1957 Ford 600 Tractor

[Deans BMW]

Guys, have a question. Mz Pam and I have a chance to buy an old Ford 600 tractor, the 600 was subsequent to the 8N whis was a 20 appx HP tractor, the 600 is a 30 HP unit. It is a 133 CI, 4 cyl OHV engine. The engine starts instantly and sounds good, no smoke on start up but after about 4 or 5 minutes starts to smoke badly and then clears up in about another 10 mins. I suspect valve guides as it was designed for leaded gas. The bucket Hyd cylinder needs to be replaced as the rod is bent, the hydraulic seals on the front lift cylinders are leaking, the right one badly, the rear tires are good, the fronts are badly worn, there is a hydraulic leak in the power stearing unit , the 3 point lift works well and will hold in position, the brakes are extremely grabby. The seller was asking $3700.00 but I have him talked down to $3 K.

What do you think, I figure at least 1 K to turn it into a good non leaking tractor with a OEM Ford front loader.

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[DarthRider]

How's she handle in the corners?

[Rchop]

How's she handle in the corners?

:046: :046:Good one Dave

Dean, I would say buy it. I paid 2800 for my 1952 8N with a bush hog and a blade. That's a good deal for the later model with a loader. Parts are easy to get for those and generic hydraulic parts will fit the loader.

[arkline]

If you do a concours quality restoration, how much will the "classic insurance" set you back. I think you can get pretty good coverage if you promise not to ride more than a couple, three thousand miles in any year...:icon_mrgreen:

[GPM]

ABS?????

[jamming]

Dean......2500$...I'll bring my tools and help ya square it away. I'll work for pie and beer.
I've got 3 tractor dealers within 5 miles of the house. Let me know if you need parts and I'll get numbers.

Roger

[DJ Down Under]

They say you must wear a color coordinated thong....:icon_eek:....just kidding Dean-O. . http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2571.jpg

DJ

[Deans BMW]

Holy s**t, just found out that to replace the brakes on the old 600......you have to split the tractor as the brakes are internal....no thanks, I can see spending 2 K easily on that thing. Time for serious reconsideration.

[Bones]

Dean,
May have to PM you. I am looking at 8N's, myself. I am also trying to figure out what to do in terms of "offgrid" vs. bringing in regular electric to a small cabin my wife and I just bought. The land is amazing....the cabin nice (tiny) but currently runs off a generator which is noisy.

Anyway, I started researching 8N's because they are pretty tough, I like the wide front wheel stance and they supposedly can be had for about $2500 in good shape. I do know the fluids for those tractors are damned expensive!


Good luck with the tractor pursuit.......there is at least ONE of us at MC Cafe' interested in this subject!

Jeff

[Deans BMW]

Jeff, Google Ford 8N tractors, you will find that all you ever wanted to know is out there. The fluids for the older Ford tractors 8n thru 600 and the 800 series are just standard stuff, nothing fancy or expensive.

Re off grid, I have years of research and in one of my former lives I was a mechanical/systems engineer, with patents yet.....who would of thought. I could recomend up a storm and would love doing it.....lets talk......or write ......or.......... The lovely and gracious Mz Pam and I have been living happily that way since '97.

[Rchop]

Bones...try these folowing links

http://www.ytmag.com/fordnclub/

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/store/parts/index.htm

http://www.tractordata.com/

All good resources for tractor info and parts.

This place is where I buy the tune-up parts right off the shelf for my 8N. They also carry just any generic part that can be used on a tractor such as hyd. cylinders, pins, hitches and more. Kind of like an "ag" home depot. You can order online or find a live store... http://www.ruralking.com/

[Bones]

Dean and Rchop,
As usual, you guys rock.

We should be closing on the land/cabin within two weeks, so will explore the issues more thoroughly, thereafter. Thanks for the leads. 110 acres of dense forest with two streams running through it, a few overgrown trails that have been used for riding horses in the past, and a small hunter's cabin that runs on propane (stove, hot water heater and fridge), heated with a wood stove, wired like a regular house for electric, but currently run when needing electricity by a gasoline generator. That is to run the well pump and to pressurize the water tank so you can flush the toilet and run the water. Three small floors at 330 sq ft per floor. Usually it is lit by lanterns at night. Found this place only 21 miles from our house. Just pinching myself. Quite excited.

Jeff

[Deans BMW]

Jeff, sounds absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to help.

[Rchop]

Bones...we need pictures!!

[Bones]

Rchop,
I will email you a couple of pics if you want to post them here. We haven't closed on the place yet, but things are moving along. Should close mid August.

Jeff

[Rchop]

Thanks Jeff, I will post them for you tonight.