1974 Ford 4000 SU

Fergienewbee · Jul 14, 2014

Here are a couple of pictures on an upcoming auction tractor. Tractor is 3 cylinder gas, 50 hp, 3pt, live, remote hydraulics, roll bar, power steering, 934 hours on meter, second owner. What is a fair price? Seems like the tires look a bit worn for less than a 1000 hours, but I'm no expert. Anything to watch for?

Larry

Ecnerwal · Jul 14, 2014

Price is hard to nail down - differs in different markets, etc. Especially at auctions.

Whether it's 934 hours, 10934 hours or 934 hours with the tach connected and some few thousand with it disconnected is also hard to say. For a tractor that's 40 years old, 23.4 hours per year seems a bit low? Might be a replacement tach?

Sad to say (and I know plenty of folks here do it right, and THEN paint) I also get instantly suspicious at a shiny new paint job - for every person who does it right, there must be 5 that "overhaul/restore" by slapping on a coat of paint and not doing [b:c45cd0bb22]anything[/b:c45cd0bb22] that actually matters mechanically...

Ultradog MN · Jul 15, 2014

If you don't plan to ever put a loader on one they are outstanding machines. Gasser will be more thirsty than a diesel but will still do a lot of work for you.
Lot of power in a relatively short, squat package.
Never, Ever trust the hours on a 65-75 Ford unless you actually see the hour meter turn over with your own eyes.
Just a swag here but if you could get it for under $5K I'd say you did great.
Tops would be in the $7K range.
You don't often see them in these parts.

Sean in PA · Jul 15, 2014

Those "88" decals on the sides of the nose indicate that it may have been part of a fleet, possibly a highway mower, at some point in its past, so while it may have had an easy life in terms of just doing mowing work for a good amount of time, it may have been abused by operators who did not have the "pride of ownership".

As for telling how many hours it has, look at the clutch pedal to see how worn it appears. If the raised rings are worn smooth then it has way more than 1000 hours.

I see an in-line fuel filter, which is not original, and usually causes issues for fuel systems that are not designed for them, so if you win the auction I would recommend putting the fuel system back to original.

Dean · Jul 15, 2014

Nice looking tractor.

I looked for a 4000 SU for a couple of years before giving up. I wanted one for mowing duty.

The hours are simply not believable.

The rear tires appear to be undersized but they appear to be Firestones so maybe not. They should be 14.9 minimum. 16.9 would be better.

Auctions are unpredictable but gasoline powered tractors do not sell well. I would expect to buy if for less than $5,000 in my area.

Dean

sotxbill · Jul 15, 2014

Original tires would be severly cracked by now...

$5 grand would be tops... I just bought two regular 4000s for $2800 a piece at auction. And they had good fresh paint on them.

The third was a 4000 with ford removal loader and got it for $4800.

Picked up a 6600 for $4200 with less than 3000 hours from an estate,

Got a 7600 with hd rhino loader for $8000 with original rear tires on it,, very cracked but good tread...

And a 6640 cab a/c powerstar sl for $8000...

SO prices are all over the map as to expectations.

Prices of tractors down here are lower than normal, due the the 10 year drought. But this year the rain is better, so they are starting to move a bit.

Golden Rule.....

NEVER PAY MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN SELL IT FOR THE NEXT DAY!!!!

FordManiac · Jul 15, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:40:07 07/15/14)
Original tires would be severly cracked by now...

$5 grand would be tops... I just bought two regular 4000s for $2800 a piece at auction. And they had good fresh paint on them.

The third was a 4000 with ford removal loader and got it for $4800.

Picked up a 6600 for $4200 with less than 3000 hours from an estate,

Got a 7600 with hd rhino loader for $8000 with original rear tires on it,, very cracked but good tread...

And a 6640 cab a/c powerstar sl for $8000...

SO prices are all over the map as to expectations.

Prices of tractors down here are lower than normal, due the the 10 year drought. But this year the rain is better, so they are starting to move a bit.

Golden Rule.....

NEVER PAY MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN SELL IT FOR THE NEXT DAY!!!!

It does have the rare front weight bracket though which can come in handy. Does it have weights too? Looks to be reprinted too. They are good overbuilt tractors though.

FordManiac · Jul 15, 2014

By the way if the hours are truly that low then the clutch and brake pedals should have plenty of nubs left on them. If they are wore smooth then has a lot more hours on it.

RickB · Jul 15, 2014

Those rears look like Armstrongs. Very likely to be original equipment brand tires on a Ford of that vintage, and not available much after about 1990.

showcrop · Jul 15, 2014

(quoted from post at 19:15:30 07/14/14) Here are a couple of pictures on an upcoming auction tractor. Tractor is 3 cylinder gas, 50 hp, 3pt, live, remote hydraulics, roll bar, power steering, 934 hours on meter, second owner. What is a fair price? Seems like the tires look a bit worn for less than a 1000 hours, but I'm no expert. Anything to watch for?

Larry

As others have said disregard the hours on the proofmeter. Go by the oil pressure gauge, your compression tester and your vacuum gauge.

1974 Ford 4000 SU

Fergienewbee

Well-known Member

Ecnerwal

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Ultradog MN

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Sean in PA

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Dean

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sotxbill

Well-known Member

FordManiac

Member

FordManiac

Member

RickB

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

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