1958 Ford 961 w/loader

[koselig]

Hi all! I have been looking for a utilitarian compact tractor for relocating logs and snow, road grading, digging post holes, brush hogging, and general use around our remote forest homestead in NE Minnesota, like hauling kiddos on a hayride around our little orchard. I came across a 1958 Ford 961 (gas) with a loader, back blade, and rear wheel weights. They were asking $4000 and I talked them down to $3700 delivered from their property 2 hours away. It runs very well, does not leak or smoke, and everything looks to be operational and ready to work.

Did I err in this purchase? I know I could always wait around for a better deal but we've got work waiting to get done so I am antsy. What are your thoughts? I will share photos once I've got it.

Cheers all!

 

[koselig]

@Soundguy I have seen from other threads that you are the expert on these!

 

[Jstpssng]

The two foremost questions.
1- Are you able to do simple mechanical work yourself?
2-Will you be able to wait for parts and/or time to do repars, or do you need the tractor when you need it?

I love those old Fords, from 1939 all of the way up to when NH bought them out. The vintage that you bought was designed to be easy to fix, plus was made with virgin steel so that the bolts aren't rusted in place when you want to take them apart. Yet they are old tracotrs, so will always need occasional tinkering to keep them running.

I hope that this is as good of a tractor for you as it was for many farmers before.
I also hope that you post some pictures.

We love pictures. :thumbsup:

Enjoy.

 

[strum456]

I'm guessing the rear wheel weights are the pie shaped ones. If there are the bigger ones, which is what would typically come on and 800 / 900 series, they are around 1100 pounds. A 900 will do a lot of work, especially with that kind of ballast. Being a tricycle type tractor, its weakness will be uneven ground (keep your thumbs out of the steering wheel!) We have a loader for ours, which never gets used anymore. I'd recommend removing the loader, unless you are planning on using it that day.