FORD 4000 PURCHASE

Allen L · Oct 30, 2014

I am close to the purchase of a subject tractor. It is
a 1970 model with about 3500 hours on original engine
and trans. Will that many hours put me close to major
problems like diesel rebuild etc? Any comments may save
an old fellow some grief. I will probably not run more
than 200 hours per year if I buy it. thanks in advance.

Dean · Oct 30, 2014

No.

If properly maintained and not abused, the engine should perform well well beyond 6,000 hours.

Dean

oldtanker · Oct 30, 2014

Most diesel farm tractor engines will last at least 6K hours if not more even if abused. My BIL is a prime example of that. He ran an IH 826 12K hours before a rebuild and failed to do oil and filter changes plus ran it hard. Last year he ask me about one of the hydraulic pumps. Said that once warm the hydraulics quit working. When I ask him when was the last time the oil and filter was changed he couldn't tell me. That fixed it. The tractor still runs and they use it on the farm. So I wouldn't be afraid of a 3K original hour tractor of almost any color.

Rick

souNdguy · Oct 30, 2014

when you gho see it. ask to hear it start cold, and run it around till warm and see if it still has no issues. otherwise, as the others said. it's likely fine for now. might be getting close to a clutch depending on if original or not.

Fordfarmer · Oct 30, 2014

Depends a lot on what kind of maintenance it's had. I have a 1980 4600 - a newer version of what you're considering. It had over 8000 hours before I rebuilt it... and even then it had good oil pressure and compression. I had to rebuild it due to a cavitation hole in a cylinder wall.

Allen L · Oct 30, 2014

Thanks so much to all of you who have given insights. I will see and hear the Ford run today. I am concerned if the transmission happens to be select speed, not sure if I would like that. any comments on select speed?

Fordfarmer · Oct 30, 2014

Seems like people either like the Select-O-Speed or hate them. In a 3-cylinder 4000, it would be a 3rd generation SOS, so I wouldn't be afraid of one that worked properly when I tried it. But... if you don't like how it drives and shifts, look for one with an 8-speed. Odds are, it's an 8-speed...there are more of them out there.

Dean · Oct 30, 2014

Bullet proof and versatile.

Moreover, many potential buyers shy away so they are available at lower cost.

The late model S-O-S has an externally accessable oil filter in the inlet circuit and an oil cooler in the lower radiator tank, both major improvements vis a vis the earlier units.

Dean

FORD 4000 PURCHASE

Allen L

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