Interesting Ford tractor

Donnyj · Jul 9, 2006

I seen this Ford tractor last year at a tractor pull. It was used as a tow tractor. Last year I did not have my camera with me. This year I did. Soundguy filled me in last year about these tractors. I did not ask how much it was selling for. Neat looking tractor I think.

My favorite picture is the 'ole Ford pulling that green one off the track. Green one had a little problem.

Farmwithjunk · Jul 9, 2006

Elanco conversion. Rare doesn't begin to describe it. A gentleman named Tony Jacobs now owns the rights to Elanco. There's a fine example of an 861 Elanco in the May/June edition of Antique Power Magazine. In pic #1, there's a glimpse of another rare bird. A Gold Ford "Demonstrator".

Donnyj · Jul 9, 2006

I have a question about the tractor. Is 4x4 always engaged or is there a lever to engage it in and out? I see the front driveshaft comes out of the side of the trans. Thanks for the info on the tractor.

Soundguy · Jul 10, 2006

Someone needs to email that pic of that deere smoking, and the guy walking back to hook a tow strap on it.. so a FORD can pull it off the track.

Soundguy

Donnyj · Jul 10, 2006

Re: Interesting Ford *******

Here is the way it should be done.

scott_vt · Jul 11, 2006

Mornin Donny,
Wow, thanks for the pic of that Powermaster, that is beautiful !!!

Im almost afraid to ask how much ??? Any idea ? Thanks again!

Donnyj · Jul 11, 2006

Hello Scott,
I have no idea what the value of that tractor would be. I guess it all depends on who wants it and how bad they want it. I'm sure Soundguy or Farmwithjunk would have a idea what it is worth.

Kaliburz · Jul 12, 2006

Farmwithjunk said:
Elanco conversion. Rare doesn't begin to describe it. A gentleman named Tony Jacobs now owns the rights to Elanco. There's a fine example of an 861 Elanco in the May/June edition of Antique Power Magazine. In pic #1, there's a glimpse of another rare bird. A Gold Ford "Demonstrator".

Hey now, lets not bash the green......

How about this little gem? Okay, so it's not blue..... but.....it's 4x4....an "Elwood" front end, so said the ad.
(I found it being sold on Ebay in June, but I saved the pics.....)

Farmwithjunk · Jul 12, 2006

Donnyj said:
Hello Scott,
I have no idea what the value of that tractor would be. I guess it all depends on who wants it and how bad they want it. I'm sure Soundguy or Farmwithjunk would have a idea what it is worth.

Tractors like that are so seldom sold that it's almost impossible to get a good read on their "worth". Generally, models like that sell for whatever the BUYER is willing to part with. I know of one that sold at auction several years back. (an 861 w/ Elanco conversion) It bagged $46,000. Only 2 bidders were even in the fray beyond the $7500 point. That doesn't mean they're worth $46,000, it just means 2 guys with that much cash wanted one.

Farmwithjunk · Jul 12, 2006

Kaliburz said:
Hey now, lets not bash the green......

How about this little gem? Okay, so it's not blue..... but.....it's 4x4....an "Elwood" front end, so said the ad.
(I found it being sold on Ebay in June, but I saved the pics.....)

Deere sold those with a hydraulic driven "front wheel assist" that was the begining of their efforts to add front power to 2WD tractors. They were inefficient to say the least. The hydro front end would help some in mud, but actually provided little pulling power.

Those Elwood conversions were better in a straight line pull, but didn't have proper steering geometry for each tractor model they were installed on. With the release of their XX40 series tractors, they offered an early model of mechanical front wheel drive. It still suffered from cornering troubles. With the introduction of the XX50 series in 1982, they got it right. "Caster Action MFWD" made these tractors more manuverable than the comparable 2WD models. (I owned a 4250 w/ MFWD for one year. It was just too big for my needs. Wish I still had it now. I LOVED that SoundGaurd cab!)

dsb5610 · Jul 12, 2006

Farmwithjunk,

I put many hours on a 4840 with MFWD as well as a 4850 with MFWD. Both were very funtional although I don't think either one would be described as very maneuverable. When doing field work we ran them in 2WD mostly but it was not uncommon to need the MFWD in various spots.

It is amazing the difference between a 4440 2WD and a 4450/4455 with MFWD. Ran all of those in similar conditions and there were times you wondered how you got along with the MFWD.

dsb

Farmwithjunk · Jul 12, 2006

dsb5610 said:
Farmwithjunk,

I put many hours on a 4840 with MFWD as well as a 4850 with MFWD. Both were very funtional although I don't think either one would be described as very maneuverable. When doing field work we ran them in 2WD mostly but it was not uncommon to need the MFWD in various spots.

It is amazing the difference between a 4440 2WD and a 4450/4455 with MFWD. Ran all of those in similar conditions and there were times you wondered how you got along with the MFWD.

dsb

Manuverable, in this case, is a relative term. A tractor that large ISN'T going to be able to turn on a dime under any conditions, but when you're in a 200 acre field, who needs "sports car handling" anyway!

That 4840 was a horse, wasn't it?

dsb5610 · Jul 12, 2006

Both the 4840 and 4850 were workhorses. Durable, comfortable, etc. At the time the 4840 was around the farmer had 7520s, five of them at one time. After spending a long day in one of those the 4840 seemed like a Cadillac.

dsb

Soundguy · Jul 12, 2006

dsb5610 said:
Farmwithjunk,

I put many hours on a 4840 with MFWD as well as a 4850 with MFWD. Both were very funtional although I don't think either one would be described as very maneuverable. When doing field work we ran them in 2WD mostly but it was not uncommon to need the MFWD in various spots.

It is amazing the difference between a 4440 2WD and a 4450/4455 with MFWD. Ran all of those in similar conditions and there were times you wondered how you got along with the MFWD.

dsb

Maneuver? Thats what steering brakes are for!!

Soundguy

dgl24087 · Jul 23, 2006

Check this out: http://cgi.ebay.com/1961-Ford-801-T...8QQihZ019QQcategoryZ53067QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Kaliburz · Jul 25, 2006

dgl24087 said:
Check this out: http://cgi.ebay.com/1961-Ford-801-T...8QQihZ019QQcategoryZ53067QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Saw that....Very interesting.

Soundguy · Jul 25, 2006

Deffinately. I've seen elenco conversions on gear units.. but never on an SOS

Soundguy

EquipmentJunkie · Jul 28, 2006

Somebody has already talked about FWD conversions and Deere 4840s, so here goes my story...

Growing up in the early 80's, my neighbor had a Deere 4840 2wd tractor and a Deere Sidehill 6620 combine. They were the biggest machines around the area. However, my neighbor needed more pulling power on the tractor to pull his disk, a heavier rear axle and bigger rear tires on his combine, and a 90-hp. chore tractor with a cab. So, he plotted a three-way axle swap.

He started by purchasing a Deere 4040 with hydraulic front wheel assist. He took the front axle off of the 4040 and had the local Deere dealer mount it on the 4840. (4840s were not available from Deere with a driven front axle and the 50-series had not been introduced yet.) The heavier front axle of the 4840 was swapped to the combine's rear axle and the combine's former rear axle was moved to the front of the 4040. All three machines looked like they belonged that way when he was done. I thought it was ingenious.