Ford 2000 opinions

I am looking at a 1966 (dated by the serial number) 3-cylinder gas Ford 2000 with Ford loader. It is a four-speed with a single-stage clutch (non-live PTO).

Everything works except the power steering which has been disconnected, but the hydraulic arms for the steering are still there and the pump lines are disconnected. I had no problem steering it, but I am sure it would be a real pain with the front bucket loaded.

The back tires have probably 50% tread with several weather cracks and a few cuts.

There were no signs of any leaks from anything and the current owner says that he has never seen any fluids where the tractor has been parked.

Does $3000 sound like a reasonable price to you guys? That price includes a pretty nice grader blade too.

As for the power steering, I have seen used pumps for $200, new ones for $600, and I have heard of whole kits going for $600 to $1200. Would you say the power steering is reasonable to get to and work on, or is it a very difficult operation?

Thanks,
FiddlinFarmer

First, there is little chance that the tractor is not leaking somewhere. Secondly, the lack of power steering could be in the steering assembly, which is costly to replace and or rebuild. In that tractor, power steering is definitely a must have (I have a 2000 tractor in a diesel). Nevertheless, in my part of the country, if everything else is OK, then 3K is about the retail price. Lack of a 6 or 8 speed tranny hurts. You are not getting the deal of the century, but I would not be ashamed of it.

Thanks TimInd. I've been hunting for a decent old tractor w/ loader for too long to think I'd find a real steal. I just wanted to put out a feeler to make sure I don't spend way more than I should in my inexperience.

I suppose that price is in the zone.
Depends on condition and type of loader of course and if you are going to be using that a lot or just need a field tractor.
The 4 speed is the least desirable transmission as it has very fast ground speed but will still do a lot of work for you.
Power steering column is neither hard nor expensive to repair. Rarely do you need more than just new seals in the column which we can help you with. Don't buy a used pump!
I would just buy a new inetgral pump on Ebay for about $250 and convert it.
If the PS cylinders are missing they are expensive to replace = $300 each.
Price does depend on how well it runs of course. Can't tell much about that from here.
I'm figuring $500 for the loader + $200 for the back blade = the tractor for $2300.
Any 2/3000 that runs good and has useable tires is worth that easily in this part of the country.
Good photos would help us determine it's value.

post pics for us.

could be ok

The 4 speed would be a deal breaker for me... It make the tractor usless for almost everything you would do with it except plowing.


If you buy it, pull off the loader and sell the tractor.

Re: pictures

Yeah, I thought of that after I got home and started writing my post... "gee, I should have taken some pictures." I am pretty sure I am going to buy it and I'll put the pictures up then. Thanks again for all the input - I really appreciate it.

I paid $3000 2 years ago for mine with a 5' mower,blade and boom. It has a tranny drip that requires a level fill about every 2 years.

Get something with live PTO.

I would pass on it...
1) No P/S (yes but whats it gonna cost ya)
2) no live PTO (4 SPEED YUK)
3) no HI/LO (4 speed YUK)
4) they are not loader tractors...

I have brought 3 Ford tractors with loaders, took the loader off to fix what the loader wore out tore up are to do major work on them I did not have the heart to put the loader back on any of them... None of them were a good loader tractor to start with... They all did what they were spose to with out a loader....

At long last, I have pictures. I did decide to buy this tractor already and I appreciate all the information you provided - even those whose opinions I did not follow.

RE: Live/non-live PTO
In the three years I've been looking for a tractor (off and on as my limited budget could afford) I have borrowed a few tractors, non of which had live PTO and I always got by with it. The mowing part of my task is taking a 5' bush hog down about 2.5 miles of golfcarts sized trails that we ride horses on in my 77 acres of woods. Once I get going down a trail, I rarely need to change pace.

I gave up on affording something with live PTO when I saw a Ford 3600 w/ loader go for $6500 at an auction. I know its a bigger tractor and could have done more work than this, but that was over twice my budget. Most others in my price range have been older internationals and such that did not have 3-point hitches, and usually had more serious ailments than this one seems to have.

Here in west-central Indiana, I see lots of 8N's around for about $1800, but they either have no loader, or just a trip loader with one-way hydraulics.

Here are some photos of the 2000 that is now mine...