Ford 5000 What a horrible machine

JohannMarais · Jan 15, 2017

Just an update. Some time ago I posted here regarding a PTO problem om a Ford 5000.

The problem was never resolved so I decided to have a bale fork made for the front loader so it could be useful to load trucks.

On the way back from getting the fork fitted the alternator stopped working. I then had to carry an extra battery with me as a truck was to be loaded the next morning.

I loaded 17 bales and then the reverse gear stopped working. We opened it there in the field and some selector thing broke off.

Now I am told the whole tractor needs to be split in 3 so I left it there in the field and I hope someone steals that horrible tractor. Really the biggest piece of manure I have ever owned in my life.

Royse · Jan 15, 2017

Sounds like it was an abused tractor that was never properly
maintained or repaired. That will turn any brand of any machine
into a turd. "Some selector thing"? Don't blame the tractor.

pig9r · Jan 15, 2017

Take it to the Ford tractor dealer. As heartbroken as you are surely you got the 40+ year warranty.

JMOR · Jan 15, 2017

Over 40. If you don't like working on old ones, get a new bride (tractor). :wink:

WayneIA · Jan 15, 2017

What a terrible machine that it should only last 40 years! And to think that I have 2 of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pig9r · Jan 15, 2017

BTW where's it parked at right now? Sounds like a deal....

Ultradog MN · Jan 16, 2017

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.
In the tractor's defense, if you go to the
Tractor Talk forum here and ask " What was
the BEST tractor ever built?" That Ford 5000
will consistently come out on top of the
heap - of all the brands and colors. They
are respected by people who otherwise dont
even like or own Fords. They really were
THAT good of a machine.
But as others have said, they are at least
40 to 50 years old now so like any machine
that old will have some problems.
But they are not overly complicated and
parts are still readily available for them.
It is worth fixing the old girl even if you
are discusted with it at the moment.

Larry NCKS · Jan 16, 2017

I'm going to guess, just by name, that it's across the pond somewhere. Perhaps South Africa??????

steve19438 · Jan 16, 2017

some info.
Untitled URL Link

DEAN C · Jan 16, 2017

GO BUY A 50 YEAR OLD JOHN DEERE THEY DON'T BRAKE DOWN--(WINK)

showcrop · Jan 16, 2017

If you dare post where it is located it will be gone tomorrow, and you will be out from under your load.

showcrop · Jan 16, 2017

Another thing. Ford 5000s, due to their size could often start their life as a primary tillage tractor and then become a chore tractor, and instead of being relegated to second row occasional use after 15 to twenty years, your 5000 could have been getting 800 hours put on the clock for 35 of its 45 years.

Fordfarmer · Jan 16, 2017

Some very poor info.

Destroked 450 · Jan 16, 2017

When did you post about the pto problem, I just went thru mine back in the spring, they're a pretty simple system to work on.
If the alternator went out it's been converted has 5000's came with generators, unless your starting and shutting off the engine every bale or using the lights a 4DLT battery should start the tractor several times on a single charge.
To bad for me your probably not near by or I'd take horrible pos off your hands, trucks already hooked to the trailer and I'd be willing the travel a few hundred miles for a free 5000 that I could drive onto the trailer.

maxwell99 · Jan 16, 2017

My neighbor bought a new Ford 5000 in 1970, he said it made him more money than any piece of equipment he ever bought,
Of course he bought it New and took very good care and maintenance of the tractor over the years,

All I know is from a neighbors observation he worked it hard,
I think it's one drawback or weak point was some type power steering issue he worked on from time to time, but overall it ran good, worked
hard and used very little fuel

Many years later he said one day, he wish he could buy another new 5000 Ford tractor,
That is the only Ford 5000 that I ever was around, so my experience is limited, another neighbor has a Ford 4000 and he likes it

Benj R · Jan 16, 2017

Sorry to hear about your tractor. I have two 5000s and I find them to be very good
tractors,both tractors when purchased were well used, neither one had 3pth on them so
they were used for draw-bar work. I would never hesitate to recommend this tractor to
any one looking for a light 60 plus HP tractor. However they are getting on in years,
and some have been terribly abused and breakdowns are bond to happen.

David G · Jan 16, 2017

They are a very solid well built tractor.

Larry NCKS · Jan 16, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:19:36 01/16/17)
If you dare post where it is located it will be gone tomorrow, and you will be out from under your load.

If you search for his earlier posts, you'll find I was correct. He is in South Africa. I doubt if you can even get there by tomorrow, let alone remove his tractor!!!!!

showcrop · Jan 16, 2017

(quoted from post at 11:18:20 01/16/17)

(quoted from post at 09:19:36 01/16/17)
If you dare post where it is located it will be gone tomorrow, and you will be out from under your load.

Click to expand...

If you search for his earlier posts, you'll find I was correct. He is in South Africa. I doubt if you can even get there by tomorrow, let alone remove his tractor!!!!!

Ha Ha, I certainly wasn't intending to imply that I would get to anywhere in the US overnight, LOL, let alone anywhere in the world. What I was indicating is that there are enough of us who appreciate a 5000, even if he didn't, that chances were good that there would be a YTer near enough to come and grab it before morning. Larry you crack me up!!!

Destroked 450 · Jan 16, 2017

I guess shipping cost WOULD get a little high at that distance, that's a shame I was ready to go after it providing it wasn't too far away.

THE LIMEY · Jan 16, 2017

Here in England the Ford 5000 was for many years the best selling tractor from 1968 through to 1975. They were liked for their simplicity and ease of working on, but also for the abuse they would take and keep performing. Most of the older machines after racking high hours would be shipped abroad for even harder work. Such is the regard for the 5000 many after years abroad are being imported back for collectors to cherish. Finally isn't it nice to work on a tractor free from wiring and sensors which shut the machine down and can't be bypassed. Give me a 5000 anyday.

Bern · Jan 16, 2017

Disparaging a Ford 5000 is something like insulting mother Theresa, isn't it?

Destroked 450 · Jan 16, 2017

(quoted from post at 13:28:06 01/16/17) Disparaging a Ford 5000 is something like insulting mother Theresa, isn't it?

Depending on how you ask it could be worse. :wink:

Destroked 450 · Jan 16, 2017

(quoted from post at 13:36:54 01/16/17)

(quoted from post at 13:28:06 01/16/17) Disparaging a Ford 5000 is something like insulting mother Theresa, isn't it?

Click to expand...

Depending on how you ask it could be worse. :wink:

Darn spell check, I'll try it again.

Depending on who you ask it could be worse. :wink:

Ultradog MN · Jan 16, 2017

Yeah, a lot of bad info there.
Did you happen to click on the link to the 3000 there?
I wrote that about 5 years ago.
But I never did understand how to jump through all the hoops to get it posted so I let the project drop.
It looks like someone else picked it up and got it online. I'm certain I included the 4 speed w/wo the 3 sp combo in my original post. Whoever edited it deleted that. They must not be a member of this board or they would have known better

3000

dmbinva · Jan 16, 2017

about 10 years ago, thousands of the old 5000s were shipped overseas, all they had to do was move under their own power. And they would give you $6000 for them. A lot of wore out junk was shipped overseas back then. Maybe you got one of them.
Boss

chevytaHOE5674 · Jan 17, 2017

I ran my 5000 for years without a functioning alternator or generator. With a good 4dlt battery in it I could start the tractor all day long no problem, then at night I would put it on the battery tender trickle charger.

Bern · Jan 17, 2017

I know a guy who had a 4000 and took your idea one step further. He would park it on a hill when he was done, and compression start the thing every time he went to use it. This thing had no battery, and while the generator and starter were physically there, they did nothing.

chevytaHOE5674 · Jan 17, 2017

(quoted from post at 19:04:46 01/17/17) I know a guy who had a 4000 and took your idea one step further. He would park it on a hill when he was done, and compression start the thing every time he went to use it. This thing had no battery, and while the generator and starter were physically there, they did nothing.

Done that before, just make sure you never stall it unless you have somebody around with something to give you a tug. :lol:

Royse · Jan 17, 2017

(quoted from post at 22:21:56 01/17/17)

(quoted from post at 19:04:46 01/17/17) I know a guy who had a 4000 and took your idea one step further. He would park it on a hill when he was done, and compression start the thing every time he went to use it. This thing had no battery, and while the generator and starter were physically there, they did nothing.

Click to expand...

Done that before, just make sure you never stall it unless you have somebody around with something to give you a tug. :lol:

I've done that too - on a magneto fired gas engine.
That 4000 must have been diesel. I would think it would be harder to
roll start a diesel than a gasser because of the compression ratio. No?

Bern · Jan 17, 2017

Yes, it was a diesel, and yes, it is theoretically harder to compression start a diesel as compared to a gas engine. Having said that, it's all about selecting the correct gear. As I recall, 5th or 6th gear works pretty well for this. Finally, this trick would NOT work with a SOS trans.

tracto-man · Jan 18, 2017

My dad grew up as a missionary kid in Argentina. He said there were many guys that built sheds on top of hills so the could back them in and shut them down, and just coast down the hill to start them. He also talked about junking some Ford kerosene tractors, and here I sit thinking, ya know how hard it is to find the parts for the. Propeign and kerosene tractors??? Lol

Ford 5000 What a horrible machine

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