Buying Advice Ford 3000 Gas w/4 speed

[sc4808]

I have been looking for a 2 row tractor to plant a little corn (<4 Acres), I currently have a Kubota L3200 4x4 that I have been using as a 1 row.

I ran across a Ford 3000 that has the Gas engine and single shifter (assume 4 speed) transmission. No HI/LOW range, just straight 4 speed.

The price is $2200, is this about right?

From what I read, this is the worse possible configuration for these tractors (gas and 4 speed).

My kubota does everything I need except plant 2 rows (track width) so the primary reason for purchasing this tractor would be to plant corn.

My biggest concern is that with the limited forward speeds available, it might not be well suited for planting. (too fast or too slow but not just right)

I am not a commercial farmer, just plant a little corn for the Deer.

 

[Soundguy]

what speed do you need, then we can look at the speed chart.

4spd gas, is, imho, the lest desireable.. though the tractor itself is tough.

2200$ is good price on even a 4spd gas, if it runs out good.

if not needing pto, then you can go with a slower ground speed with using less throttle..e tc.

 

[sc4808]

Thanks for the reply and that is a good question, I plant in 3rd gear low range with my Kubota but cant find a chart on it to see what speed that is.

 

[SDT]

There is nothing wrong with the gasoline engine, though the uninformed often fault the Holley carburetor.

The gearing is very high in the 4 speed transmission and it is not available with live PTO. I've operated one of these machines and found even low gear to be too fast for some mowing jobs.

$2200 is a good price if it has no major issues.

SDT

 

[Soundguy]

by 'uninformed' I assume you refer to most of the owners that have thrown up their hands in disgust trying to dink with the holley, get the exact correct kit for it, hope it wasn't swapped, and STILL hope it works. ...... the holley is a bit of work. good on fuel.. but not as easy for the hobbiest to maintain as the replacement fuel drinking zenith.

 

[sd455dan]

Thanks for the reply and that is a good question, I plant in 3rd gear low range with my Kubota but cant find a chart on it to see what speed that is.

don't have any info on the Kubota -but the 3000 4 speed runs 2.0 mph @ 1000 rpm
4.2 mph @rated speed
this is for 1st gear.

 

[sc4808]

There is nothing wrong with the gasoline engine, though the uninformed often fault the Holley carburetor.

The gearing is very high in the 4 speed transmission and it is not available with live PTO. I've operated one of these machines and found even low gear to be too fast for some mowing jobs.

$2200 is a good price if it has no major issues.

SDT

We went ahead a bought the tractor, it runs very good and everything seems to work fine.....but it is too fast, even in first gear.

Works fine when pulling a disc but it's going to be too fast to plant with.

Can I do a transmission swap? I see 8 speed trannies for around $900, that would still only have me at around $3100 if it's that simple.

 

[Soundguy]

clutch and likely so pto setup differences too.

 

[downslope]

Have you considered trying to widen the Kubota by having some adapters made? My neighbor widened the front end on a FWD L series by making an adapter out of well casing pipe. He uses it in vegetables and it turned out very well. He cut the well pipe to proper length and then welded plates to each end that were drilled to match the bolt pattern on the hubs/wheels. As long as you're not using a loader the wide front end should be OK. If you can get the back wheels out to about 50+ inches you can plant two rows of corn. Corn will grow fine at 25-26 inch rows and if you want you can just leave the wheel rows a little wider and/or use a slightly larger in row spacing.

Are you sure you can't plant with the Ford? I have pulled a 2-row corn planter with a Ford 2000 4-speed in 1st gear and it works OK. It's only a planter so you should be able to run at 800 rpm or maybe even a little less.

 

[sc4808]

Have you considered trying to widen the Kubota by having some adapters made? My neighbor widened the front end on a FWD L series by making an adapter out of well casing pipe. He uses it in vegetables and it turned out very well. He cut the well pipe to proper length and then welded plates to each end that were drilled to match the bolt pattern on the hubs/wheels. As long as you're not using a loader the wide front end should be OK. If you can get the back wheels out to about 50+ inches you can plant two rows of corn. Corn will grow fine at 25-26 inch rows and if you want you can just leave the wheel rows a little wider and/or use a slightly larger in row spacing.

Are you sure you can't plant with the Ford? I have pulled a 2-row corn planter with a Ford 2000 4-speed in 1st gear and it works OK. It's only a planter so you should be able to run at 800 rpm or maybe even a little less.

Thanks for the reply.

Planting time is almost upon us, I am going to go ahead and plant with the orange tractor this year and just plant 1 row at a time since I am already set up for that anyway. The rows will have 48" spacing but I have more land than I want to plant anyway so space is not an issue. As long as I use a 1 row picker it should be OK.

I will work something out for next year for planting 2 rows whether it be with the Ford or the Orange Beast (Kubota).

I was thinking that maybe if I can find them that smaller rear tires would slow the ford down some when planting.

I am going to grab the GPS this weekend and see how slow the Ford can go, maybe it just seems fast.