Overview
The Ford 541 is a row-crop cultivating tractor produced between 1958 and 1962 in Highland Park, Michigan, featuring an offset chassis design for row visibility. It was available in standard offset and high-clearance variants, utilizing a 4-speed gear transmission and offering gasoline, LP gas, or diesel engine options. Listed specifications include a claimed PTO output of 34 hp and a shipping weight ranging from 3513 to 3664 pounds.
Ideal Applications
Offset Chassis Configuration:
The engine and driveline are offset to the driver's left to improve visibility of the rows directly below the tractor during cultivating operations.
Engine and Electrical Specifications:
The model supports three fuel types including a 134 ci gasoline or LP gas engine with a 6V positive ground system, and a 144 ci diesel engine equipped with a 12V starter.
High-Clearance Variant Dimensions:
While the standard 541 provides 19.44 inches of ground clearance, the 541-4 variant is configured with a 25.06-inch ground clearance and 10-38 standard rear tires.
Production
| Description | Row-Crop tractor / Built in Highland Park, Michigan, USA / The Ford 541 was a cultivating tractor with an offset chassis to improve visibility of the rows below the tractor. The engine and driveline were offset to the driver's left. |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford |
Engine
| Bore/Stroke | 3.4375x3.60 inches (87 x 91 mm) / 3.4375x3.60 inches (87 x 91 mm) / 3.562x3.60 inches (90 x 91 mm) |
|---|---|
| Compression | 7.5:1 |
| Coolant capacity | 15 qts (14.2 L) |
| Description | Ford / gasoline / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled / Ford / LP gas / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled / Ford / diesel / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 134 ci (2.2 L) / 134 ci (2.2 L) / 144 ci (2.4 L) |
| Firing order | 1-2-4-3 / 1-2-4-3 / 1-2-4-3 |
| Oil capacity | 5 qts (4.7 L) |
| Rated RPM | 2000 / 2200 |
| Starter volts | 6 / 6 / 12 |
| Engine type | Ford 2.2L 4-cyl gasoline / Ford 2.2L 4-cyl LP gas / Ford 2.4L 4-cyl diesel |
| Engine type | Ford 2.2L 4-cyl gasoline / Ford 2.2L 4-cyl LP gas / Ford 2.4L 4-cyl diesel |
| Belt (claimed) | 35.25 hp (26.3 kW) |
| Drawbar (claimed) | 30.7 hp (22.9 kW) |
| PTO (claimed) | 34 hp (25.4 kW) |
Transmission
| Gears | 4 forward and 1 reverse |
|---|---|
| Transmission type | 4-speed gear |
| Type | gear |
Mechanical
| Cab | Open operator station. |
|---|---|
| Description | Mechanical expanding shoe brakes |
| Drive type | Two-wheel drive |
| Steering | manual |
Capacity
| Fuel | 11 gal (41.6 L) |
|---|---|
| Hydraulic system | 8 gal (30.3 L) |
Hydraulics
| Capacity | 8 gal (30.3 L) |
|---|---|
| Type | open center |
Hitch
| Rear Type | I |
|---|
Electrical
| Battery volts | 6 (gas/LP) |
|---|---|
| Ground | positive (6V) |
Dimensions & Tires
| 541-4 Ground clearance | 25.06 inches (63 cm) |
|---|---|
| 541-4 Shipping weight | 3664 lbs (1661 kg) |
| 541 Ground clearance | 19.44 inches (49 cm) |
| 541 Shipping weight | 3513 lbs (1593 kg) |
| Front tread | 40 to 78 inches (101 to 198 cm) |
| Length | 140.5 inches (356 cm) |
| Rear tread | 40/44/48/52/56/60/64/68 inches (101/111/121/132/142/152/162/172 cm) |
| Wheelbase | 89 inches (226 cm) |
| Width | 55.6 inches*Minimum at 40-inch tread. (141 cm) |
| 541 Rear tire | 10-28 |
| Front tire | 5.50-16 |
| Weight | 3513 to 3664 pounds |
| Wheelbase | 89 inches (226 cm) |
| 541-4 Optional tires (ag) | Front: 5.50-16. Rear: 12-38 |
| 541-4 Standard tires (ag) | Front: 5.50-16. Rear: 10-38 |
| 541 Optional tires (ag) | Front: 5.50-16. Rear: 11-28 |
| 541 Standard tires (ag) | Front: 5.50-16. Rear: 10-28 |
541 Serial Numbers
| 1957 | 1001 |
|---|---|
| 1958 | 11977 |
| 1959 | 58312 |
| 1960 | 105943 |
| 1961 | 131427 |
| 1962 | 155531 |
| Description | FAQ: How to read a serial number table. |
| Location: | The serial number on the Ford 541 is on the left side, behind the starter and on top of the transmission case. |
References
| Description | Offset Workmaster Tractors published in 1959, by Ford / Offset Tractor 541 (SE 6969-A) published in 1960 |
|---|
Variants
| 541 | offset |
|---|---|
| 541-4 | offset high-clearance |
| 641 | utility |
| 741 | row-crop |