[AT] Ford 861

[Louis]

I don't have any experience with the red belly diesels.  But, the gas
600/800 series tractors are a decent tractor, especially for being a Ford.
I have work on several of them, they are decent tractors.  Back in 1972, my
uncle traded a Ford 840 gas for a new 1972 Ford 4000 3 cylinder diesel.  He
has remarked to me several times that the 840 had more power than the 4000.

Lou

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Spencer Yost
Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 8:48 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: [AT] Ford 861


I recently added a new tractor to my shed:  A Ford 861 diesel.  The serial
number has been etched by battery acid but it was represented to me as a
1958.  From the parts catalog and various parts numbers I can tell it is
definitely one of the earlier ones. 

I needed a work tractor and since I sold the Oliver, I did not really have
one.  I have never been a Ford guy but this thing has the convenient foot
print of a red belly but twice the power, live hydraulics, and a two stage
clutch.  The vertical 5 speed shift is a little different but otherwise any
red belly owner would be hard pressed to see any difference from the
seat(and the fact it has the Rest-O-Ride seat)

I bought a shaver HD8 post driver from craigslist and added a remote
hydraulic kit and used it to drive 225+ posts over about 7 weekends,
including some pretty big locust corner posts.  They both did great.

I really like this thing but never heard much in the list about these 800
series diesels.  Anyone else own one?

Spencer 
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