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The Ford 6000 Commander

Tips surrounding repair work on this tractor

IN THE SHOP with Rachel

By Rachel Gingell
Farms.com

The Ford 6000 Commander has a lot of horsepower and can be purchased for a rock-bottom price, but it is tricky to repair.

The Ford 6000 Commander was intended to replace the recalled Ford 6000. The 6000 was had a lot of mechanical problems and only produced from 1965-1967. After Ford recalled the tractor, it corrected the problems and re-released the model with a new designation. The Ford 6000 Commander is this re-release.

While Ford corrected the big mechanical issues with the Commander version of the Ford 6000, the tractor retained the Select-O-Speed transmission and the accumulator hydraulic system. Both of these features are difficult to repair.

The Select-O-Speed transmission was an early development of the hydrostatic transmission that allowed smooth shifting between gears during operation. Designers borrowed concepts from the automotive industry to make this transmission. The Select-o-Speed was a huge advance for the time.

Compared to modern transmissions, the shifting is not as smooth as you would expect. While this wouldn't be a big problem in a manual transmission (where you stop to change gears), it's an issue when you are still rolling along.

More significantly, the Select-O-Speed transmission very difficult to repair. When it breaks, the shrapnel is spread throughout the entire transmission. Each separate clutch pack must be replaced, and the valves that hold these clutch packs in place are tricky to install.

A second repair difficulty with the Ford 6000 Commander is the accumulator hydraulic system. The tractor's hydraulic system is equipped with a pressurized tank. This tank builds up to 1500 psi. At the touch of a button, the farmer can lift an implement out of even the most sticky soil, making the turn-around at the end of a row quick and efficient.

If you are repairing the hydraulic system on a 6000 Commander, be very careful! It is very important that you safely bleed off the pressure in a controlled way before beginning work on the system. Carefully inspect your hydraulic lines and hoses, and replace them at the first sign of wear. If you are not careful with maintenance, it could result in injury. While I’m a big fan of making repairs yourself, this one might be worth turning over to a qualified professional mechanic.
 


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

Comments (11)


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Jeff, that Commander 6000 tractor is on Green Acres today, October 4, 2022. The price was $4,900 in 1967.
Robert |Oct 4 2022 10:01PM
Anyone got any idea where I can get spare parts for these tractors?. Specifically steering box is hopelessly worn out. Good engine and transmission. Cheers
Hugh |Jun 18 2021 10:09PM
How many ford 6000 commanders were built?
Tommy |Feb 28 2021 8:43PM
Hi there. I have a 1968 Commander 6000 in very good condition and would like to add a second set of hydraulic connections to be able to operate my haybine. Haybine has one set for lift and the second for row width/ transport. Also would you know how to adjust the feather clutch? because it is very, very touchy and I am always worried when hooking up. Cheers!
Andrew |Jan 11 2021 12:46PM
Hi. I have a Commander 6000 and would like to add an extra hydraulic connection for a haybine. do you have any information on this? Also the feather clutch is VERY sensitive, and woundered if it is adjustable for sensativity. Cheers, Andy
Andrew |Jan 5 2021 9:40AM
Chrishna, Your problem is most likely your hydraulic pump. These have roll pins inside the pump that eventually break off and go through the system. You must remove and repair the front mounted hydraulic pump and clean the shrapnel out of the unloader valve attached to the pump. Make sure to bleed down the system before working on it as the accumulator can hold pressure. This system isn't as difficult to work on as some will have you believe. However if you need to re-charge the accumulator with dry nitrogen gas then that needs to be done by a professional.
Richard |Nov 25 2020 12:51AM
I saw a fancy custom Commander 6000 on an episode of Green Acres and after looking for at least half an hour, I cannot find a single hint as to what these cost back in the 60's. Can anyone provide this apparently top secret information?
Jeff |Oct 19 2020 10:10PM
I am looking for valves for a 1960 ford 6000 diesel I was told smae as the ford 242 truck engine but not sure if the vales will be the same
gene |Jul 27 2020 5:22PM
Hi Rachel my brakes and hydraulic lifts stop working on my ford 6000 commander. i have a gradual leak where the axle carrier meets the housing. I have filled with hydraulic fluid but still no brakes and lift doesn`t work. What you think could be the problem?
Chrishna Thelwell |Jun 4 2020 11:24PM
Information in the article is incorrect in regards to the dates this tractor was produced.
James W Epperson |Nov 6 2019 10:57PM
my hyd keeps on flowing after shutting it down through the transmission breather at the top??? ford 6000
richard helton |Feb 19 2019 1:07PM