select-o-matic

[rbtklee]

Can anyone give me any good reason to buy a 4000 ford diesel with a selec-o-matic transmission? I have always been told to run away from these transmissions, is there anything to this?

 

[NWMO 901 SOS]

rbtklee,

I've got a 1960 901 SOS and really enjoy it. I've got this tractor running pretty well after little use the prior 25 years. Serviced the tranny first and it hasn't missed a lick. I will say everyone likes the newer 3 cylinder 4000s better than the older 4 cylinder model (62-64). I've not been on a lot of tractors and I'm just a hobby farmer, but the independent PTO and shift on the fly make using the SOS really nice. The main suggestion woudl be to get the tractor warmed up and test in all gears and run the PTO with load on it. I keep a cover on my PTO as these tractors didn't have PTO brakes on them, so it is very common for the PTO to spin even when not engaged, just doesn't have much power. Some you could stop with your hand, while others (like mine sometimes) would probably break your arm if you grabbed it. Likely clutch discs are slightly warped, but either way, it doesnt' create a problem as long as you cover it when not in use. Best of luck and let us know if you are looking at a 3 or 4 cylinder.

I'll probably never upgrade, but a three cylinder diesel 4000 with the improved tranny (DDC vs ORC) SOS and PS would just about be the ticket for me. They say those three cylinder motors are easy on the fuel and good running engines.

Chris

 

[NWMO 901 SOS]

PS - It's Select - O - Speed, Ford never made a select o matic.

Chris

 

[Larry NCKS]

hmm - a Ford tractor with a David Brown transmission. Yep I'd stay away from that cobbled up mess! :lol:

On the other hand, if you find Ford 4000 diesel with a Select-O-Speed transmission in it, go for it. A diesel engine with an SOS is the best engine/transmission combination Ford made in tractors of the 1960a and 1970s. But wait! You didn't say whether it's a 4 cylinder or 3 cylinder 4000. Ford made two different versions of the 2000 and 4000 tractors. Either way, it's a good tractor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Basic Question: I recently inherited a Ford 881 SOS, but grew up around John Deere. Tractor is set up with PTO, and has a mower attached. I can't figure out how to engage the PTO - can't find a lever for it. Sounds silly, I know. Can anyone offer a simple description of where to look?

 

[NWMO 901 SOS]

(quoted from post at 06:45:18 06/13/08) Basic Question: I recently inherited a Ford 881 SOS, but grew up around John Deere. Tractor is set up with PTO, and has a mower attached. I can't figure out how to engage the PTO - can't find a lever for it. Sounds silly, I know. Can anyone offer a simple description of where to look?

Bill,

If you have an 881 there are two PTO speed options, 540 and 1000. I am not sure about how to switch back and forth. However, on my 901 and I think all SOS tractors, the PTO is engaged by a handle on the right hand side of the dash, just below the gauges. Has about 2-1/2" of travel, in and out. In is disengaged, out is engaged.

HTH,

Chris

 

[Fordfarmer]

Actually, there are 3 speeds, if you count the 'ground speed' position. To change speeds, there's a lever on the left side of the transmission, with 3 detents, marked 540, 1000, and either 'ground' or 'g' (sorry - been a while since I've seen one - can't remember for sure) For 1000 rpm, you also need the 21 spline shaft. But for just turning the PTO on and off, Chris has it right, for models up through '64 - the T handle on the right side of the dash. I think PTO is stamped into it, too. '65 and up use a lever on the side of the transmission, same as a gear tranny... at least my '68 5000 does.

 

[pete black]

not knowing the model, year, condition and history makes if difficult to comment. also not knowing your experience, abilities and available professionial mechanical help only adds to the difficultity. sos transmissions date back 40 some odd years and some have proven themselves, others have not. as someone stated in past posts, these transmissions are probably not for the novice. fresh fluids and maintenance are key to the life and operation of these transmissions. the one that i had i enjoyed, it worked smoothly and provided opportunities to learn new things. if you like this, buy it. if you don't like things like that, don't buy it.

 

[geneIA]

T handle on dash says PTO on it. pull it out to engage

 

[geneIA]

T handle on dash says PTO on it. pull it out to engage

 

[Anonymous-0]

does any one know where i can get shift cable and pto cable for a 671?

 

[MarkB_MI]

If the transmission appears to be functioning properly AND the price is right, I would say buy it. But I would expect a running SOS tractor to go for about $1000 less than a comparable 5-speed/live PTO tractor.

 

[Larry NCKS]

Ford, all SOS tractors have the T handle on the dash except the 5000.

 

[Joe(TX)]

Not correct FordFarmer, at least for the 4 cylinder tractors. Ther are 2 seperate levers. 1000/540 rpm on one. Ground or independant on the other. Only 2 speeds. The ground speed is no differant than the standard shift transmissions.

 

[Larry NCKS]

I beg your pardon JoeTX, but you are not correct about what a ground speed PTO is either. An SOS ground speed PTO is driven by the rear axle and varies as the ground speed of the tractor does.

On a gear transmission( 4 or 5 speed) the PTO is engine driven!