Ford 5610 reputation?

[Vtnewbie]

Greetings all; sorry my first post is begging for info, but I need your help.

I'm looking at a 4WD 5610 diesel with a 777 loader (on a sub-frame), with a bit over 6400 hours on it.

Dealer added new fenders and ROPS. It starts right up and there are no knocks, and the loader goes up and stays up. Sheet metal is rusty, but the iron looks good.

We need 50 horsepower or better, and 4WD, so there aren't many affordable options. Dealer wants $11,000.

Is 6400 hours too many for this tractor? I'm buying a tractor because I need it to run, reliably.

Many thanks in advance for your advice!

[tydp]

That series of Fords are bullet proof, but everything wears out. In my opinion, that's too many hours and too much money. I would keep looking.

[Soundguy]

Good tractor.. but I agree.. too much money.

5xxx plus a loader are for sale both 2wd and 4wd in the 5-7K$ range alot inthe trader magazines.. ad a couple for the loader.. and well.. I think it's too much money. The hours don't bother me as much... if it's been well maintained. ( Might be looking for a clutch if it has not already had one.. but you can look at the adjustment and try to get an idea about that.. if she starts good and don't knock.. and the hyds are strong and she runs out.. offer perhaps a max of 9K.. all they can do is say no.

then again.. you have to look at your regional market.. you may be in an eara that things are high...

investigate similar non loader tractors and the price of loaders and see what you come up with..

what will you be using her for?.. is 4wd an option for you.. or needed. ie.. if moving dirt.. or in hilly terain.. or a muddy feedlot.. then yes.. 4wd is something you want.

if instead you have hardpan land that is decently flat and you are say.. moving hay bales and pulling a mower.. 2wd might get you thru cheaper..

post back.

soundguy

[Vtnewbie]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Yes, we'll be moving some dirt and the mowing is all pretty hilly, so your advice about 4WD is right on.

It fires right off from a cold start -- the compression can't be too bad if it will do that, right?

[Soundguy]

sounds like a decent machine that has been maintained.. but well used.

soundguy

[Opti-Mist]

The design life back then was about 10,000 hours of usage at rated HP. Since virtually no tractor is run that way the useful life ends up being a whole lot more. A well maintained tractor with your hours can be expected to provide at least that much more. Your tractor may only be at half life and could go well beyond that. Look at all the N series that are still running around and doing well. As others have said this model is solid and pretty bulletproof. If I needed that HP I wouldn't hesitate because of the product. Price is a separate issue.

[Nelson Dairy]

One thing you can tell about the motor is if it has been replaced, under the right side of the hood it will have numbers of the engine and transmission and axles. The earlier ones had a smooth block and the later ones had a web block. Also does it have dual power, they will bring more. Is it a series one or a series II. In our part of the country the older fords still bring good money. There are several of them around. We have 3 of the ten sries fords ourself. One of them have over 7100 hrs on it and still goes good.

[art]

I'd wonder about the fender change and what life the tractor lived in the first 6500 hours?

It sounds that without the rollbar and the fenders rotted or bent up it might have been used inside for manure removal.

I don't feel overall that it is overpriced in general.

[D7E]

What age/series is it.....Generally fords suffered from paint quality but given the rust,Replaced fenders and loader it's probably off a stock farm and had a rougher life than off a grain farm but ZF front axles are about the best , They were made for a long time so value could vary a lot , Depending on condition i would regard those hours as average..!

Thinking about it ..New fenders and rops.....Accident damaged and had a cab removed..???