Few Questions/Issues with my "new" Ford 3600

RollingsFarms · Oct 22, 2014

Got my Ford 3600 delivered last weekend and have had it working around the farm and am loving it! I tried to post some pics from my phone but the app doesn't appear to be working or maybe I'm having issues with my phone(I can't even start a new thread on my phone right now for some reason). I will say that the 3600 is one strong little tractor! I was actually surprised by the size of it when I saw it, it looks rather small(or maybe I'm just use to my big tractors). I have it hooked up to my rear scrape blade right now and have been doing some work on some roads around the farm. With that said I have a couple of issues and questions for all you knowledgeable Ford owners since this is my first Ford tractor and actually my first non-Deere tractor.

Power steering- Seems like the power steering cuts on and off on this tractor. What I mean is at a stop you can't turn the wheel hardly at all but once you get going it becomes easier but most of the time you still have to use two hands to make a full turn of the wheel. Is that normal? Also I'm leaking a SMALL amount of power steering fluid out of the left steering arm(I knew this when I bought the tractor). Don't know where the leak is coming from yet but I'll track it down eventually. The other big issues I'm having is there seems to be a lot of play in the steering wheel, you can't run this tractor in high gear because you'll honestly flip it over because you'll overcorrect going down the road. It's like a lot of back and forth motion to try to get it to go straight down the road. It doesn't respond right away when you steer but when it does it turns abruptly(does that make sense?). Basically going down the road you look like a drunk driver because you're swerving some back and forth. I jacked up the frond end of the tractor and there is no slop or anything in the front end, just a lot of play in the steering wheel and the power steering seems very sensitive at times and other times it's like it doesn't even have power steering. I need to get this corrected ASAP because it will become a hazard I'm afraid.

Dash gauges- they all work except for the hour meter. is this an easy fix or do I need to just buy another dash for it? It's showing 1275 right now and that's actually not too far off from the looks of the condition of the tractor but I'd just like to have a working hour meter.

Brakes- I don't have any, I don't think. you press the pedals and nothing, or if it does have brakes they BARELY work. Is that a hard job on these tractors or can you just adjust them? There is no grinding sounds or anything coming from the brakes, they just don't feel like they're doing anything.

Drawbar- does anyone know where I can pickup a drawbar for this tractor? Maybe Tractor Supply or a CNH dealer perhaps?

Lights- it has all new lights on it but they aren't hooked up, is that a hard job on these tractors? It appears all the wiring is there, just not hooked up.

Starting- this tractor seems to have an aftermarket ignition on it, I swear these tractors have glowplugs on them where you either turned the key to the left before starting but you cant do that with this tractor. You can't even press the key in, you just turn once and the battery light comes on, turn again and she fires right up.

Parts- Can I buy Ford parts from a Case IH dealer or does it have to be through NH? I also have read where people buy parts through Ford dealers. Do I run down to my local Ford dealer and they won't look at me like I'm crazy?

Tires- Tires are decent on the tractor but are starting to dry rot pretty badly(I think they are the original tires!) and I'll need to buy a set in the next year or so. Should I go through my local John Deere dealer or just buy from a local tire place? I want the rears loaded again so that made me think to take it to my John Deere dealer.

RollingsFarms · Oct 22, 2014

Here's one pic of it

sd455dan · Oct 22, 2014

On the power steering issue- If it is the factory ford power assisted unit , No it should almost be like finger touch easy to turn when the engine is running, My 3000s (predecessor to the 3600) steering has a lot more assist than my Rhino, I would check the fluid level in the reservoir - it is under the hood, when mine has run low it mimics the description you listed.

The tach drive also runs the hour meter- my tach works - but just like yours the hour meter hasn't moved since I got it . Think to fix you will need a new one - there are reproductions available for around $170- see below.

Brakes - Boy does that sound familiar- they are out board dry drum/shoe style yhere is adjustment although it didn't do me any good- thinking glazed shoes??

Draw bar- Try YTD- (Yesterdays tractors) has had most of what i have needed- this what you are looking for ?- Ford 3600 Swinging Drawbar Kit (CFPN820A_) at $ 243 kind of pricey but looks like it also comes with the support mount.

Starting - the 3000's had the left turning switch with thermo start, some of the newer fords have a key switch which only turns to the right but also has a thermo start feature ( something another TBN member educated me on).

Parts through a Ford dealer - Yeah i think they might look at you like you are nuts. :laughing: My understanding is Ford sold off all of its tractor assets to Fiat/ Case New- Holland in 1991 and stopped labeling the tractors as Fords after 1995??

Tires- not sure ??

Hope this helps- I think you will enjoy the Ford they are solidly built machines.

These 3 cylinder ford / perkins diesels will lug a load down to what many other new tractors consider idle speed- but the old 3k series fords just keep pulling- because they make peak torque @ 1150 rpm -and maintain 95% + torque to rated speed...

Congratulations on your new tractor :thumbsup:

Soundguy · Oct 22, 2014

to get good power steering , make sure the rpms are up and you have fluid that is not foamed.

ont he play. identify where the play is. if you have bad weel bearings or loose hubs, you get play.

if toe in is not set ..you get play.

if the spindle bushings are bad, you get binding and effect camber and have general negative steering issues

if there is play at the rear draglinks, or at the cyl conenctions to the draglinks, you will have play.

Now.. on the steering box itself, normally, in a manual box, you want 0 thrust play.. on the pow steer boxes, you need some thrust play.. but if you are getting like 1/4+ turn rotational play, that is too much.

post back.

RollingsFarms · Oct 22, 2014

Where do you check the power steering fluid at on these tractors? Is it on the left side just behind the belt or the right side at the bottom? I do have some leaking around the steering column after further inspection as well as on the left steering cylinder. They aren't leaking terribly but they are leaking.

The play in the steering wheel is pretty significant, at least 1/4 turn. It's pretty bad to be honest. The left front tire has a slight wobble to it and shows more wear then the right front so the toe in could be off as well as a bad hub. I'll have to check all of these things to see what's going on.

One nice thing about this tractor is the battery tray isn't rusted out at all, that's pretty rare for these tractors from what I've seen and read. Once the steering is fixed this tractor will be really nice to work with around the farm.

I'll keep yall posted what is happening with it and if I have more questions I'll post.

Soundguy · Oct 22, 2014

Unrusted tray is not rare on alternator models, on older Gen models, moresi.

Check is fluid at the resevoir on the pump itself.

1/4 turn in the wheel is a bit excessive, if course the other worn out steering and front end components only multiplies it. With bad toe, once it does steer past the play in all the linkage , it probably is already in the overcirrect region and peels or cuts hard due to the excess play

Sportsman762 · Oct 22, 2014

Dash gauges - I would make sure that the tach cable is good before trying to replace the tach.
Brakes - The manual drum brakes are mediocre at best. Sounds like yours might need adjusted, there should be a window on the backing plate with a spot that you can adjust them
Lights - easy just trace the wires, there is not much electrical on this tractor.
Parts - I would buy aftermarket parts, this tractor is well supported in the aftermarket. Often the OEM purchases parts for these older tractors from the aftermarket suppliers and reboxes them.
Tires - I would buy from the cheaper place.

fieldman12 · Oct 22, 2014

Nice looking old Ford. I agree with what others said. Sounds like some of your issue is possible a worn out steering box. To make sure I would turn steering wheel while off tractor and engine off. See if you see any play where the arm goes down that connects to the rod that goes to front of tractor. Try to determine if slop is from gear box or one of the joints. Check toe in. On my Ford 4000 you put the fluid in underneath the hood and just in front of the battery. I am not sure if that is the same location on your 3600. Your pump may have some issues if the steering is not working properly all the time. Also look close at cylinder to see if any issues stick out to you. It may be low on fluid but I have seen them do this before with plenty of fluid. On my Ford 4000 I think you turned key to left to heat if memory servers me right. In my opinion the old Ford and MF tractors where king in that time frame.

Soundguy · Oct 23, 2014

yup.. brakes have star wheel adjuster.

RollingsFarms · Oct 23, 2014

We are going to start tearing into it tomorrow or sometime this weekend and see if we can't get all these little quirks worked out. Gonna also go ahead and change all the filters and fluids while I have her down.