861 tractor

Looking for something to bush hog with and going to look at a ford 861. Serial number tells me it"s a "55. What should I look for besides oil in the cooing system, bad tires, oil or water leaks?
Thank you,
Huck

Not an expert here, but I don't think the 801s were released until a couple years later. If it is a '55 it's more likely an 860.

Brian

edit: but as far as your question - I just got an 850 this spring which is likely similar to the tractor you're going to look at. Mine needed brake work and a steering rebuild, which ended up leading to replacement of the wiring harness while the instrument panel was off. Engine-wise, I'll let people who know what they're talking about have their say.

860/861 are very good machines.
Only small differences between them but nothing in the way of functionality.
Esbrian is correct though in that the 861s didn't come out till about 1957. 860 in 54 ot 55.
I don't work on that series much so others are better versed in them than I but from reading this board for a long time the 5 speed trannys are susceptible to having I think 3rd gear want to pop out due to worn detents in the shift rail.
Aside from the usual things to look for on an old tractor you will want to test the transmission in 3rd gear by reving it up on a downward slope and then close the throttle abruptly to see if it will pop out of gear. If the tranny is good you should get years of trouble free use out of that tractor.
One other thing is the 861 had a couple of slight mods to the gas engine to get more HP out of them.
But they are known to be thirsty on gas.
My choice of the 2 would be the 860 for that reason or a diesel in the 861..
You might have a look at Mr John Smiths great website and read his part about buying a tractor.
Though much of it pertains to buying an N Series Ford much of his advice is very apt for buying any old Ford.
Good luck and welcome to the Ford board.
Smiths

In addition to what you would check on any tractor, if it IS an 860 or 861 or frankentractor 5 speed with live PTO, check that the tractor does not slip out of gear in third or reverse. Going downhill, if possible, let off the gas in third. It's more likely to slip then.

As for the live PTO, you should find a clutch/PTO system such that if you are driving with the PTO engaged, you should be able to push the clutch half down and stop your forward travel without stopping the PTO. All the way down on the clutch should stop both forward motion and PTO. PTO may still spin some, so it is best checked under load. Like with a brush hog attached. If not you may have to take a board and put a little pressure on the PTO to see if it has stopped and is just idling.

If the live PTO is not working it could be clutch adjustment. There is an option to connect the clutch linkage to disable the "dual action" of the clutch. I guess that is so the owner has an option.

860 or 861, very good tractors.
Like said, with 3rd and reverse at the top of the shift pattern, they take the most wear.
See if you can drive it a while, so you can check all systems and the engine for excessive blow-by, oil pressure drop when warm, 2-stage clutch condition ($), etc.
860's and 861's around here were worked very hard in their day because of their power and live pto.
still too...the last few 8 series I've traded away, the new owners wanted them specifically to run a baler.

I talked to the guy again and it is an 860. Thanks for all the help. I will give it a close look and see if it pops out of third gear.
Thanks again,
Huck

Due to wear, most will pop out of gear(s) under a heavy overhauling load. Only the most badly worn will pop out of gear under a driven load.

The 860 is a very good small utility tractor for it's era. I have a 55 860 and continue to use it for certain tasks despite owning more modern tractors.

Dean

(quoted from post at 17:49:39 07/02/14) Looking for something to bush hog with and going to look at a ford 861. Serial number tells me it"s a "55. What should I look for besides oil in the cooing system, bad tires, oil or water leaks?
Thank you,
Huck

Click to expand...

Ford started over again with serial numbers when they came out with a new series. A "55" serial number would be a hundred series model in the range of 10615 - 77270. That same range of serial numbers was repeated during the '01 series from late 1957 through mid 1959.

GMartin, put a load on the three point to see that it will hold it up. While running if the implement or load bounces the tractor has a hydraulic problem. Take a compression tester and vacuum gauge with you to assess the engine internally. Check oil pressure, a reasonably tight motor should show 40 lbs cold and hold thirty after warming up. More is better. Check for steering play, both in the "box" and front. Check front axle pivot as many were severely worn by heavy loader use.