"leicester" (leicester)
11/16/2015 at 00:29 • Filed to: None
8
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"leicester" (leicester)
11/16/2015 at 00:29 • Filed to: None | 8
| 10 |
Built between 1957 and 1962, the ‘01’ series tractors improved on the ‘Hundred’ series tractors, which in turn, superseded the collector-favorite ‘N’ series. Improvements of the 01’s over the former models included increased horsepower and power steering. This particular tractor is likely the 961 model, based on its transmission, three-point hitch, and power-take off shaft.
Disclaimer: Ford wanted me to review this tractor so badly, that they went back in time and convinced my father to buy a used one sometime in the late 60’s. I put plenty of seat time in on this tractor between junior high and college, most often cultivating grass seed fields and baling hay.
Exterior – 10/10 , if you love the patina of 50+ years of use on the High Plains. No restoration on this old girl – all paint (or what is left of it) is original. Formerly red and gray, the paint has weathered to orange and dust. The top of the right rear fender has been polished free of paint by around 55 years of hands braced on the fender as the driver looked over their right shoulder to watch whatever was being towed (more on that later).
Interior – 3/10 . There is none. The instrument panel consists of a speedo and minimal gauges framed by a cracked and time-burnished steering wheel. Climate control is whatever you are wearing. There are no cup holders. However, from the seat you have a pretty much unrestricted 360 degree view. Blind spots are not an issue on this vehicle.
Acceleration – 0/10 . It’s a row-crop tractor, people. The ‘accelerator’ is a fuel lever on the right-hand side of the control by the steering wheel. 3,300 pound vehicle, 60 HP engine. ‘nuf said. Hawks that killed prey I flushed would pick up their dead mouse and disgruntledly walk out of the way as I trundled past.
Braking – 8/10. I’ve gotta give it a strong rating here. Even though the brakes consist of a pair of drums on the rear wheels only, they are independently controlled by a pair of brake pedals, allowing the operator to lock up one wheel and spin the tractor at the end of the row so you can line up on the next set of rows with a minimum of turning. You kids and your fancy-schmancy e-brake turns….
Ride – 2/10. The suspension on this puppy consists of a pair of bushing-like springs under the seat. Which is steel. Although it’s had a number of snazzy upholstered covers in its day. If you are getting a lot of bumps, you are going across the rows, not down them. And you are doing something wrong.
Gearbox – 10/10 – Five-speed manual on the floor, baby! The gears are set up in an up-down sequence (see photo). Unsynchronized clutch, not that you’re rowing through the gears. Shifting successfully is accompanied by a satisfying ‘clunk.’ The gears are, in order: Slow (pull hard), Slow (pull not quite as hard), Slow (pull), Slow, and Road Gear (not as slow).
Handling – 3.1416/10 - Steering on this vehicle is vague, with limited feedback, although assisted greatly with the power steering. However, it generally goes where you point it. Although that wheel-locking u-turn thing is still cool.
Toys – 12/10. Do we have toys... This model is equipped with a three-point hitch and PTO shaft for attachment and power to a variety of farm implements, as well as a hydraulic system. Three-point accessories lying about in the weeds at the farm include two mowers (one currently attached), a scraper blade, a cultivator, a plow, and an auger. Additionally, it alternatively towed a baler, spring-wheel rake, sprayer, crop seeder, and feed wagon. Somewhere, there is a hydraulic post-driver that we attached to the front.
Audio – 1/10. The poorly muffled exhaust off the 172 Cu. In. four-banger is one of the reasons for chronic hearing damage to my left ear (as I looked over my right shoulder at whatever I was towing). PopPopPopPopPopPop!!!!!
Value – 11/10 – I have no idea what my dad paid for it - I forgot to ask. The tractor starts every time, in all sorts of weather, unless the ‘help’ forgot to turn off the key and drained the battery (ahem...). It’s paid for itself multiple times over, showing the value of buying used, not purchasing more than one needs to meet their requirements, and regular maintenance (well, at least the internal workings...).
Total: 5,000 quatloos.
Toyota Sucks Lots Of Sausages
> leicester
11/16/2015 at 00:59 |
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That, ladies and gentlemen, was the GT-40 of tractors.
#$kaybait
Sam
> leicester
11/16/2015 at 02:18 |
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It’s just amazing to me how long tractors hold up. There is a farmer down the road from me that still uses a steam powered tractor (probably more for fun, but he still uses it to plow the field).
Cé hé sin
> leicester
11/16/2015 at 04:48 |
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Shouldn’t a Ford tractor be blue? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that wasn’t, vintages apart.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Cé hé sin
11/16/2015 at 09:17 |
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Red was normal I believe up until the “thousand” series tractors.
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Cé hé sin
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
11/16/2015 at 09:32 |
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I’m guessing the red was an American colour scheme - I think the very first Fords were grey like the contemporary Fergusons but by the 1930s they were into blue for the Fordson range which was they name they used on my side of the pond (they became Ford later on).
Here’s a 1936 Fordson.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Cé hé sin
11/16/2015 at 09:45 |
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Ford largely transitioned from grey into grey/red mixes partway through the N-series. They then were mostly grey/red until partway through the Hundred Series. 01 Series came in several color mixes, and then Thousand Series switched to blue in ‘63.
http://www.oldfordtractors.com/idhistory.htm
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Cé hé sin
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
11/16/2015 at 09:56 |
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They had a different range in America then. Interestingly the first ones look very like the first Fergusons and I see from the link that they were a joint venture with Harry Ferguson.
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leicester
> Cé hé sin
11/16/2015 at 09:58 |
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The red-gray scheme was used on the small tractors. I don’t know the history on the different color schemes. Anyway, we have a blue one, too.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Cé hé sin
11/16/2015 at 10:03 |
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The N series can be made to fit a Flathead V8, which is just wonderful. Standard with a flathead four. Later models had a 3-cylinder, briefly, and then transitioned in the 60s (I think) to the 172-series industrial I4.
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leicester
> Sam
11/16/2015 at 10:04 |
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Yeah, the folks have a 40’s vintage Farmall MM that also still gets use. I posted a pic of a few days ago.