Questions About My New (To Me) Ford - 841? 4000?

Yesterday, I traveled to my long-deceased grandfather's farm to pick up his old gasoline Ford tractor that was given to me.



I am very excited to begin working on it. I've been around tractors all my life (mostly Deeres), but I've never restored one before.

According the family, this tractor is an 801 series Powermaster, and Papaw bought it used sometime in the 1960s. I obviously questioned some of that at the time, as "Ford 4000" is emblazoned boldly on the hood.



However, after some preliminary research and upon finding the serial number (11136) and model ID number (841) on the block near the starter, I am now thinking that the family is right.

There's clear evidence that the blue paint job is covering up a red and white paint job.



According to the serial number, if it's a 4000, then it was made in 1962. If it's an 801 series, then it was made in 1957. I'm inclined to think it's an 841, since that's the model number stamped above the serial number (as best I can make out). Also, the hood and grille match the 801 series, not the 4000 series, in the pictures I've seen online.

Then there's also this:



Right below and behind the air filter, near the steering assembly, just in front of the clutch pedal, is a lever (see the two pics above). It comes out of the transmission and is bent up and back towards the operator station. I can't find any pictures of an 801 series or a 4000 with this lever on it.

What is this?

Is it a "high-low gear" selector, like you find on the newer Fords (the 6610 comes to mind, as my family used to farm with one)? I don't think it's the PTO controller. Whatever it is, it shifts pretty easily between what feels like two different "settings".

I'm eager to see if this thing will run. Right now, it doesn't have a generator or a battery, and I'm told the starter doesn't work. The 801s are wired for 6 volts, right? If it's a 4000, would it also be 6 volts? If it is 6 volts, I'll probably do a conversion to 12 volts.

According to the odometer (or whatever you call the hour read-out), the tractor only has 1200 hours on it. Are those usually accurate on tractors this old? I don't think it has 11200 hours on it, because all Papaw did with it was bale hay and work a small tobacco patch.

Any help or advice anyone could offer would be most appreciated. I'm sure I'll be back on here soon!

You have an aux transmission, or more specific, a sherman transmission. There are about 3 types of shermans.. a normal/under, a normal/over, and all three. So you will have to shift it to figure out which one you have.

It looks to me like an 841, especially since that's what it is stamped.

The lever on the side is an auxiliary transmission, but I'm not sure
which kind it is. It would give you high and low range, or possibly
High, regular and low if it's a combination.

The PTO shifter is that small lever behind your left heel when seated.

It is not uncommon for the hour meter (proofmeter) to be way off.
From the wear on the clutch pedal, it looks to have been used.
Used is good. Looks like a great project. Bet it won't take much
to get her going. Let us know if we can help!

Since your tractor has the 801 series grille and you found 841 stamped into the transmission it's safe to say you have an 841 that was repainted blue sometime in its past to make it look like a newer 4000. Since it has a Sherman Over/Under/Direct (combination) auxiliary transmission it is highly likely that the transmission is actually stamped 841-S with the S meaning Sherman.
Since it's gasoline powered it left the factory with a 6V, Positive ground electrical system.
And as mentioned, the wear on the clutch pedal guarantees that it has a lot more than 1200 hours on it. Those proofmeters have a history of failing but my 851's proofmeter still works and it has over 5000 hours on it.

Looks like a Sherman shifter for sure. Like Sotxbill said you will have to shift it around to find out which one you have.

Looks like a nice project for this year. Let us know when you need help. The guys on this forum are the best around for advise to get that old ford running like it just rolled of the delivery trailer.

Have Fun

That is one of those dealer pant job to sell a machine as what it is not. A couple years ago I went to an auction and they said they had a 400 ford. Decals said 400 but serial number and model numbers said 861 ford. I know the guys that do that auction and I told them and they sold it as a 861 with 4000 ford decals. I spent 2 hours driving it around helping load stuff for the guy who got it. Then loaded it in the guys trailer and showed him as much as I could about his new tractor. So yes you have a 841 with Sherman and good chance it is a Sherman combo which gives you 12 forward speed and 3 back up gears. I have a 841 with that same set up

Thank you all so much!

I thought maybe it was a dealership repaint. That makes sense. You can really see the evidence of blue paint covering red in this pic of the serial number I took this afternoon (after a lot of scraping and a bit of rubbing with a gasoline-soaked rag):



I will keep everybody posted. Feel free to offer me any advice...this is uncharted territory, but I'm already loving uncovering the past of this old tractor. Makes me feel closer to my grandfather (I didn't know him well at all).

I now own my grand fathers tractor. Is is a good bit older and not a ford but I can say this. I have had 5 generation of my family on his old tractor. I played on it when I was a kid and my grand kids played on it 3 summers ago. By the way I Have had a 841 since back in the early 80s so done tons of stuff to and with one

As others have stated original red. Here is a dealers for repaint special around that time.
Enjoy your "new" tractor. I hope it remains in your family for years to come.

Kirk

Welcome to the Ford board.
Great tractor and great first post.
That "dog leg" style handle on the Sherman Aux. transmission means it's most likely a 3 speed combination.
You put the handle at the mid point and pull it out sideways and (I think) back toward you for the 3rd gear.
Gives you 12 speeds forward and 3 reverse.
Others here can tell you the correct shift pattern.

i agree with alan and the others.

it is likely an 841.. see if there is a -S after the 841. though it is possible the sherman was added after build.

I also agree with Alan on the wear ont he clutch pedal indicating way more than 1200 hrs.

proof meter may be proke or replaced

dump some atf/diesel mixed down each spark plug holw while you let it set.

if no gen or battery, now is a good time to go to 12v.

get a napa ic14sb 12v coil.. no resistor needed. and a bat and a delco 10si alternator.. I prefer 3 wire.. a napa 213-4011b is a 3 wire 10si alternator.

can't see if you still have the canister oil filter or a spin on. if a spin on, then a napa 1515 or 1452 fits. fram ph8a, supertech st8a, motorcraft fl1a, etc.

if the cartridge filter, then a ch6pl fram or 1004 napa fits

Get some chemical paint stripper and remove the paint where the model number is and see if it says 841-S. Don't use sand paper because those numbers are often stamped very lightly and you could easily make them illegible with sand paper.

Looking at the left brake linkage and pedal and the tine work would indicate the tractor was an 841 built before SN 14257, before the SOS models. Also it looks like a remote hydraulic valve is present under the seat but doesn't appear to have a handle.!! Look on the back side of the valve to see if the handle is maybe broken off!!!

Thanks all for the replies! I went out when I got home from work today and snapped a few pictures of the alleged hydraulic remote Wayne mentioned:







It definitely looks like it has a hydraulic remote, which is fantastic news (assuming I can get it to function). I'd like to use this tractor to rake hay, among other things, and the rake we have needs a remote.

I've also uncovered another "mystery":



What are those two spring-loaded levers just behind the 3-point hitch lift arms? I'm guessing they have something to do with the brakes, as they go down and join the brake assembly near the rear differential at the bottom. I've never seen anything like it before.

Dad and I were talking: I've learned more about this tractor on this forum in the past 36 hours than he and I could have *ever* learned on our own. I am very glad I found you guys!

Also, I tested out Ultradog's theory about the Sherman shifter...you're right, it's out and back toward the operator for that third range (I can find out in short order which is which once I get it running).

I wouldn't have ever thought in a million years to pull that shifter out at the mid-point...

The levers beneath the seat are your parking brakes. Step on the pedal and pull up on the handle to set the brake - Usually just step on the pedal to release the brake when you're ready to move.

Odd looking remote hydraulic valve - There has to be a handle for it to work.

In the third picture of the remote valve, the one taken from the rear, you can see the spool shaft with the eyelet that the handle should attach to.