Ford 4000: Another What's-It-Worth? Question

Hi, All.

My neighbor has decided to sell his Ford 4000 tractor, and he asked me to help him decide what to ask for it. Being a red guy and knowing nothing about blue tractors, I told him I"d try to help.

I took a look at it, and it is indeed a Ford 4000 with 99.5 percent straight tin, PTO (not sure if it"s live or transmission-driven), power steering, select-o-speed, and 3-point hitch. I"m 99 percent sure it"s 12 volt. It has a generator (not alternator) and a voltage regulator behind the gauges in the dash. There are two headlights and a rear work light. All gauges are intact and look like the correct parts. The hour meter says 22835, so I think that’s 2,283.5 hours.

There is a number (10598) stamped on a flat on the right side of the clutch housing; that"s the nearest thing I found to something that looks like a tractor serial number.

Other numbers are 312559, CWC, and E129 on the left side of the transmission housing, as well as NCA 501, B, and 92R just in front of and below the seat.

The left rear tire is about half flat, with about 50 percent of the tread remaining. The right rear is flat, with about 20 percent tread. Both tires are (or were) filled with CaCl. The right-side rim shows serious signs of corrosion in the valve stem area. I’d say it would be a toss-up on that rim whether to weld in a patch or just buy a new one.

The exhaust has been converted to discharge up rather than below the driver’s left foot. It was a nicely done conversion.

The PTO output shaft leaks some oil. It has a screw-on cap that looks like it would be awfully easy to misplace, so I was kind of surprised that it’s still there.

The round emblem that goes above the grille is missing.

According to my neighbor, the tractor starts and runs great.

Also included is a drawbar that fits the 3-point hitch and has a trailer ball.

Location is western Michigan.

So -- Any opinions on what to ask for it? Any further information needed?

Thanks --

Mark W. in MI
 
Mark, I'm sure you know, regardless of color, tires are expensive.
Are we talking about a 4 cylinder 4000 or a 3 cylinder?
From what you said, I'm assuming we are talking about a 4 cylinder.
Are the rims power adjust, or just the bolt on type? The power
adjust rims are pretty much rare as hen's teeth to find a replacement.
If that tractor is truly a 4000, it should not have a round nose badge.
The 4000 just had a "scoop" up front.
That tranny casting number, 312259, would make it an early SOS
tranny which would again lead me to believe it may be an x01 series.
Can you double check those numbers? Should be two or three rows.
They should be on the flat just aft of the starter.
Battery acid may have worn them all off, or they may be full of paint.
They would be stamped in, not raised letters/numbers.
Also, is it a utility version or the row-crop version? That affects pricing.
I bought a 4000 RC SOS last year. Works great, new rear tires,
good PA rims, dual remote hydraulics and the long drop drawbar.
I paid $1500. Picture below. I'm in Ionia County Michigan.
There is a utility version for sale about 15 miles from me.
It is "restored". New paint, new tires, etc.
They are asking $4500. It's still there.

mvphoto18972.jpg
 
Regardless of everything else, I have learned that the geographical location plays a big part in cost. Some of the prices you guys pay up in the midwest are like 2:1 over what used equipment costs us down here.

Good luck,
Mark
 
In general, non running tractors are parts tractors, especially those with poor tires and rims.

Unless it has saleable options, e.g., remote hydraulic valve, weights, etc., about $500 - $750 in my area.

Dean
 
Hi, Royse, and thanks for your response. I drove through Ionia County two days ago en route to/from a get-together at my sister's in Laingsburg.

The very first thing I checked when I looked at the tractor was the number of cylinders (there are four). Then I forgot to include it in my description. Duh! :)

This one is a wide front.

The top of the grille does look different than the one in your photo, so maybe it isn't a 4000 after all. The hood has Ford 4000 decals on it, but a closer look revealed painted-over select-o-speed decals. Maybe whoever painted the hood slapped on the 4000 decals just for fun.

I did find two rows of numbers stamped into the flat behind the starter. My neighbor and I went to work with paint remover, sandpaper, and (of course) spit. We think these are the numbers:

881
68379

They were very hard to read, so any of the eights could be a six or a three. And the nine could be a zero. But anyway, that's our best guess.

The rear rims are not adjustable.

Any ideas?

Thanks again --

Mark W. in MI
 
I've got some friends over in Laingsburg, nice place out on the lake.
Anyway, that could be a 681 or an 881 if the numbers aren't clear.
The serial number would put it at 1959 either way.
Nice tractors, dual speed live/independent PTO, live hydraulics.
If it's an 881 it should have a grill like in the first picture.
681 would look like the second one. Both pictures swiped from Google.
Not as new as the 4000, but the 881 is essentially the same tractor.
Someone may have stuck the decals on to sell it for more money.
The casting number on that SOS means it is/was the earlier ORC
type instead of the later Direct Drive type. They could be problematic.
I'm no expert on the SOS, but there are guys here who are.
I still can't help much on the price unless you know it runs well
and the transmission works correctly.

mvphoto18979.jpg


mvphoto18980.jpg
 
Hi, Guys.

I just want to thank all those who responded. I think we've zeroed in on a model number of 881.

If my neighbor can demonstrate that it runs and that it moves in all gears, I think I'm going to suggest he ask a "soft" $2,200 for it, then firm up around $1,800 to $2,000. If it doesn't run or drive properly, maybe scrap price plus $500. He can always come down some if he has to.

Further thoughts, anyone?

Mark W. in MI
 
Thanks SoundGuy!
I like the rowcrops, even though they're a bit of a different animal!
 
If it's a utility version, it should sell fairly easily at that price Mark.
Even though tires are going to add $1000, if the tractor works well
it would be worth it to someone who wants to use it IMHO.
Specially with power steering, live hydraulics and independent PTO.
Best of luck to you both! :)
 

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