Price Check Price Check - Ford 4610

runharley52 · Mar 18, 2015

First post on here and also my first tractor although I've been around farms all my life. The tractor is a 1989 Ford 4610 with a Westendorf TA-25 loader. 3500 hours, but it was used for most of its life on a golf course to mow with and has been kept inside. Good maintenance records and it looks very clean. The loader is straight and seems to operate smoothly. There is a small drip of a leak on one of the bucket hoses but it's a short hose and looks easy to replace. The only glaring problem I see is that the power steering is leaking. He showed me a bill for a full power steering rebuild from 12 years ago and the owner said it has slowly started to leak again over the last year or so. Comes with two sets of tire chains and the rubber looks good (<500 hrs according to service records). Started right up in sub freezing weather. Was asking $10k, but got him down to $8700. Should I bite? Tractor house prices look considerably higher, but I don't know how reliable of a site that is for pricing private sales. Thanks!

Loadstar · Mar 18, 2015

That does not seem off if it seems like a decent machine. I have seen them in excess of 16k. That is what I was shopping for when I bought my Massey and I would have been all over a decent 4610 for that.

Turbys_1700 · Mar 19, 2015

Those are good tractors and typically bring premium prices when available. That is a fair price for that unit.

runharley52 · Mar 21, 2015

Purchased. Thanks everyone!

japody · Mar 21, 2015

Good deal!

Loadstar · Mar 22, 2015

Great! Looks really nice.

ovrszd · Mar 24, 2015

She's a beaut. Congrats. I've got it's little brother in a FWD diesel model. The personality of these tractors fits me nicely.

runharley52 · Mar 24, 2015

It's taking me a few hours but I'm learning my way around. I really enjoy the power and extremely responsive feeling motor.

I'm thinking I need some real ballast though. Seems like there's far more power than traction. Had to use the loader and differential lock twice already to get me out of a little bit of soft ground. Only have the factory real wheel weights and the rubber looks good. With the loader, would 1000 lbs be adequate if I built a ballast of some sort?

runharley52 · Mar 24, 2015

Thanks btw. Would like to see what this tractor felt like with FWD. I haven't seen many out there in the wild though.

mjcountrybumpkin · Mar 24, 2015

That was an awesome deal if it runs as good as it looks. I have a 84' model and wish it looked that good.

RollingsFarms · Mar 24, 2015

Nice tractor you bought! I like the wide rear tires on it! I bought a 76 3600 last year and have been loving it too. The only downside to these tractors that I know of is the steering columns go out, I just replaced mine but it should be good to go for many years to come. They like to leak around the steering cylinders and the fuel pump it seems like.

runharley52 · Mar 24, 2015

Sharp looking tractor rollingfarms! The steering column certainly seems to have its issues. After running it a few hours there is a steady seep. Top of my list for this winter if it doesn't get too much worse.

One other question for folks. The service records show that oil was changed twice a year and that the antifreeze was flushed two years ago. Any reason not to do a full refresh on all fluids right now, including hydraulic fluid?

ZR900MAN · Mar 24, 2015

Is that the one from Garrison IA?

runharley52 · Mar 24, 2015

Creepy...

yes. Fellow Iowan?

ZR900MAN · Mar 24, 2015

No runharley52....very wierd though...I have a silly habit of looking through CL at night sometimes for hours just enjoying the old Ford Iron.....while looking at CL tonight I also was scrolling through posts on here......I came across the 4610 and thought was a nice tractor at a good price....and then saw your post.....incredible coincidence since I live in upstate NY....great looking tractor by the way......my passion in the old Ford 6000

RollingsFarms · Mar 24, 2015

runharley52 said:
Sharp looking tractor rollingfarms! The steering column certainly seems to have its issues. After running it a few hours there is a steady seep. Top of my list for this winter if it doesn't get too much worse. One other question for folks. The service records show that oil was changed twice a year and that the antifreeze was flushed two years ago. Any reason not to do a full refresh on all fluids right now, including hydraulic fluid?

Thanks! She was well kept and was a one family owner. Has 1200 original hours on it to boot! I went ahead and changed all the fluids when I got mine(filters too) just for peace of mind. My tractor seems to start better in cold weather than some of my newer ones here on the farm! As for the steering column, mine was leaking at the column and just barely at the steering cylinders. I just replaced the column and left the cylinders for now. It's very minimal leaking actually so I wasn't too worried about it. Steering column was shot though but she's good to go for another 30 years or so.

RollingsFarms · Mar 24, 2015

Oh and whenever you replace the front bearings, go ahead and replace both. They're cheap on these tractors (mine was $38 a piece).

ovrszd · Mar 25, 2015

runharley52 said:
Thanks btw. Would like to see what this tractor felt like with FWD. I haven't seen many out there in the wild though.

When I was looking I hadn't even thought about FWD because as you said, they are far and few between. I stumbled onto mine after searching for a 2wd model for several months. Didn't take me long to decide on buying it. FWD would greatly magnify your FEL abilities.

Friend of mine has a 4610. The main difference between the 3910 and 4610 is a turbo added to the same engine. My friend says he doesn't need the turbo for the work he does. I really don't either. But I'm used to a turbo engine with my M9540. When I jump on the 3910 I immediately miss the turbo. You have to boost the rpms to get the HP out of a non turbo engine. But for what I do, I'm content.

As to your ballast weight, I'd go at least 1000lb. I built a 3pt rack to store my suitcase weights on. So it serves dual purpose. It weighs 1500lbs or so. Makes a huge difference. I also use a Quick Hitch on the rear of my M9540 so it's easy to pick up the weight rack, use it for a few minutes, then set it down and go on about my business. Whatever you design and build for a ballast weight will be more user friendly if you add a Quick Hitch.

Here's a pic of my 3910 with it's big brother.

ovrszd · Mar 25, 2015

runharley52 said:
Sharp looking tractor rollingfarms! The steering column certainly seems to have its issues. After running it a few hours there is a steady seep. Top of my list for this winter if it doesn't get too much worse.

One other question for folks. The service records show that oil was changed twice a year and that the antifreeze was flushed two years ago. Any reason not to do a full refresh on all fluids right now, including hydraulic fluid?

Not knowing the history of a tractor always makes me question the integrity of all fluids. Especially check the transmission fluid for signs of moisture. They have a tenancy to condense moisture in there. After running the tractor, check the fluid, if it has moisture it will be milky.

I changed all the fluids in mine after purchasing. It had been an outdoor tractor so I worried about moisture.

runharley52 · Mar 25, 2015

ovrszd said:
When I was looking I hadn't even thought about FWD because as you said, they are far and few between. I stumbled onto mine after searching for a 2wd model for several months. Didn't take me long to decide on buying it. FWD would greatly magnify your FEL abilities. Friend of mine has a 4610. The main difference between the 3910 and 4610 is a turbo added to the same engine. My friend says he doesn't need the turbo for the work he does. I really don't either. But I'm used to a turbo engine with my M9540. When I jump on the 3910 I immediately miss the turbo. You have to boost the rpms to get the HP out of a non turbo engine. But for what I do, I'm content. As to your ballast weight, I'd go at least 1000lb. I built a 3pt rack to store my suitcase weights on. So it serves dual purpose. It weighs 1500lbs or so. Makes a huge difference. I also use a Quick Hitch on the rear of my M9540 so it's easy to pick up the weight rack, use it for a few minutes, then set it down and go on about my business. Whatever you design and build for a ballast weight will be more user friendly if you add a Quick Hitch. Here's a pic of my 3910 with it's big brother. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/new-holland-buying-pricing/418161-price-check-ford-4610-a-20150306_141338-1280x720-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/new-holland-buying-pricing/418162-price-check-ford-4610-a-20150306_141353-1280x720-jpg"/>

Jealous... Trade?