New person with a Ford 2000

[Mag Craft]

I am new here and thought I would show a pic of my tractor. It is a 1972 Ford 2000 3 cylinder gas with what I think is a loader from a 3400. I have had it for about a year and first thing I did was buy all the service manuals and parts book for it. The tractor runs and works great and the only thing I have done to it so far was to replace the seals for the brake shaft that goes through the bottom of the diff case. Other wise it has been a great tractor.

 

[2458n]

Good looking old Ford. Notice no trees yet you have firewood stacked in the back. Plenty of room for it to air dry. Grandfather had one like yours and it ran me around the farm with a bush hog behind.

 

[Thomas]

:welcome: to TBN.
Solid looking setup,good to see older 2WD tractors still pulling there weight.
That's one heck of view.

 

[Mag Craft]

No trees around here out on the high plains. I have a few accessories for the 3 point like a post hole and scraper but have not picked up a bush hog for it yet. I am looking for something used and will be patient. I will eventually find something. I had a lot of big piles of dirt around here from construction that had taken place and have been using the loader to move and level it out. Sure does work good. I also picked up a new muffler and exhaust pipe for it since this picture was taken. Thanks guys.


Oh I forgot to mention I do heat with wood so that is why I have all the stacks around. About 10 cord.
The name I picked Mag Craft is because I have done a lot of welding on chainsaws that have been broken
and since they are made from magnesium I picked up that name.

 

[CDennyRun]

That's a good looking tractor ya got! I love those old 2000's and 3000's. I'm thinking about getting one myself, if the right opportunity comes around.

Welcome to TBN!

Regards,

Chris

 

[fried1765]

Mag Craft:

Your loader IS from a 3400!
I have a 3400, and my loader is identical.

 

[Mag Craft]

Mag Craft:

Your loader IS from a 3400!
I have a 3400, and my loader is identical.

Thanks I maybe thought it was. It sure does work well.
If I could find a used 3400 with a backhoe on it I would get that also in addition to this 2000. The gas engine works well also
and starts very easy in the cold weather. 6* degrees here today.

 

[Mag Craft]

That's a good looking tractor ya got! I love those old 2000's and 3000's. I'm thinking about getting one myself, if the right opportunity comes around.

Welcome to TBN!

Regards,

Chris

There seems to be plenty of parts still available so that is a plus in my book. I believe this one I have is 36hp and with it in low gear it will make the tires spin before it stalls on power. I also have wheel weights and the rear tires are filled for the weight.

 

[Btown]

Good looking old Ford. Notice no trees yet you have firewood stacked in the back. Plenty of room for it to air dry. Grandfather had one like yours and it ran me around the farm with a bush hog behind.

No trees, no hills, nothing. That is some wide open flat land. There is nothing like that up here in the northeast. Glad the old Ford is running good.

 

[fried1765]

There seems to be plenty of parts still available so that is a plus in my book. I believe this one I have is 36hp and with it in low gear it will make the tires spin before it stalls on power. I also have wheel weights and the rear tires are filled for the weight.

You should determine if your rear tires are filled with calcium chloride solution.
If so, you should STRONGLY consider changing that fluid to "beet juice", or windshield washer fluid.
"beet juice" is the better solution, and weighs more per gallon, but it is expensive.
Calcium chloride is VERY corrosive, and over time will bleed through inner tubes at the stem area, and rot (corrode) your steel rims.
I speak from experience! I have bought two used tractors with calcium chloride loaded tires, and have replaced the rims on BOTH tractors.
I have switched to windshield washer fluid, as it was the cheapest option.
DO NOT use ethylene glycol (automotive antifreeze), as animals love the sweet taste, and it will kill them.
Animals will not drink windshield washer fluid, and "beet juice" is nontoxic.

 

[Mag Craft]

How do I know if it is calcium chloride solution. Is there a certain smell, taste, or color to it.

 

[fried1765]

How do I know if it is calcium chloride solution. Is there a certain smell, taste, or color to it.

Stop the tractor with one of the valve stems near the bottom.
Let a little fluid out on your finger.
If it has a nasty salty taste, the fluid is calcium chloride.
I would be willing to bet that you have calcium chloride (it is old school, and most common)
Do you see ANY signs of rust where the valve stem comes through the rim?

 

[Mag Craft]

Yep I already did that and it is very salty. So I will have to think about changing that out. Thanks for the tip on that.
I have seen no signs of rust popping through yet so maybe I have found it before it is to late.

 

[fried1765]

Mag Craft:
My suggestion would be to have the tires de-mounted, and then clean up the inside of the rims.
It is likely that they will need to be sandblasted, and they should then get two coats of two part epoxy paint.
It may not be such a good idea to use the old tubes either. You can buy tubes (on line) very cheaply.
If the rims are badly pitted it might be cost effective to buy new (on line) aftermarket rims. They will cost about $150 each (plus shipping).
The first place rust will usually show up is around the valve stem.
If you don't have any rust there yet, you very likely can still save your rims.
If still solid, your rims will last forever, if you get that **** calcium chloride out of there, (and get rid of the current rust), plus epoxy coat.
I am amazed that some people STILL use calcium chloride.
I believe that most (if not all) new tractor dealers refuse to use it.
Tire stores are happy to sell it though, because they know that in not too many years you will be new rim business for them.

 

[Mag Craft]

Well I learn something new everyday. Looks like I may have some work cut out for me.


By the way Fried1765 that was some good advice thanks.

 

[Mag Craft]

So I have been giving this some thought. I do not believe I will try and salvage what I have on the tractor as of now. I would be willing to bet the calcium chloride has been in there for quite some time and has already done its damage. I believe what I will do is to look for another pair of rims and then when the time comes switch them over and then fill them with the windshield washer fluid or beet juice.

 

[fried1765]

Mag Craft:

"Beet juice" is the BEST, ...if you can accept the cost.

 

[NC419N]

I still wonder why Ford/New Holland stopped building the 2000 thru 4000 series tractors. They were revolutionary and don't get the love that deserve. If I had to keep just one tractor my 3000 would be it lol. It will do you a great job and keep on running for a long time Enjoy

 

[MMagis]

So I have been giving this some thought. I do not believe I will try and salvage what I have on the tractor as of now. I would be willing to bet the calcium chloride has been in there for quite some time and has already done its damage. I believe what I will do is to look for another pair of rims and then when the time comes switch them over and then fill them with the windshield washer fluid or beet juice.

Don’t worry about the calcium. People on the internet love to overthink things and spend other peoples’ money. As long as you don’t have any leaks, you won’t have a bit of problem. The only ones that have problems with calcium are those that ignore leaks for years.There's no reason to look for another set of rims either. If for some reason you have to drain the tires in the future and re-fill, go ahead and fill with windshield washer fluid or beet juice. But don’t waste your time and money fixing something that isn’t broke.

 

[fried1765]

Don’t worry about the calcium. People on the internet love to overthink things and spend other peoples’ money. As long as you don’t have any leaks, you won’t have a bit of problem. The only ones that have problems with calcium are those that ignore leaks for years.There's no reason to look for another set of rims either. If for some reason you have to drain the tires in the future and re-fill, go ahead and fill with windshield washer fluid or beet juice. But don’t waste your time and money fixing something that isn’t broke.

Yup..... that is certainly one way to deal with the issue!
When the rust is obvious, then buy new rims and tubes.
Wait until the house is on fire, THEN go buy an extinguisher.