65 Ford 2000 3 Cylinder

[sparc]

75 Ford 2000 3 Cylinder

OK, so my search for a tractor is over, I have the '75 Model 2000 3 Cylinder, and how I got there is in this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-ford-8n-worth-consideration.html#post2786123


But now its time to clean and fix it up with the intent of putting it to work eventually.

I downloaded a photo I took the other day of the data plate under the hood. Next month is its 47th birthday! I bought it on 4/21 and the production code for the tractor is 5/21/1975. For a second when I looked at it I thought I had actually bought it on its birthday, then I remembered this is only April.

Well, close enough I say, she's off to a new adventure, spared from that dark and depressing barn she had been sequestered to when not being worked. She may miss her friends, and there were a few, but better times await.

So in this thread I'll post photos and describe what I find as I go about getting her back in shape. And I am sure I will have questions too, not having owned a tractor before but only having driven a few in the past. I started out looking at an 8N which had been nicely restored. Along the way I looked at a number of Fords from the 8N on up to a '73 3000. The one I missed out on (my own fault) was a beautiful 63 4000 4 Cylinder with only 580 hours. But no use crying over spilt milk, life moves on.

Personally the 2/3/4000 series tractors I don't consider as good looking as some of their predecessors like a Jubilee or an 861; the lines are not graceful they're squared off and rough looking. But that's just my opinion; kinda reminds me of what Ford did to the Comet in 64 when they changed body styles.

So here is what I'm starting with, and we'll see where it goes.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Nice tractor but I think you are a decade off.
I never learned to read all those production codes but judging by the tin and square rear axles it is a 75 not a 65.
Looks like you got a real sweet unit - power steering, 8 speed. Does it have LPTO.
I also see the foot throttle and lack of Differential lock.
When I was first looking to upgrade from an N I looked for about a year for a good 660 or 661. I had the dough and I would have traveled. But I never did find one that wasn't all used up and/or tired.
That's when I expanded my search for 2/3000 and found a real clean 68
2000.
Nowadays I'm sooo glad I skipped the 4 cylinder Fords as I just really like the 3 cyl fords a lot better.
That tractor will grow on you the longer you own it and like me you will never look back.

 

[whodat526]

if the nose cone is orginal it is not a 65 model they had a lower grille that wrapped around it some but that is a really nice looking tractor

 

[man n black]

Sparc...

Could you post a pic of someone in the seat of that tractor. I am also looking at the 01 and thousand series tractors and would like to get a good feel for it's overall size..Nice purchase. The 2-3000 models for sale around here are really beaten down...
Ch

 

[sparc]

Nice tractor but I think you are a decade off.
I never learned to read all those production codes but judging by the tin and square rear axles it is a 75 not a 65.
Looks like you got a real sweet unit - power steering, 8 speed. Does it have LPTO.
I also see the foot throttle and lack of Differential lock.
When I was first looking to upgrade from an N I looked for about a year for a good 660 or 661. I had the dough and I would have traveled. But I never did find one that wasn't all used up and/or tired.
That's when I expanded my search for 2/3000 and found a real clean 68
2000.
Nowadays I'm sooo glad I skipped the 4 cylinder Fords as I just really like the 3 cyl fords a lot better.
That tractor will grow on you the longer you own it and like me you will never look back.

Guess I need to look at it closer. I know the numbers on the data plate and those stamped on the tractor match, I looked for that first thing. Won't get back over to work on it until the weekend most likely, we'll have to wait till then.

Meanwhile, here's a shot of some bad WX coming in from the south last night.

 

[RickB]

Serial number pegs it as a 1975. No question.

 

[sparc]

I'll fix it this evening.

Corrected year from 1965 to 1975.

 

[LD1]

Yep, I think you are a decade off as well.

the first clue is in the model # of the machine. B1123C

Prior to 1968, they used a number for the first digit of the model code. A 2000 would have started with a 2, a 3000=3 4000=4.....

In 1968 they went to letters. B=2000, C=3000.....

So your model code deciphered:
B=2000
11= LCG (I believe that is low center of gravity tractor)
2=Gas
3=Live 540 PTO
C=8-speed trans

And according to the serial #....I am getting 1974. According to tractor data, 1975 started with 450700, and yours at 448xxx puts it late in the year 1974.

But that really dont matter too much. Look on the bright side, buying what you though was a 1965 and finding out it is a 1974/1975 is a lot better than buying what you thought was a 1975 only to find out it is 10 years older:confused2:

Sources:
FORD CODES and SERIAL NUMBERS
TractorData.com Ford 2000 tractor information

 

[Soundguy]

Nice tractor but I think you are a decade off.

yep.. now that we see the metal tag with model id code.. the 'B' means 4-68 or newer..

 

[Ultradog MN]

Sparc...

Could you post a pic of someone in the seat of that tractor. I am also looking at the 01 and thousand series tractors and would like to get a good feel for it's overall size..Nice purchase. The 2-3000 models for sale around here are really beaten down...
Ch

MIB, the 3 cyl Fords are about the same size as the Hundreds.
Here's some numbers from Tractordata.com.

8xx weight = ~3400 lbs
wheelbase = 75.2"

3000 weight = ~3700 lbs
wheelbase = 75.8"
a 3 cyl 2000 and 3000 are for all intents and purposes identical machines sizewise.

a couple of other numbers to consider

8xx max lift at 3 point = 1250 lbs
3000 max lift = 1700 lbs

8xx = ~43 hp
6xx =~ 34 hp
2000 =~ 33 hp
3000 =~ 37hp

The only pic I have of me on the tractor is last summer tilling up a deer plot.
The nose in that pic is a little taller than a normal as I was still running an industrial front axle which is about 2" taller than the standard ag front axle.
I have since changed it back to normal.
Edit: It is now a diesel too.
I'm about 6'1" and weight about 220lbs

 

[sparc]

Darn the bad luck, I wanted a 65.

 

[Soundguy]

no ya don't.

yer machine just got 10ys newer.. / less wear...

 

[sparc]

no ya don't.

yer machine just got 10ys newer.. / less wear...

I know, I was kidding.

How wide of a finish mower can I use? Is a 60" max or can I use a 72" ?

 

[Soundguy]

72 for sure. an 8n will run a 72... ( finish mower ). that 2000 will swing a 72 rough cutter too.

 

[sparc]

Good to know as far as mower sizes.

I stopped by the not so local (next county over) NH dealer and they told me just about any part can be had no problem. Also spied a 1710 diesel that is in great shape and low hours. I've made my purchase and the 1710 is almost double what I paid for the 2000 so I don't feel bad. But maybe I'll trade up later on if its still sitting there, who knows.

So once I get a look at it this weekend I'll make a list and get an order in with them so I can start fixing her up.

Thanks everyone for your help. And I can't believe I misread the date. I had actually printed out that page on IDing old Fords here:

FORD CODES and SERIAL NUMBERS

On that page they list a production number starting with a 5 as 1965, they don't even have a year code for 1975 shown on that page. What happened in 1975?

 

[Soundguy]

you can buy more parts for that 2000 than that 1710

 

[LD1]

On that page they list a production number starting with a 5 as 1965, they don't even have a year code for 1975 shown on that page. What happened in 1975?

I am not positive, but I believe the 1975 is a 5 also. But you have to rely on the model # and serial number to know weather it is a 65 or 75. IE, model beginning with a # and date code with a 5 would be a 1965. Model # beginning with a letter and date code 5 would be 1975.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. 75 is a 5 as well..

 

[crankshaft21]

In 1975, Ford changed the numbers on these tractors. The 2000 became 2600, the 3000 became 3600 and the 4000 became 4600 and so. I had a 2600 , 1979 model and it was a great tractor. The tractor is rated at about 32 engine horse power. It will run a 72 inch finish mover, but a 72 inch bush hog is a little to much in heavy stuff. I ran a 5 foot and ran good in heavy stuff.

 

[whodat526]

In 1975, Ford changed the numbers on these tractors. The 2000 became 2600, the 3000 became 3600 and the 4000 became 4600 and so. I had a 2600 , 1979 model and it was a great tractor. The tractor is rated at about 32 engine horse power. It will run a 72 inch finish mover, but a 72 inch bush hog is a little to much in heavy stuff. I ran a 5 foot and ran good in heavy stuff.

no they didn't change the numbers until 1976 and it is 32 pto horse power