Most Reliable Ford tractor of 50s 60s

I'm trying to find a 50s-60s model Ford tractor considered to be the most realiable and best reputation. I will be raising to acres of sweet corn and strawberries. Thanks for your help.

My vote is late 60's 4000, 3 cylinder diesel.

Mark:

If you are considered ONLY in reliability, avoid options.

I would suggest the 6/84x tractors without power steering, live PTO, remote hydraulics, etc., or the late 1960s/early 1970s 2/3000 three cylinder diesel models without the 8x2 transmission and associated live PTO/dual stage clutch would be near the top of the reliability list.

Dean

660, 661, 860, 861 all 4 cyl gassers with live pto.

2000/4000 4 cyl cag ( 63-64 models )

2000/3000 3 cyl diesel with 8spd and live pto.

those would be on my list. perhaps a rowcrop wide front version like a 9xx or 2000/4000 4 cyl. even

if you go gas.. go 55-64.. if you want diesel.. go 65+

just my opinions..

soundguy

Seriously.... skip that. Go for a 72-75 4000 all purpose.
Integral power steering with single drag link.
Independant, wet clutch PTO.
8 speed, indestructable crashbox.
Double reduction rear axle with multiplate wet brakes... which are about 3 times the brake of the older drum jobs.
...and most often you get a Cat I/II three point hitch, but not always.
This is nothing against the others in the series... but the 4000 is easier to work on and in most cases is simply easier to repair with basic tools.
Later models from '72 onwards also use the newer style engine block which can easily support upgraded tach/instruments and eliminate the Lucas generator....
There's just so many reasons to go with the 4000 over a 2000/3000 or any of the 600/800 series tractors.

Rod

I would have to say the 841 which is the 801 series tractor and has a 4 speed tranny. Good strong tractor and if you do the maintenance on them they will last for decades but then I guess I'm prejudice since I have owned one since the early 80s and it just keeps on keeping on

Any tractor running, with some parts support, that is 50+ years old is going to be a pretty good unit isn't it? Other than the SoS tranny option, most anything Ford made in those years is pretty solid.

It's how the tractor was kept & repaired that will mean more than any one model number.

The 100 series & the 1000 series were all good. The SoS tranny you will want to stay away from, it was a good idea but at this age, if it breaks it is a money pit.

The 4 speed tranny is probably considered a bit more durable but only marginally so; the 5-speed with live pto is _sooooo_ much nicer to actually use that I'd prefer the live pto 5-speed by a wide margin.

--->Paul

Ford 3000/4000/5000 pending on how fast you want to get it done. I've had them all. Easy drivers, easy workers, easy to maintain, easy on parts. 38, 52, and 68 hp at the pto respectivly.

The 3 cyl models are super easy on fuel. The 4 cyl 5000 is a bit more. A 6 cyl will cost you dearly every time you work it.

as to grading and blading the 3 cyl 3000 was the best and most accurate. I could blade an 16th of an inch to max, build crowns, and pick up firewood with the loader without ever getting off the tractor. I could load rock, tires, weights, posts, and almost notebook paper from the seat. None of my other tractors will or can do as fine of a job. I dug tanks, built bar ditches, cleared land and ran a cutter conditioner, a 542 square bailer, a small jd round baler off the 3000. I did have to run the round bailer in 1st and 2nd gear though. It ran rings around my 63 (early model) 4000 loader tractor. However it was worked extreamly hard all the time due to size. Where a 4000 or 5000 are just loping along it was running max out for most all tasks. If you have more than 15 acres go bigger and get it done on time. I broke a couple of spindles, a couple of axles and wore out several front bolsters clearing land and using it for a bulldozer and clearing brush and trees. It was over worked most of the time, but repaired and serviced as needed. sold the little 3000 for twice what I paid for it. The power steering for anyone 40 years and older is a must. Especially if you have a loader on it. I ve done the same with n series, farmalls and jd, but the fords 65 through 85's are the keepers. the n's, jubilees' and english dextras were also good, but not like the flat top fords..65 through 85 were about the peak of good tractors. Most of the refinments that made them "easy" to work on are there. Yes, Ive got 3 of them now with cab and air, but then I'm old and earned em....

(quoted from post at 10:41:56 05/12/10)

I will be raising to [b:7b02256d0f][size=12:7b02256d0f]acres of[/size:7b02256d0f] [/b:7b02256d0f]sweet corn and strawberries. Thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

How many acres? If you are talking about 40 or less, then even a gas engine powered tractor like a 601 or 801 series would be fine. The gas engine was dead simple and reliable.

The diesel engines are also good, but after this much time they may need the injectors or pump worked on and that is a LOT more $$ than putting a kit in a carb.

If you are only going to be doing simple tasks, then the simple 4 cylinder tractors in the 601 and 801 series will be great. If you are going to work larger land or do more ground intensive activities then the newer 3 cyl machines are your best bet.

Still, keep in mind that after 30-50 years -- reliability is not a given for any machine no matter how good the history of the line is. YOU have the chore of looking it over and determining what it needs. If you don't have that skill set, please pay a service tech to look over the machine before buying.

I'll throw my 2¢ into the hat.
Buy a 65 or newer 3000.
You wrote: [i:654c4848f0]I will be raising to acres of sweet corn and strawberries.[/i:654c4848f0]
I assume that was a typo and you meant TWO acres.
I really don't think you need a 52HP 4000 on TWO acres. Though I think a lot of the 3 cyl 4000s I don't see it as being practical in your situation. A 3000 is a bullet proof machine in a smaller (37hp) package. Though I can't say anything bad about the older 100 Series Fords I do think the 3 cyl Fords are better and more reliable. And you can get more options like differential lock and the 8 speed tranny. Neither of which was available on the 100 series.
And the best thing about the 3 cyls is they are much easier to work on. IMO
Look for a 3000 - Gas or Diesel with 8 sp and live PTO. And don't short change yourself - get it with power steering.