Ford 881 Reviews

Ford 881
Model Year: 1959

This is a hardy tractor and has the Select-O-Matic transmission. Supposedly when this transmission come out there was a lot of problems, but Ford worked with people to iron out the problems. When I've worked the tractor hard, sometimes it won't go into certain gears. Not everyone works on this kind of transmission and if you decide to have someone else do work on this transmission, you may have a hard time finding one. PTO engage/disengage cable can present problems. It is not a very solid engage/disengage system and sometimes it will not do what choice you make. Currently my PTO is stuck in engage position.

Pros: Read above.
Cons: Read above.

881 Ford Selec to Speed Diesel Demonstrator Gold
Model Year: 1959

Good old tractors never stop running.

Pros: Low gears two speed pot.
Cons: PTO doesn't stop completely.

Good Old Tractor
Model Year: 1953

Runs and starts well; has automatic trans; 10 speeds. I use it mainly in the spring--making maple syrup. We pull a drey with a 100 gallon tank through the snow to collect sap. This tractor does everything we need.

Pros: Good traction/power.
Cons: The automatic trans. creeps when cold.