The 900 Series was the biggest row-crop tractor in Ford's 1955–1957 Hundred Series lineup: the 172 cu in engine of the 800 in the tall, long row-crop chassis of the 700. If you've found a tall Ford with a tricycle front and a 900 emblem, the things to settle before you buy are whether it's really a 900 (and not a 700 with a borrowed hood), which of the three models it is, and whether the row-crop-specific parts are sound.

What a 900 is

The N Tractor Club describes the 900 as the row-crop tricycle version of the 800, with a wide front end offered as an option (Quick ID guide). Farm Progress notes the tricycle was the most common setup on the 960 (Farm Progress). Ford built it alongside the other Hundred Series tractors through 1957, after introducing the 600 and 800 first.

Tractor Data lists three models:

9404-speed with PTO and three-point lift
9505-speed with three-point lift and PTO (not live)
9605-speed with three-point lift and live PTO

How each digit works is covered in Decoding Ford Hundred Series Model Numbers, so it isn't repeated here.

Confirming it's a 900

  1. The stamping. On the left side, on the flat pad above and behind the starter where the engine meets the transmission housing, the model number is stamped above the serial. It should start with 9.
  2. The block casting. On the lower right side of the engine block, EAF 6015 marks the 1953–1957 172. EAE 6015 is the 134, which belongs in a 700.
  3. The wheelbase. Tractor Data lists 85.3 inches for the 960, about ten inches longer than an 800 utility (75.2 inches). Measure center of front axle to center of rear axle.
  4. The PTO and shift pattern. A 940 has a four-speed; the 950 and 960 have five. Only the 960 should have the two-stage clutch for live PTO.

Telling it from look-alikes

From a 700. Same row-crop chassis and wheelbase, but with the 134 engine and the 600's lighter rear end. A 700 stamping starts with 7 and the block reads EAE. Because the chassis is so similar, the stamping and the block are the only reliable checks.

From an 800 with a row-crop front. The stamping starts with 8 and the wheelbase is around 75 inches.

From a 901 Powermaster (1958–1962). The 01-series tractor has a third digit of 1 (941, 961 and so on), a red hood center with gray sides, an egg-crate grille and a plastic hood emblem. Its stamping may carry a suffix such as -1 (single front wheel) or -4 (high clearance with wide front).

Reading and dating the serial

The serial is the number between two diamond symbols, below the model number. Hundred Series ranges: 1954, 1–10,614; 1955, 10,615–77,270; 1956, 77,271–116,367; 1957, 116,368 and up (N Tractor Club; Tractor Data gives the same starting numbers). One sequence covers all four series, so the serial dates the tractor but doesn't identify the model.

Worked example (made-up numbers): 950 over ◇71904◇. First digit 9: row-crop, 172. Middle digit 5: five-speed, three-point lift, PTO not live. Third digit 0: Hundred Series. 71904 is inside the 1955 range (10,615 to 77,270), so it's a 1955 Ford 950.

Specifications

EngineFord 172 cu in 4-cylinder overhead-valve, gasoline or LP-gas
Power46.3 belt hp and 38.4 drawbar hp tested (960)
Transmission4-speed (940) or 5-speed (950, 960) unsynchronized
PTO540 rpm; live through a two-stage clutch on the 960 only
LayoutHigh-clearance row-crop, tricycle front with wide front optional
SteeringManual, power assist optional
Wheelbase / weight85.3 in / 3,280 to 3,626 lb (960)
Built1955–1957 model years

Figures from Tractor Data.

What to check before buying or reviving one

  • The front pedestal and spindles. These carry the weight of the 172 on a narrow front. Jack the front up, rock each wheel top to bottom, and look for spindle play and for cracks or old welds around the pedestal mounting. Unlike the engine and transmission, these parts aren't shared with the 800 utility, so price them before you commit.
  • The stamping against the block. If a 900 stamping sits over an EAE block, the tractor has a 134 in it and about a third less power than a 900 should have.
  • The two-stage clutch on a 960. With the PTO running, push the clutch halfway: the tractor should stop while the PTO keeps turning. All the way down, the PTO should stop. If it doesn't, the clutch needs adjustment or rebuilding.
  • Power steering, if fitted. It was optional. Turn lock to lock with the engine running and feel for hard spots, and look for leaks at the lines and fittings.
  • The lift. Raise a heavy implement, shut down, and watch whether it settles.
  • Oils and electrics. Look for coolant in the engine oil and water in the gear oil. Hundred Series tractors were built with 6-volt systems (Tractor Data lists 6-volt for the 950), so check whether it has been converted before buying a battery.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Running it on side hills like a wide-front. A tricycle front tips far more easily, especially when turning or carrying a raised implement. Keep slopes gentle, slow down in turns, and add rear ballast.
  • Mounting a heavy loader on a tricycle. It overloads the pedestal and spindles and makes the tractor even less stable.
  • Assuming any five-speed 900 has live PTO. The 950 doesn't. With a transmission-driven PTO, a heavy rotary mower keeps pushing the tractor when you clutch.
  • Buying by the emblem. A 900 emblem on a 700 chassis is an easy swap. The stamping and the EAF block are what you're paying for.
  • Dating a 901 with the Hundred Series chart. The 01 series restarted its serial numbers, so the wrong chart gives the wrong year.