I am the proud owner of a 1973 Ford 4000 3-cycle diesel 4-speed transmission high and low range 2-wheel drive with loader. It sold new for around $4,500.
Before I owned it. she was a manure loader at a feedlot where it was used and abused.I purchased it in 1992 to cut and bale hay on 25 acres. She had 1,500 hours on her and I don't know if hours were correct then, and now has around 5,500.
It has been a real good tractor and has been used for everything from plowing, cutting, bailing and hauling hay to general farming to being a loader tractor to snow plowing. Now we use it for feeding 1,550-pound hay bales.
We have replaced all tires, front spindles, bearings, and wheel hub bearings because of overloading loader. We did a starter rebuild and now it needs a water pump. She has been serviced regularly and has a few hydraulic oil leaks. I have owned John Deere, Massey, and other Fords; and by far I certainly would buy another Made In USA 4000 with a loader again.
It is reliable, just the right size, and good tractor for the money. I paid $4,500 in 1992 and even now In 2018 she is still worth what I paid or maybe more. We must not forget these older tractors were made with genuine United States steel built by U.S.of A. companies and employees. We need to get back to our roots and build U.S quality again.