Buying a 601, questions

Buying a run of the mill 601, gas tractor. 3 point, pto.
No power steering, no gear ranges. How hard is it to add
those, and from what tractors can I swap parts? Is the
3000 series totally different?

Yes, the 3000 is totally different.
The 601 had 3 transmission choices - 4-speed, 5-speed, and Select-O-Speed (10-speed power shift). The 4-speed could have a Sherman combo (overdrive and underdrive) added, but be aware that when using the overdrive or underdrive ratios, your pto speed is affected as well. Power steering can be added too, but you'd probably be money ahead to buy one that already has it.
Many or most parts can swap from the earlier 600 and later 4-cylinder 2000 models. Some parts can also swap from the NAA, 800, 801, and 4-cylinder 4000 models. Very few parts from a '65 or newer model will swap onto a 601.

Hi, thank you. Can I add an inline power steering unit?
I'd really like a low range for brush hogging and going along logging trails. What parts tractors should I watch for to find one?
I need a tractor and this one is close and we'll priced. I plan on a loader soon.

The add-on power steering will set you back half the cost of the tractor. Which transmission does it have?

(quoted from post at 10:05:34 12/11/17) Hi, thank you. Can I add an inline power steering unit?
I'd really like a low range for brush hogging and going along logging trails. What parts tractors should I watch for to find one?
I need a tractor and this one is close and we'll priced. I plan on a loader soon.

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First off, 601 is a series of tractors, and there were individual models that had different transmission and PTO options. Since you are asking about slowing it down for brush hogging I assume that it is not a 671 or 681 (Select-O-Speed transmission models) as those had very low first gearsd available and are great for mowing. SO that leaves either a 641 (4 speed and non-live PTO), 651 (5 speed and non-live PTO) or 661 (5 speed and live PTO.

The Sherman auxiliary transmissions were only available on models with the 4 speed transmission, and as was said, adding a Sherman auxiliary transmission to slow the tractor down will also slow down the PTO, so you will need to increase the engine rpm's to the point that the tractor would be traveling at the same ground speed as without the Sherman to get proper 540 rpm PTO speed.

If you have a 3000 available for parts, you might be better off trying to get that running if it has a 6 or 8 speed transmissions as those had lower 1st gears than the 4 or 5 speed models of the earlier series. If the 3000 has a 4 speed then it has the same "too fast" first gear that the earlier 4 and 5 speeds had.