SOS trans

Red Whiskers · Mar 1, 2018

I grew up with a 960 and have had a couple 860s all with the 5 speed trans, enjoyed them all. Looking to get an 860, guess I just can't get them out of my system. Anyway there is a local one available that has the SOS trans. Should I run or not be concerned? I've heard it's kind of a like them or don't deal. Big question is if they need work what's it cost?

Dean · Mar 1, 2018

Ford model 6/7/8*0 tractors were not offered with the S-O-S transmission. Most likely, the tractor that you have seen is an 87/81.

Many folks do not like the S-O-S transmission (I will not go into such reasoning here but most such reasons are invalid.) so S-O-S tractors can usually be bought for less than similar models with 5 speed/live PTO transmissions.

Before buying, check that it pulls properly in all gears and that the PTO pulls properly. Try to do so at full operating temperature.

Major repairs to an early S-O-S transmission are comparably costly to major repairs to a 5 speed/live PTO transmission but finding someone willing and able to do such repairs may be more difficult.

Dean

Larry NCKS · Mar 1, 2018

Ditto what Dean said. 860s were not Select-O-Speeds nor were any of the 00 series.

Repair bills, if the SOS has a problem, can run anywhere from a few dollars to a few thousand depending on what the problem is.

showcrop · Mar 1, 2018

Anyone that knows just a little about old tractors will tell you that the SOS was not well thought of. Someone who knows a little more can tell you some tales that are perhaps partially true. SOS owners have almost always done their homework before buying one because they are all fairly old now. The actual story is that the original design was revolutionary for the time and like anything that was totally new had some problems. The problems were addressed and after some three-four years, Ford offered no charge change-outs for all of them. It is pretty hard to find an original version SOS now. When the thousand series tractors came out, if they had the SOS they all had the new generation, and many thousands are still working regularly. Like anything else that is well used and fifty years old it can have problems, and some parts can be hard to find. As Dean said check for operation in all gears, and if you do buy it keep the oil clean and fresh even if you use it only ten hours a year.

Bern · Mar 1, 2018

Very well said.

Larry NCKS · Mar 2, 2018

Yep! The only thing I disagree with is that it's hard to find an original SOS. In my experience they're still out there . . . and in use.

Also an upgrade to the "Blue" transmission was a $600.00 swap.
A remanufactured "Red" transmission may have been a free exchange, but a new "Blue" transmission was not.

SOS trans

Red Whiskers

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Dean

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Larry NCKS

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showcrop

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Bern

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Larry NCKS

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