1960 Farmall 460 Gas -- What to look for?

Howdy YT, I've been a lurker for years and typically have been able to search the forums and find the information I need.....but today I'll be checking out a 1960 460 Gas with wide front and I'd appreciate any info you can advise me on what to look for.

Background: Our family heirloom 806 I've been raking and square bailing with on my hobby farm developed some mechanical issues this last summer and has been sitting idle until my Sis and BIL determine what to do with it since we found a bunch of water in the oil pan. I think I've found an descent condition 460 that can tie us over for a while and it might be handier in the winter months feeding the occasional big hay bale with the gas engine.

Thank you Sirs.

a 460 will be less than half the tractor an 806 is. also, the
factory 460 WF will not turn as short as an 806 WF.
there were 2 sizes rear axles available for 460s- mostly an
issue if you were using a mounted corn picker or plow. think
there was only 1/4" diff in diameter.
the TA can obviously be an issue. if it is out, it doesn't hurt
to run it in direct, just have less speeds to use. TA in a 460
won't hold back going downhill, like the 806 will. I use gas
tractors all year to feed with- they will start easier in the
cold. I can't think of what else, besides the usual color of
oil, listen for knocks and clunks, etc. good luck.

Obviously, run it a little bit to check for engine reliability. Look at oil pressure. Grab the brake pedal and pull it back and forth sideways, this will give
you some idea of of use, same for the clutch. Tires are a biggie. Turn the steering wheel with the tractor sitting still and see how much turn before the
front wheels move. Appearance might be a factor for you, sheet metal not all dented up. Look for sloppy/poor welds. Does the hydraulics work. Good Luck
Ellis

Think of power like a Super H with the gas consumption of a 560!!
It?s an H descendant .

Most early 460's had 2-1/2" diameter axles, same as H,SH,300,350. Later 460's mostly had 2-3/4" dia axled, same as M,SM,SM-TA, 400,450. Local seed corn company used 2M-H and 2M-HD pickers on 460's covered thousands of acres every fall picking seed corn.
460 was a decent 3-bottom tractor.

well if ur gonna be moving round bales with it think your gonna be doin some chinese talking. it will lift the bale but you wont be going anyplace , other than the rear wheels spinning. and forget the M's be worst yet. 560 is a better unit but still on the small side for round bales.

I would find a bigger tractor.

For what you would pay for the inferior,underpowered 460,you could fix your 806.

I've moved a ton of 5x5 round bales with a plain old M.

It never hurts to have a bunch of tractors but I would opt for a 400/450 over a 460 or if the power is not needed then a 300/350.

Snap the PTO lever in and out without letting it lock in the detent. Watch the end of the PTO shaft to see if it has any lateral
displacement. It may move in and out a little, that's ok, but if it moves laterally it means the inner needle bearing is out or
going out. Do the usual TA check. Drive it around and test the brakes individually. Sometimes they get too dirty or corroded and
want to spontaneously lock up. It's not uncommon to see 460/560 with the paint smoked off in a ring on the brake cover. Watch
where the tie rods go on the spindles and move the steering a little back and forth to check for loose steering arm fit and
watch the rod ends too. Not fun when one pops out when you're wound into a tight maneuver.

If you buy, first thing to do is pull the cover off the transmission filter and change or at least check it. Most of them get
neglected. I've seem them with holes sucked in the filter due to the differential pressure caused by the filter being plugged.

I have a propane 460 and they're fine for moving bales, may need some weight on the front. It will do some work but it needs to
be near rated RPM. Mine will run a 10ft JD shredder in heavy stuff but it needs to be wound out to get the HP.
Due to the shorter stroke it does not have the low end grunt like a good strong M has. It just feels different under foot and
you operate a little differently.
The 460 is not a bad tractor, you just have to use in an appropriate application and have reasonable expectations.

I agree! One can never have too many tractors.

Thanks for your replies folks, good stuff to know.

I did go check it out and it was needing some TLC. I checked the engine oil and it looked like grey-ish chocolate milk. After talking to the gent and driving it around for a few mins I walked away from it.

Thanks again.