Is there any difference between the red and blue 6000 model? There is one of each at auction on labour day weekend. They claim the red one is rare

My understanding is that the red ones were problematic and recalled by Ford and fixed with new serial numbers and then painted blue to keep them in "better class". So if you find one from 1962 that is red under the blue some guys are painting them their original red color. Also had single key rear axles.

Did the buyers know they were getting a used recalled tractor?

Just happened to notice this discussion on the 6000. My dad just mentioned the other day he's thinking about selling a couple of tractors, one of them is his Ford 6000, blue, it's a nice shape tractor with perfect rubber and all shields. If anyone is interested, just send a reply to my email address, located in Minnesota.

Not that I'm interested in the tractor, but don't see an email address on either view of this forum.

Just reply to my post and it will go directly to my email. Thanks.

yes it is true that they were a lemon, but, the red ones are very collectible and rare so they bring good money even with the SOS. if you buy it right you could swap in a 2nd gen SOS or it may already have one. You can tell the newer SOS by the cover. If it is rounded all the way across it is original. If it slants down to the right on the right side it is 2nd generation.

Let's just put it this way: The original ones were so problematic that Ford recalled them and basically went through every major mechanical system on them.

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They were rushed into production but they were repaired and upgraded to the direct drive and with proper care (like all equipment) will work very well for a long time

George's opinion about the SOS is not held by all of us. Some of us will not have a Ford tractor of that vintage unless it is equipped with an SOS. We believe they (especially the blue ones) are about as bullet proof as one can get from that era.
My thought also --going on a tractor ride Fri And Sat 6000 Commander----getting the 4000 SOS ready to pull on Sunday 4000# up to 6500# class--

At a farm sale- I like people with Georges opinion--

Dave, There is no chance I'll run into you at a farm sale. Haven't been to one in decades.

Don't remember the year, but my brother had a 900 with sos. He didn't have the issues dad had.

What did Ford do with my dad's 6000 Lemon? Did they put the new tranny in it and sell it as used?

When was the new and improved SOS made?

Were all SOS's in different models junk at that time, 1961-62?

In worst case, how much would it cost to repair the SOS?

Are there still mechanics around to repair one?

Are you likely to find a used SOS?

The only reason my dad bougth a 6000 was he needed a very slow speed and all the hp he could get to the PTO, silage chopper. George

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Late '62

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No. Some are still in service. Not sure why some survived and others didn't.

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Yes. There are still some of us around.

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They're around . . . if you look.

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How expensive is it to rebuild? Parts and labor?

There is no exact number. Most I've done have been minor for less than $100.00. I'm sure one can get well into the thousands of dollars if it's bad enough, but I don't think that will be the case with many of them.

Got to thinking, If the SOS is 50 years old and still working, chances are it was upgraded. The junk one have long been sent to the bone yard. Perhaps I may have to change my view of the SOS. Look out there goes the prices at an auction.

Still would have second thoughts about going back to the red 6000.

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George,

The 6000 may be a little different animal, but my 1960 971 still has the original ORC Select-o-speed tranny and it works well. I love operating the tractor, but must admit at this point it doesn't see any real heavy work. Mostly brush cutting, driveway grading and pulling/collecting fire wood, probably about 50 hours/year.

Chris

You won't be coming this far west to out bid me will you???

Dave, Don't worry, I won't be leaving Indiana.
Someday I may replace my Jubilee with a 900 series like my brother had. His had a narrow front end. More bells than my Jubilee.
George

Commander 6000 was the latest version of the 6000. It did not come in a red version.
6000s came in both red and blue.

Ford officially changed the colors of its farm equipment line at the end of 1962. Most things built prior to then were red. Most after were blue. The 6000 was no exception.

George's opinion about the SOS is not held by all of us. Some of us will not have a Ford tractor of that vintage unless it is equipped with an SOS. We believe they (especially the blue ones) are about as bullet proof as one can get from that era.

Edit: I should add that the Commander 6000 and the blue 6000 , unless it is a repainted red one, will have the better transmission. The red one may have also, if it's been updated.
This post was edited by Larry NCKS at 14:50:41 07/18/13.

Leo, I was very young when my dad bought a red 6000, 1961-62??. I think the red ones were the first. Ours spent more time having the SOS repaired than it did in the field. Things were so bad, after a few years, Ford gave us an new blue 6000. It had a better tranny. Ford was so cheap, they gave us a new tractor, but we had to put our old tires on it.

If I got my colors right, red was the first. All I can say is RUN FOREST RUN!

To this day, I wouldn't have an SOS. 2 reason, most of the old mechanics that worked on the SOS are long gone. Secondly fool me once shame on you. SOS = SOL

Just because they are rare, doesn't mean anything. George

My Dad bought a 6000 in 62. I was a Freshman in high school and thought a brand new tractor was cool. Man talk about a pile of dog poop.

We are about the same age. I graduated in 67. It was the last Ford my dad bought.

We had a dairy. Dad thought of his as a BIG bile of COW Poo.

I think many tractor had issues when they used parts off the shelf to make next model tractor with more horse power. My Jubilee is just one of them.

I think Farmall used the old M drive train and put a bigger engine in front of it when they went to the number series.

Chevy got in to trouble using a gas engine block in their attempt to make a diesel.

The list of mistakes could go on forever.

My lesson from this is not to buy a new car or truck with some new engine or tranny design. I wait for the consumer to do the R&D and the company to fix it.
George

We are about the same age. I graduated in 67. It was the last Ford my dad bought.
2/8/49 model here Grad. in 1967

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Old geezer! 4/5/49 here.

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You fellas are all old!!!! 8)
I'm a '53 model - the year of the Golden Jubilee - and I have a famous birthday. I had it first though!