Year produced 1945
JC T4,
Your D8 Sn 8R8887SP shows in my book being a 1945.
SP= Special parts
“SP” stamped at the end of the Serial Number indicates special parts were substituted for standard parts on the machine. Examples include special transmission gears, oversized idlers in place of standard idlers, and other items that required special attention on the assembly line, usually “deep” in the machine. “SP” was not used for add-on accessories such as lights, cab, PTOs, crankcase guards, and mufflers.
One should note on the older D8’s similarly to the one in question, if the letters SP apply to any change of the standard transmission and finial drive gears there should be additional letters stamped on the right hand corner at the top of the bevel gear case, reading as such SPC-G. Formerly these numbers were stamped on the vertical surface just below the right hand of the bevel gear case. Although these markings do not indicate the type of special gears, they do afford an opportunity to check the original gears installed in the machine to insure against replacement with standard gears.
There was later changes in the transmission and final drives as to the special parts, but they should not concern this tractor.
Kelly