lar3ry
New member
I'm a retired computer tech and programmer, currently living on a farm (160 acres) in Saskatchewan. I have a Ford 545 Industrial tractor with a loader, and use it mainly for snow clearing and feeding large round bales (1200 lbs each) to my horses.
I'm pretty pleased with the Ford, which I recently bought to replace a Massey 1130 with a seized engine.
I was a little worried about lifting 1200 lbs and carrying it in snowy and icy conditions, because of the somewhat worn rear tires and the short wheelbase, but no more. I added chains (came with the tractor) after reversing the wheels to make clearance, and had fluid put into the rear tires. It lifts the bales easily, and I have no problem moving around with them in snow and ice.
It turns on a dime, has a reasonable road speed (though not with the chains on, because they are a bit loose), and has a shuttle control and no clutch.
Hoping to find a source of knowledge that will cost a lot less than the service manual from Ford.
Cheers,
Larry
I'm pretty pleased with the Ford, which I recently bought to replace a Massey 1130 with a seized engine.
I was a little worried about lifting 1200 lbs and carrying it in snowy and icy conditions, because of the somewhat worn rear tires and the short wheelbase, but no more. I added chains (came with the tractor) after reversing the wheels to make clearance, and had fluid put into the rear tires. It lifts the bales easily, and I have no problem moving around with them in snow and ice.
It turns on a dime, has a reasonable road speed (though not with the chains on, because they are a bit loose), and has a shuttle control and no clutch.
Hoping to find a source of knowledge that will cost a lot less than the service manual from Ford.
Cheers,
Larry
