[AT] Misc tractor recommendations?

[Spencer Yost]

I agree - I really enjoy my 861 diesel.   It could use power steering and I had to add hydraulic remotes(about $450) to make it really useful, but otherwise perfect in most ways.  Very fuel efficient too.   The 841 is 4speed and the 861 is 5 speed, and the 871 is a select-o-speed, which has had a reputation for being problem-prone.

Spencer 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 7, 2013, at 9:27, Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Since Dean mentioned that it's not critical to stick with Farmall, I wonder
> if anybody has mentioned a Ford 860 yet:   45HP, 3-point hitch, 2-stage
> clutch providing a form of live PTO.  The basic foundations of useful
> tractor features even in the modern day.
> 
> SO
> 
> 
>> On Wed, Nov 6, 2013 at 7:40 PM, Len Rugen <rugenl at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I have an H with an M & W Clutch.  It is a hand clutch that replaces the
>> left brake housing and drum.  I've never looked inside to see what it does,
>> but it gives you live power, like an AC WD-45.  You can't really change
>> gears, there is enough drag, at least in mine, that if you take it out of
>> gear, everything spins up and grinds trying to pick a new gear.  There were
>> popular around here when AC dealers were trying to sell Roto-balers to IH
>> tractor owners.  I will say, that running a roto-baler with my H and hand
>> clutch on the left is much more comfortable than running it with the
>> WD-45.  My H did OK in 3rd gear, but 4th lacked power.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Len Rugen
>> 
>> rugenl at yahoo.com - May also be used when responding as
>> rugenl at prairiehome.k12.mo.us
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Wednesday, November 6, 2013 5:59 PM, Carl Gogol <cgogol at twcny.rr.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Dean-  Seems like there were conversion kits to convert an M from the
>> transmission driven PTO to engine driven, or maybe it was just available on
>> later Ms and 300s - perhaps one of the red fanatics can add to or correct
>> this for me and you.  There are 3 point hitch conversions available today
>> and it seems like hydraulics can be made live too.
>> Who needs a newer tractor when an old reliable M can be made to have the
>> new
>> useful goodies?
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dean Vinson
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 6:30 PM
>> To: 'Antique tractor email discussion group'
>> Subject: Re: [AT] Misc tractor recommendations?
>> 
>> Lots of good thoughts, folks, thanks very much.
>> 
>> It's not really important to me to "stay red" as in Farmall, but I had been
>> thinking of getting an older tractor.  Partly out of initial cost concerns,
>> but also out of admiration for the solid old machines that were built so
>> well that they're still a plausible option several decades later.  While
>> visiting a Deere dealership several months ago to look for some lawnmower
>> parts, I checked out a new modestly-sized farm tractor in the front display
>> lot.  I don't remember what model it was, but it was about the size of a
>> 3020.  What sticks in my mind, though, is the sense that everything seemed
>> very lightweight and would look like crap after a few decades--if the
>> tractor itself even lasted that long.
>> 
>> That said, I certainly appreciate the benefits of a versatile machine like
>> one of the modern compact diesel tractors, and generally have a good
>> impression of the reliability of Kubota and New Holland equipment, and I
>> like the idea of buying the right thing one time and then keeping it for
>> the
>> next 30 years.  So I'll spend some time looking at the new compacts.
>> 
>> (Anyone have any experience with Apple Farm Service, in western Ohio?
>> Google led me to their website but I haven't been there in person).
>> 
>> The Super M will be a working tractor, too, despite the shiny paint job.  I
>> love having it but *working* with it would be even more fun.  I can
>> envision
>> it on brush hog duty with an overrunning clutch on the PTO shaft, to really
>> get it run out now and then, as well as lighter chores like raking hay or
>> pulling a wagon.  (And Charlie, you raise a good point about the spinner
>> knob, but I love that thing.  I hope I don't have to sheepishly come back
>> next year and type a two-fingered update while my hand is in a cast...).
>> 
>> Good points also about learning the property and keeping an eye out for
>> holes and piles.  I should have the coming winter months available to walk
>> around and learn the land in more detail while vegetation is at a minimum.
>> 
>> Dean Vinson
>> Dayton, Ohio
>> www.vinsonfarm.net
>> 
>> 
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