A question. and be honest!

Posted earlier about getting a 300 Farmall upstairs. Good shape, and stout, too. Will do the lion's share of the fieldwork now. But that ain't what I wanna know. I'm thinking very seriously about putting a light loader on my 2000 prior. I know it's not a hard thing to hook up, but I want some honest answers as to how hard the 2000's are to steer without PS with a mounted loader. Now don't misunderstand, I'm as strong today as I ever was, and none of my rigs have PS. Don't hold back, tell me straight. I'd like to save the money and heartache up front. Thanks for the help, men.

Mac
 
While PS is preferred there are thousands and thousands of small Fords with loaders on them.
A lot of those loaders are cracked up, welded, fixed and repaired. And they didn't get that way from sitting in the shed. They got that way from years of hard use.
I say go for it.
 
I have a Massey 35 with a loader and no power steering and it is not too bad as long as I am moving. Stopped it is not possible to turn the wheels with a load on the forks. I have never been on a 2000 but I imagine they may be similar in terms of the steering effort required.
Zach
 
A FEL will make your 2000 difficult to steer even without a load in the bucket. It is also hard on the front spindle bearing and bushings and the front axle bushing and pivot pin.

You will find that you will tend to leave it in the barn if there is an alternative unless you have something on the three point to counter balance.

Dean
 
Hoping you'd chime in, UD. Always value an expert opinion. I'm thinking seriously about it, but the old loaders are kinda hard to find around here. What should I expect to pay for an old trip-bucket? I'm just gonna load the spreader and move a few small round bales of hay. Thanks for the input again, and all others please join in!

Mac
 
You should be able to find a trip bucket loader to fit your 2000 for $200 - $250 or so.

Add $250 or so for a remote hydraulic valve to operate it from your tractor hydraulics.

For around $400 - $500 you should be able to find a trip bucket loader with front pump set-up.

Dean
 

It will make that work easier But other work harder so harder it will become useless for any thing other than loader work...
 
Thanks, Dean and others. I have a hydraulic valve on the 2000 under the seat for running the drill and planter. And Hobo, I fully intend to use the 300 for the heavy work and only use the 2000 for loader work. I have a 39 9n for the orchard and a Cub to cultivate with. I was thinking about doing the front pump loader and sticking it on the 9n rather than the 2000, but I feel like the 2000 would be the better choice. Dunno, we'll see. I gotta build the play money fund back up before anything happens.

Thanks again,

Mac
 
If you're up for a road trip, my brother might consider selling a complete loader setup plus original power steering setup all complete. Loader is a 703, model 19-97, full powered. All of it is on a '61 model year 641. Not sure on his dollar number, but can ask. He's located in south central Pennsylvania (ZIP code 15521 if you want to google it).

Some pics and the thread about the machine are located here:

http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1166880&highlight=

Kevin
 
I would not even remotely consider mounting a loader on a 2000, P/S or not. The front axle is not sufficient to withstand the weight. If you do install one you can expect to be fixing something just about continuously.... whether that be spindles, wheels, bearings, axle section bolts or the axle pivot pin.
If you have to do this... mount the largest counterweight the tractor will lift on the three point hitch. By that I mean close to 1 ton... That will give you some traction to work with along with reducing the stress on the front axle at the same time...

Rod
 
ran an 8n with a loader for years... no ps.. so yes, but I was younger. However.. if your in loose soils you must replace the skinny tires with fat tires on the front. And that makes it even more difficult. But again, did it for years. Used a 3000 for 10 years clearing farm land with a loader on it. Replaced the front end casting twice in that time due to worn out pivots. That tractor had power steering. Dug tanks, broke land, you name it, It did it but had to do repairs as the front end is light.

So yes.. its can be done. as others said, could not turn wheels when still with no power steering.

Still have the frontend castings in the bone pile out there. Later model 3000 had the pivot sized increased to help the wear problem on the frontend, but mine was the early 65-68 model. Went through several sets of wheel bearings, and broke spindles three times IIC. Replace lots of tierod ends, and a shift cover from the forwards-reverse wear. But the tractor was worked everyday, all day long. A lot of land cleared and put into hay pastures. Even ran a small round baler with that tractor.. another story.
 
my 850 disagrees with you ;)

while it does have power steering. the axle pins and bearings and axle itself ar ethe same as a 2000 prior.

No.. it's not ideal.. but yes.. it can work.

with NO ps, it means he's likely need to start rolling before turning... wide tires will help with weight. I run truck tires on the front of mine.
a32611.jpg
 
Thanks Kevin, but that's a bit too far for me. I don't like to stray much out of Arkansas if I can help it. Sometimes get up into Missouri, like West Plains and Springfield. Not much any more though. I appreciate the offer, and also everyone else for their kind replies. Like I said, this isn't a right now, have-to deal. I'll load the spreader by hand one more year, and see how the old back gets, and go from there. Once again, thanks guys. Ya'll are the best source of information on this old stuff, period.

Mac
 
The company I worked for had a 3600 Ford with heavy loader, one day the tractor body when to ground with the axle taking out the radiator and front of the grill.

My friend has a Mf35 with a loader and no power steering, he can only steer it when the tractor is moving.
 
if it was your only tractor, absolutely no.
But, since you have a lot, sure, go for it.

opinion- for anybody.....If you don't have a loader tractor....you need one...
Once you have had one, you will always have one.-opinion

without PS, it's tough, but no tougher than all the years we drove cars and trucks without PS. You adapt....

like said, after you put one on, hang an enormously heavy
weight off the back of it. It will be a one use machine then, but will steer much, much better.
I have a 650 with an old trip bucket loader on it. Took the bucket off and rigged up a short lifting hook setup on it.
It's one use is to lift/carry stuff, and load big things on trailers.
Hard to steer? yep, but it is now a irreplaceable tool around here.

lots of loader work jobs? get a modern loader tractor in your stable....you will never regret it.........
 
I had an 851 without power steering with a loader. Used it for years, didn't steer too bad as long as you were moving a bit.
 

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