Questions about buying a 1963 4000, PTO and throttle

CLUMPO

New User
Brand new to this forum and brand new to tractors so please forgive my obvious lack of general knowledge. I'm looking at a 1962-63? Ford 4000 from craigslist. When I checked out the tractor I noticed a few things that have me wondering if they are important concerns.
1. The PTO seemed to be running the entire time the tractor was in use, I did not get to see it hooked up to anything during my visit so I couldn't tell if it spun slower when the PTO lever was not engaged (idling speed?) From searching this forum I'm gathering that maybe this is connected to the SOS transmission. It all has me wondering if it is a live PTO or not? I believe the current owner has an overrunning slip clutch attached to the PTO shaft on his bush hog. I don't mind the idea of turning off the tractor when switching out attachments (seems a safe idea anyway) just wondering if it's a sign or a larger concern.

2. The throttle seemed a little variable during operation with RPM's fluctuating a bit. I know this could likely be any number of things relating to fuel system, but would I be right in thinking that most issues that connect to this are smaller tuning fixes connected to things like carburetor adj, filters and gas quality?(re Low tank?). The tractor started right up from cold without the choke engaged so was I wondering if maybe the choke itself could be slightly engaged and then causing some stuttering as it warmed up?

Finally I'd welcome any thoughts on the SOS system. The inching pedal seemed to work OK but maybe was a bit odd to get used to, owner recently did a fluid service and had secured the previously hard to find filter parts and even got some extras in case scarcity became a problem again. Given my wondering about the PTO just thought I'd ask if this transmission has a history of being problematic or hard to service. It did seem to shift ok but I don't think I would be a good judge of what a good standard would be.

Thanks in advance for any patience you're able to muster in response to my novice questions.
 
I would Not recommend a Select O Speed
in your first tractor.
There will be plenty for you to learn
about a tractor in the first place
without also needing to learn the
peculiarities of one of those.
I suggest you buy a gear stick tractor as
your first one.
 
(reply to post at 03:08:53 06/30/20)
Thanks for your reply Ultradog. Do I take your meaning to be that what I have to learn (this is. long list) is primarily learning curve about operation of the tractor rather than service and repair?

Thanks
 
I am trying to tiptoe through a mine
field here. There is a bunch of SOS fans
on this board who I like and respect a
lot.
There will be plenty of things on a
tractor that old that will need your
attention without adding the extra
complexity of that transmission.
They are good transmissions but I suggest
you get one for your second or third
tractor and not your first.
 

The Select-O-Speed, IMHO, is no more complicated for you to learn than a gear drive. The SOS in a 4000 is dang near bullet proof as well.

This tractor has an independent PTO, much better even than a live PTO. Because of the fact that it's engagement system is a wet disc hydraulic clutch and that it has no PTO brake, it does have a tendency to run when it's not loaded. If one loads it down, it will stop.

If the throttle hunts, it's likely a carburetor adjustment. I take it you do not mean that the throttle lever itself is moving???

Welcome to the forum! From one who's been around the SOS since the ripe old age of seven and really believes they can't be beat.
 

I have had a Ford that is nearly identical to the one that you are looking at since 2001. I run it around a 100 hours a year, and it has been pretty much trouble free. HOWEVER, I can take care of the routine PM and most of the common problems myself. What you hear about the SOS being problematic is mostly myth passed on by people that know very little about them, simply because nearly all of the problematic early ones such as in a '63 were changed out under a factory recall. Many of them are still working today and are little more problematic than the other transmissions of the time. Despite all this I agree with UD that you would be better off with a Ford with a conventional transmission for your first tractor.
 
(quoted from post at 06:19:39 06/30/20)
simply because nearly all of the problematic early ones such as in a '63 were changed out under a factory recall.

'63 was OEM blue transmission. It was not a factory recall, but an offered swap for about $600 Grandpa took that offer on his 871 that was problematic.
 
I have a 64, 4 cylinder 4000 with S-O-S, which is nearly identical to your 63.

The most significant concern with S-O-S equipped tractors these days is the availability of parts that are sometimes needed. Of course, such is the case with the gear driven transmissions as well.

Before buying you should operate the tractor long enough to get the transmission oil to operating temperature. Having done so, check operation of all gears and verify that the PTO will pull a load. Also check
that the power steering (if equipped) operates as it should with the tractor stationary and nothing on the lift.

I would also ask what oil the current owner put in the S-O-S when he changed it.

Dean
 
(quoted from post at 04:19:39 06/30/20)
I have had a Ford that is nearly identical to the one that you are looking at since 2001. I run it around a 100 hours a year, and it has been pretty much trouble free. HOWEVER, I can take care of the routine PM and most of the common problems myself. What you hear about the SOS being problematic is mostly myth passed on by people that know very little about them, simply because nearly all of the problematic early ones such as in a '63 were changed out under a factory recall. Many of them are still working today and are little more problematic than the other transmissions of the time. Despite all this I agree with UD that you would be better off with a Ford with a conventional transmission for your first tractor.

Thank you for taking the time to reply showcrop. I had been looking for something a bit more like you describe but the 4000 seems good value as it comes with many accessories so i am weighing the pro's and cons. I appreciate you weighing in....
 
[i:654c4848f0]"What you hear about the SOS being
problematic is mostly myth passed on by
people that know very little about them."
[/i:654c4848f0]

Showcrop,
It is not a myth that only about 10% of
the Model 6000 Fords that were built
(which Only had SOS transmissions) are
still in use. And it is not a myth that
about 50% (if that)of the other models of
Ford tractors with an SOS in them are
still in use while the % of their
crashbox sisters still in use is Much
higher.
Reputations are earned.
Ford built the SOS for 17 or 18 years.
They stopped building them 45 years ago
and to this day their reputation has not
improved.
I am not saying they are not good
transmissions.
However, I will say they are far more
complex then a crash box. They require
more maintenance and surely they require
a lot more learning than a simple
crashbox.
I also say that a fair and honest
appraisal of those transmissions must
include those facts.
 
I had a '63 or 4, 4 cylinder SOS, diesel 4000. Only problem I recall was the PTO. I don't remember the exact problem but I was able to solve it by just
removing the top cover where I had access to the transmission connection point of the cable and was able to get it adjusted to where it worked when
pulling on the engagement shaft and quit when pushing it in.

A point you might check would be the "bands" wear....bands are what makes the transmission connect to the rear axle and require adjustment over time to
compensate for the wear of the brake pads part of the bands. There are 3 adjusters for the 3 bands and they are rather large bolts with locking nuts on the
side of the transmission housing. One on the left side and 2 on the right as I recall right about where you put your foot. The more thread you see exposed
the more life you have in the band pad. If your transmission slips and doesn't hold under load, they need to be tightened.

I forget the I and T manual number for this tractor but dealers used to carry them or ebay carries them from time to time. Other wise look there or
elsewhere for an OEM manual where the adjustment is described.

The 10 speeds forward are really nice as you can run slow like would be required with a 3 pt. tiller in making your garden, or a good road speed for getting
from place to place.

I did have the PTO turn in the off position on cold days but that could have been thick fluid or my maladjusting of the linkage when I first bought it, made
the adjustment as mentioned above and didn't get it quite right.....very possible. The manual lists the fluid to use but I think regular transmission/hydraulic
fluid available today at places like Tractor Supply or a farm store would serve you. Minor inconvenience. Once an implement was attached it stopped.
 
(reply to post at 06:03:46 06/30/20)

Thank you Dean for taking the time to respond, I have made inquiries with current owner based on your reply and I'm awaiting his mechanics reply. I Appreciate your help.
 
(reply to post at 09:20:00 06/30/20)

I seem to have kicked a hornets nest here, I appreciate the "tip toeing". and take your point. Most of all i appreciate having a forum to hear the difference of opinion so i can make an informed decision. Again, thank you for taking the time and weighing in on this.
 
(reply to post at 07:30:16 07/03/20)

This is very interesting, I will inspect when I next look at the tractor. Very much appreciate your contribution to the discussion.
 

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