Picked up a 1986 Ford 4610 today

[Happy Gilmore]

You're correct, Ford got a lot of things right with these models: it's even got an Elmo holder!! Try finding a current model with one of those.

Gramma gave him that, he's been bringing it everywhere, haha, good eyes!

 

[jacain]

Who doesn't love Elmo? Lol! Nice pic!

 

[ovrszd]

Great buy. Those units are hard to find around here in NC. I did score a nice 4610 SU that was a two owner tractor with 2900 hours. Paid a little less and was tickled pink. Ford got a lot right with those models. They are very desirable. Congratulations!!!

I looked hard for a 4610SU. Finally stumbled onto my 3910. I am continually amazed at the small, insignificant features on these tractors that my new Kubota does not have.

For example, a Flow Control valve to slow down the hydraulics including the 3pt. Then individual control valves on each rear remote circuit to slow it down individually. No control at all on the Kubota.

In the case of my FWD, it has a park brake lever that locks both front and rear axles or the traditional pedal lock system to just lock the rear brakes. My Kubota has no brake lock system at all. Depends on a park pin in the transmission.

Lever operated Independent PTO that very smoothly engages the PTO. My Kubota uses a flimsy cable operated lever.

I have $11K in my 1984 Ford 3910FWD. I have $41K in my 2012 Kubota M9540FWD.

I can easily see how someone can find themselves with a Stable of these tractors like Happy has.

 

[jacain]

I looked hard for a 4610SU. Finally stumbled onto my 3910. I am continually amazed at the small, insignificant features on these tractors that my new Kubota does not have.

For example, a Flow Control valve to slow down the hydraulics including the 3pt. Then individual control valves on each rear remote circuit to slow it down individually. No control at all on the Kubota.

In the case of my FWD, it has a park brake lever that locks both front and rear axles or the traditional pedal lock system to just lock the rear brakes. My Kubota has no brake lock system at all. Depends on a park pin in the transmission.

Lever operated Independent PTO that very smoothly engages the PTO. My Kubota uses a flimsy cable operated lever.

I have $11K in my 1984 Ford 3910FWD. I have $41K in my 2012 Kubota M9540FWD.

I can easily see how someone can find themselves with a Stable of these tractors like Happy has.

That's like the difference between the Chinese lathe I operate at work and my old Southbend 9". The Southbend can switch from turning to threading operations easily. The other one requires physically changing gears. The Southbend also has the power crossfeed where the Chinese lathe doesn't. The Grizzly lathe is a very popular lathe at its price point, but the lack of these key features make it more tedious to operate. The older I get, the more appreciative I am of how well built and sometime very well thought out the old iron really is.

 

[jacain]

What brand paint are you guys using on these old Fords?

 

[cat fever]

I have an addition to the fleet, a 1986 Ford 4610. I took a ride to look at it yesterday and decided I had to buy it today. I bought it from the original owner (still had bill of sale from May 1986) and he told me about the day he purchased it, pretty cool. 2400 hours on the clock, rears are new 15.5 X 38s, loaded and the fronts are in good shape, battery is fairly recent, dual rear remotes, all in all it's a pretty straight tractor. Surprisingly the inner and outer air filters were even clean. I've got some minor misc. things to tend to and some cosmetics etc, clean up some paint overspray on the hood decals etc, canopy needs a wire wheel go over and paint. Overall I'm very pleased! View attachment 462397 View attachment 462398 View attachment 462399

The advantage of buying from the original owner is evident here. IMHO that's the way to do it if possible.

 

[fried1765]

I looked hard for a 4610SU. Finally stumbled onto my 3910. I am continually amazed at the small, insignificant features on these tractors that my new Kubota does not have.

For example, a Flow Control valve to slow down the hydraulics including the 3pt. Then individual control valves on each rear remote circuit to slow it down individually. No control at all on the Kubota.


In the case of my FWD, it has a park brake lever that locks both front and rear axles or the traditional pedal lock system to just lock the rear brakes. My Kubota has no brake lock system at all. Depends on a park pin in the transmission.

Lever operated Independent PTO that very smoothly engages the PTO. My Kubota uses a flimsy cable operated lever.

I have $11K in my 1984 Ford 3910FWD. I have $41K in my 2012 Kubota M9540FWD.

I can easily see how someone can find themselves with a Stable of these tractors like Happy has.

I considered buying a new 32 HP tractor last year.
Bought a 4x4 Ford 1920 FEL, with 1056 hours instead.
Now I have repaired, stripped, and repainted (both sides) everything, and the little girl looks like new (while I was away, I did have some work done, so it wasn't as cheap as it might have been).
The 1920 is a simple/straightforward piece of machinery, and I don't care how far away "the dealer" is.
It will likely NEVER meet a dealer!

 

[jacain]

One thing that would be nice on this series of tractors would be a dual speed (540/1000) pto output option. I have a 13 kw pto generator that would be nice to run on a 1000 rpm pto at low engine speed to bring it back down to the required 540 rpm. I noticed my buddies older JD has this capability/option. It almost looks like the xx30 series has the option/capability based on the pics I've seen.

 

[jacain]

I considered buying a new 32 HP tractor last year.
Bought a 4x4 Ford 1920 FEL, with 1056 hours instead.
Now I have repaired, stripped, and repainted (both sides) everything, and the little girl looks like new (while I was away, I did have some work done, so it wasn't as cheap as it might have been).
The 1920 is a simple/straightforward piece of machinery, and I don't care how far away "the dealer" is.
It will likely NEVER meet a dealer!

Forget going to the stealership. I've got enough tools/equipment now that there is no reason to go there as long as I'm not making a living using the equipment.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Forget going to the stealership. I've got enough tools/equipment now that there is no reason to go there as long as I'm not making a living using the equipment.

Agreed, not to mention, my closest NH dealer is over 100 miles away.