Proud owner of Frankentractor

[brdmkr]

I called to check on my tractor today (the lift quit working and I had to have it worked on).  The tractor has decals that say it is a Ford 4600 SU, but the mechanic said that when he got into the hydraulics he said the rear hydraulics were a 4610.  He then said that the power steering was an add-on and that the front end was likely off of a Ford 600.  I had already figured out that the instrument panel was from a Ford 3000.  The shift levers are not from a Ford 4600, but I am not sure what they are from.  The mechanic told me that all he could say was that it was a Ford :D

I told him to spend some time figuring out just how many tractors had been pulled together into one.  The engine and transmission are strong, so I figure it will likely serve me well regardless.  It will just be nice to know what to ask for in terms of filters, parts, etc.

Oh, there was a spring on a valve that was broken.  It shouldn't cost too much to fix.  While some run home made mills, I apparently have a home made tractor 8)

[UNCLEBUCK]

Good thing you didnt listen to me  ;D  Glad it was a simple fix .   

[DanG]

Sounds like you got the rare and coveted 4600DIY! 8) 8)

[brdmkr]

UB,

I took everyone's advice short of going inside the critter!  I changed fluid.  Picked up and droped the lift, blew air, etc.  I just knew that going inside was more than I needed to take on.  I am glad I went with a pro as he has told me a heap about the tractor.  Such as it is made up of many tractors. 

DanG.  The DIY part you have rigght.  I will hold off on the numbers just yet.  Although there is compelling evidence that a 4 and a 6 and a 0 are present.  Of course, a 3 and a 1 could also be there.  Heck, I may have all 10 digits :D

I know one thing, I'll sure b glad to get it back.  Be and the mower need to spend a few hours beatin up on some vegetion encroachment!

[twoodward15]

I don't think that a 600 (as in the old 600 from the 50's and 60's) front will fit a 4600 or any of the thousand series tractors (pre 600 series).  There is a way to tell if you have a 600 series (as in 4600, 3600) front on it.  On the front you have the long steering rod that goes to the pitman arms.  Are these arms straight or are they kind shaped like a z that fell over.  pretty much over up and over.  If I'm not mistaken those began on the 600 series.  The instrument panel off of a 3000 is almost identical to the 600 series, so it really doesn't make any difference.  The only difference is that in the areas that aren't gages there are thin lines that run horizontally for visual happiness I guess.  Other than that they are the same.  Maybe the needle was a bit different and didn't fade as fast as the thousand series as well.  Power steering may have been an add on, but it had to come off a ford tractor.  The thousand series and the 600 series are the same for power steering I believe.  That really doesn't make much of a difference though.  I'd bet someone used parts off of a 3000, 4000, and 5000 to fix up and complete a 4600.  The shift levers on all of those tractors are the same.  Two sticks, one shorty and one long could come off any thousand series, 600 series, and maybe even some of the first 10 series (as in 3910, 4610) may have come with them instead of the column shifters.
      Before I end this, what color is your ford?  It may be an industrial that was repainted blue or maybe it still is yellow???????

[woodbeard]

Sounds like most of the Ford trucks I've owned. Actually, now that I think of it, most of them are now combined into the one I have now. :D

[brdmkr]

twoodward, the shift levers are the same, but on the 4600 there is supposed to be a dipstick to check the transmission oil on the cover plate with the levers.  I think this feature is absent on the 3000, and absent on my tractor as well.  Thus, I can't check the tranny fluid   I am hopeful that I can come up with a fix for that.  I have never looked at a 600, so I can't really say regarding the front end.  I do know that the 4600 SU has the same front end as the 3600, so the fellow that is working on the tractor may be expecting a more beefy front end such as found on a bonafide 4600.  I don't know.  I really don't know how he determined that the power steering was added.

The tractor is painted blue, but the inside of the rear end is yellow.  I think I got me a conversion!  Like I said I think FRANKENTRACTOR.  Still, I'm kind of partial to it.  It is in great shape barring the lift probelm which turned out to be minor 8)

[twoodward15]

Isn't the dipstick for the trans on the left side almost underneath the seat on that?  Hmmm, that's got me wondering.  For some reason I don't remember the dipstick being on the gear shift plate.  Next week when I am on vacation I will be near a 600, the thousand series tractors a 3600 and the 10 series tractors to name a few.  I'll get a good look at them and report back.  Maybe I'll get some pics to send you to see if you can piece it all together.

[sandman2234]

Did Johnny Cash write a song about your tractor??? (It is a cadilac isn't it)
      David

[Gipper]

The dipstick on my Ford 3610 is on the cover plate with the shift levers.

[brdmkr]

Isn't the dipstick for the trans on the left side almost underneath the seat on that? 

The hydro oil for the lift has a dip stick under the seat.  BUT, it is not SUPPOSED to on the 4600.  It is SUPPOSED to be a 'level hole' on the right side.  Of course, I now know that I have a 4610 rear end.  I recon they have a dipstick. 

Gipper, I don't know about the 3610, but the 3600 and 4600 are supposed to have a dip stick near the levers like you have on yours.  You wouldn't want to sell your cover plate would you ???