I'm a Ford guy now looking at buying a TO30 - What to d

I am looking at buying a TO30 available near me for $2000 with brush hog, blade, loader, and tire chains. Tractor converted to 12V and it starts and runs fine. I have been a ford guy, having fully restored a 1940 9N, 1946 2N, 1957 850, and a 1925 Fordson. The TO30 sure looks a lot like my Fords, and am wondering if the mechanical skills I have developed from working on my Fords, would be useful in restoring a TO30. Any thoughts on price, and restoration similarities between early Fords and the TO30 would help me decide whether or not to make the purchase. Thanks to all, Larry.

(quoted from post at 13:36:27 05/06/22) I am looking at buying a TO30 available near me for $2000 with brush hog, blade, loader, and tire chains. Tractor converted to 12V and it starts and runs fine. I have been a ford guy, having fully restored a 1940 9N, 1946 2N, 1957 850, and a 1925 Fordson. The TO30 sure looks a lot like my Fords, and am wondering if the mechanical skills I have developed from working on my Fords, would be useful in restoring a TO30. Any thoughts on price, and restoration similarities between early Fords and the TO30 would help me decide whether or not to make the purchase. Thanks to all, Larry.

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Id say thats a pretty good deal on my neck of the woods, the Ferguson TO series are quite a bit like your ford 8n in design, many parts are very similiar some, such as the hydrolic pump may Interchange.. dont quote me on that though.The biggest difference that I know of is the engine, the fords used a flat head 4, where as the fergusons used the continental Z series.
My opinion may differ from others, but the Ferguson is a lot better tractor than the 8n. Since that tractor may or may not have had a loader on it, check the front wheel bearings for play, as well as the center pin. Those tractors arent really built strong enough for a front end loader. When you look at it, push the front tires side to side, I like to push at the top and then pul it back and get it rocking.. if those wheel bearings are bad you can hear them and feel them . also check antifreeze and make sure it hasnt any oil in it, look at the oil for the same. Also look at the rear hubs and see if they leak, wiggle the rear tires like you would the front to check for worn bearings. Beleive it or not Ive seen a few fergusons in my day that have all four wheel bearings worn out. Also check to make sure the governor works, not hard to change it out, but somthing to check nonetheless. Other than that I cant think of anything else to help ya out, maybe a few others will chime in. None of the stuff Ive mentioned, to me, would be a deal breaker, more of a negotiating tool. Good luck and send us pictures if youd decide to get it.

That TO-30 will have some grunt power the Ford 8N does not. Hyd pumps are different as well as the top cover. 8N having built in position
control that the '30 does not. I once had a TO-30 with a Howard and the grunt power was noticeable over the 8N.
It went away with a tiller on the back for $2600 a few years ago.

Hi Larry,



Sound like a good deal to me too. Ive had my TO30 since 2002 and have been a Ferguson guy since. Very similar to the Ford 2n and 9n,
for reason but thats another story. Very easy to work on both engine and the tractor itself. A lot of parts still available. The one and only
weakness is the engine block which was prone to cracks mostly due to running straight water, not antifreeze, in the cooling system. Still,
that being said and a happy TO30 owner it really is Avery good machine and at that price with implements dont let it get away.



Also, welcome to the forum. A lot of great advice and help is here.



Tom

The TO30 is a cousin to the N Fords, a few improvements and modernizations.

It does have its limitations though, not a good loader tractor, light front
suspension and no power steering.

And no 2 stage clutch, that means the rotary mower will continue to push the
tractor, best to run an over running clutch on the PTO.

Keep in mind the age factor. Unless someone has already gone through it, or
it is a very rare find, expect to find the typical age related problems, like
bad wiring, rusty gas tank, sloppy steering, and a belly full of water.

That's not a bad price for a running tractor and the implements! Tires are a
consideration, they are very expensive now!

Thanks everyone. Hopefully will be able to make the buy in the next day or two. Will take some photos and post them here if/ when I make the purchase. Thanks for the info, if I get it I will probably not do a full nuts and bolts restoration, but want to use it as a working member of the family. Boy, I can relate to the comment about the high cost of rubber, regardless of the make of the tractor. I have a loader on my Ford 850, so probably will not need the loader on the TO30. And yes, I always use an ORC on the PTO, I've heard the stories of tractors being run forward up a tree. I checked Ste i ner and some other places, and it seems replacement parts are readily available, at prices similar to what I pay for parts for my vintage Fords. Thanks everyone, and I will keep you posted, Larry.