Ford 860 4.40 star(s) (8)

Ford 860: When It Runs Well, It Is a Good Machine
Model Year: 1956

But I sure do spend a lot of time tinkering with the thing to get it to run well.

Pros: Inexpensive, parts readily available, live PTO, easy to work on.
Cons: Old machines need a lot of care and feeding.

Project
Model Year: 1955

Tractor is a rebuild project. Needs complete overhaul---motor, hydraulics, PTO, wheels & tires, etc. So, am looking for used parts and/or tractor.

Pros: Strong core.
Cons: Time + $.

Photo Uploads:

Ford 860
Model Year: 1957

This was our first live-clutch tractor on my dad's farm. What a great advance that was, over our 1953 Ford Jubilee. The livestock is all gone, and we don't cash-crop anymore, but the 860 is still in regular use for hobby-farm purposes. It's a fine workhorse.

Pros: That live clutch. Since the 12-volt conversion, it runs like a champ.
Cons: It's a bit light in the front end.

Photo Uploads:

Ford 860 & Plow
Model Year: 1955

I have a Ford 860 that I recently restored. It has a 6-way hydraulic plow, fluid filled tires (anti-freeze) and chains. I converted to 12V and electronic ignition and changed the PTO to a standard shaft. You can't beat the power to weight on these 46 hp, live PTO, so easy to work on. I can idle it down to 200 rpm it runs like a top. Only wish it had power steering and a loader.

Pros: Lots of power in a small relatively light package.
Cons: Antique, some parts can be harder to find.

New Owner
Model Year: 1955

I bought this tractor with the property. I haven't had a chance to look at it too closely yet. What I do know is that it desperately needs a good degreasing. The fuel valve drips on top of the motor and I imagine the valve cover gasket leaks. It also smokes a bit, but I'm guessing that is because the head is sludged up under the valve cover and probably seeping past the valve guide seals. It currently runs rough, so I'm planning on pulling the sheet metal and removing the fuel tank for a good cleaning and shut off valve replacement. Then I'll degrease the motor, pull the valve cover for inspection and replace the gasket. Then I'll give it a tune up with new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Then I'll see how she runs after that. It needs a good paint job, but other than that, the sheet metal is in good straight condition. Considering that I know very little about this tractor yet, I have not adjusted the review stars above.

Pros: Cheap purchase price and already located on property.
Cons: Needs clean up work and tune up.

Photo Uploads:

Well, Hey, It's An 860
Model Year: 1957

The 860's advance to live---PTO gave it a substantial edge in utility over our older tractor, a 1953 Ford Jubilee. It's an excellent tractor when used within its design parameters. It wasn't built to pull a 4-bottom plow, and it won't do it. Surprised? It won't fly to the moon either. Our Ford 5030, built twenty years later, is far more powerful and comfortable, but it is useless in the small, low-clearance areas in which the 860 excels. For me it is a matter of knowing what the tractor was built to do, and using it for those purposes.

Pros: This is an economical little workhorse.
Cons: If the soles of your shoes are wet, that clutch pedal can really raise a welt on your left shin.

Long-Term Owner
Model Year: 1957

I ran this tractor as a 14-year old, and bought it from my father's estate after his death. We still use it on the family farm, though heavier work is done by our Ford 5030. These tractors are front-end light, (we never used front-end weights) and require a little finesse and patience in heavier work, like plowing. But it is otherwise an enjoyable and maneuverable workhorse. I had mine completely repainted last year, and it looks great.

Pros: Live clutch.
Cons: Awful brakes.

ford 860
Model Year: 1954

This is a great tractor. Not even comparable to an 8n. This tractor has much more power and traction. Mine has the 45hp gas motor, original 6volt system, and a trip bucket. If it had down pressure and power steering it would be hard to beat for a hobby farmer/homeowner.

Pros: cheap, dependable
Cons: no power steering, and no down pressure

Photo Uploads: