[JSB Case]

Hi again guys,

Since my 448 is in service for snow removal, I am focusing my attention on the "new" 646.

The ID tag on my 646 reads;

Model 646
Serial# 9698903

According to the model/year chart, my tractor falls into early 1975 production.

My brother also has a 646 and his tag reads;

Model 646-75
Serial# 9718849

That puts his in late 1975 production.

There are a ton of differences between the two tractors and the most obvious is the color scheme. Mine has the Power Red Frame with (I assume) Power Yellow tins. His is all Power Yellow.

Both tractors have the original paint on them. The picture shows my brother's fender sitting on top of the hood of my tractor. The two yellow colors are obviously different and according to a batch of Power Yellow paint that my brother purchased, his looks more like power yellow. What color is mine supposed to be?

All comments are appreciated as always.

 

[NutCase2]

According to the chart, they are both 74?? Am I understanding that chart incorrectly? :headscratcher:

 

[JSB Case]

It was explained to me that the numbers listed in the chart are the last number produced in that year. Could be dead wrong though.

 

[NutCase2]

Thanks. I am curious now which way is correct.

 

[Hydriv]

It was explained to me that the numbers listed in the chart are the last number produced in that year. Could be dead wrong though.

No.... YOU are not dead wrong at all.

The person who told you that is dead wrong.

However, I'm just going on what everyone I know has said about how to use that chart. Here's my understanding.

Every year, Case set aside blocks of serial numbers for each model they made in a given production year and those blocks were always larger then what the plant was capable of producing.

The fact that your brother's tractor has the suffix -75 following the serial number means that it is a 1975. The problem is....the chart does not agree with the tag's suffix. It tries to place the tractor prior to what is supposed to be the very first serial number used for the 1975 production year of 646's. This, my friend, is one of many, many things that drive guys like me stark, raving mad. I have no idea where that chart came from, who produced it, when it was produced and what was relied upon to create it.

According to the chart, your tractor is a 74. Are you still confused? Good... cuz that makes both of us. :sidelaugh:

On the issue of paint color, your tractor used "Industrial Yellow Enamel - Gloss" and was part number B17455

Your brother's tractor should be "Power Yellow Enamel - Medium Gloss" part number B17453.

Any Case/IH dealer with a C/E franchise (construction equipment) should be able to get those paints for you because both of them were used extensively by the Construction Equipment division of the Case empire.

 

[NutCase2]

I will have to double check the numbers on my LBH now :headscratcher: Maybe it is not a 79 :headscratcher: :sidelaugh: :headscratcher:

 

[JSB Case]

According to the chart, your tractor is a 74. Are you still confused? Good... cuz that makes both of us. :sidelaugh:

On the issue of paint color, your tractor used "Industrial Yellow Enamel - Gloss" and was part number B17455

Your brother's tractor should be "Power Yellow Enamel - Medium Gloss" part number B17453.

Well, confused would be putting it lightly. If YOU don't have a clear answer about the infamous chart, then it will probably remain a mystery.

I had never heard of Industrial Yellow before now, so I guess I learned something today. That is a wonderful thing!

Thanks for the color help, and the model year headache! :headscratcher:

 

[Ted Miller]

Did any of the 646 LBH have a grille painted sorta plum color like the 580 was painted, or was mine just repainted. I don't have a serial number and trying to find the year built.

Ted

 

[Hydriv]

To the best of my knowledge, there has been only two color schemes. The early red and yellow one and then the all-yellow model. That one stayed in place until 1988 when the 600 series was replaced by the 6000 series.

I know of the 580 color you speak of but I do not believe that it was ever applied to a 600 model.

If your 646 has the original Onan in it, get all the numbers off of it and contact Boomer on this forum. He will tell you what year that engine was made and that info will help pin down when your tractor was made.

 

[Ted Miller]

Not the orginal engine, specs # is different. But then if I don't now the serial maybe I not looking in the right parts book.

Ted :winterrules:

 

[Hydriv]

OK... if you study the parts manuals at Eastman, you will see that there were very few changes to the 646 model over the years. It was produced for just 8 years beginning in 72 and ending in 1980 The bi-color models started in 72 and ended in 74 or so. That alone narrows things down considerably I don't think that you will note any differences during that time frame. Use the year/model/serial chart to select the correct parts manual or manuals and then compare those manuals (if there is more than one) to figure out the differences noted in the manuals and then check your tractor to see which manual represents your tractor correctly.

 

[Ted Miller]

By the chuck of cast iron hanging below it, I believe it is a "B" series. When were they first produced?

Ted

 

[Hydriv]

By the chuck of cast iron hanging below it, I believe it is a "B" series. When were they first produced?

Ted

After the "A" series. :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh:

Seriously though..... I cannot give you a year. But here's the thing. I see my work here as something more than just answering specific questions. I always try to teach people how to go about answering such questions on their own.

You use the year/model/production chart as one tool. You use the parts manuals as another tool. In many instances, the parts manual will show you a pictorial of the solid counterweight and another pictorial of the segmented steel plate counterweight. The pictorials have parts lists on the opposing pages and quite often that page will make a statement about the serial number break between the two styles of weights. Once you know what that serial number is, you refer back to the chart to see where that number fits into the scheme of things regarding the year.

Is the chart perfect? Not as far as I'm concerned but it's the only game in town at the moment and I have deep fears that it will always be the only game. <SIGH>

That's your homework assignment for tonight.

There will be a test tomorrow.

 

[Ted Miller]

Built later than 1975 !!!!

Did I pass? :+1:

Your question, When did the have the plom color grille ? :lol:

Ted

 

[mikebramel]

By the chuck of cast iron hanging below it, I believe it is a "B" series. When were they first produced?

Ted

My 648 brochure lists the 646 and the backhoe first years at 75

 

[Hydriv]

Good point, Mike.

While the two FEL tractors made the scene in 72, the LBH's did not happen until 75. Thia just points out how important old paper is when figuring out what went on back then.

 

[mikebramel]

Did you want a scan of it for your literature section?

 

[Hydriv]

I'd be pleased to have that, Mike. No rush. Whenever you are motivated works for me.

You don't see sales literature for the 600's show up on e-bay very often and when it does, it is often hotly contested. I have a price threshold just as most people do and so far, mine is lower than everyone else. :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh:

 

[mikebramel]

I paid $10 for this one. There happens to be two more listed right now. I also have a thresh hold. The 646 one went for $50.00. Of course the last one I forgot to bid on went for $15.00 LOL

 

[mikebramel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/CASE-648-BROCHURE-/ ... 3a624476bb
http://cgi.ebay.com/Case-648-loader-bac ... 588c15de80