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The Ford Powermaster 801 series tractor

The tractor’s designation number changed, depending on the selection of options

IN THE SHOP with Rachel

By Rachel Gingell
Farms.com

With the right options, the Ford Powermaster 801 series offers a powerful and economical loader tractor – and a good basic all-around chore tractor.

With more than 50 horsepower, this little utility tractor packs a lot of power into a small package! The 801 series is available in gasoline, LP gas and diesel options. More than 150,000 of these tractors were produced from 1957 to 1962.

Like many other tractors of the era, the 801 comes loaded with many options. The tractor came with a standard four-speed transmission, with the option of a five-speed (my recommendation) or the Ford Select-O-Speed option. Also offered: live PTO, three-point hitch, larger rear tires, heavy-duty front end and power steering.

Depending on the selection of options, the middle number of the tractor’s designation would change. For example, an 801-series tractor with a five-speed transmission would say “851” on the hood. An 801 series with a Select-O-Speed and no PTO would say “811.” There’s plenty of designations to match the specific combinations, with some being more popular than others.


Ford Powermaster 881
Photo: TractorData.com

This versatility can be confusing when it comes to buying an 801-series tractor. In my area, people often use the most basic designation (841) as the generic term, regardless of what’s on the hood. Others will just use what’s on the hood. If you are searching for one of these tractors online, it’s worthwhile to consult a list of variants and search for a few different possible designations as well as the generic 801 and 841.

My dad and I recently purchased an 801 Series tractor with the perfect combination of options: a heavy-duty front end, a five-speed transmission and power steering. This tractor is the perfect blend – it was born to be a loader tractor.

While Ford manufactured a very nice loader to match the 801 series, there are plenty of good aftermarket options available too. Our tractor has an aftermarket loader and it works well.

The power steering is an especially important option if you’re looking for a loader tractor. The added weight from the loader makes it a real workout to use a tractor without this option. 


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Comments (13)


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I have a 801 power master vin # 146201 what year is it.
Barbara |Apr 26 2023 9:18PM
I am also looking for a 801 Diesel Powermaster and need a Air Cleaner Assembly. Any suggestions?
Darren |Dec 6 2022 11:25PM
how many 801 where build in 1962
JERRY |Feb 10 2022 5:17PM
I recently bought a project tractor. It is a Ford 801 gas. Best as I can tell the Serial # is 851. S2972. OR 310609. I would like to know yr, hp, and all about the tractor. It’s needing a water pump, key switch , complete breather assembly, and whethe it is 6 volt or switched to 12 volt. Etc . please refer somewhere. Thanks
Dennis |Dec 18 2021 9:24AM
I recently bought a project tractor. It is a Ford 801 gas. Best as I can tell the Serial # is 851. S2972. OR 310609. I would like to know yr, hp, and all about the tractor. It’s needing a water pump, key switch , complete breather assembly, and whethe it is 6 volt or switched to 12 volt. Etc . please refer somewhere. Thanks
Dennis |Dec 16 2021 3:17PM
I have a 801 Diesel Powermaster and need a Air Cleaner Assembly. Please let me know if you have one or give me some suggestion on where I may find this item. Thank You L. Deiss
Lothar |Oct 31 2021 7:44PM
I am looking for a new tractor but will consider forming out money on my Ford 801 power master. I would like power steering and a bucket. Can this be added on to this tractor?
Shawn |Jun 9 2021 9:03AM
I have a 1962 Ford 801 Powermaster 5 speed transmission. what oil and weight does it take and how many quarts. we were pulling the motor and had to remove the tube low and behold all the oil came gushing out. It probably needed changed any way
Alan |Jun 8 2021 11:50AM
I have an 801 Ford power master diesel tractor. It has a 4 speed transmission. The problem I have is when mowing with a 5 foot mower in 1st gear it travels to fast. It makes the mowing quality poor. What can I do to change this. I love the tractor.
Rickey |Dec 4 2020 3:07PM
i have a ford naa and would like to swap transmission out for a later model 5 speed or what ever speed i need that has lower 1st. gear for tiller use. don't mind swapping rear end if i have to. does anyone know what i model i need to get to do this.
tommy |Oct 3 2020 1:55PM
Yes. Rotella can be used in any engine ,no matter the size. At my house , if it runs , it runs on rottella.
Jerry |Aug 22 2020 3:01PM
I have a N1000 trans were can I get replacement parts Bands gears etc.
James |Aug 2 2020 2:32PM
i have a 1962 ford powermaster 801 tractor can i use 10w30 rotella oil in crankcase it is a gas tractor
Donnie Simpson |Aug 20 2019 7:33PM