I am looking at a 1961 340 utility, gas, with 5 speed tranny. Was wondering if this would be geared decent to use a loader on. My dad has a 2000 ford with a 4 spd. tranny that is to fast in low gear and makes it hard to use the loader in tight spots.
It also has a set of live hydraulics on the left side that are operated by lever on right side of dash. would this work to couple the loader hoses to?
Thanks,
Andy

Im currently looking at a 340 with a loader, and while im not sure it'll follow me home, i've done some research already. If the one your looking at has a 5-speed, that puts it at 1.79mph at rated (2000) RPM's in first gear. I have no idea how that compares to the ford, but I'd wager its slower.

AR

I have a 340 utility with an IH 2000 loader. It does a great job, but first and reverse are S L O W. I usually push into a load in first, then use third to get to my destination. Reverse is excruciatingly slow, but it does go backwards.

Those had several different hydraulic setups. Mine has 2 levers to the right of the wheel. The left one controls the LH outlets and the right one controls the RH outlets. I use the LH lever to raise and lower the bucket and the RH lever to tilt it. Mine has a factory 3 pt, so the 3rd valve is used for that.

Do you know if it has a T.A.? That will make a big difference. If so, it is a great little tractor.

If he's only got the TA, it would give him a 10-speed, and drops first down to 1.2mph. Some of the 5-speeds had the fast reverser option, giving you 5 forward and 5 reverse speeds, with a top speed backwards of nearly 20mph.

It also has a set of live hydraulics on the left side that are operated by lever on right side of dash. would this work to couple the loader hoses to?

Click to expand...

Yes, but that only gives you one function on the loader.

If your loader has a hydraulic dump bucket, it will requre a second set of hydraulic remotes.

If you want to do loader work, get a skid steer. They move fast and will work in tight spaces. About twice as fast or more than that 340.

You didn't say what size loader or what you want to use it for such as moving dirt or an occasional big bale.

I have a 2606 with IH 3000 loader. Loader rated at (I forget now) but picks up 1500# bales just fine. I have a hoe on the back end or else it wouldn't have the weight back there to hold a big bale in front even though the hydraulics are capable of it.

Low gear is very slow. The forward and reverser is worn to the point that I have to stop and wait to avoid any gear grind. It's not like you can nose in to a bale and then ram it back into reverse.

The 340 will be worse in tight spots. The steering is old and slow and especially with a load on the front. Takes half the farm yard to maneuver around. They don't turn on a dime.

Then the worn out hydraulics are going to keep you from doing much leveling work with a bucket. Ya can't work a loader bucket like a grader blade cause they want to buck around too much.

If you think the 2000 ford is hard, just wait till you try a 340. Go drive the one around you are looking at to simulate loader work and then double the time and aggravation for what it will be like with a loaded loader.

Then good luck finding the right loader to fit it at the right price and then not have the appropriate hydraulics.

Let everyone know what loader work and average daily use to get some better advice.

It does not have a T/A. After reading these posts I think I am about talked out of this tractor. Thanks for all the info guys. This is a very helpful site.
thanks again,
Andy

if you aren't already talked out of a 340 for a loader tractor, i will underline that you will die of old age backing up. and with a loader, you spend considerable time backing up.

Andy: About the only good suggestion you has was the skid loader. Got rid of my last tractor loader in 1976, since then it's been skid steers all the way.