Selectospeed guru needed

KYThunder · Jul 30, 2014

I have the oppurtunity to buy the tractor I cut my teeth on as a boy. 601 Workmaster with a selectospeed. Only thing that worries me is the transmission. It use to work fine years ago but I went and talked to the owner last week and got to use it some. 1-4 gear speed all about the same, 5th gear it speeds up, 6th gear it slows down, 7th speeds back up, 8th slows down. That is as as high a gear as I got in. I understand it probably needs fluid changed and bands adjusted but I don't understand the slowing down in a higher gear, it never was like that before. I would like to buy this tractor for pure nostalgic reasons and restore it but the transmission scares me to death if it has major issues. Anybody seen this issue before? Thanks for any help.

KYThunder · Jul 31, 2014

I got the information I needed, thanks.

motownbrowne · Jul 31, 2014

Well, I don't need it myself, but someone else in the future with one of these machines might like to know where you got your info. Any easy links to share?

Gator6x4 · Jul 31, 2014

motownbrowne said:
Well, I don't need it myself, but someone else in the future with one of these machines might like to know where you got your info. Any easy links to share?

He may have been told to leave it alone. Not to many people around who understands the "Select-O-Speed" Ford tractor transmission. I may by wrong, but I don't think "Soundguy" a lover of old Ford iron would tackle repairing a Ford "Select-O-Speed".

KYThunder · Jul 31, 2014

I called a gentleman in Missouri who runs a tractor salvage yard. That particular clutch pack is bad that controls gears 5,6,7&8 and a rebuild is way too high for me. Gator6X4 nailed it, not only the lack of knowledge but the sos is VERY expensive to rebuild, I will leave it alone.

Soundguy · Jul 31, 2014

bad thing is that many parts are $$$HARD$$$ to find, if you can find them.

While i may take in an SOS one day. I'd hope it would be a runner. if I bought a crippled one. it might have to be a parter.

I'm working on a frankenstein 941D right now.

slow going too!

i know of a 971 near me that i am tempted to get. has 1 rear PA rim so bad you really can't move the tractor with it on as the rim is comming off the center.

if the guy could demonstrate the sos worked.. i MIGHT buy it. as it is.. he wants too much cabbage for it..

flusher · Aug 1, 2014

KYThunder said:
I called a gentleman in Missouri who runs a tractor salvage yard. That particular clutch pack is bad that controls gears 5,6,7&8 and a rebuild is way too high for me. Gator6X4 nailed it, not only the lack of knowledge but the sos is VERY expensive to rebuild, I will leave it alone.

Smart move.

A few years ago I bought a 1951 Minneapolis Moline BF tractor (wide front, high crop, bull gear rear axles) for $1100 non-running. I collect tractors with bull gear axles and the BF is the one I really wanted. Long story short, cost me $1600 to get the engine running ($800 parts, $800 in the machine shop).

KYThunder · Aug 1, 2014

Well, he wants $2500 for it, it's gas but I can see $2000 worth of stuff it needs not counting the transmission issues. I'm not sinking $7500 in it just because, it is not worth that to me on it's best day. And he is 85 yrs old, it was his dad's tractor and he only agreed to sell it to me because I am restoring it, he doesn't care what it needs.....$2500. After the price I got on fixing the select-o-speed, you couldn't give it to me and come out.