What Transmission Would you prefer in a 3000?

[EmeradKondo]

I just bought a 1968 3000 with quick release FEL and Select-O-Speed transmission. Everything seems to be as the owner said it is, which includes a running engine and busted SOS. Years ago when the tractor would not move, someone removed the top tranny cover and walked away. Seems it's been filled with water ever since. After reading online a lot and talking with some who have re-built many SOS transmissions, I am of the opinion that I should get a standard transmission. My 92 year old neighbor says his 2000 has a "shuttle shift", which I am not familiar with. But as he describes it, you can reverse the tractor by simply pulling a lever. I like that a lot! Is this an option for me? If so, please advise by what name I should search. Additionally, if you were in my shoes, what transmission would you put in? I am not a farmer. I live on several acres, but mainly will use the tractor for moving gravel, dirt, fertilizer and maintaining our almost 1/2 miles road and driveway.

Rich
Maple Valley, WA

 

[EmeradKondo]

Perhaps I should have included that it is a 3 cyl gas engine.

 

[Roy Suomi]

Last selecto change over I did , I installed an 8 X 2 and it works good.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I tried to reply twice now but both times
it started to become book length.
So I won't address which 2000 your
neighbor has and will stick to your 3000.
If you doubt the transmission you have is
repairable then the easiest swap to make
would be to drop a known good SOS into
your tractor.
I prefer the stick shift models which
were made with 4, 6 or 8 speeds.
If you go with a stick model you would
want to swap the entire rear half
(transmission and rear end) of a Three
cylinder 2000 or 3000 onto yours.
Ford did make a couple of 3 cyl
Industrial models with shuttle shift that
would fit. They called it a power
reversing model and used a torque
converter instead of a clutch. The
drawback to those is there was no way to
have a pto on them which devalues the
tractor quite a bit.
There are other issues to consider such
as changes in the piping on the hydraulic
pumps so in reality you would be best off
buying a tractor with a dead engine and
make one good tractor out of two.
The 8 speed with live pto commands the
highest resale value of them all.

 

[mikewood869]

If it was me, the transmission would be a 8x2 with live pto. If you don t care about the loader or swapping out the rear end, I would get a transmission and rear end from a 3 cylinder 4000 or newer.

 

[Larry NCKS]

I'd repair the SOS or put an SOS back in it.

 

[Sean in PA]

Sounds like your neighbor's "shuttle shift" is probably a regular 4 speed transmission with a Sherman auxiliary reverser transmission.

They did make a true power reversing transmission that would bolt up and work on a 3 cylinder 2000, but it was usually installd on the industrial or Utility models in the 3000 and 4000 series, like the 3400, 3500, 3550, 4400 and 4500. I've never seen a 2000 that had one from the factory, but things get swapped around on these older tractors so his might be one of those, which is officially called a 4x4 torque convertor power reversing transmission.

 

[CTPhil]

If going the swap to a manual transmission route, it is as others have said, 8 speed with live PTO. But as important as 8 speeds or live PTO is, having a differential lock is equally important IMO. My 3000 is 4 speed, transmission PTO, no diff lock. If I could change only one of those 3 things I would have a diff lock. My 3000 gets stuck at the drop of a hat even with loaded tires.

 

[Texasmark1]

I have an 8 speed, Live PTO and I think that setup is well suited for that tractor. Might check with Alexander's Ford, I think the location is Winnsboro, Tx.
They used to have an SOS replacement kit, packed on s skid for shipment. Price was about $1700 but that was a loooooong time ago. They are BIG in
Ford part restoration and Ford parts.

 

[johnofnewhaven]

All I can add to this post is
that I have a 1970 gas 3000 with
the 8spd, live PTO and
differential lock. I really like
it. The only thing I wish was
that it was diesel.

 

[Tequila]

I am in Utah, and have two good working SOS transmissions for the 3000 tractor. No longer have the tractor, so willing to part with them VERY
reasonable. John

 

[EmeradKondo]

(quoted from post at 09:15:33 02/02/20) I am in Utah, and have two good working SOS transmissions for the 3000 tractor. No longer have the tractor, so willing to part with them VERY
reasonable. John

John; please contact me. I'd love to talk to you about purchasing both SOS transmissions. A trip to Utah is definitely a possibility

Richard

 

[EmeradKondo]

Thank you to everyone that replied. I'm curious to try an SOS, but leery of the rebuild costs. If I can buy John's reasonably, I'll go that route. But in the meantime, I have been looking for another tractor to get a manual (4x2) from. There is one in Oregon with a blown motor that looks promising (both condition and price). If I am unable to get the transmission fixed/replaced, I'll just part out the tractor - quick release FEL, good tires, good motor, etc.

Richard
Maple Valley, WA

 

[Tequila]

No other way to contact you, I checked modern view, my e-mail should be their, but it is not. Phone# is 435-231-3647. John

 

[gears]

I thought I'd got lucky with my 8x2 twin stick but I can't find a happy medium for Reverse..... low is too slow and hi is ridiculous! I'd like to try an SOS sometime but I don't know that I'd switch.

 

[Tom in Mo.]

All this being discussed here, a good operating SOS tranny is really a nice thing to have. I have used all varieties mentioned here.

 

[nashranch]

(quoted from post at 21:06:36 02/02/20) Thank you to everyone that replied. I'm curious to try an SOS, but leery of the rebuild costs. If I can buy John's reasonably, I'll go that route. But in the meantime, I have been looking for another tractor to get a manual (4x2) from. There is one in Oregon with a blown motor that looks promising (both condition and price). If I am unable to get the transmission fixed/replaced, I'll just part out the tractor - quick release FEL, good tires, good motor, etc.

Richard
Maple Valley, WA

Hey Richard.... did you buy the one in Oregon?? If not where is it located?