I think I bought an 860

docmirror · Dec 17, 2019

Advertised as an 800 due to the badge on the top of the hood. It has 5 speeds, in that goofy lift, push gear selection. With the PTO lever engaged, the clutch has a very long travel. The top of the travel engages the motion of the tractor. The bottom of the travel just up from the floor board makes the PTO start.

I'm moving up from my first tractor which is an 8N. I've had a front loader on the 8N for a few years, and my steering box has suffered for it. The 860 has the optional power steering which seems to work quite well. Although when stopped, and I turn the wheel it puts some strain on the steerning hyd and the engine load note changes a bit. I'm guessing the pump is getting a bit weak. Lucky, it looks like the pump from an early Falcon car, which could be ordered with PS.

Not a beauty queen, but everything seems to work well except the lights. Converted to 12V, but they used a gen, and not an alt. Hmmmmm, that seems a bit strange unless the conversion was done back in the 60s some time.

I will be moving the FEL to the 860, and leave the 8N for lighter jobs. The brakes are MUCH better.

MarkB_MI · Dec 17, 2019

Sounds like an 860, all right. You'll love the live PTO. Yes, the clutch pedal will be very high when adjusted properly.

The diesel tractors used a 12 volt generator. Assuming yours is gas, someone might have used the generator off a diesel tractor to do the conversion.

Dean · Dec 17, 2019

If you liked your 8N, you will LOVE your 860.

It's nearly twice as much tractor.

800 series tractors with PS are not common. It's either a very late one or someone has retrofitted the PS.

Dean

Lynn Patrick · Dec 17, 2019

I will admit the 5 speed seems weird at first, but give it 15 minutes or so & shifting will become second nature. I find the most used gears are 3rd & reverse & they are always right there! Great dependable tractors!

Dean · Dec 17, 2019

Agreed, Lynn.

Just about perfect for FEL work.

One of the 4th/5th lock-outs from Red Rock is a handy device when mowing in heavy cover. I had one on my, since sold 860 and my since sold 961.

Dean

turbo84gn · Dec 17, 2019

I have two 860's. One my grandfather bought brand new in '55, and one I bought recently. I grew up driving it since I was 12. The clutch rod should have two holes, you can move the lever to the second hole if you are not using the PTO. Makes it easier to shift when using for general work like pulling a trailer or plowing. I move it between the two settings all the time. And yes 3-R is the most used.

docmirror · Dec 17, 2019

I hunted quite a while for an 800 or 900 with PS, so that I could switch over my FEL. There was one up in eastern PA that would work, but was a long way from me. I found one in WI, but it looked too rough for me. This one was on the way from my home to the mtns, so I grabbed it up.

SN is 194333 which puts it in the middle of 1956 I think. Appears to be from factory with PS, as it has the small beauty ring around the steering wheel with "Power steering" embossed. Kinda neat touch there.

The rear tires aren't too good. I have new 11.2x28s on the 8N, so if the hub bolt pattern is the same, I might switch them over, although they are small for the engine. I'm not doing any plowing, and not too much heavy dirt work. We'll see. Maybe get new tires if I can find some not too pricey.

docmirror · Dec 17, 2019

(quoted from post at 20:54:47 12/17/19) I hunted quite a while for an 800 or 900 with PS, so that I could switch over my FEL. There was one up in eastern PA that would work, but was a long way from me. I found one in WI, but it looked too rough for me. This one was on the way from my home to the mtns, so I grabbed it up.

SN is 19433 which puts it in the middle of 1956 I think. Appears to be from factory with PS, as it has the small beauty ring around the steering wheel with "Power steering" embossed. Kinda neat touch there.

The rear tires aren't too good. I have new 11.2x28s on the 8N, so if the hub bolt pattern is the same, I might switch them over, although they are small for the engine. I'm not doing any plowing, and not too much heavy dirt work. We'll see. Maybe get new tires if I can find some not too pricey.

I had to quote to change the SN. Thanks for the info on the clutch travel. That might be to my liking unless I start PTO work a lot. It's a bit of a stretch to get that foot all the way up to the clutch when I'm in a rush.

I want to get the factory style ammeter, but it's a 12V now. I know that a 6V ammeter would work(ammeters don't care about voltage) but it will read wrong. If anyone knows which ammeter would be close to my factory look but works on 12V, that would be nice. The other gauges work fine.

Sean in PA · Dec 17, 2019

Advertised as an 800 due to the badge on the top of the hood.

800 is the series. 860 is the model within the 800 series. The nose badges all said 800 for all of the individual models: 820, 840, 850, 860. The middle number designated which transmission and PTO options it had.

makoman · Dec 18, 2019

Flush the power steering out, they have been known to let water in. When I bought my 4000, power steering fluid looked like poop water.

Let's see some pics!

showcrop · Dec 18, 2019

If you have to lift the shifter to get to 3-R you have a missing or broken spring under the lever.

docmirror · Dec 18, 2019

I'll try to load pics. Only done this one time before. Hoping... Yes, it came with that big long blade.

Dean · Dec 19, 2019

Looks to be a 55.

If so, someone retrofitted the PS.

Mine was a 55 (no PS), and I liked it.

Dean

I think I bought an 860

docmirror

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MarkB_MI

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Dean

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Lynn Patrick

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Dean

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turbo84gn

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docmirror

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docmirror

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Sean in PA

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makoman

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showcrop

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docmirror

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Dean

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