Minneapolis-Moline UB
Verified
The Minneapolis-Moline UB (1953–1955) was the updated U — the final development of MM’s full-size U line, offered across gas, LP-gas, and diesel.
Identification & configuration
The UB came in row-crop and standard forms with several fuel/configuration variants (UBU, UBE, UBN, plus diesel versions and the UB Special). See the U-series overview and the suffix guide.
Its serial ranges are among the better-documented post-1950 MM tractors here, cross-checked against more than one reference.
Factory paint
Per the MMCI paint records, the UB variants used the common Prairie Gold (PG2) with Cherry Red wheels. See the full paint reference.
What to verify
- Fuel system: gas, LP, and diesel were offered — confirm before ordering fuel-system parts.
- Serial / plate: right side of the transmission case; decode the serial (ranges below).
- Variant: identify the specific UB sub-model (UBU/UBE/UBN/Special) by configuration.
Sources & Verification Notes
Configuration per TractorData; paint per the MMCI Paint Committee; serial ranges per Jensales, corroborated by TractorData, as cited below. No horsepower or production-count figures are asserted until confirmed against factory literature.
Serial Number Ranges
| Year | Serial range | Number type | Source confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 5900001 – 5900896 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1953 | 6000001 – 6000202 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1953 | 5800001 – 5802912 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 5900897 – 5901068 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 6000203 – 6000207 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 5802913 – 5804002 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 7000001 – 7000231 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 6900001 – 6900001 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 7800001 – 7800746 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 07800001 – 07800746 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 07000001 – 07000231 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1954 | 06900001 – 06900048 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 5901069 – 5901069 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 6000208 – 6000208 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 5804003 – 5804003 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 7000232 – 7000232 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 7800747 – 7800747 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 9700001 – 9700001 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 9800001 – 9800300 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 07800747 – 07801041 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 07000232 – 07000362 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 09700001 – 09701475 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1955 | 09800001 – 09800300 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1956 | 9800301 – 9800464 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1956 | 09800301 – 09800464 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1957 | 9800465 – 9800465 | tractor plate | Verified High |
| 1957 | 09800465 – 09800520 | tractor plate | Verified High |
Engine
- 283 ci (4.6 L) Four-Cylinder (Gas / LP / Diesel) (283 ci / 4.6 L, Gasoline, LP-gas, diesel)
Specifications
| Nebraska Test | No. 520 (1954) |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Max Belt HP | 48.38 hp @ 1300 rpm (Test B) |
| Rated Belt HP | 42.91 hp @ 1301 rpm (Test D) |
| Max Drawbar HP | 42.90 hp @ 3591 lb pull (Test F, 3rd gear) |
| Rated Drawbar HP | 33.69 hp @ 2793 lb pull (Test H, 3rd gear) |
| Engine | Minneapolis-Moline, 4-cylinder vertical |
| Bore × Stroke | 4¼" × 5" |
| Displacement | 283 cu in |
| Rated RPM | 1300 |
| Compression Ratio | 6.3 to 1 |
| Carburetor | Size 1¼" |
| Ignition | Battery, 12-volt |
| Total Weight as Tested | 8869 lb (with operator) |
| Advertised Speeds | 1st 2.8, 2nd 4.0, 3rd 4.6, 4th 6.7, 5th 15.6, reverse 2.2 mph |
| Tested fuel economy | 11.93 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 520 | Gasoline | 1954 | 42.90 hp | 48.38 hp (Belt) |
| 522 | LP gas | 1954 | 44.57 hp | 51.27 hp (Belt) |
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
Other Publications
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
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.
Bearing
- 10A199 — Throwout bearing
Belt
Carburetor
Clutch
- 10A4193 — 12" organic clutch plate, 1.75" hub, 10 splines
- 10P348 — 12" pressure plate assy, 3 levers, 12 springs (heavy duty)
Decal
Gasket
General
Hose
Oil Filter
Seal
Steering Wheel
- Steering wheel — 18″ steering wheel — 18" steering wheel
- Steering wheel — 18″ steering wheel, 7/8″ — 18" steering wheel, 7/8"
Implements & Attachments
Documented Minneapolis-Moline implements/attachments used with this model. Fitment is configuration-dependent — confirm against factory literature.
Surviving Examples (collector-reported census)
Owner-submitted survivors, reviewed before publishing. Collector-reported — these corroborate, but do not establish, the documented serial ranges above.
- 14 known survivors
- Serials observed: 1,214,694–9,800,100
Service Bulletins
Factory dealer service bulletins — supplements, field conversions, and fixes for this model. See the full reference.
- C 49 U/UB Dealer pre-delivery check sheet
- C 59 U/UB/G In Spanish
- C 60 U/UB/G In Spanish
- C 63 UB Supplement to S 163, Changes/improvements
- C 71 UB Pre-Delivery Check Sheet
- C 41 UB Install Uni-Matic Hyd. Lift
- C 42 UB/UT Install Uni-Matic Hyd. Lift, Diesel
- D 221 UB Relocating grease fitting for clutch throwout
- D 228 UB Hydraulic depth control valve available
- D 270 UB Incorrect piston rings illustration in S 181,
- D 278 UB Anti-toggling stops for type "E" tractor
- D 289 UB Lift roll lock rod
- D 288 UB (Type U/E/N) Governor improvement packages
- D 296 UB Special Attaching RJ Mounted Husker to UB special
Sources & Verification Notes
Status: Verified
Primary source: TractorData — Minneapolis-Moline model listings tier 4
Last checked: 2026-06-01
Where this model fits in the Minneapolis-Moline history & timeline →
Videos
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Owner Notes & Questions
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