Picked Up My 961...

[Julian Mule]

I finally picked up this thing after a long wait...

I think she looks pretty good... not too pretty to use, but clean enough to keep the rust away. It's been converted to 12v and it had a unique combination of the pie weights and the ROPS. It needed tires, which I've already replaced. I will have some pics soon now that the rain is subsiding.

 

[Julian Mule]

The ROPS appears to be an industrial piece that was put on this one. There is a bit of yellow peaking out from underneath the red. The brackets look to be factory pieces and it's rated for 9600lbs.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Evilmaxxer/Tractor%20Stuff/961/ROPS1.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Evilmaxxer/Tractor%20Stuff/961/ROPS2.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Evilmaxxer/Tractor%20Stuff/961/ROPS3.jpg

 

[Julian Mule]

I really like the pie weights that I got with it as well.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Evilmaxxer/Tractor%20Stuff/961/PieWeights1.jpg

The front weight box holds the battery.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Evilmaxxer/Tractor%20Stuff/961/BatteryBox1.jpg

It has a set of rear-hydraulic remotes.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Evilmaxxer/Tractor%20Stuff/961/RearRemotes1.jpg

The hydraulic system is really strong. I picked up a 7ft woods deck with a 200lb guy standing on it and it didn't leak down at all with the tractor off. All 5 speeds work great, even though the tranny was stuck with I went to get it. We rocked it out of gear and it's been great ever since.

 

[Julian Mule]

I need to thank Soundguy here for his valuable insights while I was looking around for one of these. I'll have some more pictures up later. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks

 

[Thomas]

Morning Julian.
Looks like you got a heck of good idea...Congrats.
Owner took good care of her...are you considering maybe 1 or 2 tractor pull events?

 

[Julian Mule]

Morning Julian.
Looks like you got a heck of good idea...Congrats.
Owner took good care of her...are you considering maybe 1 or 2 tractor pull events?

Thanks Thomas! It's funny to me that you ask me that... The guys at my tire place were going on and on about how good this tractor was for tractor pulls. I got it to do some specific work on my property. I never considered any pull events or anything... maybe after the work is done.

Do you do tractor pulls?

 

[Thomas]

Evening Julian.
"Do you do tractor pulls?"
I did pull years back w/Farmall H.

Your 961 should be strong when sled weight starts bearing down...you'll have the power near the end of the pull,but the tractions we be the key....right weights w/tire pressure also ground condition...you won't stall the old girl that's for sure....onces you start pulling you'll enjoy it....give it shot...good time and good friends and whole lot of knowledge to be had.

 

[BTDT]

Make sure that rear remotes hydraulic line is in good shape!! Where it's located I'd hate to be sitting there when it gives way. Nice looking tractor.
Any idea what those wheel weights weigh?

 

[Julian Mule]

BTDT, thanks. I've got one new one on there and I'm getting another new one next week... I was thinking the same thing

They are either the "standard" weights that weigh around 30lbs each or they are the "heavy" weights that weigh 45lbs each. Total is supposed to be 800lbs including hardware for standard and just under 1200lbs for heavy with all hardware. I'm assuming they are the standard, because that was what was called for on everything except the 800/801.

 

[BTDT]

Is that some kind of mirror/bar hanging off the front of the canopy? What did you finally decide on the cutter implement's original purpose on the front of the trailer?

 

[Julian Mule]

Yes sir, it's a wide angle rear view mirror... kinda like the ones they have in race cars with multiple mirrors at different angles.

The beet/peanut prep cutter seems to be the original purpose as one of the posters said here. That thing sure is a conversation starter... I can't stop and get diesel without 1 or 2 discussions about it. Between it and the tractor I'm meeting alot of new folks!!!

I'm going to repair and update the shielding on it (read as: create some shielding). I think I'm gonna make a big chain skirt for the front and rear with a hoop in the back to keep it out of the blades and I'm going to add a shield/screen on the tow bar similar to the type the pto winches use. I really don't have to worry about innocent bystanders too much just my own well being really. I plan on starting on it this week after I replace the hydraulic line on the tractor. The first thing I need to do is replace the u-joints on the pto drive then I'll get out the welder...
JM

 

[Julian Mule]

Evening Julian.
"Do you do tractor pulls?"
I did pull years back w/Farmall H.

Your 961 should be strong when sled weight starts bearing down...you'll have the power near the end of the pull,but the tractions we be the key....right weights w/tire pressure also ground condition...you won't stall the old girl that's for sure....onces you start pulling you'll enjoy it....give it shot...good time and good friends and whole lot of knowledge to be had.

Thanks Thomas, after I get more proficient "pulling" stuff on the property maybe I'll be ready to give the sled a try, thanks for the words.
JM

 

[thcri]

Nice looking rig. My neighbor has one that is in great shape also. Question though why does it say 901 on the sticker? I am sure my neighbors says 961??

murph

 

[thcri]

I really like the pie weights that I got with it as well.

My dad just got rid of his 641 and it had them pie weights also. I can't remember how much weight each of them had.

murph

 

[dgl24087]

My dad just got rid of his 641 and it had them pie weights also. I can't remember how much weight each of them had.

murph

There's a seller on eBay who has three sets of pie weights for sale for $450. See item for info. I'm guessing the weights on the 961 are 45 lbs. each. An uncle had the same weights on a 671, they were smaller, I assume they were the 30 lb. weights.eBay: Ford Tractor rear wheel "pie" weights (item 150073776160 end time Jan-01-07 18:22:00 PST)

 

[Soundguy]

Nice looking rig. My neighbor has one that is in great shape also. Question though why does it say 901 on the sticker? I am sure my neighbors says 961??

murph

generic decal set... (correct ones available.. )

Soundguy

 

[billbill1]

That is a very good looking tractor from the pictures, it should serve you well.