Ford 3910 vs 3600 vs 3000 vs 4000

I am trying to buy a compact utility tractor and first I wonder what the big difference is between the 3000, 3600, and I recently saw a diesel 3910 for sale. The 3910 owner is actually interested in trading for my IH 454 with loader. I know the 3910 is built on the same frame as 3000 etc, and has the sweep back axle, and yes I know the 4000 with straight axle would be better. But why are there so many 3000, 3600 etc out there with loaders on them? I even see alot of 2000 with loaders. I eventually want to to put a loader on what ever I buy.

For the occasional round bales, moving firewood, and helping a 60 yr old guy do life a little easier on the hobby farm and for doing food plots will all of these work? We do live north (WI) but I thought the diesel 3910 would be a nice unit with 2750 hrs and has everything else I need, minus the loader....

Is the 4000 that much better than the 3910 or all the above?

Terry
 
A 3 cylinder 2000, 3000, 2600 and 3600
are all nearly identical tractors. Just
some running improvements as the years
went by.
They are all built on the same chassis.
All have the same dry drum brakes.
A 4000 (3 cyl) is substantially more
tractor. Heavier chassis, more HP and
much better wet disc brakes. They are
taller, longer, heavier.
A 3910 is kind of a cross between the
two. Has the heavier chassis and great
brakes like a 4000 but less hp and still
uses the wishbone style front axle like
the 3000s, etc.
It is the newest model of the bunch and
will have the most refinements.
Likely to have the least hours too.
The wishbone front axle is adequate - but
just adequate - for a loader. A 4000
front axle would be much better suited
for heavier loader work.
Of the bunch I would pick the 3910 hands
down.
Another great option to consider might be
a 4000SU, 4600SU or 4610SU. Those have
the heavier chassis of a 4000 with a 3000
wishbone front end. Low, short, ez to get
on/off but much more grunt than a 3000
and a little more than the 3910 I
believe.
 
First off, those are not Compact Utility Tractors. The category "Compact Utility Tractor" didn't even exist when most of them were made, maybe the 3910 was made during that time, but Ford never called it one. The 3000 and 3600 are basically the same with the main difference being the upgraded hydraulic system in the 3600. The 3910 used the same radius rod front axle asn the earlier 3xxx models, but with the heavier duty double reduction rear axle with the wet inboard brakes from the 4xxx series and an increase in hp from the other earlier 3xxx models, but not quite as high as the 4xxx models.

There were two completely different Ford 4000 tractors. Do the ones you are looking at have 3 cylinder or 4 cylinder engines? The earlier 4 cylinder 4000 had the same basic front and rear axle design as the 3 cylinder 3000 and 3600 series, which was basically the same design going all of the way back to the 8N. The later 3 cylinder 4000 series has heavier duty front and rear axles and more hp than any of the other models that you have mentioned.
 
(quoted from post at 12:25:40 04/15/20) First off, those are not Compact Utility Tractors. The category "Compact Utility Tractor" didn't even exist when most of them were made, maybe the 3910 was made during that time, but Ford never called it one. The 3000 and 3600 are basically the same with the main difference being the upgraded hydraulic system in the 3600. The 3910 used the same radius rod front axle asn the earlier 3xxx models, but with the heavier duty double reduction rear axle with the wet inboard brakes from the 4xxx series and an increase in hp from the other earlier 3xxx models, but not quite as high as the 4xxx models.

There were two completely different Ford 4000 tractors. Do the ones you are looking at have 3 cylinder or 4 cylinder engines? The earlier 4 cylinder 4000 had the same basic front and rear axle design as the 3 cylinder 3000 and 3600 series, which was basically the same design going all of the way back to the 8N. The later 3 cylinder 4000 series has heavier duty front and rear axles and more hp than any of the other models that you have mentioned.

The 4000 I am looking at is a later model. I believe it's a 3 cylinder diesel as well. another option that a guy has here for sale is a Ford 3400 gas engine industrial Tractor with a loader already on it. What is everyone's thoughts on that?
 
The 3400 would be better for loader work than any of the other 3xxx models that you have mentioned so far, mainly due to its heavier duty non-adjustable front axle, and the possibility of either the manual reversing transmission or even the power reverser.

How big are the round bales you need to move? The large ones can be 1200 lbs. or maybe more. You'll need a lot of counter weight to move them and still keep the tractor balanced.
 
(quoted from post at 12:57:35 04/15/20) The 3400 would be better for loader work than any of the other 3xxx models that you have mentioned so far, mainly due to its heavier duty non-adjustable front axle, and the possibility of either the manual reversing transmission or even the power reverser.

How big are the round bales you need to move? The large ones can be 1200 lbs. or maybe more. You'll need a lot of counter weight to move them and still keep the tractor balanced.

The bales are only 900 lbs
 
I would seriously consider keeping the 454 unless something serious is wrong with it.

Dean
 
I currently have 2000 3000 and 3910 having had several 100 series in the past as did I have a 4600. The 3910 was purchased a couple of years ago, 1988 model, series 2 with 900 hrs. I bought it because I wanted more in a tractor with the frame the height of the other Fords. It is way more tractor than either in every respect except height is similar. I didn't like the 4600 as I am on and off a lot when working and the added height was a disadvantage to my body although the height and power-amenities- hard top and all were nice.

On loaders and Fords, I have 2 Bransons with FELs and comparing how FELs are mounted to them vs what Ford has offered as mounting options for their 1000 series tractors,,,,,on the Fords, I'll pass....2 reasons: Added weight on the front axle and blockage to engine access for normal servicing and repairs. On loaders and front ends, I like my 4wd Bransons since the front ends are more robust and come with larger cross sectional area tires for better support in soft soils with a load in the bucket.
 
All my tractors are diesels. Once I had the money to get away from gas or LP, there was no looking back. Any way you want to slice it, way better piece of machinery, fuel system with which to deal. I am not in a Northern climate and am a STO retired so I don't need what gas provides for some folks in the winter season. Even if I were I would go out of my way to avoid a gasser.
 

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