New to Antique Tractors here in VA

I am new to antique tractors. I have always wanted one and after driving my father in laws 8N for a week or so out at his property I am HOOKED!!. Someone told me to get 40 to 50 hp and independent PTO so I would have something that could do all that I would like it do without worrying about overworking it.

I researched a bit and have decided on the 1963/1964 Ford 4000. It will be used for hobby farm 10 to 15 acres for Bush hog, finish grass cutting, post hole digging, general field transport and whatever needs come up. I would like to get a front loader for it also at some point. At 54hp and live pto
it seems like the perfect antique tractor for me. Seems the used prices around VA,NC,PA,TN run from 3500 to 5000 depending. I am in Richmond VA..so I plan on driving a couple
hrs to get one.
Im not sure about Gas or Diesel yet.. I could use some advice on that.

I read a lot about staying away from the SOS transmission and to make sure I get on with power steering if I plan on using a front loader. I have some other questions I am hoping someone can help me with. I know there will some basic newbie questions from me on here but hey,.. you have to start some where!

Keith

Fella down the road has one. Remember seeing him come out of his driveway one snowy afternoon and thinking that looked like a fine tractor. Good HP for your size place. Gather some advice over on the manufacturer specific board and welcome to the boards! Start thinking of a good backup tractor. You have to have more than one.

Any post 1955 Ford is a great tractor. Except for the 6000s which were kind of a boondoggle.
Tractors then were still rated by pto horsepower by the University of Nebraska testing facility. Those 4 cylinder 4000s were a continuation of the 801 Series and rated at about 45 HP, not 54.
It would have Live PTO which used a two stage clutch not Independent PTO which was independent of the clutch. But both types are called live power.
The 172 gassers are known to be thirsty. The 172 diesel is very economical on fuel.
Both are very reliable engines.
The tractors themselves are relatively simple to repair, are bullet proof and parts, both new and used, are readily available.
Loader will make a dreadnought out of an otherwise nimble machine.
I've messing with the smaller Fords for 15 years and have gotten by pretty well without a loader.
Don't despise the next series of Fords. The 1965 and newer 3 cylinder 3000s and 4000s.
Those are my favorites. 3000 is about 37 hp. 3 cylinder 4000 is about 52 hp.
Any of them will easily do the tasks you list.
I just got my first SOS a couple of months ago. I will give you a report in a couple of years if I like it.
Welcome to old tractors and YT.
There is a Very good Ford specific board here.
Click on the link below.
Ford Board

Anyone that knows a fair amount about old tractors will know to tell anybody in conversation that the SOS was no good. Any one who really knows their old Fords will tell you to stay away from the first generation SOS but that the second generation that came out for 1964 is a great transmission. Most of the ones built between 1958 and 1964 had the second gen unit retrofitted in or the original SOS was converted at either a dealer or The Ford factory. I have had one since 2001 and it gets quite a lot of use raking and sometimes baling hay. The only significant worries as long as required maintenance is performed, is that the splines on the input shaft will strip out at some point, but their is a gentleman who visits here who rebuilds them, and shift and PTO cables can come apart so it is a good idea to get spares. They built them for a number of years and there are still lots and lots still out there working every day.

I will aggravate some with this comment but if this
going to be a first tractor and a hobby tractor get a
gas engine. They are more easy to work on for the
novice mechanic. Also diesel engines do not
function well for puttering around. They need to be
worked regularly to keep from fouling the fuel and
slobbering. Best of luck, my cousins have their
dads Ford 3000 bought new circa 1970. It's a
gasser and still running strong.

The 4000 is a good tractor, but if you can go the extra, a 5000 is a great tractor, and I think a decent one can be had for $5000
Happy shopping
Pete