Ford 6000 commanders

boberjagel · Jan 19, 2022

My dad had his heart set on buying a 6000 commander sometime in the 1960's but was convinced by a neighbor who had purchased one a year earlier not to due to many problems particularly the PTO, transmission and brakes. I personally was devastated because I wanted an upgrade in the worst way for our operation. So I put on a campaign to get a Farmall 806. We were all red at the time. Well in the end we got an 1850 Oliver which by the way was an extremely good tractor. Loved it. So I have a question, did all the 6000 commanders get the bugs worked out? I would like to own one now just because of this past history so I could live it.

Wheat47 · Jan 19, 2022

Yes, there was a campaign to repair them. I personally never worked on them, but a fellow I
worked with did. He was quite good. Personally, I didn't care for the SOS to work on,
but they were great to mow hay with. Neighbor ran a grain auger with one during harvest.
It was nice to be able to stand beside the tractor (It was a 600 series) to engage the PTO.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 20, 2022

My dad bought one of the first ford 6000 in the early 60's. It was red and it spent more time in the shop than in the field.
Ford recalled it and gave him a blue 6000.
Would I buy a 6000? NO WAY even if they got the bugs worked out, who can fix a 60 year old SOS? And how much will it cost you??

SOS = SOL, Run Forest Run,.

Dieseltech · Jan 20, 2022

The EARLY Ford 6000 was not a Commander, the very late models were Commanders. The first year red frame models were recalled, reworked and repainted blue. Easy way to tell a Commander is they had a different cast iron grill front than the early models have. Where are you located? I might have one to let go to a new home.

BarnyardEngineering · Jan 20, 2022

Bugs worked out or not, does it really matter? You're not going to be doing field work with these tractors so if you buy a running driving example for your collection, you will be good to go. I know having the option to run it in the field would be nice, but sometimes you just have to make compromises.

Traditional Farmer · Jan 20, 2022

I had a 6000 Commander for a few years,really good baling tractor,didn't give me any problem.

NY 986 · Jan 20, 2022

The late ones were much better but the damage was done in terms of reputation. Even though the 7000 and 8000 were very different tractors from the 6000 Ford's misfire with the 6000 cost them sales with the 7000 and 8000.

Leroy · Jan 20, 2022

Great to mow hay with, NO!!! Years ago looking for a different mower, they had it mounted on I think an 800 series SOS to demestrate it. That tractor caused them to loose a sale on the mower.

Ultradog MN · Jan 20, 2022

You ask if Ford eventually got the bugs worked out of them.
This is just a guess but I would say that maybe? 10% of those tractors are still around and able to do useful work.
Now compare that % to comparable JD, Case, Oliver and Internationals of that era.
That will give you your answer.

showcrop · Jan 20, 2022

The 6000s are becoming a sought after collectible now. The SOS was updated and most were swapped out. They will be no better or worse than most other 60 year old tractors. If you get a chance to buy one snap it up and you will be able to profit on it in a year or two.

BarnyardEngineering · Jan 20, 2022

I think you're way overestimating at 10%.

1206SWMO · Jan 20, 2022

I finally got the bugs out of my 6000 Ford in 2021....(grin) Here it is at Stotts City,MO turning 6200 rpms and running 14 mph....Built 300 Ford 6 running a built 2 speed Ford Cruis-o matic tranny with 5 clutch packs...It was built years ago by Ed Gortner in central Ohio..

In the 1960's thru the 1980's there were several 6000's around me...Some were absolute junk and some got along pretty decent with them....A 6000 was a neighbors big tractor for many years..They are turning in to collector tractors now.

A 82 year old friend has pulled this 6000 Ford for years and has done great with it in the 5000 lb 10 mph class..The SOS tranny has stayed together.

A couple of years ago I saw this 6000 in a yard about 50 miles from me..

Frank(Mi.) · Jan 20, 2022

My late Father-in-law had one. He was a tractor mechanic and could repair the SOS tranny but like the old saying goes the mechanic's car runs the worst and his only had half the gears. He did not care because he mostly used it for stationary power. I did use it a few times for tillage and even with only half the speed selections it was good enough. It started and ran great. My late Mother-in law gave it away after he died....I never knew it happened until after it was gone

BarnyardEngineering · Jan 26, 2022

A blue Ford 6000 was just listed on FB Marketplace yesterday. Hustontown PA. Unfortunately the guy doesn't know that FB obscures phone numbers.

Ford 6000 commanders

boberjagel

Member

Wheat47

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

Dieseltech

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

NY 986

Well-known Member

Leroy

Well-known Member

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

1206SWMO

Well-known Member

Frank(Mi.)

Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Similar threads