- Location
- Central Scotland
Its 272QMSN then the serial number stamped into the frame in front of the black manufacturers plate. The manufacturers plate has the same serial number as the number stamped into the frame.Without doubt that's a very unique tractor. However, I'm afraid I'd be wondering whether it was unique when it left Bathgate or whether it 'became unique' sometime after that. A couple of questions:-
- Is the Serial No. prefix 272QM or 272QMS ?
- Are the rear cab mounts the cylindrical type with a horizontal securing bolt or the 'doughnut' type with a vertical securing bolt?
- If it was 1st registered in March '76, I'm assuming it's on a 'P' plate?
Here's why I'm a bit sceptical. Bathgate didn't launch their Q-cab (10 speed QM-cabbed) tractors to the UK press until May 1976. Tractor Q cab legislation didn't actually come into force until 1st June 1976 ..... it had been delayed for 12 months because many tractor manufacturers hadn't got their (new) model ranges ready in time. Now Leyland definitely built some QM cabs before May '76. Some were sent to the NIAE at Silsoe in 1974 & 75 for statutory ROPS and noise testing. But these weren't Synchro models ..... they were all 5 x 2 tractors.
It's always possible that you've got a unique pre-build machine, but road-registered with a commercial(?) user 2 years before the Synchro tractors were launched to UK dealers?? I regrettably think that's unlikely. I'd be interested to hear JVP's opinion
All the numbers tally with the V5 I got with the tractor - which was the old style blue V5 when the previous owner acquired the tractor in 1981.
rear cab mounts are doughnut with vertical bolt
Yes its on a P plate - the area identifier would suggest originally registered in Newcastle Upon Tyne
One other strange thing - the oil filter housing is almost horizontal but slopes slightly down to the left. Usually the filter can is upside down just off the vertical to the right.
A final quirk is that it has the optional heavy duty lift arms fitted. Ive never seen them except on a parts catalogue. If they are original to the tractor then some heavy lifting was intended.
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