Price Check Ford 3000

Rockfootball47 · Mar 30, 2014

I am in need of a tractor I can use to mow my 5 acres (3 grass). Originally I planned to rebuild my dads 8N over the winter but found a crack in the block that couldn't be salvaged and am having a very difficult time finding a replacement and don't think I will have enough time to fix before the grass starts growing this month.

So I began the search for a tractor mainly to get me through the summer, but also to call my own and hopefully restore someday. A friend suggested a 1976 Ford 3000 he found for sale in my state. Its showing 1353.1 hours, but I am assuming theres quite a bit more based on the price of $3,550. I don't know if its gas or diesel since they didn't list any information in the ad. Is there a way I can tell from pictures of it? I have posted a couple below. From what I've read online this is a good tractor for my situation and just seems too good to be true. I'm also quite wary to be paying this much for a tractor since this a lot of money for my wife and I, and I don't want to get into a situation where it turns into a money pit.

Any help would be appreciated!

hockeylover86 · Mar 30, 2014

Its kind of hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like a carb on the right side..

Although we had a 3000 (3cyl gas) back in the day and I thought the carb was on the left on it...

It was a great tractor for the size.

mjcountrybumpkin · Mar 30, 2014

From the pics that is definitely a gas model. Looks to have power steering and positive traction. I would not be afraid at that price , but I doubt seriously the hour meter is working. I have a 74' 3000 gas that my grandpaw bought new in 74 that has never been off the farm to be worked on. The gas models are somewhat cheaper than the diesel model but are a very good tractor, just burn more fuel.
I would not be worried with tractor as long as it starts and runs out well. Ours has close to 10,000 hours on it(estimate) as the hour meter quit working in 78' with 1700+- hours on it.

sawtooth · Mar 31, 2014

Looks like gasser to me with power steering. Yes if it runs good and lift works seems a fair price. Diesels around here normally 5k in working order and gas 3-4.

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Ultradog MN · Mar 31, 2014

They are outstanding small tractors.
Bullet proof reliability, good parts availability, easy to work on.
That one is more like a 66 not a 76.
But it looks like it is a Select O Speed transmission.
Some guys like them and know how to work on them.
Parts are expensive and you will find Very few mechanics who know how to fix one.
I would walk away.
Also,
Never EVER trust the hours on a 65-75 Ford tractor.
The tach and hour meter on them failed early.

Rockfootball47 · Mar 31, 2014

Well I finally got ahold of the dealership and got some more information. Like Ultradog MN said, this is a Select O' Speed transmission. They said that it shifted fine and they had no concerns with it. They said it starts right now and idles just fine. The brakes are good and power steering is strong and tight. Rear tires are in good conditions but fronts are showing wear. Clutch is good.

After reading some about the SOS transmission I have to say I'm a little weary of buying it. They did offer to lower the price to $3,000 since its been on their lot awhile. Can't imagine why:duh:

What do you guys think. This tractor is really at the top of my price range. Besides the transmission it seems like such a great deal. I just don't want to settle for something else that doesn't have a live PTO or is more money.

Soundguy · Apr 1, 2014

a 3000 sos gasser that starts and runs good for 3000$ ?

I'd go look at it. make an unanounced visit.. ask to start it cold, drive it trhu all ranges including reverse.

ask to check pto.

if it shifts and runs thru the gears hot and cold and pto turns on and shuts off ( will freewheel .. not an issue ).. if it walked and talked.. it's not a bad deal... keep inmind the SOS is a big if in the deal.. worst case it COULD be traded out.. etc.

if that one doesn't fit your need.. look for a nice 850, 860, 851, 861 ( if no hills, the 900/901 series fine too. ).. i'd avoid the sos on them moreso than the 3 cyl jobs.. most of the ealy issues were usually worked out by then.

ps.. I agree with ud. that has early louvered tin and early grill.

Texasmark · Apr 6, 2014

I had one but it was a 4000 4 cyl. SOS gas. Fuel was not an issue for it and with my current Ford diesels, you forget where the fuel inlet is located. Grin Ford did a good job on that engine as well as on the 3 cyl 65 diesel 6 speed I currently own.

I worked on the SOS some. One thing to look at are the band adjustment screws. Bands are where you transfer torque from the engine to the load, just like on cars back then. The big guns on here can explain it more than about planetary gears and all that stuff, but there are 3 band adjustment screws (on my 4000 anyway) on the side of the tranny case; as I recall 2 on the left side and 1 on the right about midway up the side.

You can recognize them by a rather large jam nut locking a rather large (3/4"?) threaded rod with a flat blade screwdriver slot in the end. These are your band adjustment screws and are used to tighten the bands when they become worn, slack, and can no longer transfer torque. You screw them in to tighten the bands.

If you see lots of threads above the jamb nut......1" for a number, you have a lot of adjustment room and I'd say if it shifts good, the PTO works, and you can push on the brakes while giving it the gas and it pulls hard against the brakes then maybe you are ok. If you see no threads or just a couple, your bands are worn out and before long, if not currently, it won't pull a load.

What I did like about the SOS was 10 forward speeds. You had a speed for every occasion and if you are into roto tilling, they are perfect for that with the ultra low (slow forward motion) gear. In 10 (road gear) better hang onto your hat.

What I didn't like, besides the fact that I really wanted a conventional tranny when I bought it, was that in the winter, the tranny fluid would get thick and it would cause the PTO to rotate ever so slowly, but rotate none the less. It made hooking up a PTO driven implement a PIA to the point where you had to shut off the engine to hook it up......course safety experts would recommend that anyway and I'll agree for the most part.

My '65 grille and hood look like your picture. I think the '70's had a dry air inlet filter rather than an oil bath like the '65 I have which is between the white grill you see and the radiator. While we are on that, ensure that the hose between the air filter and the inlet to the intake manifold is intact and not perforated nor missing. Expect rings replacement if so.....had to do my '65......didn't realize that if you needed ether in May in Texas to start a diesel, you have compression problems. The dry filter type have it mounted in the side of the cowl and easily recognized by a big circular plug (12'' dia?) on the side of the cowl at the front.

HTH,
Mark

Ultradog MN · Apr 7, 2014

Texasmark said:
I think the '70's had a dry air inlet filter rather than an oil bath like the '65 I have which is between the white grill you see and the radiator. ... The dry filter type have it mounted in the side of the cowl and easily recognized by a big circular plug (12'' dia?) on the side of the cowl at the front.

HTH,
Mark

Mark,
With the exception of a some of the Industrials like the 3400, 4400 and 4410
all gassers used a dry air filter with the cover in the Left hood. All diesels used a wet filter mounted in the nose like you say.
Makes spotting a gasser/diesel from a distance easy if you can see the left side hood.

John Bull · Apr 15, 2014

Hi

Can anyone help me - I am trying to find the schematics and exploded view for the hydraulics of a 1965 Ford 3000 tractor. (For the top cover and the supply and dump lines)

thanks
John