any links to tractor info? older Ford 800

[Mia]

yes, this question is related to our home building - we bought an older tractor to move dirt, & to tow heavy stuff.  don't know when it was built - between 1950 & 1960, probably.  it has a backhoe & loader.  the hydrolics SEEM to be in good condition.
anybody know what weight oil it takes?
thanks for any information you can share.

Mia (a.k.a., Should Be Old Enough To Know Better)

[glenn-k]

Try this -- I recently had to find info for my John Deere 2010 and found this site.

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/store/model_parts.cgi?SearchArea=FORD&&md=800&r=zone

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/ntracz.pl?m=ford

[Mia]

first question, what weight of motor oil does it take?  and the shifter below the seat on the left hand side, is that for the rear end?
and if we take the backhoe off (I think that's possible), will the front end stay on the ground as the tractor runs uphill?  (that was my question, not my husband's.)

[glenn-k]

I don't know the oil type and it appears that there were 3 engines used in that model tractor- Gas -LP - Propane - Diesel.  The diesel engine would likely require diesel rated engine oil.  If low any good quality oil (diesel rated if diesel) will be better than damaging the engine - until you can get the proper information.  The parts house or oil distributer may be able to help with this information also.  All parts and controls are usually explained in the manuals.  I have been able to get manuals for all of my equipment - even olt stuff from the places as the dealer above  or Ebay.  Some of the shifters down there controlled things such as the PTO - to shut it off from the seat.  If equipped with a three point hitch then some had a control that adjusted whether the 3 point rode at a specific height or a specific amount of back pressure from the ground - as it pushed harder it would raise.

I always order the shop repair manual -parts catalog,  besides the operator -maintenance manual for each piece of equipment I have if possible.  

The front end will get heavier if you take the backhoe off.  Since the backhoe sits on the back it counterbalances the weight on the front.  In the event of a very hard pull, it could prevent the tractor from flipping over backward, due to it's hitting the ground before it can flip.  It is not common for a tractor to flip over - ie: the pinion climbing the ring gear lifting the tractor  front end off the ground and rotating it on the rear axle until the radiator cap- front end --  hits the ground behind the tractor crushing the driver  but it is possible.  A ROPS  - Roll Over Protective Structure cna help prevend death from this type of accident.

Note that loads should always be towed from the drawbar under the rear axle - low -- to help prevent this type of problem also.

[Mia]

Thank you Glenn.  (I actually understood everything you said!)
gasoline engine, I should have said.  
I did order a manual as soon as we got the tractor, should get it in a week or so.
My husband has experience with smaller farm tractors - he worked that same hill, growing blackcaps, a few decades ago.  and more recently he has used a Bobcat to scratch out the lower road on our place.  so, he should be o.k.  he promises he will be careful.
he's looking forward to digging back into the hill to build his earth-sheltered shop.
(I've heard that some folks just keep digging to enlarge their homes, but perhaps they have more sophisticated equipment.)

[glenn kangiser]

You never know, Mia.  I've heard that some people are crazy enough they actually live underground like moles or gophers.

If there is anything I can help with please let me know.

Until you find out on the oil and in the PNW I would thing that a good brand of 30wt oil should work.  All major brands should exceed manufacturers requirements.  Multi-grades may not have been in use at the time that was made, and sometimes they lead to excessive oil consumption on the old stuff, but they still work.  Just monitor it closely.

Please keep us posted.