Tips on operating New Holland

The pto shaft on them likes to grab clothing. For some reason, people like to hang on the end of the phd to add down force.

Don't get anyone in the pto shaft. It's not pretty. They shouldn't need the extra weight, good teeth on the bit should do.

Run engine real slow, as mentioned.

Keep the tractor in neutral - you likely have the 2-stage clutch, and if you dig down, forget you have it in gear & let the clutch out, it will bend the auger.....

However, once you dig down a foot or so, you likely will need to pull ahead a couple inches. The 3pt as it moves down will move the phd back, and create a crooked hole if you don't pull ahead a little bit.

Rocks are heck. No other way to put it.

Wet ground sticks, dry or sand ground powders off.

Not much to it. Unless you find rocks.

--->Paul

As far as your purchase, you did good (861 is live PTO, isn't it?) You've got a good, usable tractor at the same price as a much lesser model, and the potential to make it a nice rig with some ongoing refurbishing.