Opinions PLEASE!

[g42guy]

I have had old Fords in the past and since sold all. I am now trying to get back into a few old tractors. My gut tells me to stick with the Fords (8N, 600s) because I had such good luck with them.

But a few old JDs have caught me eye latley. Mainly 420s and 430s.

I know you can find these with 5 speeds and live PTO which the Fords don't have. BUT other than that, are these good tractors to own, do they hold up as well as the reliable Fords?

I am looking mainly for a toy to use for fun right now. But maybe in the future do a little brush hogging. I COULD always just buy a bush hog for the BX2200 and keep the old tractor as a toy only.

It seems the JDs may cost a little more. What would you do???

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

My brother has had several Johnny Poppers. They are easy to work on and are pretty reliable.

 

[CMunger]

I think you can get 5 speed transmissions and live PTO in the later 601-801 Fords. The 2 cylinder JD is good if you just want to restore something, but if you plan to use it much the Ford, has much more parts availability(sheet metal & fenders too) at reasonable prices, the 2 cyl. stuff is there but it's expensive.
Chuck M.

 

[larso1]

Mr. Munger is right about some of the Fords being available with those options. I believe the 600 series would be 661, and the 800 series would be 861. They were also available with the SOS trans and live PTO with 671 and 871 designation, I think that's close anyway. The narrow front Fords were 700 and 900 series and also were available with those options. (somebody correct me if I'm wrong)

Bill in CO

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with the others... I think an 861 will have a 5spd tranny, live hyds and live pto, and possibly power stering..

Fords from 9n/2n/8n/NAA/6XX/8XX all seem to go between 2000 and 3500 reguardless of model. Also.. you may get lucky and find a 6xx or NAA with a 5spd ( 6xx ..not NAA ), and sherman live pto kit.. Everything from NAA and up already has live hyds.

Also.. the fords have just about the best parts availability of the common antique tractors...

Soundguy

 

[cowboydoc]

The old 420 and 30's are very reliable. It's pretty hard to destroy one. I know guys that have bought them out in fields that hadn't been started in decades. Went home changed the oil dropped some oil to free up the pistons and they fired right off and went to running like they'd never missed a beat.

I know the old Fords have a good parts network but I don't know how you can beat deere parts. Just about anything you want you can have that day or the next morning at 8am. It doesn't get much better than deere parts network.

 

[Soundguy]

The one problem about the deer parts network is.. well.. unsupported parts.

I was going to buy a JD 40 from a guy.. it was in good overall mechanical condition.. but sheet metal and seat, and grill was shot / missing. These parts were NLA from JD. I did a good bit of searching and found that for my firstborn child, and a 2nd mortgage on my house.. I could order the repro materials from a secondary source ( magazine / internet / private dealer / collector ).

Ford on the other hand.. doesn't have as good of parts availability at the dealer as JD does.. though has AAA++ Excelent parts availability thru secondary sources. Even common stores like TSC stoke big items.. like grill, starter, manifold, bumper, carbs, water pumps.. etc. Fairly reasonable prices for ford after market parts too. As with anything there are a few 'hen's teeth' items that you are lucky to find.

Not bashing the JD's... I ended up getting a 'B', and it starts easier than my 8N... both are 6v, and the JD has a magneto.
That jd will idle amazingly low too... you can distinguish between the cylinders fireing...


Soundguy

 

[autotech]

Having only recently become involved with tractors, antique or otherwise, I was faced with the same questions. Like you I wanted my "classic" to be able to earn its keep, so certain modern features were a requirement. My final choice was heavilly influenced by coming in contact with a large and very helpful local John Deere 2 cyl club - in fact the president owns a small farm just down the road from me. In addition there is a John Deere dealer about 2 miles from my house. These factors - convenience, support, and fulfilling my requirements technically, led to the recent purchase of a 1958 720. With power steering, live PTO, auxillary hydro outlets and 3 point hitch she should do everything I need, while the tricycle front (a personal choice) hand clutch, and belt pulley make it "old time" enough to be waaayyyyy cooler than anything the neighbors are riding....!!

I guess the deciding factor for you should be to evaluate the entire support system available for your choice. For me the local club made the Deere more attractive since it provides a ready source of info, access to some of those "hard to find" parts, and pretty darn near 24 hour "technical assistance".

Gregg

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I had a bit of experience using both my father's '49 JD M (earlier version of the 40/420/430) and an old Ford 860. My choice between the two would be simple: the Ford 860..hands down.
The 860 had a 5-speed transmission, three-point hitch, and not to be minimized, the ability to get on and off the tractor with ease!
The M is a nice, nostalgic drive. But, the 860 is so much more of a versatile, chore tractor. Virtually any Cat. I three-point implement goes right on the Ford. Not so with the Deere.
You can see a clear heritage to modern, compact and utility tractors when using 50-year old Fords. I grew up green, but the older I get the more respect I have for the Fords.

 

[RonR]

Greetings!

My first tractor was a 49 JD M purchased about 1975. Being young, it was easy getting on/off. Looking for something bigger/newer, I really tried to find a JD 420/430, but never found one in the condition/price range I wanted. I wanted the 3PH, power steering, and more power.

About 1980, I sorta inherited/purchased a 1961 Ford 861 with a 10 spd automatic. Prior to finishing the deal to buy it, I spoke with a ford shop about how much it would cost to have that transmission repaired if it failed. Answer was "I couldn't stand the answer!"

This was wife's greanddad's tractor that he bought new and ABUSED the heck out of. Checking oil, forget it; Routine maintenance, forget it. He just drove them til they finally quit.

When I did get it (and I had the chance to drive it prior to purchase), the Oil Pressure BARELY would get to 10 PSI at speed. I'm not sure the oil had ever been changed in it. I installed a new oil pump in the motor, but it still had enough blow by, the pressure was never good. I'm sure it needed an engine rebuild.

It had a Dual dual valve loader, which leaked oil EVERYWHERE.

It ran fine for me for several years, til I sold it for more than I paid for it. Just didn't have much need for it. I used a 6' chisel plow on it for ripper, and mostly moved snow with a 7' rear blade. The tires were shot and it had no weigh in them, so driving on snow/ice was scary at time, but it sure was FUN to get on a parking lot full of snow and power shift that thing up to 6th or 7th gear and watch the snow FLY!

I'd also operated an 8__ Ford with 5 SPD manual that had seen much better care and it was a NICE tractor.

I'd sure not be afraid to purchase eiher a Ford 8__ or a newer JD with 3PH. Both are lots of fun and easy to work on.