1st real loader use..ford 660

Soundguy · Jan 16, 2005

Though I've used other peoples loaders.. and heavy equipment lotsa times.. I've never ( up until now ) owned a tractor with a loader.

Well.. as you guys know.. I picked up my 1955 ford 660 a few weeks ago. I had a few maintenance items to do to it.. tuneup.. fluids.. getting the electrical system in order and adding some lamps to it.. adjusting the breaks.. etc.

I finished that 'list' today.. and finally did my first loader work... I moved a single bucket of dirt to fill a hole along the fenceline my dogs had dug! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

And then parked the tractor. Good thing I fixed the brakes and added lamps.. this was done at dark! after I finished my regular farm chores.

As one member put it.. I've come into the 20th century ( loader ownership ) and did it on tractor from 1955! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Just thought I'd share that. oh incedentally.. the brakes turned into a two afternoon job instead of a 1 afternoon job. I got the brakes adjusted fine.. but then broke the pedal height adjusting clevis trying to ballance the pedal height. I ended up making a new one from some 3/8 rod and a couple clevis ends I welded on.. along with a piece of allthread and a long couler nut so that I can actually adjust the pedal height now.

Soundguy

teddydo · Jan 16, 2005

Sound guy my old 55 ford has a genny onit. wondered if you put an alt on yours. i like the genny.......teddy and it's 6 volt which I also like

Soundguy · Jan 17, 2005

My 660 still has the genny, and is 6v. i do have a NAA though with an alternator/12v, as well as a 2n with an alternator/12v.. and an 8n that is still 6v with a genny.
I like the gennies.. they are much more forgiving for bad charging practices.. bad jumping practices.. and oopses! when hooking batteries up backwards accidentally!

Soundguy

Syncro · Jan 17, 2005

Yup, nothing wrong with a 6v generator. I turned lots of armatures on my old Southbend lathe when I was a kid, remember cleaning the armature segments with an old hacksaw blade? They worked pretty good providing the RPM's were up and they were maintained & lubed. As you say, pretty durable and forgiving too.

There is something nice about that old iron. Simple and easy to work on or split (except for taking the hood off) BTW, congrats on the loader. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Soundguy · Jan 17, 2005

Yep.. the hood is a little non-plussing.. I had to do a steering rebuild on an 8n recently.. and in years before I had pulled the hood and tank and all. Now I've wised up and found you can remov ethe radiator cap, remove the dogleg bolts, grill, and the 4 dash bolts.. and air cleaner.. and tilt the hood back about 6" and still get to EVERYTHING dealing with the steering.

Soundguy

Bully · Jan 17, 2005

sound guy, how is the steering? do you have power or armstrong. I know my 650 gets pretty tuff with the front weight and nothing on the rear. I should try to retro some type of falcon, mustang P.S. ram on the tie rods.

Henro · Jan 17, 2005

As one member put it.. I've come into the 20th century ( loader ownership ) and did it on tractor from 1955! 

So soundguy, how many years are you behind the rest of then? I mean, seein' that we're now in our fifth year of the 21st century... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS...don't feel too bad. We were welcomed to the 90s a couple years ago when we installed one of those motion detecter auto on lights at the front door... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

frank_f15 · Jan 17, 2005

( My 660 still has the genny, and is 6v. i do have a NAA though with an alternator/12v, as well as a 2n with an alternator/12v.. and an 8n that is still 6v with a genny.
)
you got some nice older tractors! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif any chance of seeing some pictures of them? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Soundguy · Jan 20, 2005

( sound guy, how is the steering? do you have power or armstrong. I know )

Armstrong. And considering it has a loader.. not to bad.. though you don't turn the wheel any till the tractor is moving! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Soundguy · Jan 20, 2005

( As one member put it.. I've come into the 20th century ( loader ownership ) and did it on tractor from 1955!

So soundguy, how many years are you behind the rest of then? I mean, seein' that we're now in our fifth year of the 21st century... )

Hey.. I just relayed it as it was told to me /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Soundguy

Soundguy · Jan 20, 2005

( you got some nice older tractors! any chance of seeing some pictures of them )

Lets see... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Whipping out the wallet to show off the 'kids'... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And the 'new' one..

Soundguy

Moon · Jan 21, 2005

Soundguy, awesome pics. No wonder your a proud pappa.
That top one (8n is it?) looks BAD with those turf tires! I like it. Makes me wish I had my 8n back.
I'd never seen a loader like the one you have.
Cool stuff overall!

Moon of Ohio

Soundguy · Jan 23, 2005

The top one with the 16.9 x 24 turfs is actually a NAA.. however.. the 8n and NAA had interchangeable rims.. so they would work on my 8n.. etc.

Soundguy

KiotiJohn · Jan 23, 2005

Always been fond of the 8ns, had one years ago, but I really love the poppin B and the Farmall. Love the canopy. John

JayC · Jan 23, 2005

Is that a custom paintjob for the Farmall? I thought they were only red (some white demos, too).

willfick · Jan 24, 2005

I'd heard of one-arm loaders but I'm sure that's the first one I've seen. Like the offset tractors (like your nice looking Cub) it seems like it would take some getting used to. Does it feel well balanced?
Wm
BTW Did you wash them just for the picture taking or are you really a better owner than I? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Soundguy · Jan 26, 2005

( Is that a custom paintjob for the Farmall? I thought they were only red (some white demos, too). )

The older ones were red.. or white as you point out.. and the newer ones.. like mine were yellow/white like cub-cadet. This one was worked on at a case dealership.. and got painted in the case cream/brick red colors. Not oem.. but i liek it.

Soundguy

Soundguy · Jan 26, 2005

( Does it feel well balanced )

I'm not sure if you were asking about the 1 arm loader.. or the offset tractor.. so I'll answer both. Offset tractor: Love it.. great to be able to see what is directly in front of you.. I have flat land thus no stability issues.. however it's a narrow tractor.. so i won't be doing any side-hill mowing!

Loader: its a smaller than 'normal' buctet, and the offset mounting really ballances it well.. not to mention it is 'hulk' oversized to make up for the odd ballance and geometry. It will break free, and lift enough dirt or clay to make the bucket run over.. plenty of power. If I use it as a powered gin pole.. I put the load towards the center support so it stays ballanced.

It is an oldie.. and not as versatile as a new one.. but way better than a shovel and wheel barrow and a flashlight!

Soundguy