First timer, lots of questions

[Dan J Benoit]

First off, hi all! I"ve been researching this old tractor all over the net and found this forum. I"m hoping that someone here will be able to help me out.

Here's the story. I just moved into my in-laws house to help with their care (both are very ill). My father in law has an old tractor in the shed that I could REALLY use around here, along with some attachments that will really come in handy to take care of these 80 acres that haven"t been maintained in over 7 years.

The tractor says Ford 801 powermaster on the side, but I"ve come to find that that isn"t actually the model number, just the series. I suspect that its an 861, but I don"t know how to be sure. He said that a friend of his got it running last year, but I can"t see how, as the wiring harness has plenty of wires to nowhere. All the main lines seem intact (positive line to relay, positive line to starter, negative ground, plug wires etc) for right now my goal is simply to get it to start, but I don"t even know where to begin. Is there somewhere I can go to get a manual? (preferably free)

I"m 29 and grew up on the farm, but moved to the city before I ever got to really get my hands dirty so, I"m a complete noob when it comes to this stuff. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bruce (VA)]

You've come to the right place; lots of folks here can help.

First thing we need to know is if it's 6v or 12v & if it's 12v, does it have a generator or alternator?

Check out this link for more info to ID the make/model of the tractor.

http://www.oldfordtractors.com/idhistory.htm

If it's been sitting for a while, you will need to either charge the battery or get a new one if it won't hold a charge (see tip # 49 to check the battery)

Next, remove each spark plug & put a tbsp of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder. That will lube the walls, help unstick the rings & help a bit w/ compression.

Get a can of starting fluid or a hand-help propane torch to spray in the carb throat to help starting.

You're going to need to at least dress the points by running a piece of cardstock or brown paper bag through them. Chances are you'll need to replace them. Along w/ the plugs.

I'm not sure if 100 series manuals are available on-line, but you can probably order them here.

Post back w/ the 6v/12v info & someone more familiar w/ 100 series tractors than I am will walk you through the wiring.
50 Tips

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you go to Ebay there are 30 listings for 800 series Ford tractors manuals.

 

[Dan J Benoit]

Thank you so much for the reply. I just spent the day logging, brush cutting, burning, and three oil changes. Why pay for a gym membership? Lol

So I looked that tractor over. I looked in the place where that site told me to look for the model number, but there's a layer of oil and grease so thick I couldn't see it. It's dark now but I'll take a wire brush to it tomorrow.

It is a 12 volt system. How do I determine if its an alternator or a generator? From looking at it, it looks to me like an alternator. I mean, I know what an alternator looks like, and theres one on the fan belt at the front left of the tractor.

How would I go about posting pictures of it?

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 18:17:59 09/17/11) Thank you so much for the reply. I just spent the day logging, brush cutting, burning, and three oil changes. Why pay for a gym membership? Lol

So I looked that tractor over. I looked in the place where that site told me to look for the model number, but there's a layer of oil and grease so thick I couldn't see it. It's dark now but I'll take a wire brush to it tomorrow.

It is a 12 volt system. How do I determine if its an alternator or a generator? From looking at it, it looks to me like an alternator. I mean, I know what an alternator looks like, and theres one on the fan belt at the front left of the tractor.

How would I go about posting pictures of it?

A generator is going to be about twice as long as it is wide. The alternator will be more square shaped.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

" How do I determine if its an alternator or a generator? "

Go look at your car. It will have an alternator. If the one on the tractor looks the same, it's an alternator.

Now that we know it's a 12v w/ an alternator, someone w/ a 100 series tractor will be able to link you to a wiring diagram.

I'm pretty confident that it will be wired just like a 12v conversion NAA, but I don't own a NAA or 100 series, so I'll refrain from guessing!
50 Tips

 

[Dan J Benoit]

Thanks again. I have a feeling a complete rewire is in my future. If there is a way to post pictures through this site let me know. If not I guess I'll host them elsewhere and link them.

 

[Jim.UT]

The 801 series was available in several different models. Each model was available with either gas or diesel engine. Production started in late 1957 and continued until late 1962.

The link below will take you to John Smith's Ford tractor history page. It starts with the 1939 9N so you'll need to scroll way down to get to the information on the Hundred series and "01" series.

The Hundred series was produced from 1955 to 1957 with several models divided among 4 series: 600, 700, 800 and 900. The "01" series are updated versions of the hundred series with expanded choices of engines and transmissions. The 801 series available models are:

811: barebones utility tractor with Select-O-Speed transmission
821: barebones utility tractor with 5 speed trans. Some manuals list the 4 speed as standard with 5 speed optional.
841: All purpose agricultural tractor with 4 speed transmission & non-live PTO
851: Same as 841 but with 5 speed trans.
861: Same as 851 but with dual clutch and live pto
871: Select-O-Speed trans with single speed (540 rpm) independent PTO.
881: Same as 871 but with dual speed (540/1000 rpm) independent PTO.

As far as a manual is concerned, the owners manual is readily available. Originally there were 4 editions of 600/800 series manual, followed by 5 editions of the 601/801 series manual. Both series manuals are very similar, but if your 801 is a diesel or has a SOS tranny, the 600/800 manual won't be as useful.

At one point, Ford quit including information about the 5 speed transmission in the owners manual so you have to be sure you get the right edition that covers the tractor you have. When you get the model number nailed down you'll know better which manual to look for. Ask the seller for the form number.
Form SE6085-C = 4 speed and 5 speed models
Form SE6085-D = 4 speed and 5 speed models
Form SE6085-E = 4 speed and Select-O-Speed models
Form SE6085-F = 4 speed and Select-O-Speed models
Form SE6085-G = 4 speed, 5 speed and SOS models

The above manual breakdown is to the best of my memory. I don't have my manuals handy right now. There is another set of form numbers for the diesel manuals. I can't remember the exact form numbers for the diesels right now. Ford also offered a 5 or 6 page supplement covering the diesel engine that can be combined with a gas owners manual to cover all the bases. I see diesel supplements available on ebay fairly often.

The factory shop manual is also available as a reprint and is quite nice. You can usually find reprints on ebay for around $20. Really nice originals go for a bit more. I personally like an original because the illustrations & photos are a little clearer.

I'm kind of a manual nut so if you have more questions about manuals, feel free to email me. I know where you can find an owners manual online for free download, but I'm not allowed to link the site here. Email me if you're interested. If you're new to the site, you can email me by clicking on the Jim.UT above.

The 801 powermaster is a great tractor and you're right to get it running. It will be a big help in maintaining that ground.
Ford tractor history