Ford 871 Reviews

Dads Old Tractor
Model Year: 1964

Restored 2012.

Pros: Reliable power.
Cons: Little bit smoky.

Ford Select O Speed 871
Model Year: 1959

Long desired owning & running the historic Ford Select O Speed. Since the late 50's had heard what an engineering marvel they were with live PTO and ability to snap into the next gear on the go! Of course, had also heard of all the horror stories of the "jerk-o-matic" transmission. True, it does take some getting used to, it is unconventional, and prone to issues of overheating, clutch pack issues, and the PTO pack in the very rear that just might not stop when you want it to. But as a dedicated gear head, it is a great feeling to walk through the gears as your neighbor stares in awe of movement w/o clutching!

Pros: Shift on the go and independant, live PTO.
Cons: Keeping oil changed, clean, and cool. Allow for pedal "feathering".

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Transmission Problem
Model Year: 1958

This past winter my Ford 871 Select-O-Speed would no longer move when shifted into gears 5, 6, 7, and 8. There are a total of 10 forward gears. The reverse gears R1 and R2 are okay. I removed the filler plug on the side of the housing to check the transmission/hydraulic fluid. Fluid started pouring out, so there is plenty of it; however, it is very black. The owners manual says it never needs to be changed, but I wanted to change it anyway. The problem is, I cannot locate any kind of a drain plug, and it doesn't show one in the owners manual.

Pros: Generally a reliable tractor until now. However, I have had trouble changing the power steering fluid.
Cons: It was always a hard tractor to start until I switched to a 12 volt system 2 years ago.