Ford 850 common issues

[Dave Ford850]

Hey guys. I just bought my first tractor a ford 850. Bought it at auction. It starts up good goes in and put of gear brakes hold oil looks good ect. Haven't got it home yet to play around with yet. Will be using it to work a couple acre food plot in north central pa. Wondered what common issues i should watch for/ how anyone using one in a similar situations experiences have been

 

[michford]

Ford 850 is a pretty solid tractor, probably most common thing to watch out for with 850 is popping out of third gear. Third and reverse are at the top of the vertical gate shifter and seemed to get the most use so have probably seen the most wear through the life span of the tractor.

 

[wore out]

Hey guys. I just bought my first tractor a ford 850. Bought it at auction. It starts up good goes in and put of gear brakes hold oil looks good ect. Haven't got it home yet to play around with yet. Will be using it to work a couple acre food plot in north central pa. Wondered what common issues i should watch for/ how anyone using one in a similar situations experiences have been

Get an Operator's Manual for specifics and check ALL fluids, change them if questionable.

 

[LarryMaine]

I completely rebuilt my 850 last year. I had a standard model, and have since replaced the steering with OEM power steering which is critical for the front end loader I have on. Also put on rear wheel heavy duty pie weights, put in a single spool hydraulic line that is used when I replaced the rear top link with a double acting hyd cylinder so I could more easily adjust the angle of my rear blade and bush hog. I did a lot of preventative maintenance, so I rebuilt the hyd pump, etc. I also split the tractor, rebuilt the engine and replaced the clutch. The only ongoing issue I have is the power steering unit is not the best, it is power assist and not real power steering. All the maintenance parts you may need are all still available. I did a full rebuild of the ignition and electronics, and I am happy that this tractor always always starts right up even in sub zero weather here in Maine. A much better tractor than my 2n or Fergie, it is my go to tractor for most jobs now. I have not had any transmission problems. The only pain inthe neck is turning the fuel on and off as you need a screwdriver under the tank, and I am going to put in a fuel solenoid so I do not have to turn it on an doff each time. I did convert it all to 12V, and would strongly suggest that for this tractor. For your stated purposes, the 850 should be perfect.

 

[Dave Ford850]

I completely rebuilt my 850 last year. I had a standard model, and have since replaced the steering with OEM power steering which is critical for the front end loader I have on. Also put on rear wheel heavy duty pie weights, put in a single spool hydraulic line that is used when I replaced the rear top link with a double acting hyd cylinder so I could more easily adjust the angle of my rear blade and bush hog. I did a lot of preventative maintenance, so I rebuilt the hyd pump, etc. I also split the tractor, rebuilt the engine and replaced the clutch. The only ongoing issue I have is the power steering unit is not the best, it is power assist and not real power steering. All the maintenance parts you may need are all still available. I did a full rebuild of the ignition and electronics, and I am happy that this tractor always always starts right up even in sub zero weather here in Maine. A much better tractor than my 2n or Fergie, it is my go to tractor for most jobs now. I have not had any transmission problems. The only pain inthe neck is turning the fuel on and off as you need a screwdriver under the tank, and I am going to put in a fuel solenoid so I do not have to turn it on an doff each time. I did convert it all to 12V, and would strongly suggest that for this tractor. For your stated purposes, the 850 should be perfect.

Thanks. it is already converted to 12v, has the pie weights on the rear, and has a hydraulic line run to the rear. So it has a lot of the things I would have done to it done already. The headlights are missing so I'll have to find a set and I'll probably rewire them when I put them in.