Ford 3910 Reviews
Amazing machine
Model Year: 1988
I've driving some of the new stuff and I admit some newer features are nice but I hate the new high revving engines with small displacements. This tractor has a huge motor for its size thus has tons of low end torque. Give her 1400-1800 rpms and she is a beast. Really well made piece of equipment for the day and still outperforms many tractors today. Thumbs up!
Pros: Very Heavy Built
Cons: No shuttle and light front end so not recommend for loader work
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Model Year: 1988
I've driving some of the new stuff and I admit some newer features are nice but I hate the new high revving engines with small displacements. This tractor has a huge motor for its size thus has tons of low end torque. Give her 1400-1800 rpms and she is a beast. Really well made piece of equipment for the day and still outperforms many tractors today. Thumbs up!
Pros: Very Heavy Built
Cons: No shuttle and light front end so not recommend for loader work
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Ford 3910 4WD - 1987
Model Year: 1987
This is an update to my original review. I have rebuilt the transmission and replaced the lower synchronizer about $500) and the loose ball bearing rattle is much better. This is a terrific tractor but I do wear ear protection because it is so loud.
Pros: Very strong and well built
Cons: Noisy engine, need ear protection
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Model Year: 1987
This is an update to my original review. I have rebuilt the transmission and replaced the lower synchronizer about $500) and the loose ball bearing rattle is much better. This is a terrific tractor but I do wear ear protection because it is so loud.
Pros: Very strong and well built
Cons: Noisy engine, need ear protection
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Ford 3910 MFWD 50 HP Diesel
Model Year: 1987
This tractor is very durable, powerful and LOUD to operate. It looked rough when I bought it but it had only been used for brush hogging to keep Sunoco Oil pipeline right of ways clean. It had low hours, but looked bad from sitting outside. I have cleaned it up and it is a great tractor. The 3 cylinder diesel is noisy and the transmission sounds like it has ball bearings bouncing around at idle.
Pros: Strong and sturdy.
Cons: LOUD to operate, transmission noise is concerning.
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Model Year: 1987
This tractor is very durable, powerful and LOUD to operate. It looked rough when I bought it but it had only been used for brush hogging to keep Sunoco Oil pipeline right of ways clean. It had low hours, but looked bad from sitting outside. I have cleaned it up and it is a great tractor. The 3 cylinder diesel is noisy and the transmission sounds like it has ball bearings bouncing around at idle.
Pros: Strong and sturdy.
Cons: LOUD to operate, transmission noise is concerning.
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First Tractor
Model Year: 1987
This tractor has done everything I wanted it to. I've had some starter issues I finally got corrected and its been running great since. Got what I consider a great deal from a friend at work. Tractor was in great shape with low hours. The tractor from my novel experience seems to be well constructed and relatively easy to service. My online surfing confirms parts are readily available. Motor runs great and the electrical systems to be working fine. Overall very pleased.
Pros: Runs great.
Cons: Wish I had 4wd.
Model Year: 1987
This tractor has done everything I wanted it to. I've had some starter issues I finally got corrected and its been running great since. Got what I consider a great deal from a friend at work. Tractor was in great shape with low hours. The tractor from my novel experience seems to be well constructed and relatively easy to service. My online surfing confirms parts are readily available. Motor runs great and the electrical systems to be working fine. Overall very pleased.
Pros: Runs great.
Cons: Wish I had 4wd.
Price/Value
Model Year: 1987
Bought this tractor used from a friend at work. He gave me a great deal with tons of implements. The tractor has done most everything I bought it for. My only knock is I wish I had 4wd at times. That being said I've adapted and learned the limitations of the tractor. All in all very happy with my purchase.
Pros: Great power.
Cons: No 4wd.
Model Year: 1987
Bought this tractor used from a friend at work. He gave me a great deal with tons of implements. The tractor has done most everything I bought it for. My only knock is I wish I had 4wd at times. That being said I've adapted and learned the limitations of the tractor. All in all very happy with my purchase.
Pros: Great power.
Cons: No 4wd.
Solid Performer
Model Year: 1985
I purchased this tractor used in 1990 with 400 hours. Since I have used it for general farm work and it has always performed. I may now have to trade it for another tractor only because I now need a front end loader and the economics work to trade rather than buy a loader for this tractor. Overall, I have been 100% pleased with this tractor. It is very simple to work on and parts are available. A true work horse and solid mid size tractor.
Pros: Well built and tough machine. Easy to work on. Parts available.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 1985
I purchased this tractor used in 1990 with 400 hours. Since I have used it for general farm work and it has always performed. I may now have to trade it for another tractor only because I now need a front end loader and the economics work to trade rather than buy a loader for this tractor. Overall, I have been 100% pleased with this tractor. It is very simple to work on and parts are available. A true work horse and solid mid size tractor.
Pros: Well built and tough machine. Easy to work on. Parts available.
Cons: None.
Ford 3910H for equestrian use
Model Year: 1984
I'll preface this review by saying I am not a tractor expert. This is the only one I have ever owned... I am based in the UK and bought the 3910 to help manage a few acres of paddocks; mostly grass mowing. It had been sat abandoned for some time by a commercial landscaper who retired. There were holes in the roof of the cab and a window had been broken so the cab was in a very tatty state with birds nesting in it! I spent a while fixing it up but wasn't impressed by the cab construction. The main cage is suitably substantial but the sheet metal work is thin and rusts quickly. The bottom of the doors are particularly bad and completely crumbled away. The engine and transmission are good after 4500hours. The engine smokes a bit at idle but I gather they all do that. I have had a few bits apart and there is no noticeable wear. Good for another 4000hours I reckon. It always starts first time with a healthy battery even after a winter lay up. Most of the hydraulics are still working fine; only exception is the power steering. The rods have rusted and the so the seals have been damaged and leak. Why don't they cover them in gaiters to keep them clean? The steering bushes in the front uprights are fairly heavily worn and would need replacement for use on the road but I can live with a bit of wobble in the fields. This is a "Highway" version of the 3910 which has column operated gear sticks. High-Low-Reverse and 1-4. In theory this gives 8 forward ratios but of course there is some overlap in the middle. I know some people don't like the column sticks but having used nothing else they seem fine to me. They have the benefit of leaving a fairly unobstructed floor in the cab. Gears 1-4 have synchromesh so, with the foot operated throttle (sprung return) and brake pedals locked together, you can drive it pretty much like a car if you wish. The PTO is fully independent. The clutch is operated via an hydraulic valve which is actuated from a lever in the cab. This took some getting used to. Because there is no direct mechanical connection to the clutch (ie being operated by the hydraulics) it is only really ON or OFF. You can't slip it. The best you can do is open the valve slowly to get a soft engagement. It takes practice to master. The hydraulics also lock the shaft if the engine is running but the PTO is not engaged. So it doesn't "freewheel" unless the engine is off. I have seen various power ratings for this tractor and I am not sure I believe some of them. I use it mostly for mowing pasture with a 6ft topper. It's OK if the grass is thin and not actively growing. When it is lush in early summer it really can't cope. I can only use about half the width of the topper and even then it struggles if there is a slight incline. Work rate is about the same as my neighbor who has an MF135 with a better quality topper. It cuts almost exactly 1acre/hour. Almost all parts are still available (many are shared with other models) but factory parts are very expensive. Consumables (filters etc) where you can get unbranded copies are OK. Unfortunately there isn't much available on the used market. If you need a compact tractor which is a bit more than a 'baby' one it is a good choice. Just make sure it is powerful enough for your needs. A 4610 would have been more suitable for what I use it for but I can't fit one in my barn.
Pros: Reliable workhorse.
Cons: Factory parts expensive.
Model Year: 1984
I'll preface this review by saying I am not a tractor expert. This is the only one I have ever owned... I am based in the UK and bought the 3910 to help manage a few acres of paddocks; mostly grass mowing. It had been sat abandoned for some time by a commercial landscaper who retired. There were holes in the roof of the cab and a window had been broken so the cab was in a very tatty state with birds nesting in it! I spent a while fixing it up but wasn't impressed by the cab construction. The main cage is suitably substantial but the sheet metal work is thin and rusts quickly. The bottom of the doors are particularly bad and completely crumbled away. The engine and transmission are good after 4500hours. The engine smokes a bit at idle but I gather they all do that. I have had a few bits apart and there is no noticeable wear. Good for another 4000hours I reckon. It always starts first time with a healthy battery even after a winter lay up. Most of the hydraulics are still working fine; only exception is the power steering. The rods have rusted and the so the seals have been damaged and leak. Why don't they cover them in gaiters to keep them clean? The steering bushes in the front uprights are fairly heavily worn and would need replacement for use on the road but I can live with a bit of wobble in the fields. This is a "Highway" version of the 3910 which has column operated gear sticks. High-Low-Reverse and 1-4. In theory this gives 8 forward ratios but of course there is some overlap in the middle. I know some people don't like the column sticks but having used nothing else they seem fine to me. They have the benefit of leaving a fairly unobstructed floor in the cab. Gears 1-4 have synchromesh so, with the foot operated throttle (sprung return) and brake pedals locked together, you can drive it pretty much like a car if you wish. The PTO is fully independent. The clutch is operated via an hydraulic valve which is actuated from a lever in the cab. This took some getting used to. Because there is no direct mechanical connection to the clutch (ie being operated by the hydraulics) it is only really ON or OFF. You can't slip it. The best you can do is open the valve slowly to get a soft engagement. It takes practice to master. The hydraulics also lock the shaft if the engine is running but the PTO is not engaged. So it doesn't "freewheel" unless the engine is off. I have seen various power ratings for this tractor and I am not sure I believe some of them. I use it mostly for mowing pasture with a 6ft topper. It's OK if the grass is thin and not actively growing. When it is lush in early summer it really can't cope. I can only use about half the width of the topper and even then it struggles if there is a slight incline. Work rate is about the same as my neighbor who has an MF135 with a better quality topper. It cuts almost exactly 1acre/hour. Almost all parts are still available (many are shared with other models) but factory parts are very expensive. Consumables (filters etc) where you can get unbranded copies are OK. Unfortunately there isn't much available on the used market. If you need a compact tractor which is a bit more than a 'baby' one it is a good choice. Just make sure it is powerful enough for your needs. A 4610 would have been more suitable for what I use it for but I can't fit one in my barn.
Pros: Reliable workhorse.
Cons: Factory parts expensive.