Choosing a tractor...

3. Ford 801 Powermaster
4. Ford Workmaster

Technically these tracrors have a middle digit in them.....

Like 841, 851, 861, 871......

That middle digit tells us what transmission the Ford has in it.

A 6 is really good - like an 861 model. That's a 5 speed with live pto. More gears means slower and more options for doing work. A live pto is really nice for brush hogging, and almost needed for baling or snow blowing.

A 4 is a lot less nice - a 4 speed regular transmission pto.

A 5 is at least a 5 speed, but not live pto.

A 7 or 8 like a 871 is the automatic transmission Ford had - while a good thing and actually worked pretty good in its day, these have 3 times as many parts inside them and typically only get sold when they are wore out, so most people run away scared from these! We are talking money put if it needs parts!

So I would want to know more about these 2 before valuing them.

Gas is easier for a shade tree mechanic to fix. But frankly you will need to be working on he points and plugs and fuel system every year.... A diesel can run a long time with no work, but when it does need work it is more expensive. So, it kinda comes down t your choose, no clear winner on a smaller tractor. If you are getting sometching 60 hp or more, the fuel savings are noticeable with a diesel....

In good shape a 6v works just as good as a 12v. You just need to keep things clean and connected and all with 6v. Either work fine.

Hp - well, under 30 can work but you are limited. Over 50 and you probably have a little bigger tractor than you were expecting. I'd say 35-45 is a real nice average size for you.

As others say, your budget is a little bit too low, you are aiming for a bit of trouble.

What you want is a good 40 hp tractor with power steering, loader, 3pt hitch, live or independent pto.

You are in the $4-5,000 range there.

For $2500, you are either getting too small and too limited (Ford N, Farmall H, etc) or something that is all beat to heck and will need $2000 worth of repairs.

On the other hand, it will be hard fr you to really make a mistake. Any of these old tractors have a set price, and whatever you pay for a beater, you will be able to resell it again for about the same money. So of you start with that Ford N and use it 2 years and realize what features you want/ need, you will be able to sell off the N for what you have in it and not lose anything.

In other words, when looking at 40-60 year old tractors, you,don't have to worry about them depreciating. they have already done so. Go ahead and get your feet wet, go get one.

Paul

The only tractor I own at the moment is D15 Allis, 1962. I use gas tractors due to diesel allergies believe it or not.
My brother still owns Dads' 801 Ford powermaster, and an M JD.

I've owned a:

801 Ford powermaster...good tractor...drinks gas..parts not to bad to buy

420 JD 1958 model........for its hp it's a powerhouse....but parts are dear from JD

574,674,485 IH all good tractors

D15 Allis Chalmers....it'll lose 3rd gear...common problem but I only use 3rd for pulling a section harrow....easy to work on, part are cheap,...small stuff at Napa, some at TSC, its the only tractor I've ever plowed with that doesn't need weights on the front.
It'll out pull the 801 Ford, turn shorter, and has good clearance......If gas would fall back to a dollar........I'd buy a D17, and D21or a 190 with a cab.......I'm thinkabout a WD 45........they can be bought for around 1200 in my neck of the woods

We had a 460 Long at home,brother sold it, and has cried ever since....2 neighbors have Farmtracs.....they are nice tractors...based on the old Ford 3000-5000 series

Yeah but 20 Mexicans are cheaper than operating the tractor.

Lots of great advice here. Need to swim through it. Thanks everyone. When the tax check arrives next week I should have a better idea of what to buy. I'll post an update when I make the purchase.

We bought a Ford Workmaster 661 - 1960 model. DH completely rebuilt it. It does everything we need it to do. There is something wrong with the starter (it's new so I think it's a part problem) even after it's running, the starter keeps running- thus runs the battery down. I wish it had 4wheel drive. I remember my dad had a International tractor with a pedal that he stepped on to make a kind of 4-wheel drive. Even that would be nice. Sometimes, while trying to move a pile of manure, we can't get any traction.

We bought ours for $3400 with the front loader bucket from a guy up the road. We have 2 tractor repair shops within 10 miles but have only visited one of them.

I've been considering some of the advice to buy bigger, more power tractors and I have some concerns about that. My homestead is not all that large. About 20 acres in total. I have 1 10 acre field, a 4 acre home site and about 6 acres of wood.

My concern is that a larger tractor would be more of a pain and less versatile than a smaller tractor. To be able to fully utilize my woods area, I need a tractor that can maneuver in small spaces, under low limbs, etc. I also want to be able to use it on the 4 acre home site without tearing up the property, etc.

I decided to look a little higher at the $4000 range and found the largest tractor available to be an 1963 Oliver 1800 with a front end loader for $3900. It's a 68 hp, 6 cyl, with PS. Tires aren't that good though. It's about 2 hours away. Having not seen this tractor in person, though, it's hard to get an idea of how large it is.

Callieslamb the bendix is sticking on your starter. Had same problem with a tractor that I had at one time. It's a simple fix.

I have seen a little grease on the gear and a little oil on the shaft solve the problem.Which a new bendix is not all that expensive.

I agree with Frody He is giving you good advise I have refrained from suggesting because I believe you are buying trouble if you get anything less than 60 HP and a loader is a must. But there are those that swear that the smaller machines will get the work done. but I see a lot of my neighbors struggling to get things done the small machines, they have to work so hard to do anything. but there are those who swear by them haying takes HP. if you plan to do any sizeable operation then you need hp and a loader.

I had a Ford 8N and loved it for what it was. I had a bushog, rear blade and a plow and had less than $2000 in all of it. The old Fords are not really suited for a loader because of the lack of sturdy mounting points and lack of power steering. You can get parts for them easy and usually cheap anywhere. They are not very powerful and the gearing is too high in 1st and reverse. The PTO is not "live", but all these faults are tolerable at the price.

If you're older (and richer) a front end loader is a back saver. If you must have a front loader, get something with at least 30 HP and power steering. Look at US made tractors from the sixties and seventies.

If you have steep terrain, 4x4 is useful not only for pulling but for braking. They're much safer. Unfortunately this puts you in Asian made tractors and the front axles are usually kinda flimsy. I had a Kubota L245DT once and I hated it.

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Hay solar is that a dog or a cow LOL

Oliver 1800 is a large heavy tractor, weight 1810 pounds, loader will add a lot of weight to it. Rear tires are 18.4 x 34 and will be very expensive new. It will cost to have it hauled home.

COWS

my 5075 E weighs 5000 pounds and I think it is light. if you put a loader on it I suggest you load the rear tires with windshield washer antifreeze

My 5075 E cost bran new in the box $22,000.00 with a loader. with all the attachments I bought with it cost 37,000 my pickup truck cost more than that. and the tractor picks up more chicks LOL

Apologies for not proofreading my post, weight of oliver 1800 is 8410 pounds.

COWS

I had the same issue. Although the acreage is larger, it's all broken up with maybe 15 acres being the largest. The wooded areas and slopes were also a problem. I ended up with a 30 hp pto 4x4 tractor which has worked well after trying a 60 hp first. The 30 hp does well on the slopes, in tight areas especially in and out of the ravines and the fields that are less than a quarter acre.

Well I bought a 1959 Ford 881 today with a grader blade for $3450 delivered today. Feel like I got a good price. 62hp, power steering, live pto, new rear tires. Will post pics later tonight.

More specs.
Gas tractor.
3 point hitch is in good shape.
10 fwd, 2 rev. Select-o-speed transmission.
6V electric.
4 cyl, 62 hp
No leaks.
Dual Live PTO
Hydraulics, Clutch, Brakes in good shape.
Rear tires are new.
Front tires are fair.
New Battery.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-trac...-ford-881.html

Here's some pics that were in the ad. The tractor is being delivered mid-week. I will post more pictures once I receive it.

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I hope the Select O speed is good....James

I drove it around a bit and watched the guy grade his driveway. Went thru all the gears and they all worked. Seems like a stout little tractor.

congrats i hope it does good by you.

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