Questions re: Ford 800 Series for 1st tractor

[bungerc]

(quoted from post at 07:00:50 01/31/23) OK, just got off the phone with someone who has a gas 3000 with power steering, live PTO and an 8-speed transmission. Rear rims have surface rust but seller says they're fine overall and I tend to believe him.

I'm likely headed to look at it, as it checks pretty much all the boxes except for a loader; is there anything obvious that I should look for?

Just to update folks, I ended up getting the 3000. She's in pretty good shape physically, has the 8 speed manual, live PTO and power steering, so I think it'll fit the bill pretty nicely.

The only issues I see is the PTO lever seems like it has a lot of play in it and really wanted to grind when I activated it. I looked at the owner's manual and it talked about having the RPMs up way higher than I had originally when I tried to activate it, so it's possible that's it. The other issue was that it didn't seem like there was a noticeable difference in the half-push of the clutch to shift gears vs. having it all the way down to the floor. to activate/disable the PTO. Since I now have about 10 minutes of experience operating a tractor, it's at least possible we're talking user error here Otherwise, starts and seems to run like a dream. Thanks to everyone for their help and advice!

 

[Eman85]

Not user error, the clutch may need adjusting. If the PTO grinds with the clutch down all of the way either it's out of adjustment or on it's way to needing a clutch.

 

[docmirror]

Glad you found something you like.

Put an implement on the PTO, with PTO engaged. Clutch all the way down, crank the engine to start and see if the starter turns real slow. Check the PTO is also going around slowly. This will indicate the PTO clutch is dragging and needs adjustment or replacement.

Don't forget, it's Feb, and the trans fluid is pretty thick. Warm it up fully, let the engine get down to idle speed, put trans in any gear, clutch all the way down and then try to shift into PTO engaged. See how that works.

edit; now you can shop for a loader as you have PS. Yeah

This post was edited by docmirror on 02/08/2023 at 10:54 am.

 

[Mshook]

(quoted from post at 09:59:04 01/27/23)

(quoted from post at 05:53:54 01/27/23)

(quoted from post at 23:35:04 01/26/23) I don't see that anybody has explicitly said this, but the tractor with a 5spd and live PTO would not be an 860, but rather an 861. Just make sure when you make your purchase, you have the model correctly identified and that you've tested it. Live PTO means that horizontal transmission motion has stopped, but the PTO continues to operate.

The 860 is a 5 spd with live PTO. I just replaced the 2 stage clutch disk in mine. I also have a 851 with 2 stage clutch. both are great tractors, I run a 5ft Howard tiller with my 860, but I have an industrial 172 engine in it. I also pull 6 ft bush hog (rotary mower).

Sean, that first paragraph about the 860 not having 5sp and live PTO is not my statement IT IS in quotation marks"""it belongs to Colin King
I have a 860 with 5sp and live PTO also a 851 with 5spd and live PTO. I have discuss this on the form couple of months ago. The 851 is stamped on transmission housing as 851, what was determined that it was either special ordered from Ford or that it was miss stamped. BUT it is stamped an 851 w/live PTO..

THANKS
Keith

Do you have any trouble going slow enough while tilling? I have an 860 and I worry that even first gear is too fast

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 16:10:38 02/24/23)

(quoted from post at 09:59:04 01/27/23)

(quoted from post at 05:53:54 01/27/23)

(quoted from post at 23:35:04 01/26/23) I don't see that anybody has explicitly said this, but the tractor with a 5spd and live PTO would not be an 860, but rather an 861. Just make sure when you make your purchase, you have the model correctly identified and that you've tested it. Live PTO means that horizontal transmission motion has stopped, but the PTO continues to operate.

The 860 is a 5 spd with live PTO. I just replaced the 2 stage clutch disk in mine. I also have a 851 with 2 stage clutch. both are great tractors, I run a 5ft Howard tiller with my 860, but I have an industrial 172 engine in it. I also pull 6 ft bush hog (rotary mower).

Sean, that first paragraph about the 860 not having 5sp and live PTO is not my statement IT IS in quotation marks"""it belongs to Colin King
I have a 860 with 5sp and live PTO also a 851 with 5spd and live PTO. I have discuss this on the form couple of months ago. The 851 is stamped on transmission housing as 851, what was determined that it was either special ordered from Ford or that it was miss stamped. BUT it is stamped an 851 w/live PTO..

THANKS
Keith

Do you have any trouble going slow enough while tilling? I have an 860 and I worry that even first gear is too fast

Most tilling these days is done at speeds approaching the road speed of an 860. What is "tilling" to you?

 

[Mshook]

Do you have any trouble going slow enough while tilling? I have an 860 and I worry that even first gear is too fast[/quote]


Well I guess I d say taking hay field and breaking up root structure enough to plant a garden. I d like to be 6-8" down. I ve never used a 3pt tiller but it seems much more efficient than the old walk behind. I will confess I m a complete novice to working crops with a tractor. Raised garden is all I ve done so far, very small scale.Trying to work toward 1.5 acres.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 19:55:34 02/24/23) Do you have any trouble going slow enough while tilling? I have an 860 and I worry that even first gear is too fast

Most tilling these days is done at speeds approaching the road speed of an 860. What is "tilling" to you?[/quote]

Generally when you have the established grass sod of a pasture, your best bet when converting to a garden is to turn the sod under with a land plow. An 860 is rated a four bottom plow, but you would do well with a two bottom. Turning under would be followed by discing to break it up good and mix your lime in. Turning the sod under reduces the weed competition and also provides "green manure" as the vegetation decomposes underground.