rpm questions for 801 ford

fuzzyfish · Jul 26, 2015

whats the max rpm tractor should be running when mowing in first gear throttle wide open?

buickanddeere · Jul 27, 2015

Should be in the operator's manual.

MitchellB · Jul 27, 2015

Old Ford Tractor Specifications and Data

This lists the maximum RPM for an 800 Ford to be 2400. At 685 PTO speed it says an 851 gasser is running 2000 RPM engine speed. However most mowers need to operate at 540 PTO RPM speed which I think is about 1800 engine RPMs which is what I run my 861D at when mowing.
685@2000

fuzzyfish · Jul 27, 2015

MitchellB said:
Old Ford Tractor Specifications and Data

This lists the maximum RPM for an 800 Ford to be 2400. At 685 PTO speed it says an 851 gasser is running 2000 RPM engine speed. However most mowers need to operate at 540 PTO RPM speed which I think is about 1800 engine RPMs which is what I run my 861D at when mowing.
685@2000
View attachment 434512

1800 rpm is what its running when mowing.i don't think this tractor will turn 2400 rpm,s wide open even with no attachments.

fuzzyfish · Jul 27, 2015

is there an adjustment on carb.to achieve 2400 rpms? on 801

MitchellB · Jul 28, 2015

1800 rpm is the fastest I've ever had to run mine and that is only with the mower attached. Most of the time when I use it I run about 12-1400 rpm for most of the light pulling chores it does. Why do you need to run wide open at 2400 RPM? Carburetor throttle and linkage adjustments and settings could improve your top-end performance if they are out, however they rarely change by accident. A fresh tune up could help. If it is still sluggish, I'd check cylinder compression. If compression is good and electrical is good, consider a fuel deliver problem. Could need a carb rebuild. I'm sure if you post in the Vintage Ford section some real mechanics over there could help you out more than me.

fuzzyfish · Jul 28, 2015

this is my first tractor I,ve never had one to compare it to.it runs smooth at 1800,starts with a bump of the starter.i was wondering if I didn't have aproblem only getting 18 max when I heard it should be at 24max.i agree with you ,noneed to run at 24,just wondering.

MitchellB · Jul 28, 2015

While I would not want to run mine at 2400 RPM it should rev up close to that unless something is wrong somewhere. I highly suggest you get an owners, repair &/or user manual for it. The guys over on the Vintage Ford section can be a big help. Ask them why you are only able to max out at 1800 RPM. I'd what to find out what is holding it back before I worked it real hard.

I have an '49 8N that I've used lightly for 17 years and just bought my '58 861D (diesel) Ford tractor last year to replace the 8N. The first time I used it hard mowing, the pump gear shattered along with some other major components. I got a crash course in rebuilding a 57 year old diesel with a lot of help from the guys here. Good luck with it.