600 5 speed transmission

[Ford 312]

Is a five speed transmission, in a 600 Ford, mostly bullet proof? What are the advantages of a 5 speed versus a 4 speed? Thanks.

 

[Ken-Pa]

By what I've read about the diffy between a 4 & 5 spd is that with a 5 spd , 1st gear is slower which would help with say a roto tiller or hard pulls . Never drove anything with a 5 spd so I can't verify that staement . What is the serial & model numbers ? Look in John Smiths site to see where its located . I'm curious myself as to why the 5 spd . But I do know the 600's are a great tractor . My Dad won from new a 640 , 641 , & lastly was a 601 which I wish I would've bought when he quit gardening .He had ordered it specially built with a solid front axle for a loader ( which never came about) , & it had the Sherman hi/lo . I have a 640 with a Sherman hi/lo . Njoy & play safely . Remember when pulling to hook low . God bless, Ken

 

[steveormary]

We had an 850(800)and a 641 we run together sometimes plowing. 3rd gear on the 850 was about the same as 2nd on the 641. The 641 had the faster road gear. Both were good tractors. Bought the 641 new and the 800 used.

steveormary

 

[Gaspump]

No transmission is bullet proof, but the 5 speed is as good as any. Loader tractors tend to wear out the 3-R gears as they are used and abused. The 5 speed gives you more forward gear choices with a lower low and a higher high than the 4 speed. The most important feature of the Ford Tractor early 5 speed is that it could be factory fitted with the live PTO option, the best reason for building one.

 

[Ford 312]

Don't know the serial number, but it is a 660 with 5 speed and live PTO. I will look for serial # next time I look at tractor.

 

[BillM (OH)]

We have an 861 - 5 speed, live PTO, power steering, 172ci red tiger engine - never have had any trouble with it - great tractor for small farm. 1st gear is much slower than 4 speed, 3rd is close to 2nd and 5th is near the same as 4th. I use 4th for bush hogging with it, vs 2nd & 3rd with the 8N's.

 

[awhtx]

The 5 speeds have a fairly common problem of jumping out of gear- usually 3rd because it is the most often used gear. If you're lucky it is nothing more than a worn detent which can be replaced from the outside. If you're unlucky it is a worn shift coupler which requires a complete trans disassembly to fix.

 

[Wayne IA]

The two big advantages in my book were the availability of a LPTO and the close proximity of 3rd and reverse for loader work, And back when these tractors were used every day, all day for all the farm work ,second rear was plow gear in the 4 speed. And that poor little second gear couldn't stand the load. In time , she would just plain wear out ,especially in the 841 series tractor.

 

[Wayne IA]

The two big advantages in my book were the availability of a LPTO and the close proximity of 3rd and reverse for loader work, And back when these tractors were used every day, all day for all the farm work ,second rear was plow gear in the 4 speed. And that poor little second gear couldn't stand the load. In time , she would just plain wear out ,especially in the 841 series tractor.

 

[GB in MT.]

[b:245c87e4ae][i:245c87e4ae]

Wayne;
You gots too many tractors...soooo, just send me the "641 Workmaster", for free. I think I need one of those!!!!!!!!! 8)
OH yeh, I forgot to say that I will also let ya pay for the shipping too :shock: OR.......you could just bring it to me in June, on yer trip west.!! :roll:

Gary :lol: [/i:245c87e4ae][/b:245c87e4ae]