Front-End Loader Loader for Ford 2000

   / Loader for Ford 2000 #1  

Alexsky

New member
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Amenia, NY
Tractor
Ford 2000
I recently acquired a 1972 ford 2000, gas version. I am looking to equip with a front loader and would prefer loaders originally built for this or similar models. I have about 50 acres to look after, mixed: fields and woods. Soil is not heavy at all. I do not farm the land for crops, but do need to maintain it, weed it, move some rocks, logs, some minor land moving etc. So I am looking for a light to medium duty loader to put on my tractor. I am new to the tractors but OK w mechanics etc. if anyone has good suggestions about suitable loaders and where to find them, I would be grateful. I am near New York/CT/Mass border. Ideally looking for a Ford made, don't mind older versions. Thank you in advance
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #2  
Hang tight. I know of a 730 loader from a 3000 that might be available less than 25 miles from you. But I'll need some time to see if it's available. Tractor might not be repairable.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #3  
Ford 2000 came with the Ford 730 front loader I do believe... 3000's use a 735 heaver duty model.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #4  
Hang tight. I know of a 730 loader from a 3000 that might be available less than 25 miles from you. But I'll need some time to see if it's available. Tractor might not be repairable.

Nevermind.. :)
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thank you both, and RickB, will wait to hear.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #6  
I would look for a Bush hog 2245 or similiar.
Fords of that time were not common with loaders.
the pump speed lifting spped and front end capacity may not satisfy.
I have seen some with add on supports for the front axle.
Additionally weights for the rear axle or 3 pt hitch attachments might be needed.
In summary those are great tractors but not suited for much loader work.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #7  
If you have to go new we found it was just as cheap to get another tractor with a loader.

We found having the second tractor a plus. Actually in our case we went with an old backhoe to get a FEL on the place.

The one arm loader made for these by Ford are neat but I expect most are in the China steel we are buying today. Soundguy has one or more I think.

A 2000 front axle is not designed to carry extra weight and it will take some real weight rear of the tires to get much traction when you have much in the bucket.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Thank you both. I think on balance having two tractors would just be too much for my situation. I do agree going with brand new loader is probably not economical, so I think I will focus on looking for one of the old Ford loaders (you are right there are not many of them around but I will try). Also, thank you for your points re limitations of F2000 w loader. I do have limited ambitions for the amount of work and think I can manage. W respect to counter weights, I have a FMC 5' cutter on the hitch, that should help some, plus I will add weights if needed. Appreciate everyone's advise, already learned some v useful things.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #9  
Mine is a 1968 model that come from a dealer that has a freeman loader.power up ,gravity down on loader arms.Got it from the original owner .when I first bought the tractor the wife said the tractor was here to stay.I didn't relize how handy they are. made a lift to take loader off whe bush hogging or plowing garden.
 
   / Loader for Ford 2000 #10  
Any FEL will quickly be viewed as a must have tool after one learns how handy they are. Back breaking tasks can be as simple as hitting the starter .

Since we wound up with a complete and functional backhoe for the price we were going to have to pay for a new FEL for the FIL old 265 MF it turned out to be a double plus. Now we can take down very large trees by cutting the roots by digging a triangle and pushing them over. Adding a cheap manual thumb really increased the tasks we can now do like cleaning out creeks, loading 400 pound blocks of wood or crushing an old organ so it will fit into a small dumpster.

I have a friend would bought a 245 MF with a nice loader with three remotes. Bucket is double acting and arms are lift only and it is nice to have around the place. Seems like a nice loader does not add much to the price of an older used tractor because when pulled off a used loader will have little more than scrap value.

If the tractors are not the same and you are there when the used loader is pulled from the other tractor parts get lost. If you need different mounting brackets and hardware if they can be bought they may cost much more than the old FEL attachment we found. Of course if one has a naked tractor then one needs a FEL attachment only. I was just taken back how hard it is to find a used FEL worth mounting but they are out three in barns and under trees I am sure. In my case I can not physically mount and dismount a FEL by myself in a safe manner and I would have a hard time bush hogging with one mounted so that was why the JD backhoe for the same price for a new FEL attachment worked out best over the last four years in our case. Two 60 HP tractors on 15 acres might seem like an over kill to some but it is a good fit for us. We can get back the total $15K we have in the pair if we wished.

I did learn most unmounted used FEL's are not on the market but just pulled off and parked with the intent of using it again someday but for some reason it never happened. The scrappers get them often so you might just start asking everyone you see if they know of an old FEL attachment for sale.

The dream deal would be to find one mounted and working that they would sell and let you bring your tractor and do the swap so you can see where everything goes, you have all the bolts and hoses and since most old tractors have to have control valves added they might let you take your OEM plates and things to put their tractor back to OEM condition before the FEL was mounted years before.
 
 
 
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