Overview
The Ford 8600 is a farm tractor manufactured between 1972 and 1976 in Romeo, Michigan, featuring a 401 cubic inch six-cylinder diesel engine. It is equipped with a Dual Power partial power shift transmission offering up to 16 forward speeds and a Category II rear hitch. Performance testing under Nebraska Tractor Test 1121 recorded a maximum PTO output of 110.69 hp and a maximum drawbar pull of 11,363 lbs.
Ideal Applications
Tested Power Performance:
According to Nebraska Tractor Test 1121, this model produced 110.69 hp at the PTO and achieved a drawbar power rating of 92.42 hp while utilizing a 6.6L liquid-cooled diesel engine.
Transmission and Gearing Configuration:
The Dual Power system provides 16 forward and 4 reverse gears using foot-button controls to shift between direct drive and a lower power drive range without manual clutching for that specific shift.
Chassis and Physical Dimensions:
The tractor features a two-wheel drive mechanical layout with an operating weight of 11,430 lbs and a ballasted weight capability of 14,790 lbs on an 85-inch wide frame.
Production
| Description | Built in Romeo, Michigan, USA / Original price was $15,200 in 1976 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford |
Engine
| Engine type | Ford 6.6L 6-cyl diesel |
|---|---|
| Air cleaner | dry |
| Bore/Stroke | 4.40x4.40 inches (112 x 112 mm) |
| Compression | 16.5:1 |
| Coolant capacity | 18 qts (17.0 L) |
| Description | Ford / diesel / 6-cylinder / liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 401 ci (6.6 L) |
| Exhaust valve clearance | 0.018 inches (hot) (0.457 mm) |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Intake valve clearance | 0.015 inches (hot) (0.381 mm) |
| Rated RPM | 2300 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 12 qts (11.4 L) |
| Drawbar (tested) | 92.42 hp (68.9 kW) |
| PTO (tested) | 110.69 hp (82.5 kW) |
Transmission
| Description | Four gears with two ranges. The up-shift from 3-to-4 and 7-to-8 synchronized. Tractor must be stopped, and clutch used, for all other shifts. / Dual Power adds a power shift to the basic eight-speed transmission. Two foot buttons control the shift, the left button engages direct drive (normal) mode while the right "power drive" button provides the lower range. The power drive button must be down for stationary PTO work. |
|---|---|
| Gears | 8 forward and 2 reverse / 16 forward and 4 reverse |
| Oil capacity | 64 qts (60.6 L) / 69 qts (65.3 L) |
| Transmission | Dual Power |
| Type | partial power shift |
| Transmission type | 8-speed / 16-speed partial power shift |
| Transmission type | 8-speed / 16-speed partial power shift |
Mechanical
| Cab | Open operator station. Cab optional. |
|---|---|
| Description | Power steering / Differential hydraulic wet disc brakes |
| Differential lock | foot pedal |
| Drive type | Two-wheel drive |
Capacity
| Fuel | 43 gal (162.8 L) |
|---|---|
| Hydraulic system | 16 gal (60.6 L) |
| Steering | 3 qts (2.8 L) |
Hydraulics
| Capacity | 16 gal (60.6 L) |
|---|---|
| Pressure | 2500 psi (172.4 bar) |
| Pump flow | 12 gpm (45.4 lpm) |
| Steering cap. | 3 qts (2.8 L) |
| Steering flow | 4.2 gpm (15.9 lpm) |
| Steering press. | 1500 psi (103.4 bar) |
Hitch
| Rear Type | II |
|---|
PTO
| Rear PTO | independent |
|---|---|
| Rear PTO Type | 540/1000 |
Electrical
| Battery AH | 128 |
|---|---|
| Battery volts | 12 |
| Charging amps | 55 |
| Charging system | alternator |
| Ground | negative |
Dimensions & Tires
| Ground clearance | 25.3 inches (all purpose front axle) (64 cm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 154.8 inches (row crop) (393 cm) |
| Wheelbase | 91.5 inches (all purpose) (232 cm) |
| Width | 85 inches (215 cm) |
| Front tire | 7.50-18 |
| Rear tire | 18.4-34 |
| Weight | 8033 to 11430 pounds |
| Wheelbase | 91.5 inches (all purpose) (232 cm) |
| Ag front | 7.50-18 (all purpose) / 10.00-16 |
| Ag rear | 18.4-34 (all purpose) / 18.4-38 |
8600 Serial Numbers
| 1972 | C327200 |
|---|---|
| 1973 | C367300 |
| 1974 | C405200 |
| 1975 | C450700 |
| 1976 | C490300 |
| Description | FAQ: How to read a serial number table. |
| Location: | Inside tool box cover and on top of rear axle, near top link mount. |
Ford 8600 Height
| Exhaust | 106 inches (all purpose) (269 cm) |
|---|---|
| Hood | 74 inches (all purpose) (187 cm) |
Ford 8600 Weight
| Ballasted | 14,790 lbs (6708 kg) |
|---|---|
| Operating | 11,430 lbs (5184 kg) |
Nebraska Tractor Test 1121
| Description | Diesel Dual Power 2WDApril 2 - 14, 1973Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1121 file / PTO performance / Drawbar performance / Gear 5PD used for power test. / Gear 2DD used for pull test. |
|---|---|
| Fuel use | 7.3 gal/hour (27.6 l/hour) / 6.3 gal/hour (23.8 l/hour) / 7.3 gal/hour (27.6 l/hour) |
| Max power | 92.42 hp (68.9 kW) |
| Max pull | 11,363 lbs (5154 kg) |
| Power at rated engine speed | 110.69 hp (82.5 kW) |
| Power at rated PTO speed | 99.32 hp (74.1 kW) |
References
| Description | Buyer's Guide '74 published in 1974, by Ford / 8000, 8600, 9000 and 9600 Repair Time Schedule (SE 3410) published in 1973 / 8600 Operator's Manual (SE 3377) published in 1972 |
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