Mr Soundguy, I guess the HP and the live power is why I put the 860/861 on the list. I don't know much about them though really. 860=58-60, 861=61-62...? Around the mid 40-ish HP...? They turned into the early series 4000's...? 172ci gas overhead valve...? What about the diesel models...? Live hydro...? Is there and down pressure on the 3pt arms...? Is there any down pressure on the 3000, 3600 models while that question is up. What about the tranny on the 860/861...? 5 speed...? Is the gearing lower than the 2N...? How is the 5speed compared to a hi/low tranny...? I appreciate the help, the only thing I have to compare to is my 2N and the newer JD 6115, 5303. Thank you.
**0 = 55-57 model years
**1 = 58-62 model years
*000 ( 4 cyl ) = 63-64 model years
an 861 and a 4000 with a 5spd are virtually the same tractor with different paint and different nose tin.
5spd has more gearing choices than the 3spd in a 2N
*6* denotes a 2 stage clutch.. thus 860/861 both are 2 stage clutch. A 4000 4 cyl, with a factory 5spd will be the 2 stage clutch model.
one difference between the **0 and **1 was carb and manifold.. thus the later will be rated ac ouple hp higher.. and drink more fuel. expect an honest 45-48 pto hp or so on a good unit.
All fords (without hyds deleted ) built late 52 and up ( naa+ series ) have live hyds.
Almost NO CUT sized tractors with OE 3pt lift has downpressure. Down pressure would serv e to reduce traction. Some add on and aftermarket / conversion 3pt setups DO have down pressure due to using DA cyls, and I have seen helper external hyds kits that would serve to add down pressure.
A high / low tranny usually gives you a wider variety of ranges. IE.. my 4000 4 cyl with a 4spd and sherman combo gives me 12 forward gears and 3 reverses. some ratio's are close depending upon ranges.. but it gives me choices of groundspeeds and rpm ranges. hi/low tranny setups before 65 meant no live pto as you could only use them on 3/4 speeds. post 65, you can have a high / low on a 3spd ( twin stick 6 spd commonly seen on the economy 2000 3 cyl.. most are non live pto.. but a few are live pto ).. and the most common is the twin stick 8spd..
The diesel 172 may be rated about 1hp less than the gasser.. but expect it to perfrom the same.. perhaps bettr in lugging ability, and it will be more fuel efficient.
parts for the 134/172 gassers are readily available.
parts for the 172 diesel's are readily available.
On the 601-2000 diesels, they used a 144ci engine ( vs the 134gasser ).. and parts for it are $$$harder$$$ to find.
In general.. I prefer 55-64 gassers, and 65+ diesels. Why? the 55-64 gasser 4 cyl.. well.. I'm good at rebuilding MS carbs.. not so good at roosa master pumps.
the red tiger gassers are tough and well built.. the diesel implementation came in 59 and while good engines, I ust prefer the later series diesels due to a few issues.. like return to fuel tank routing thru the head and to a stand pipe inthe tank..e tc... On the 65+ I prefer diesels, as the gassers came with a finicky and very particular-when-rebuilding holley carb. the holley sipped gas.. but if you did not rebuild it correctly.. it made a dog out of your tractor.. not to mention the fuel line / pump routing on a 65+ gasser was a bit inconvienient.
All that said.. I'd have no qualms about getting a good running 59-64 diesel, 144 or 172, or a 65+ gasser.
( you also see LPG models too! ) I have a couple lp converted to gasoline... usually cleaner engines, and a wee bit higher compression ratio.
lastly.. in some industrial application.. you can even find 192ci red tiger engines... All 134/144/172/192 4 cyl red tigers will bolt up to the same bellhousings.. etc. thus you could shoehorn a 192 in place of a 172 or a 172 in place of a 144/134.. etc.. or the other way around.. underpower a 64 4000 with a 53 NAA engine..