971 Ford Diesel

Anyone on here that is familiar with this particular tractor? I would like to heart your comments, both good and bad. This 971 has a select o speed transmission and I am told that it was originally painted gold which was to commemorate a certain year? Tractor is currently painted red and gray and has been stored inside for many years. It was last run about 10 years ago. It appears to be in well above average condition but that may change once I hear it run and drive it.

Is there a place where I can get a current price range based on condition? Thanks for any advice you are willing to share.

I forgot to mention that it is a high crop with wide front end.

The "Gold Demonstrator" S-O-S tractors were painted gold with the intention that they be used by dealers for demonstration purposes to show off the new S-O-S transmission, and they were supposed toi repaint them red and gray when they eventually sold them. Some dealers eventually sold them without repainting them red and grey as they were supposed to. Some folks later painted some that were not gold demonstrator models gold as well, so there is some confusion out there. A true golden demonstrator should have a fairly low serial number, I believe somewhere around 24000 was the highest, but my memory may be incorrect on that. Most of the '01 series S-O-S tractors had their original Over Running Clutch (ORC) S-O-S transmissions replaced with, or rebuilt as, the Direct Drive Clutch version like the later 4 cylinder thousand series models had, but a few did not.

Some folks hate the S-O-S transmission and some folks love them If the engine starts and runs, and it is working good in all gears and the PTO is also working properly then it should fetch as much as $4000.00 if it is in extremely good condition with good tires all around. Worn tires that need replacing will drop the value at least $1000.00. Any other condition issues will also detract from the price. Geographic location can play a part as well, as prices of used tractors overall vary from region to region, and whether the S-O-S in particular has a good reputation in your area.

I have the 961 (5 speed rather than the SOS) diesel. It's a great tractor with good power and is very thrifty on fuel. We use ours as a loader tractor and for baling hay and general heavy work that our 8N can't accomplish. The diesels show up for sale in $4,000-$5,000 here in West Central MN, depending on condition.

Colin

I have a 971 D. It has been my primary horse since I cut back 5-6 years ago. The gold paint doesn't seem to affect value. All of the 9xxs were row crop it is EXTREMELY unlikely that it is a high crop. If it is a true high crop with 38 inch rear rubber and 14 inch high front legs snap it up today! If it starts and runs out OK and tires are in average to good and not cracked really bad you could go $4,500. The injection pump is a big question. It is $750 for a real rebuild. If it is an actual high crop add 2K.

It's not a high crop but rather a row crop.