Ford 801 Select-O-Speed

[Matthew Blevins]

I am looking to buy a 871 or 881. I don't know which one it is. Does the 881 have a handle on the left side, to change from 540 to 1000 rpm or ground speed on the PTO? The handle in question is just behind the clutch, which this one has. Also, I am not really crazy about the SOS, due to some bad reports, I have heard over the years. What do I need to look for, with the transmission?

 

[souNdguy]

In general,as with most machines, if the trans has been maintained and serviced with clean filters, proper oil, and correct adjustments.. and if it drives fine in all ranges hot and cold.. it will likely continue to do so if you keep the maintenance up.

It's when you have one that has problems that you roll the dice on a 50 cent or 2500$ repair...

the 881 is the one with more pto options..though i don't know if the controls are by the inching pedal or not.

soundguy

 

[Dean]

Matthew:

Yes. If the tractor that you are considering has a 540/1000 PTO selector on the left side near the inching pedal (not clutch) the tractor is an 881 rather than the more common 871.

If possible, warm the transmission to full operating temperature and verify that all gears and the PTO will hold under load. You can use the brakes to load the transmission, assuming that they work properly but will need a PTO driven implement to verify PTO clutch operation.

Do not be concerned that the PTO runs on when disengaged and unloaded as this is normal since there is no PTO brake.

Dean

 

[Matthew Blevins]

O.K. Thanks guys. I'll be sure and check it out good. I have a 861 gas and a 841 diesel. I may just go ahead and add this to my collection. Hood and bumper is in good shape and two back fenders are descent. One has a dent on the top of it. He says it runs good and transmission works in all gears, no problems. I have just seen close up pics of it and will go test it out, later. He wants 2200 for it, which I think is probably a good deal with it being a SOS.

 

[Matthew Blevins]

What all is required for maintenance on the transmission? Filter and oil change, how often? Years ago, I talked to an old fellow that had an SOS and he pointed to the right side of the transmission and said, "The guy I got this from, rebuilt this transmission and he told me to never touch this bolt, on the side of the transmission." He meant adjusting on it. Is that really a no no, or is that only if the transmission is working properly?

 

[Matthew Blevins]

Here is the tractor.

 

[Matthew Blevins]

This is the handle and the back of the tractor.

 

[souNdguy]

as for the maintenance schedule, you will need to look in the manual supplement for your particular trans.. orc/ddc.. that will give the band adjustment procedure, and the values when checking pressures on servo's.. etc..

soundguy

 

[souNdguy]

I think I'd want to pay less, to be honest.

that sos tranny generally devalues a tractor.. for instance.. an 841, 861 and 871 all setting side by side.. 861 is generally bringing the most.. then the 841.. then the sos...

soundguy

 

[donald schnupper]

ARE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THESE.

 

[jon316white]

I have a 59 881, the PTO runs slowly after pushing the PTO handle in to the off position. My local tractor mechanic/expert tells me that is a commmon thing for that series. He said it is more trouble and very expensive to tear the trator apart to fix. When I shut the tractor off the PTO stops until I pull the handle out again. A minor inconvienence.

 

[Micah Mitchell]

That is the ground speed pto lever. The 540/1000 lever is under and forward of the foot rest on the left hand side of the tractor. Our 881 has both of these. You can also look at the plate at the end of the starter and it will have the model and S/N stamped into it.