Upgrade from 2000 gas burner

eagle24

New User
I'm looking to upgrade from my 63 Ford 2000 gas tractor. It's a good tractor, but I don't run it often and I'm tired of having deal with carburetor issues every time I use it. I'm looking for a Ford diesel tractor 35-50 hp under $6k. 2000, 3000, 2600, 3600, etc might consider a 4000 or 4600 if it's a good deal. I really don't know the positives and negatives of these models. Main use will be pulling a 6' box blade and maybe occasional bushhog. Any help or input appreciated.
 
I have a 2600 and a 3600. Both really good tractors, the 3600 we got brand new and used it as a loader tractor every day for 30+ years when we had cows it has around 30,000 hours now, still runs great on its second motor. They are very reliable, If you want 35-50 hp get a 3600 or a 4600 although a 2600 will definitely do what you want just fine.
 
Dont overlook the 4000/4600SU. 50 h.p. in a package more the size you're used to.
Adding your location would make it easier to find someone with what you're looking for that's for sale.
 
(quoted from post at 08:03:49 05/06/20) I'm looking to upgrade from my 63 Ford 2000 gas tractor. It's a good tractor, but I don't run it often and I'm tired of having deal with carburetor issues every time I use it. I'm looking for a Ford diesel tractor 35-50 hp under $6k. 2000, 3000, 2600, 3600, etc might consider a 4000 or 4600 if it's a good deal. I really don't know the positives and negatives of these models. Main use will be pulling a 6' box blade and maybe occasional bushhog. Any help or input appreciated.
I've got a 2600 3 cyl diesel and it's a great workhorse. Plenty big for all I need to do. Mine has low hours and starts and runs great. Only down side is you better plug it in if it's cold out. That and it takes that monster of a battery, can be converted.
 

I have a 4000SU and would pick it any day over a 2-3000 just for the superior wet disc brakes they have, if I ever replace it it'll be with a 4600SU just to get away from the oil bath air cleaner, it's elevated parking brake handle is also a nice little feature.
 
Every new series Ford built was an upgrade from the one prior to it. The 3 cylinder tractors were a huge leap forward from the older 4 cyl models.
Not for what they can do (hp vs hp) but in terms of longevity and reliability they are. I happen to think they are easier to work on too though that may partly be because I'm more familiar with them. A 3 cyl model will still be very familiar to someone who's owned a 4 cylinder model.
I also ran gassers for a long time before I got my first diesel. I, like you, got tired of dinking around with points, spark, carbs and bad gas. I have a couple of diesels now and they always start and run. You can let one sit for a couple of years, go put a battery in it and it will start right up and go to work.
The worst drawbacks to a 3 cyl diesel is they stink - the fuel stinks and the exhaust especially stinks - and they are much more noisy compared to a gas engine.
A gasser is a lot more pleasant to be around.
If you can live with those two things they are the way to go.
The models you list are all good machines.
You'll more likely find one equipped with the best options the newer they are - PS, 8 speed, live PTO, differential lock, etc.
Don't buy one with the plain Jane 4 speed. 4 speed is okay but the 6 or 8 speeds are So much better
Remember this about the 3 cylinder Fords:
The 1965-75 Thousand Series had notoriously Bad tachs and hour meters. They quit early and often.
So NEVER trust the hours on one.
The later 26/36/4600 tractors, though they are nearly identical to the Thousands had better tachs and those tachs can usually be trusted.
When you go to look at a diesel, insist that it be stone cold when you get there. You don't want one that needs ether to get rolling in the morning and the seller has it "warmed up and ready for you" when you get there. Feel the temperature of the block when you get there to verify. A diesel will smoke a bit till it gets heated up but you don't want a cloud of blue smoke coming from one. Deisels do smoke more than a gasser will but run one for 10 minutes or more when you test drive it. The smoke should all-mosst clear up.
I live in cold country but never need to start mine spur of the moment. In December or January if we get a big snowfall so I need to clear the driveway I just plug the block heater in for an hour or so and it starts like it's July.
If you go look at one take a bunch of photos of it and post them here. We'll pick it apart and look it over for you. If you don't know how to post photos you can email them to me and I'll post them for you.
Here's a photo of my little brother on my 3000 diesel discing a newly turned deer plot last Saturday.
I wouldn't part with this tractor for anything.

cvphoto3919.jpg
 
I have a 1980 3600 with fel.
Has 8300 hrs on it, original tach.
Engine rebuild at 6800 hrs.
Starts easy even in the cold.
Works around the homestead everyday.I like moving implements (ie 3pth disc) out of the way, during grass cutting, by lifting with my bucket under the 3pth and using a short chain for the top link.Super quick but a heck of a strain on the front axle.
Downside, i wish Ford would have got away from the 9n/2n/9n front axle on the 3600.
4000/4600 style front axle would have been ideal.
My 2 cents worth.
 
I have a 63 2000D 4 cyl, like in the 100 series, a '65 3000D 8 speed with Live PTO (great for putting in fence posts) to which I added power steering, and a 3910D 8 speed with PS, wet brakes and Independent PTO, Cat I-II compatibility. I must like them. Diesels, I love them for all the reasons you hate your gasser! BTDT Overall have had half a dozen more over the years including a 4600D which I should have kept since it was a row crop which gets the 3 pt pivot points higher off the ground and running a drum mower that is an attribute when you choose to transport with the mower in the mow position (out to the side).

I doubt you can beat Ford's fuel economy, reliability, and ease of maintenance...parts availability. I mowed hard 4 ? hours yesterday with my 3000 in a field that hasn't been mowed in 40 years. Didn't quite have a full tank of diesel when started, and on the way home the gauge was sitting at half a tank!
 
Thanks for the good information guys. I think I'm on track towards owning a tractor I will like better than my 2000 gasser. Still trying to learn all the differences between the models.
 
Just like a boat, car, truck, tool, whatever, one can't do all things. Figure out the important tasks and go after support for them. As time passes you will maneuver into a position where you can buy more to do these tasks the first one couldn't. I have 5 and when haying, since I work alone and changing out implements several times a day or so just isn't my cup of tea, I use all of them with different implements suited to the tractor and the task. Gook Luck.
 

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