Ford 641 Reviews
1959 Ford 641
Model Year: 1959
Tractor has plenty of power, 48.2 horse power. Has been very dependable, cranks as soon as you touch starter button. Converted to 12 volt. I have put this tractor through plenty of hard work. Probably more than it should take, but it has done every job very well.
Pros: Dependable, easy to operate, plenty of power for its size.
Cons: Really none if used for what it was intended.
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Model Year: 1959
Tractor has plenty of power, 48.2 horse power. Has been very dependable, cranks as soon as you touch starter button. Converted to 12 volt. I have put this tractor through plenty of hard work. Probably more than it should take, but it has done every job very well.
Pros: Dependable, easy to operate, plenty of power for its size.
Cons: Really none if used for what it was intended.
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A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way
Model Year: 1962
Bought tractor from a young guy who had just traded it for something from a neighbor. The neighbor, a lawyer from city, didn't know much about tractors. He traded it off because had trouble starting it. Tried to make it an ether baby. After trying a lot I thought to check and see if young guy had really changed out fuel filter---nope. Put new filter on and it started right up for 6 or 7 starts. Then right back to hard start. Installed water separater in line and another new filter and all is good, just dump sed. bowl often.
Pros: Dependable for bush-hogging.
Cons: No aux. hydraulic for front bucket, etc.
Model Year: 1962
Bought tractor from a young guy who had just traded it for something from a neighbor. The neighbor, a lawyer from city, didn't know much about tractors. He traded it off because had trouble starting it. Tried to make it an ether baby. After trying a lot I thought to check and see if young guy had really changed out fuel filter---nope. Put new filter on and it started right up for 6 or 7 starts. Then right back to hard start. Installed water separater in line and another new filter and all is good, just dump sed. bowl often.
Pros: Dependable for bush-hogging.
Cons: No aux. hydraulic for front bucket, etc.
Family Ford 641 Workmaster
Model Year: 1958
This may seem more like a history than a review. I hope the info is useful to anyone considering the purchase of this or any series of Ford tractor. My father bought this tractor new in '58 for use in his landscaping business. It is equipped with the 134 ohv engine, 4spd trans with step down aux. trans. live PTO and superior front end loader. The tractor was used for many years for basic landscaping chores, moving fill materiel, topsoil, etc. grading and so on. In 1965 the family moved to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. This gave the 641 a whole new purpose in life. From easy loading and grading to relatively heavy use in light earth-moving, and construction projects. The grader blade and rake gave way to a Sherman backhoe and related work on trenches, septic work and anything else Dad could find to do. During all those years, there were almost no problems with the tractor itself. We replaced the starter twice and did normal tune ups and oil changes. Occasionally a hydraulic hose would blow, or we would have to have a cylinder on the FEL repaired, but everything on the tractor pretty much kept on going without much problem. About 20 years ago, we started having a problem with the primary trans. It will pop out of first gear and lock up, requiring removal of the top cover and pushing the trans fork back in gear. Avoiding use of 1st gear allowed continued use of the tractor. Several years ago Dad started showing signs of dementia, and no longer was able to do the things he used to. As my brother and I lived out of state, the tractor sat unused for long periods of time. When Dad passed away, it sat for several years. Recently I have been visiting the old homestead more frequently and hope to have the tractor running soon so that I can put it on a trailer and bring to my home. I have no doubt that it will be earning it's keep for many years to come. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I will load some pictures when I go home later this year.
Pros: Just keeps on going.
Cons: Cannot think of any.
Model Year: 1958
This may seem more like a history than a review. I hope the info is useful to anyone considering the purchase of this or any series of Ford tractor. My father bought this tractor new in '58 for use in his landscaping business. It is equipped with the 134 ohv engine, 4spd trans with step down aux. trans. live PTO and superior front end loader. The tractor was used for many years for basic landscaping chores, moving fill materiel, topsoil, etc. grading and so on. In 1965 the family moved to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. This gave the 641 a whole new purpose in life. From easy loading and grading to relatively heavy use in light earth-moving, and construction projects. The grader blade and rake gave way to a Sherman backhoe and related work on trenches, septic work and anything else Dad could find to do. During all those years, there were almost no problems with the tractor itself. We replaced the starter twice and did normal tune ups and oil changes. Occasionally a hydraulic hose would blow, or we would have to have a cylinder on the FEL repaired, but everything on the tractor pretty much kept on going without much problem. About 20 years ago, we started having a problem with the primary trans. It will pop out of first gear and lock up, requiring removal of the top cover and pushing the trans fork back in gear. Avoiding use of 1st gear allowed continued use of the tractor. Several years ago Dad started showing signs of dementia, and no longer was able to do the things he used to. As my brother and I lived out of state, the tractor sat unused for long periods of time. When Dad passed away, it sat for several years. Recently I have been visiting the old homestead more frequently and hope to have the tractor running soon so that I can put it on a trailer and bring to my home. I have no doubt that it will be earning it's keep for many years to come. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I will load some pictures when I go home later this year.
Pros: Just keeps on going.
Cons: Cannot think of any.
Mower and Box Blade Work
Model Year: 1958
For an antique tractor it does well. Parts are still relatively easy to find and easy to work on. I'm using it to tame some land, primarily using the mower and box blade to clean up 10 acres. One thing about the 641 though, it's to fast in first gear to use with a rototiller. If you plan to garden, you need the 5 speed or another model.
Pros: Easy to maintain.
Cons: To fast in 1st gear for a roto tiller.
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Model Year: 1958
For an antique tractor it does well. Parts are still relatively easy to find and easy to work on. I'm using it to tame some land, primarily using the mower and box blade to clean up 10 acres. One thing about the 641 though, it's to fast in first gear to use with a rototiller. If you plan to garden, you need the 5 speed or another model.
Pros: Easy to maintain.
Cons: To fast in 1st gear for a roto tiller.
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Old Ford
Model Year: 1957
I have 100 hours on the rebuilt. It has had minor issues mostly associated with age, some things weren't replaced. It is almost the perfect tractor for me. The only thing that would make it better is live PTO (wrong model for that). It is relatively easy to work on and get parts. There is a wealth of information out there about this tractor. If I had to do it over again I would get one of these fords, but next time one with live PTO.
Pros: Easy to operate, durable and reliable, Lots of info and parts avalable.
Cons: Old, even though it is easy to work on, I will work on it.
Model Year: 1957
I have 100 hours on the rebuilt. It has had minor issues mostly associated with age, some things weren't replaced. It is almost the perfect tractor for me. The only thing that would make it better is live PTO (wrong model for that). It is relatively easy to work on and get parts. There is a wealth of information out there about this tractor. If I had to do it over again I would get one of these fords, but next time one with live PTO.
Pros: Easy to operate, durable and reliable, Lots of info and parts avalable.
Cons: Old, even though it is easy to work on, I will work on it.