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The Minneapolis-Moline UB

Moline UB is a classic row crop tractor with an extra something special

IN THE SHOP with Rachel

By Rachel Gingell
Farms.com

Manufactured from 1953 to 1955, the UB shared most features with its predecessor (the Minneapolis-Moline U) with two changes: a foot clutch instead of a hand clutch, and a higher operator station for better visibility over the hood. Other than these changes, it’s essentially the same tractor as the popular MM U. I strongly prefer a foot clutch, so the UB gets my vote!

The MM UB was manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their dealer network stretched far and wide, and these prairie gold tractors can still be found in barns and fencerows across North America.

The UB was offered with a huge range of options – including three fuel choices (gasoline, diesel, LP gas) and four front axle variants (standard wide front, adjustable wide front, tricycle front, and single front wheel). The tractor offered live hydraulics and was rated for 50 horsepower.


1953 Minneapolis-Moline UBU
Photo: David Moore/TractorData.com

The tractor features an innovative double block. Instead of having one block with four cylinders, the UB has two separate blocks with two cylinders each. This means that if one cylinder shows trouble, you can overhaul just one half of the engine – saving both time and money.

What makes me particularly excited about this tractor is its parts interchangeability. The MM UB is a creative mechanic’s dream! The genius of Moline designs is the possibility to switch components from one tractor to the next.

Engine components from the popular 5 Star are identical. Larger engines and components can be bolted onto the Moline UB as well. While this isn’t a project for a beginner, it’s relatively simple to take an engine and crank from a Moline G and put it into your UB. The Moline G engine fits under the sheet metal and packs a mean punch – perfect for stock tractor pulling.

One more perk of the Moline UB: the sound. My dad and grandpa pulled customized Moline tractors when I was a kid, and the distinctive sound of their engines always puts a smile on my face. I think that nothing sounds quite as zippy and fun as a Moline. As Moline fans say, a tractor that makes you smile is worth its weight in prairie gold. 


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