You got power steering, live hydraulics, and a strong front end, all of which would make it a ton better than an 8n on a front loader. I would be thankfull to have found one that never had a front loader on it, because those that do, tend to have the crap pounded out of them.Funny you should ask. According to the numbers it started life as a diesel but someone swapped in a gas. I never knew just by looking at it that it wasn't original. I believe it was restored years ago and maybe got a repaint at that time. It runs so nice. Haven't got a chance to work it yet. Waiting on some implements. It would be nice to have a loader if it was easy to take take off. I've got many questions about ford loaders and my machine. Mind if I pm you?
And yes the 580C backhoe is a a beast!
I was helping a friend clear a building lot one time, and the track came off his Cat D3 dozer. He had to get the job done on time, so he finished it with his 340B 2wd Ford loader tractor. Watching him hit that solid packed, dry topsoil at high speed and using the tractor's momentum to chip away the dirt was painful to watch. I feel sorry to whoever ended with that tractor.
With your Case 580C, you got plenty of rear ballast for the front loader. I would never recommend a front loader for a light 2wd tractor, due to the traction issue. You would be much better served with a rear loader on that 3500, made from a TSC boom pole and pond scoop, and a couple 6 ft lengths of 4 " angle iron. That would be relatively inexpensive, less that $ 1000 total all in.
Besides the huge traction advantage the rear loader has on a 2wd tractor, getting it on and off is as fast as any 3 point implement. Any front loader you find will take hours to do that, cost you several thousand dollars, and hobble the tractor for most other jobs.
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