converted city boy

i have lived in northeast mississippi for about 9yrs now and have never owned a tractor since i am originaly from the coast. can any one tell me how to start a ford 3600 tractor that i recently purchased out of state my neighbors dont even know how .i know it runs the guy dropped it off a month ago and drove it off the trailor.

dont laugh its me again. i have successfully ran the battery dead and am recharging it again the 3rd time. if anyone knows how to start this thing please let me know.i see a fire in its future. lol

First of all make sure the transmission is in neutral and the clutch is depressed all the way!

Now, Gas or Diesel?

Gas engines have a choke that needs to be pull when the engine is cold. This causes the engine to suck more gas from the carburator. When the engine starts, push the in choke in alittle to keep the motor running. After the motor is warmed up, push the choke in. Don't have it pulled to long as this will flood the engine. If this happens push the choke in and open the thottle to the clear the extra gas from the engine. Or let it set for awhile so the gas while evaporate.

If it's a diesel, push the throttle ahead to alittle to allow fuel to flow to the injectors. Pulling the throttle back all the way to slow speed will stop the fuel flow and stop the engine.

Gas or diesel? Either one, there should be a fuel cut off on the tank. Check to see if it's turned on. If in doubt, take the fuel line loose from the cut off valve and see fuel runs out in a strong stream. If fuel does not run out or if it a weak stream, there is an obstruction in the bottmo of the fuel tank. TAKE THE FUEL TANK CAP OFF.Then blow compressed air briefly into the tank and the flow shoud improve. Oh, there is always the chance that you are out of fuel, but I assume you checked that. Maybe someone with experience with that tractor will check in with other advice, I've never operated one.

KEH

Hi,

You don't say if it's diesel or gas... and the difference is big.

Wasn't every on a gas one so I can't speak to whether or not there's a choke.

For the diesel.. the problem might be that it's got (I think, it's been 25 years since I've been on a 3600) a shut off in addition to the key. Would have been labelled "pull to stop". Am thinking it was somewhere around the right side of the dash (squarish handle maybe 1 inch wide and 1/2 (one-half) inch high) may have only been a handle. (If it's pulled out it will look like a T with the down leg going into the dash) If it's pulled out, push it in.... and FYI if I recall correctly you HAVE to pull it to shut the engine off, turning off the key won't do it. However, don't forget to turn the key off after shutting down the engine... you will run the battery down.

In either case... you need to find the appropriate owners manual ASAP. Will have a lot of good information about care and operation.

Randy

thanks i just assumed that if i could drive a 4 or 5 speed i should definately be able to drive a tractor, plus they sure can get the job done. i have 18 acres i need to bushhog. getting ready for a big pond. got a lil clearing to do.

Hi,

BEFORE you start trying to bush hog... you REALLY need to read the manual and learn to run the tractor. Start out slow.

There's lots of folks that will help you learn what we can via the net. What you can't learn here though is how the tractor handles alone... and how much different it will handle with a bush hog behind it (and depending on how your tractor is set up... and how the bush hog is attached... it can be a LOT different).

You may get better answers on the Ford specific questions on the FORD forum on this site BTW.

Randy

well ive entered another prediciment. one of the guys all the way at the end of my road has came by as i was wenching the ford 3600 onto my trailor. asked what was wrong with it and ofcourse i shrugged . he asked if he could look at it, no hesitation i say "yeah go ahead." come to find out it was a gasoline engine, and i learned something. NOT ALL TRACTORS ARE DESIEL!!
he said he always liked fords and said he has a newer one that is just too much tractor for what he needed one for. so he made an offer, and after seeing his i cant refuse. its a 1999 Honda H5518A 4WD, all-wheel-steering tractor. Like new, very low hours. Rebuilt 42” blower (all new gears, bearings), new 60” adj. blade, new rear 3-pt hitch, new-in-crate 52” mid mower deck, chains, all synthetic. and the best part "i can start it and drive it!" only costing me $400 extra,but man can this joker pull! i just hope im not jumping into a headache..seems like a real good tractor. again thanks for the advise fellas ill keep in touch.no more city boy, for me.

Remember all farm equipment is powerful and can remove parts of your body before you realize you're in trouble. Respect the power of your equipment. Keep loose clothing away from spinning parts such as drive shafts, etc. Wear gloves and good safety glasses.

If you have a neighbor with farming experience, ASK! Most are glad to help and teach.

Shut the pto (power take off which powers the drive shaft to equipment) off and wait until the equipment has quit turning/running before you get off the tractor.

Set BOTH brakes when parking the tractor. ALWAYS put the tractor in Neutral and depress the clutch fully before starting.

Farm machinery can and will kill you if you get careless and you don't have to be a newbie for it to happen. In spite of the risks, farming is wonderful.

You will find a wealth of good information on this site.

The only dumb question is the one you didn't ask.

Sell it before you kill yourself, and get your neighbor to do whatever you need done.

So your new to tractors, well we all were once right ?????, no time like the present to learn, try and get an experienced hand to help you.

Ditto, to the safety advice, you will want to learn everything about running a rotary mower, safety is of high priority and of utmost importance to your well being, however it should not prohibit you from learning, all of us had to do it at one time, most early on in life, others not.

That 18 acres, you need to walk and inspect the work areas for hazards, holes and dens from critters, and any kinds of obstacles.

Hills, they can be dangerous, not for the inexperienced, but you can learn, tractor needs to be ballasted, ( tires loaded with CACL or similar fluid that won't freeze ), and it would be real wise to invest in a r.o.p.s ( roll over protection system ) and a seat with a seatbelt, which you must use for that r.o.p.s. to protect you in the event of a roll over.

That 3600 is a great utility tractor, we have a diesel version of it, should not be hard to learn to operate and if it is or once you have repaired it to a field ready condition, it will last you, it is a lower center of gravity kind of tractor, a r.o.p.s can be fitted to it, and parts are available etc. if were me, I'd want that one, even though it may consume more fuel and is older, it's a good tractor and perfect for that acreage, with a 6'-8' rotary mower, depending on what you are cutting.

You will need to learn some things, never take safety for granted, ALWAYS follow good practice, and eventually after some seat time, and with some help from an experienced hand, you'll be fine, yeah I know some said different.... the object is to learn and be able to use it to do work, if you don't learn, you'll have to hire it out or it won't get done.

Go to your local New Holland dealer and purchase an owners manual for your 3600 and study it, lots of things you need to know besides how to start it.