3000 to Hundred series

BobReeves

Member
Decided I need another tractor. I have a Ford 3000 diesel 8 speed and been looking on Gragslist for another Ford. Looking for another 3000 or maybe 4000 but also see a few hundred series Fords for reasonable prices. Wondering what Hundred series would be close match to my 3000? Also how well do these things steer should I end up with one without power steering. I know my 3000 is a bear to steer when the power steering isn't working but never been on one with conventional steering.

Thanks
 
Steering a tractor with non working power steering is much harder than steering a tractor without power steering. You are fighting the hydraulics that should be making it turn. Unless you have a loader it should steer just fine without power steering. Myself I much prefer the simplicity of manual steering on a tractor without a loader
 
Kinda what I figured, difference almost same as a car with/without power steering. My 3000 has a loader, the second tractor would be more or less dedicated to mowing with my 7 foot JD flail. This would free up the loader tractor for sunflower plot and driveway work. Wife said OK a few minutes ago, told her it would make my life allot easier and she bought it :)
 
I'd compare the 3000 to the 4 cyl 4000, 800-900 series on pulling, having had a couple of '62-4 4000s, one an SOS. On steering, I didn't have PS on any of my Ford 1000 series [1 (current) 2000, 2 ea 3000 (1 current), 2 ea 4000] but on the 3000 I kept, and since I am older and don't feel like hard steering, I added the Turkish $600 after market [and the 15 or 17" (forget) smaller diameter steering wheel that Ford uses with OEM PS] that you can pick up online and it works just fine; have no loader on that tractor. I'd stay with that 8 speed tranny as I doubt you wouldn't be happy with less.
 
As the tractor's get older, they steer harder. Ohhhh, I might have that wrong. When "we" get older-----
Iv'e also noticed that if you have driven a tractor with PS, the one without PS gets a lot harder.
 
8/9** series tractors are 43.* PTO HP at rated speed.

3000 is about 38 PTO HP at rated speed.

Dean
 

860, 861 or early 4000 would be a good match to 3000, they have a few more hp than a 3000 but are a few hundred lbs lighter.
I'd look for one with 5 spd trans and live pto, power steering would be a plus.
Another good choice staying with a small chassis is the 4000SU, it's the same size as a 3000 but has the larger 4000 engine with more hp along with a heavier rear axle, better brakes and independent pto.
 
I've had an 850, two 860's, a 950, and a 971. The two 3000 diesel 8-speeds I had would outwork any of them except the 971. The 8/900's have a little more power, but like someone else said, the 3000's have more weight to work with. I think another reason the 3000's do so well compared to the older ones is gear choices. An 8-speed has more choices to better match your needs for a specific job...unless you're comparing it to a Select-O-Speed.
 
Thanks for the info gang, sure do not need lighter, pretty happy with my 3000 but it could have used wheel weights when I was plowing my food plot even with the additional weight of the loader frame. Had the power but not the traction.

About decided on another 3000, thinking it would be worth the price difference to get the 8 speed plus something I am familiar with. looking at two, one is diesel without power steering, the other is gas with power steering. Same price, both are 8 speeds and about the same condition (at least from what I can gather from the adds). Of course one is 75 miles north of me the other is 75 miles south. Will probably go look at the gas one first.

Also found a 1980 3600 diesel with PS that is about the same price but it looks pretty rough. I know looks isn't everything and may go look at it first decisions... decisions...

One question, any way to really check the 3 point without any weight on it? Had to rebuild the cover on my 3000 because it wouldn't lift a heavy implement very high but would work OK without any weight.
 
check 3pt with no weight?

about the only thing you could do, if you weren't allowed to try to lift your truck would be a pressure test..

I'd try to actually lift something. ;)
 

Most of the weight reduction on the -00,-01 series is the engine,
the heavy duty design of the three cylinder engine adds a couple hundred pounds plus the big 4DLT battery helps add to the front end weight.
The lighter front end helps the older models steer easier with manual steering but also works against them when caring heavy implements on the back.
As for traction their pretty much the same, rear axle, tires,wheels, brakes, lift components are all basically the same size and weight, extra gears in the trans won't add more than 50-75 lbs.
My experience has been that although a loader adds more weight to a tractor most of it is counter balanced over the front wheels making rear wheel traction worse than not having a loader.
I have two quick attach loaders, if I'm not using them I take them off.
 
My first 3 cyl was a plain Jane 2000.
Didnt have ps but that's what I was used to and it steered fine.
Then I parted out a 3000 and got ps.
Now I would cry to go back to manual.
As to comparing the 4 cyl tractors to the 3 cyl a lot of good info in the posts below.
One thing not mentioned was fuel use.
The 800s were probably ok. But the 801 gasser would use significantly more fuel than either an 800 or 3000. Especially if you are used to a 3000 diesel which are pretty thrifty. If I went to a 4 cyl it would be an 800 gas or better yet, an 801 diesel.
My friend has one and it us a treat to run.
Much quieter and smoother than a 3000D and probably pretty thrifty too.
 

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