Top Three Vintage Tractors

[D7E]

I didn't realize Ford came out 1st, but wouldn't they have top work to mean they did it? I've never seen one from that far back, only heard about how they didn't hold up. I know many 3020 and 4020,s from that era with un-touched trans still going today. Yet the Fords I read about on YTM and some other sites the comments about not working and junk come up all the time.

From what I have read the 2 trans were different and the reason Harold Brock left Ford was he felt he could build a better transmission and he did IMO.

Harold Brock - Designer of the Ford 9n Market to Market Iowa Public Television


I do like Ford, spent time on several over the years from 8N up to TW-15, and one newer I don't remember the model about the same HP as a TW-15. Like I said though, never seen a powershift from them that worked built by Ford. The one I did see, that I can't remember the model was a mid 1990's with a Funk trans, which now is a division of Deere.

8630 , Funk was never fantastic either ..good tractor with a TW gearbox though

 

[JasG]

8630 , Funk was never fantastic either ..good tractor with a TW gearbox though

I think that was the model, local college had one. They seemed to like it from what I was told. Thay also had a 7710 with a loader that I drove while in college. I liked that, simple well built I thought, didn't like the loader as much as some I had used, but it work OK.

 

[Soundguy]

in 59 ford came out with the selectospeed.. a 10 speed/2 reverse, independent pto full powershift tranny. There were issues ... early trans were ORC based.. later were DDC. there were service updatres.. and many units got new trans. if you kept them maintained and fed well, they could work. I don't personally have one.. but know many that do.. some, I asume, untouched. by the time the 65 models hit, most of the bugs were pretty much history...

 

[JasG]

in 59 ford came out with the selectospeed.. a 10 speed/2 reverse, independent pto full powershift tranny. There were issues ... early trans were ORC based.. later were DDC. there were service updatres.. and many units got new trans. if you kept them maintained and fed well, they could work. I don't personally have one.. but know many that do.. some, I asume, untouched. by the time the 65 models hit, most of the bugs were pretty much history...

Growing up Allis was on the way out, still a few around but Deere and IH I would say were the most "popular" with Ford a very close 3rd. Some Farmers would have a mix and once in a while an Oliver, White, Case, or the odd Cockshutt. The only time I've heard the select o matic come up people didn't have anything good to say. Yet Ford was the one brand people didn't really "bash" as a brand, the IH guys would hate Deere, Deere guys hate IH, yet very rare to say bad things about Ford.

What is ORC and DDC?

 

[Soundguy]

over running and direct drive. referred to some of the ranges on the tranny..

soundguy

 

[JasG]

over running and direct drive. referred to some of the ranges on the tranny..

soundguy

Ok, thanks.

I've never seen one around here, and even the "Ford" guys don't have anything good to say about them. So what little I know of them is based on that.

One of my favorites sort of a love hate relationship was the Ford county 4x4. Could pull great and lots of power, but pain to get on and off from and turns took a football field. Neat looking though, the one I drove was open, so going through mud sucked. Like I said love hate.

 

[JasG]

I also go see the Pageant of steam out in the western part of NY every year. The show has everything from steam all the way up through about 1960's tractors and construction machinery, and some steam powered equipment. Every year that have a different brand they promote.

I like to see the old Hart Parr, Rumley Oil Pull, and Case steam tractors.

Although after seeing them it's a wonder the tractor every caught on. 3-4 guys on the tractor and 4-5 guys on a plow. Hot dangerous loud dirty but very cool to watch.

New York Steam Engine Association

 

[tmeadows]

I have read most of this thread and do not understand how the JD letter tractors are not mentioned more

 

[Soundguy]

I have read most of this thread and do not understand how the JD letter tractors are not mentioned more

I own a 50 B.. and I SURE DO understand why they aren't mentioned more in this thread.

 

[YesDeere]

I own a 50 B.. and I SURE DO understand why they aren't mentioned more in this thread.

My dad wants me to look at a B this weekend. It's all there and not chopped up. Been in the weeds for a while. Lady said $300 as long as you don't scrap it. Should I steer him away??

 

[Soundguy]

300$.. yes.. steer him away and give me the address..

I'd buy just about any tractor.. including a IH cub for 300$ f it was intact. EVEN a john deere..

 

[YesDeere]

I can't even find a side dresser for my cub for $300 in my area. Lookin tho. There are a bunch in KY where I have family. I think I'll take the truck in august for our family reunion.

 

[LD1]

I'd buy just about any tractor.. including a IH cub for 300$ f it was intact. EVEN a john deere..

Agreed:thumbsup:

I know she said "as long as you dont scrap it", but the risk is very minimal whenever you can buy something for scrap price. And according to tractor data, it weighs 3275lbs. Scrap in my area now is $240/ton. That makes that tractor worth $393 just to load it up and haul to the boneyard.

So without any risk, get it and see what it needs. If really bad like a cracked block or something....I dont think she would mind if you parted it out or scrapped it if you explained nicely that it just isnt feesable to fix

 

[Soundguy]

if nothing else, get it.. and if as said.. it has a window in the block.. scrap the bad parts and salvage the good ones. some collector needs them.. can sell in par ot whole.. or take it apart, clean up, bag em.. then go on ebay / cragslist spree and make some cash. tractor will help dozens of others, and not simply be 'scrapped out' as if you tookt he entire thing there... can't blame you for sending the non useable stuff there. even if you were rebuilding it.. the bad parts would get scrapped ayway

 

[LD1]

if nothing else, get it.. and if as said.. it has a window in the block.. scrap the bad parts and salvage the good ones. some collector needs them.. can sell in par ot whole.. or take it apart, clean up, bag em.. then go on ebay / cragslist spree and make some cash. tractor will help dozens of others, and not simply be 'scrapped out' as if you tookt he entire thing there... can't blame you for sending the non useable stuff there. even if you were rebuilding it.. the bad parts would get scrapped ayway

Yep. I wasnt meaning scrapping the whole tractor. Just stating that anytime you buy for LESS than scrap value, there really is no risk. Because even if you cannot find parts buyers, you can still re-coup the money spent as a last resort:thumbsup:

I bought a ford 3400 TLB a few summers back for $1100. Which is about scrap price. I knew it had some busted gears in the trans. But upon tearing into it, it had a cracked block as well. Not worth the money to fix. I would have easially had $4k just getting it running, never mind the hydraulic leaks, pitted cylinders, etc. And those are only worth ~6k in good shape.

I parted it out. Backhoe, Loader, what good gears were in the trans, tires, rear diff, etc. Ended up making $3400 with all the parts sales. Profit of $2300 just for taking stuff appart:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. if the metals there.. and you don't mind the sweat equity.. it's rarely a bust...

 

[tessiers]

Thats the whole philosophy my farm is built on, buy it for scrap price and either fix and use, fix and sell, or scrap as a last resort, actually I don't scrap anything that remotely has a use, actually I don't scrap anything at all, at least thats what my wife says. I don't have much money but I do have a lot of equipment, most of it works for a living too. I'd buy about any tractor for $300.

 

[chevyman29]

seems to me like if one of the conditions of the lady selling the tractor is for it not to be scraped then that kinda rules out scrapping it . another words if your not prepared to RESTORE the tractor leave it where its at .

 

[YesDeere]

She's a neighbor of my fathers so I wouldn't scrap it. Don't need bad blood. Not ready to restore right now. But getting it running and playing with it a bit is another story.