860/861 Powermaster question

[TLR15]

I'm in the market for a 860 or 861 and am trying to get a list of common issues with this particular series to look for or stay away from. I've heard to look for popping out of gear. Other than that, do these tractors have a dirty little secret I don't know about?

 

[deserteagle71]

My dad bought a new one when I was a youngster and I lived on that thing for several years. Great tractor! I cannot recall having any problems with this 861, and my dad had it and used it until he retired some 35 years later. When my dad passed away 3 years ago I was going through his stuff and found the original bill of sale for the tractor.....here's what it cost new:

 

[TLR15]

Great find! Thanks for the information. I've loved the whole Ford tractor line since I was a kid but never could justify buying one. It seems like a great option for me now, to have a little nostalgia and get some work done too. Now to find the right one.

 

[John0829]

The old Fords are IMHO great general purpose tractors and so easy to work on. I tease my SIL all the time telling him if you cannot make an old Ford tractor run it is time to turn in your man card.

True some have problems with popping out of gear but that is usually fixed for under $50 by replacing the detents which are under 3 plugs on the left side of the transmission. Doesn't take 5 minutes to fix if needed and most people just swap the detent for 4-5 gear with the most used 3-R. That is what I did when mine started doing it and someday I may get around to replacing them but for now it is not needed.

One thing the tractor is NOT good for is a tiller, the ground speed is to fast. An 871 with the SOS transmission can run a tiller just fine but I am not a fan of that transmission unless it is one of the early 4000 series (the ones with 4 cylinder engines is the exact same tractor just different hood) those had some much needed improvements over the early version.

 

[Michford]

As mentioned, the popping out of gear is generally an issue with 3rd gear as that has probably been the most used gear, going between third and reverse at the top of the vertical gate shifter used on the five forward speeds on the 860/861. Another thing to look at on the 50's era Ford tractors is a worn pivot pin on the front axle if the tractor has or had a loader used on it. An 861 could be equipped with power steering which could be nice. The 861 could also be had with a diesel or gas engine. The diesel version used an engine block based on the gas engine and can be expensive to rebuild if need be. Another implement that works but not great is a three point hitch snowblower. While a snowblower can be used and the 860/861 has plenty of power, the reverse gear on them is a little too fast to be ideal. The Fords are great tractors, simple to work on and parts availability is very good.

 

[TLR15]

Great input guys, thank you.
This tractor will be used primarily for pulling a box blade and a PTO chipper. In the future maybe a logging winch too. I've opened up my search to include an early 4000 too.
Good to know about the tiller and snowblower though.

 

[John0829]

Don't overlook the 600 & early 2000 series tractors, 34 hp vs the 800 series 44 hp, same basic tractor and quit capable machines with the same limitations already mentioned.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Don't overlook the 600 & early 2000 series tractors, 34 hp vs the 800 series 44 hp, same basic tractor and quit capable machines with the same limitations already mentioned.

And don't despise the 1965 and up 3 cylinder Fords.
Every series of Ford tractor was Better than the one that preceeded it.