[AT] JD 60/ PTO Spreader

Fri Jul 18 17:44:44 PDT 2008

Farmer,

The earlier 1953 JD 60's didn't have a factory three point but later in the fall
of 1953 JD did offer the 800 Series hitches as dealer installed items. They were
a Category II three point setup that had two upper arms with a cross member
(Evener Bar) between them for a top link setup. The Evener Bar required an
adapter (18 different JD versions on the three point implement), some were quasi
universal that could adapt almost any three point implement to work on the 60
with 800 series hitches. Another way was to just remove the "Evener Bar" and run
a steel pin through the two upper links with the upper mast brackets of the
implement between the two.  Worked quite well.  The first version was a model
800 hitch which did not offer draft and depth control so a gauge wheel was
required on the implement.  Later in 1955 offered an 800A hitch which replaced
the 800 version and then also offered a 801 version of the hitch which did offer
draft and depth control through a rather ingenious mechanical system. 40%
improvement in traction. It wasn't until the fall of 1956, when the 1957 20
series models (620 replaced the 60) came out that JD had a full hydraulic, top
link active, three point with full draft and depth control. The JD 40 which came
out in 1953 did have a complete factory Cat I three point hitch with hydraulic
full depth and draft control. The Ferguson Patent became a non-issue in 1953
when Ferguson settled his law suit over Fords use of the Ferguson System three
point system on the 8N W/O compensation. Ferguson settled for something like a
$10 Million payment which then opened the door for other manufacturers to use
similar three point systems. There was some question at the time whether 3-point
hitches were really needed on the bigger row crop tractors at the time since
they were so much heavier in the rear. During this period many different hitches
were offered to the market by various manufacturers such as I/H's two point
system, the Case Eagle Hitch, etc however, they required proprietary implements.
But the farmers wanted universal three point hitches compatible with all three
point implements. JD's version of the Cat II universal three point hitch became
the industry standard for that type of hitch and all the rest of the
manufacturers followed with universal Cat II three point hitches for the larger
tractors and I think it was in 1958 that ASAE established a standard. Now there
are Cat I, II, III and IV versions of the hitch and maybe more.  There was a
limit though of how big an implement one wanted to hang off the back of a
tractor no matter how big the tractor was so semi-integral implements were
offered that allowed a three point hitch hook-up but also a tail wheel that
supported the rear of the implement during transit. 

I consider the Ferguson System Patented three point set-up one of the most
significant inventions in agriculture equipment history. Without the use of this
on the Ford 9N, 2N or 8N, Ford would have never had the huge success in the
tractor market they had. Ford was eating everybody's lunch in the small tractor
market until other manufacturers started using the conventional three point
hitch on the smaller tractors. Same concept still used on tractors today, 55 -
80 years later.  The original Ferguson System Patents go back into the 20's. A
very profound and important invention. 

Dean Van Peursem
Snohomish, WA

If we take the time to count our blessings we don't have time to complain.

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Indiana Robinson
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 4:58 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] JD 60/ PTO Spreader

Alan Nadeau wrote:
> Spreaders don't need a lot of power.  We used to run our 33 (think that was 
> the right number, early 60s wide body with a single rear beater) behind the 
> JD 40.  If it was fully loaded the 40 got a little light on the front end 
> but it never showed any strain actually running the spreader.
> 

=======================================

	Hey Alan, good to hear from you. Are you catching up on cutting grass? 
I assume that you are done plowing snow...   :-)
	You are quite right, they just don't pull that hard. I don't believe 
that a JD 60 would have a problem with any of the conventional PTO 
spreaders out there.
	I have wanted a 60 ever since my father tested a new one on the farm in 
about 1953. It was the first tractor we ever connected to our Allis hay 
chopper that just loafed along with it. My father liked it OK but the 
salesman started getting really pushy and my father pushed back and told 
him to take it back to the dealership. They had been casual friends for 
many years but I don't think they ever talked again after that. My 
father bought a new Jubilee Ford instead from another dealer friend. 
Another reason he didn't buy the Deere was that he already had a full 
line of 3 point implements, mostly Ford and Ferguson. I don't recall if 
Deere had a factory three point in 1953 or not. It sticks in my mind 
that they came out with it a year or two later? I know the one he tested 
didn't have it.

-- 

"farmer"

I wouldn't mind being absent minded so bad if forgetfulness
could just be a little more selective. Just last week I
was saying so to "whats-her-name..."

Hay & Straw Exchange (Buy it, sell it and trade it.)
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/HayandStrawExchange

Francis Robinson
Central Indiana, USA
robinson at svs.net
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