I got a ford 660 with 1-arm loader today!

Soundguy · Dec 29, 2004

Sorry I havn't been here in a few days, but I hurt my back christmas. I've been in a decent amount of pain, and have been to the doctor/physical therapist every day this week, and have a standing appointment every day thru next week.

Anyway.. I've been thinking about getting a FEL to help out with work.. just havn't been motivated. Let me tell you.. a back injury motivates you to find some help!

I've been seeing this hundred series with a 1-arm ford loader for a few days now on my drives back and forth to the inlaws ( FIL is in bad health, and me and the wife are making trips down every couple days to see them is it is only a couple hours of driving ).

Finally caved in and kicked the tires and test drove it. It was sold as a 600, but a quick sn check reveals a 660.. I'll have to get a manual on that as I'm not sure what options it has.. other than the weird up-neutral-down tranny 5spd deal.

Breaks are weak.. but present. steering remarkably has only a little bit of play, and is smooth. still oem 6v as far as I could tell. .though havn't verified that it charges.. though it does start fine ( so far ) under its own power.

Tag on the loader is scratched up so i can'tmake out a model number.. but it is a 1 arm loader, with power up, and power dump, via a tap on the tranny/hyd top cover, with two spools.

3pt seems to work good. has ag tires and 6.x-16 fronts 3 ribs. sheet metal is mostly straight.. hood is perfect.. but fenders have been bent and dinged and straightened. Good old used tractor otherwise.

Thumb starter button is a tad flaky.. but may just be non-use or paint, as there is a good deal of paint overspray from the loader. Fingernail test shows the loader had been yellow, and had a 'quick-red' paint job to semi-match the 660. Fiddling with it does make the tractor start. and interlock is functioning.

Well I'm off to the hot tub.. setting at the desk for more than a few minutes makes the back a tad sore.

If I can get my flaky digital camera working I'll snap a pic of the 660 in the am, as I left it on the trailer tonight... backs just hurting too much to unload it right now.

Soundguy

KiotiJohn · Dec 29, 2004

Chris, sorry to hear about your injury. Take good care that you don't further injure it or you'll really be out of it.
Sounds like a fun find in that 660. I look forward to the pics.
Have a happy, and less painful new year. John

Keith_B · Dec 29, 2004

The 660 is a version of the 660, produced from 54-57. All of the 600 series tractors had a 600 badge on them, and the second two digits indicated the options. I think the stack shift and independent PTO were the options denoted by the 660 model number. The 640, which is found in larger numbers, has a four speed tranny and ground driven PTO.

There used to be a site on the net that had the specs for each of the different models for the 600/800 and 601/801 series Ford tractors, but I am unable to find it.

kozak · Dec 30, 2004

Sorry to hear about your injury. I know what your going through as I have suffered in the past as well. It will get better.

On a brighter note, congratulations on the new machine. Never seen a one arm loader. Can't wait for the pics. You seem to like the older tractors. Wish I had the mechanical know how to brave an older buy. Sure would be cheaper. If you don't mind, what did you end up paying for it ??

Keith_B · Dec 30, 2004

( The 660 is a version of the 660... )

Oops, typo. I meant the 660 is a version of the 600.

EastTexFrank · Dec 30, 2004

Sorry to hear about the back. There are quite a few of us sufferes here on TBN so you know we all sympathise with you. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The 660 sounds like an exciting find though and we'll be ready for the pictures. Don't rush things though. Take it easy. We can wait. Get better.

EquipmentJunkie · Dec 30, 2004

I have a parts book for a Series 711 & 722, one-armed Ford loader. That is probably what that model 600 tractor has on it. The manual includes pages for mounting kits for to a Ford 600 tractor.

I used to drive a Ford 860, which had a 5-speed transmission. It was a nice-handling tractor. I kind of miss it. The only downside was that it didn't have power steering...when a loader was on it, you would turn into a forearm-bulging Popeye.

Those old Fords are good, simple, and solid tractors with plenty of parts available. As I get older, I have more respect for those older Fords. Look at any tractor on the market today and you will see a distinct heritage with those 40-year-old Ford tractors. Ford had the right idea with their tractor design.

hazmat · Dec 30, 2004

NEWS FLASH Soundguy enters 21st century with 1950's tractor

Congrats on the FEL - you're going to love it. Anybody making odds on how long before you add one to your big ford?

Sorry to hear about your back /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif - wishing you a speedy recovery.

Soundguy · Dec 31, 2004

That's funny. I liked it.

Also.. when i was looking at big tractors.. I had originally looked at a ford 8000 and a ford 7700.. Both big suckers from the late 60's ( or so ) and the 7700 had a big beefy loader. Was just a tad too much money.. but I figure I should have bought it and saved some money over my 7610s.. course.. thats a good tractor too!

From what i can tell, the 711 was power up, and trip dump, and the 722 was power up, and power dump, and had the hyd controls mounted on it. Mine is a bit of a hybred. the spool valves are mounted on the tractor's lift cover, as there were optional spools available, but there is a bracket on the loader.. but no controlls. Also. the trip mechanism has been welded on.. so could have been a 711.. hard to tell till I get the id plate cleaned up on it and see if I can make out any numbers on it. right now all I can see is that it is deffinately a ford loader.

Soundguy

Soundguy · Dec 31, 2004

After browseing some old pics.. i found a pic of a 711 and a 722. Mine is most deffinately a 722. Here is a pic of a 722 installed on a newer ford for those that have never seen a 1 arm loader.
I'll get pics of my 1-arm loader and 660 when possible.

Soundguy