861 Powermaster

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

New to this forum, but I've been researching older tractors for some time now. I was originally in search of a Jubilee and someone on another forum suggested Workmaster or Powermaster series and the search
has begun. I have zeroed in on the 861 and like the idea of a diesel but its not a deal breaker if I find a gas variant in good shape. Anything I should know about these tractors and what should I expect to
pay for a working tractor in good shape, not a parade princess. Thanks the assistance.

 

[TractorDad3]

I have a 4-cylinder 4000 diesel. Basically the same machine as an 861 but with different colors and a different front emblem. Great power for my personal needs that is well transferred with ballast in the tires and/or pie weights. Would recommend holding out for a diesel as it sips fuel compared to the gasser and starts easy in colder weather. Parts easy to find. Lotta posts on here to find great info.

Huge fan, will keep mine until I kicks the bucket

 

[Husker 50 8n]

861 or 860, very little mechanical difference between the 2 tractors. Slightly more compression with a bigger carb and air cleaner on the 861. Different fenders and grill also. 860 not available in the diesel model and not as likely to have power steering. I have a 861-D with power steering. They are a very nice tractor, several improvements from the Jublilee or NAA. Loaders can be a little hard on the front end and steering components depending on who is using the tractor. 3rd gear and reverse can sometimes have enough wear that they will jump out of gear. To check drive downhill in those gears and back off the throttle. If they stay in gear you're ok. Find the best one you can afford. Parts are available from several places including this site and most parts are still available.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

Thanks for the info, appreciate the replies. On a couple tractors I've seen listed it looks like they exhaust above the hood versus below the chassis, I also see another snorkel like pipe. Is that the
intake? If so are there different intake styles on these tractors? Thanks.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

Thanks for the info, I'm definitely leaning towards finding a diesel if possible, they are proving to be a little more elusive but eventually something will turn up.

 

[warbaby]

If you are looking for a diesel 861, get one with ''B9NN 6015 B'' (late 1959 172 diesel block with crankshaft counter-balancer) or ''CONN 6015'' (1960-'64 172 diesel w/ crankshaft counter-balancer) cast into the block on the R.H. side near the oil
pan rail.

Earlier blocks were non-counterbalanced versions that tended to break expensive crankshafts and self destruct.

 

[stevob671]

On the diesels there was a version where the air filter was contained in a rectangular box under the intake roughly where a carb would be on a gas tractor. It could be plumbed into the normal grill on the side of the hood. It also had a version using the same filter box but the intake was plumbed above the hood almost to the exhaust height. Another version was a U-shaped pipe on the intake to a round air cleaner mounted above the side of the hood as on my 671-D.

 

[stevob671]

Forgot the picture...

 

[Sean in PA]

(quoted from post at 15:48:23 03/10/23) Thanks for the info, appreciate the replies. On a couple tractors I've seen listed it looks like they exhaust above the hood versus below the chassis, I also see another snorkel like pipe. Is that the
intake? If so are there different intake styles on these tractors? Thanks.

I thought that they were all available with either vertical or horizontal exhaust, but the parts site indicates that the gas engines came with horizontal and the diesels came with vertical.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

Your setup is the one I have been seeing for sale, at least on the diesel tractor variants. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

Thanks for the words of wisdom on the crank, I wasn't aware of the production model differences. Thanks.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

(quoted from post at 15:14:57 03/11/23) Thanks for the words of wisdom on the crank, I wasn't aware of the production model differences. Thanks.

Looking for opinions since I have zero experience with this tractor. Should the crankshaft counter-balancer be a deal breaker? In other words should I be exclusively looking for that model as the '58 without it was problematic?

I found what appears to be a nice '58 861 Diesel but haven't gone to look at in person yet. Wasn't sure what everyone's thoughts were on the counter-balancer as a must have, thanks.

 

[tugman]

(quoted from post at 15:42:24 03/11/23)

(quoted from post at 15:14:57 03/11/23) Thanks for the words of wisdom on the crank, I wasn't aware of the production model differences. Thanks.

Looking for opinions since I have zero experience with this tractor. Should the crankshaft counter-balancer be a deal breaker? In other words should I be exclusively looking for that model as the '58 without it was problematic?

I found what appears to be a nice '58 861 Diesel but haven't gone to look at in person yet. Wasn't sure what everyone's thoughts were on the counter-balancer as a must have, thanks.

My 1958 861D has no balancer, regular airbox intake and horizontal exhaust.
I've read on here that the cranks can break even with a balancer but I'm not going to worry about it ( mine was cracked to start with).
However I wanted one with one foot in the grave anyway, I did rebuild mine from front to back reason being now I have a dependable tractor and won't find any gremlins from someone else who thought they did a good job....
There were lots of those I found as I went through it ( and I do mean really crappy fixes!!! ).
As far as the exhaust- well I don't want to be sucking in diesel exhaust so that's why I went with the horizontal exhaust, I think it's a matter of preference ( choke or no choke).
She does sip the fuel and once warmed up no smoke .
Loads of power and a two stage clutch are great not to mention 5 speed tyranny.
Good luck in your search 8)

 

[Dean]

Great tractor.

Gasoline versions produce nearly 15% more PTO HP than do diesel versions but will use gas doing so. Early Ford 4 cylinder diesel engine is a converted gasoline engine and is known to break crankshafts, balancer or otherwise. Do not knowingly buy one if the crankshaft has been turned as grinding the crankshaft removes the rolled fillets leaving the crankshaft on borrowed time.

Avoid tractors with FELs or evidence of FEL usage as front axle support not designed for such use and wears badly. Good used replacements becomming difficult to find.

Most PS systems worn out and proper rebuild expensive. Try PS with oil fully up to operating temperature, tractor stationary, and nothing on lift.

Five speed transmission known to jump out of gears (usually third and reverse) once worn. Issue starts with overhauling load but will jump out under normal load if wear bad enough. Proper repair very expensive and good used shifting collars becomming difficult to find. Try to drive down steep hill in third gear while opening/closing throttle. Verify proper operation of brakes beforehand.

Like said, great tractors but most have lots of time and meters not to be trusted.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

Great looking tractor, nice job on restoration. Thanks for the input.

 

[Midwest Tractor Guy]

Thanks Dean, I appreciate the advice on what to look for while on my search. Thanks for the reply.

 

[TractorDad3]

Mint! Beautiful tractor before and after. Very nice work. I like
the routing of the airbox to the hood vent, and what looks to
be a rebuilt rest o ride seat. Fan of those front tires too.

Thank you for posting

 

[tugman]

(quoted from post at 14:27:40 03/12/23) Mint! Beautiful tractor before and after. Very nice work. I like
the routing of the airbox to the hood vent, and what looks to
be a rebuilt rest o ride seat. Fan of those front tires too.

Thank you for posting

Thank you and you're welcome, she's a good grocery getter too

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 18:25:44 03/12/23)

(quoted from post at 14:27:40 03/12/23) Mint! Beautiful tractor before and after. Very nice work. I like
the routing of the airbox to the hood vent, and what looks to
be a rebuilt rest o ride seat. Fan of those front tires too.

Thank you for posting

Thank you and you're welcome, she's a good grocery getter too

I like the correct shade of gray. You never know what you're going to find on the XX1s.

 

[tugman]

(quoted from post at 04:41:43 03/13/23)

(quoted from post at 18:25:44 03/12/23)

(quoted from post at 14:27:40 03/12/23) Mint! Beautiful tractor before and after. Very nice work. I like
the routing of the airbox to the hood vent, and what looks to
be a rebuilt rest o ride seat. Fan of those front tires too.

Thank you for posting

Thank you and you're welcome, she's a good grocery getter too

Thank you showcrop, it means a lot coming from you

I like the correct shade of gray. You never know what you're going to find on the XX1s.