CAT TEN: What color?

I’m getting ahead of myself, we haven’t tried to start the 10 yet, but “Shelley” got a hit bath, and needs some more scrubbing. In my quest for cleanliness, I figured out it’s grey underneath. From my studies, it wasn’t decided until late December of 1931 to make them yellow?

This one shows to be an early ‘31, so I am making the tough decision to either paint grey or go the yellow!

Help me decide.

Back to work here.

Chrome, Polished Aluminum, White with Decals would make it fit right in with the stable mates. I would have second thoughts about trying to start it - be cranking a long time with that open hole in the side of the block, might be missing some key components? Did you convert to direct injection of some sort? Do not break that jar on the pre-cleaner during your cleaning operations. - cts

Hi, juiceman.

As I understand it, anything built before December 7, 1931, was grey. Post December 7 production was highway yellow.

Just my 0.02.

Sounds like CTS is suggesting you paint it like an expo model, but I have always thought the grey machines looked more elegant than yellow.

Does anyone know if there is truth behind the grey paint San Leandro tractors having black accents and lettering and the Peoria tractors having the red lettering?

Juiceman, you already own too many "yellow" machines 😆. I'm with AnthonyF on this one.

CrawlerAddict

I would go with the original gray with red lettering. I don’t believe gray TENS ever had black lettering. That’s what I was told by older collectors

Yeah guys, seeing how it was grey underneath, along with red lettering...those original decals really have some shiny red, almost as if metallic. I wonder if its because of leaded paint?

***Dave Grow***I recall your rumored story about San Leandro machines vs. Peoria being painted differently also.

I might pull the plugs today;squirt some oil in each cylinder and give the crank handle a twirl for some spark. The magneto was supposed to have been a fresh one from 10 years ago. Previous owner said he had it running a decade ago.

I think I will get rid of the fancy precleaner and go back with a factory straight tube. My spare 15 should have that.

***For the "gas" experts: What will my 15 high hitch fit, besides the 15? Anything? I'm too lazy to compare part numbers from my books.***

Thanks everyone!

Votes Count? -- Gray Paint, Red Letters would look great. CrawlerAddict has a point too, you do need to add some variety to the "herd", make it easier for you to find the odd one. - cts

That high hitch will fit a 22 same as PV 15.

hey juiceman! I thought you only bought tractors that were running.