What category does an 861 fit in?

I have an 861 built in 1961. When I look for parts; i.e radiator, electronic ignition,I often don't see "861" more often than not i see "Model 800". Are they the same thing?.

The 861 is the "improved" version of the
800, they are very similar but the engine
in the 861 makes a little bit more power.
The 6 means that your tractor has a 2
stage clutch, halfway in doesn't kill the
pto but allows you to shift and all the
way in it kills the pto as well. Both have
the 172 Ford engine, I believe the 801
series has a different carb and bigger
pistons. I could be wrong about that
though. I think the radiator and
distributor is the same in the 800 and 801
series.

Thank you for the FAST response ! Vey helpful!

800 is a series of tractors with the middle digit differentiating what transmission and PTO options it has.

820 - 4 speed trans with no PTO and no 3 point hydraulics
840 - 4 speed trans with 3 point and 540 rpm trans driven (non-live) PTO
850 - 5 speed trans with 3 point and 540 rpm trans driven (non-live) PTO
860 - 5 speed trans with 3 point and 540 rpm live PTO

801 is the replacement series for th e800 series, with similarly numbered models within the series plus some extras due to the Select-O-Speed transmission that wa intrioduced during the '01 series production run:

821 - 4 speed trans with no PTO and no 3 point hydraulics
841 - 4 speed trans with 3 point and 540 rpm trans driven (non-live) PTO
851 - 5 speed trans with 3 point and 540 rpm trans driven (non-live) PTO
861 - 5 speed trans with 3 point and 540 rpm live PTO
871 - S-O-S trans with independent 540 rpm PTO
881 - S-O-S trans with independent deluxe dual speed 540/1000 rpm PTO plus groubd speed PTO

So your tractor is a model 861 which is part of the 801 series of tractors made from 1957-1962. Many parts are the same between the 800 series and 801 series, but some things changed over the years, even within the production run of a single series.

Awesome detailed information. Thank you!

Krebs, until three years ago I owned both a 960 and 961 for nearly twenty years. They are basically the same tractors as 860 and 861. As others have said they are very similar but there are many differences. I wouldn't recommend buying 860 parts for an 861 without checking the parts pages at Messick's to verify tht the part numbers are indeed the same.

Having 2 861D and an 841D with a sherman..

They all fit in the 801 series

its a category 1 hitch.

And I'd say they fit In the DANG HANDY category