Tractor shopping

mcinsc · Apr 26, 2018

I am looking for a new to me (old) tractor for food plotting, bush hogging and basic road maintenance on my hunting lease and have narrowed it down to something along the lines of a MF 135, Ford 3000, 4000, IH 424...you get the idea. There is an add for a Ford 861 Powermaster diesel (5speed, live pto). In talking with the owner he says the tractor is in good shape and the pictures match what he is telling me. He says the fuel sending unit is not working, nor is the temperature gauge. He says the oil pressure gauge works and shows strong oil pressure.

My hang up is the temperature sensor. To me that is a pretty important instrument and to run anything with out knowing if it is overheating is risking a lot in my mind. I'm no diesel mechanic and I'm not looking for a headache. I know to look for white smoke in the exhaust, oil in the coolant, but that is about it. Is there any other way to know if it has been run hot? Trying to decide if it is worth my time to go check out in person.

Thanks

mddorange · Apr 26, 2018

:welcome:
To the TBN forum. We are glad that you joined and this is the right place to get answers.

While I do not know of any way to tell if it has been run while overheating until it has pretty much ruined the tractor, I would be very leery of buying it.

Teachu2 · Apr 26, 2018

It doesn't take a gauge to tell it's boiling the coolant. Look at the coolant, look for signs of boil over, then put the biggest implement he has on it and run it hard for 30 minutes or so. The temperature gauge usually goes unnoticed until the boiling starts, anyway.

If the coolant is clean, the oil is clean, it's not blowing smoke, doesn't knock excessively, and it doesn't overheat under load, it should be good to go. Start troubleshooting the temp gauge by tracing the wiring, then replace the sending unit, and finally replace the gauge if everything else is fine. It's usually not the gauge.

Thomas · Apr 26, 2018

If your in no rush there's plenty good 2WD to be had...Pvt. sales,trade in,equipment autions also put the word out in your area your interested.

Not saying there damage but if so could nickel and dime in short time.

Tractorable · Apr 26, 2018

My 8N didn't come with a temp gauge from the factory. That's because it's not an essential instrument. It's easy to tell if an engine is overheating. I wouldn't let it stop you from buying an otherwise good machine.