" Walkaround - Designs That Were Ahead of Thei Squatch253
Minneapolis-Moline UDLX Comfortractor | The Cadillac Of Tractors Alfa Guy Curated third-party videos — MinnieMo is not affiliated; links open on YouTube.
Owner Notes & Questions
Own one, restored one, or have a question about this model? Share it below. Notes are moderated before they appear, and owner-reported details are not treated as verified facts until cited.
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