Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor

[SCDolphin]

What would be an older tractor in the 40 hp range that would have a 3 point hitch that I could pull disc, bush hog, etc. I started looking at 8n but told to stay away go to later model like jubilee. I know this is a wide open question but need a start point.

Thanks

 

[Farmwithjunk]

For roughly the same amount, you can buy a much better, more modern tractor than the 8N. They were all that back in the day. Today, they're as much of a collectors item/curiousity item than a working tractor. People still use them, but since you're keeping all options open, here's a few to look for.

Massey Ferguson. TO-35 MF 35 MF 135 F-40 MF50 MF150. All these can be found in the $3000 to $5500 range IN GREAT SHAPE.

Ford 3000, 3600

Oliver 550

IH 444 454

Deere 2020 1530

I prefer the Masseys. Find one with a diesel (Perkins 3 cylinder) and you have a tractor for life! Probably the most reliable engine ever in a small tractor. The rest of the tractor is a simple, easy to repair, parts abundant, basic machine. The 3 cylinder Ford 3000 is a good one also.

(Top picks 135/150 Massey, 3000 Ford)

Kinda partial... I have a 150 and a 3000!

 

[Soundguy]

Ford 660 / 661 ( about 33pto hp ) Very similar to 2000 4 cyl models.

ford 860 / 861 ( depending on engine.. either 172ci gas.. or could be a diesel model. Hp ranges from 45+ Very similar to 4000 4 cyl models

2000, 3000, 4000 ( 3 cyl ) and 5000 all good tractors.

Watch tranny, pto and power steering options.

Watch out for SOS trannies.

Soundguy

 

[flusher]

Saw a Ford 881 with FEL today at the NH/MF dealer in Chico. Says "Select-o-Speed" on the hood.

Is this the "SOS" you're referring to?

What's the problem with SOS trannies?

Any idea of a good price for this baby?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If Ford still built tractors, and they released something comparable to the selecto-speed today, there'd be marching in the streets of the world in protest.

Well.... Maybe not THAT BAD!

It was a promising idea that never panned out. Reliability issues from the start, and parts (cost) that makes them almost impossible to repair did 'em in. With GENTLE use, they're OK to operate. Ford stuck with the Selecto-Speed far into the 70's with mixed results.

I drove a 4000 SU Selecto-Speed one time that ALMOST made me go buy one.

They're not for the everyday user. They're not for the mechanically challenged. They're not for a beginer.

In time, tractors with WORKING Selecto-Speed trannies will be worth bank as a collectors item. Some already are.

 

[SCDolphin]

What is the differnce between the mf 135, 35 and TO 35?

 

[Birdhunter1]

The 135 is wat replaced the 35, the 35 is what replaced the TO 35. There isn't a ton of difference to them but they are each a different tractor. The 135 is the most up to date technologically speaking but the 35 is a good machine too.
If I was to rate each of them I would say the TO 35 is good, the 35 is better with the 135 as best.
The 135 has a two stage clutch, live PTO, some with power steering, some are gas some are deisel, some have ROPS systems in place some don't. The 135 is still easy to get parts for, all three engines put in the 135 are great engines.

That being said, if you're in the market for a 40 hp range tractor the Allis Chalmers D14 and D15 or the 160 are also good reliable machine, as well as previously mentioned the JD 2020 or 2010, International 606's, Massey Ferguson 135, 150, 231, 235, 245, Ford 3000, 4000, (or 3400 deisel).

Basically any of the more popular models with from the bigger manufacturers (of the time) such as AC, MF, JD, Case, IH, Ford, or Oliver that is out of the late 60's-early 80's will be a good reliable machine.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is this the "SOS" you're referring to?

What's the problem with SOS trannies?

Any idea of a good price for this baby? )</font>

As farmwithjunk said.. the sos came out in the 01 series, and was fords try at an auto trans for a tractor. The initial units had problems. There were recalls, and field fixes, and for the most part, that actually corrected the problems initially, however ford still had a black eye from the encounter. Now.. the trannies essentially have 3 ranges, and multiple gears in each range.. that setup requires periodic maintenance no associated with a ger tranny... Like keeping the bands adjusted.. making sure the hyd pressure is correct.. making sure none of the umpteen dozen seals leak.. etc.... keeping the shifter cable lubed.. etc.. Keeping the filters changed.. ( which required a good bit of disassembly).. and keeping the tranny oil pristine pure and clean... all of which the average farmer just plainly didn't do. If all that was done.. the SOS was actually a decent machine.. however, a few years of neglect of oil and filter and adjustments turn a SOS into a big money pit, one with a deep bottom. There are very few mechanics that will work on SOS trannies, and even fewer places have parts.. that's the crux of the problem. You can drop an arm and a leg into labor and a part or two. I see a few adds in antique tractor mags for places that will buy your non working sos as a core.. etc and also sell parts. Aside from real small fixes that can be cheap. if you know what you are doing... I've seen average SOS repairs get in the 2500$ range.

The answer to the question of what do I do with a tractgor with a bad SOS is, : Find / buy a tractor of similar model with a gear tranny and a blown motor, and swap your motor over. Then sell your diffy section which has a pto setup only for the sos trans as parts, and then sell your sos core to one of the places buying sos parts, and then unload your extra sheet metal for another few dollars. If you are lucky, you might come out close to even.. or just a few bucks down due to labor.. etc.

Price? Around here, an SOS equipped tractor goes for about 50% of value of a non sos similar tractor. Maybee a little more if it has just been re-worked.. or is in otherwise good working order with no existing problems.

An 861 around here goes between 2500 and 4500. The FEl adds another 800-1500 used... I wouldn't pay much more than 3000$ for that unit unless as i said.. it had just had a full SOS rebuild.. or was otherwise in pristine condition.

*8* .. means a dual speed pto. *7* would have been single speed pto..

Soundguy

 

[KJO]

My dad worked for Ford for 7 or 8 years and when I was looking for a used Ford he told me to stay away from the SOS. He just saw so many problems with them, didn't mention what he thought caused the problems. A bear to work on I guess. The thousand series 1965 or so and newer with the 3 cyl. engines are good tractors. I have one and my only real complaint is mine uses alot of gasoline. If you don't use it much, not a problem.

 

[RonR]

A farmer I worked for doing custom hay baling bought a ford with SOS. The tractor worked GREAT for baling, but we HATED it! We had one guy drive the tractor, pulling the baler and one guy on a wagon stacking.

When you shifted between ranges, it paused, then jerked ahead. It was a MESS trying to stack hay when the ranges changed.

Fortunately, he didn't keep it long............

ron