Recently, a 1967 Pre-Force Ford 4000 landed in our yard, a spectacular vintage time capsule that puts into perspective just how far agricultural machinery has come. Identifiable by its unique bonnet louvres and wraparound grille, distinct from the later “Force” models, these Pre-Force tractors were noted for introducing modern styling. Both now and in the 1960s, this tractor stood apart thanks to its Select-O-Speed (power shift) transmission, allowing the operator to shift through 12 gears (2 reverse and 10 forward) without using a clutch – one of the first on the market to do so. This design provided a true live power take-off, a highly valuable feature for operating implements.
Considering its uniqueness, it was a real shame that it wouldn’t start.
Peter McFerran, Group Agricultural Service Manager, decided to task one of our third-year apprentices with the fix, offering Joanne Harding a challenge that would really test her skills. We sat down with Joanne to find out how she got on.
Tell us about yourself. What prompted you to join Turney Group?
I’m Joanne, a third-year agricultural apprentice. I have been part of the agricultural community for as long as I can remember. My dad, who is passionate about vintage tractors, has a farm, and my uncle has a fleet of Massey Ferguson 600 Series tractors that he used to let me work on with him. At my dad’s farm, we have tractors that belonged to both my Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, so I’ve grown up around vintage machinery. I joined Turney Group specifically because my uncle had a great experience buying a New Holland T5 from the company and urged me to join the apprenticeship programme.
When you first saw the Ford 4000, what did you think? Did you believe you could get it running again?
I had recently been talking with a colleague who had been at the company when the Ford 4000s first came into manufacture, and he told me that back then, if the Select-O-Speed broke, the fix was so fiddly and complicated that often the technicians and the customer would decide to swap it out for a manual gearbox. As you can imagine, this conversation came immediately to mind when I saw the tractor!
Ultimately, I was going to give it my best, but I definitely wasn’t 100% sure I could fix it.
So, what did you do?
Firstly, because it wouldn’t even start—let alone move—we had to bring it into the workshop on a loader, placing it on two axle stands so that the wheels could spin freely. I disassembled the transmission housing and found a snapped shaft and a gear indicator, as well as a seized gear selector cable within its copper sleeve. Not good.
I went away and conducted intensive research, finding that all modern parts were obsolete, so we had to work with what we had. I also found the engineering drawings for the shaft and sent them off to have a new shaft made.
With this in motion, I carried out a fabrication repair on the gear indicator, then disconnected the Select-O-Speed gear cable and removed the transmission lid. I also used heat to free the cable from the copper sleeve and removed it with the help of a trusty file. I lubricated the cable, allowing it freedom to slide. At this point, only 3 of 12 gears were functioning.
After many hours at the desk, I finally located the service manual. With this new information, I set the gears to the park position, timed the selector cable correctly, replaced the lid, and reassembled the transmission housing. Once the tractor was started, I identified three adjuster screws that control the transmission brake bands. I discovered that one was missing its lock nut and that the transmission brake bands had been improperly adjusted. After correcting these issues and making the final adjustments, the tractor finally took off. The repair was a success – it was fixed and driving with all 12 gears.
The limited resources and lack of available parts were definitely a hindrance, but it got there in the end.
Now that you’ve been driving it around the yard with no issues, do you feel a huge sense of accomplishment?
I feel hugely relieved to see it working again, and I’m excited to have expanded my knowledge and passion for vintage tractors.
Why do you think preserving and restoring older tractors to their former glory still matters in modern Agriculture?
Restoring these machines honours family history and the legacy of previous generations who shaped modern food systems. Each restored tractor represents a chapter in the evolution of farming technology. Personally, I find it fascinating to see how tractors have developed into what they are today and how, only 60 years ago, they looked and worked so differently.
I see so many vintage tractors sitting in hedges, rotting away or left in poor condition, and I find it disappointing. These tractors bring people together in many ways—from charity tractor runs and vintage tractor clubs to old-school ploughing matches. There is definitely still a place for them in farming, especially since, due to the lack of electronic advancements, they make wonderful tractors for smallholdings.
All of Turney Group is passionate about this tractor finding a loving home. Who do you think would be the ideal owner for such an honored machine?
This tractor would be best suited for someone with an interest in and passion for vintage equipment, particularly a person who enjoys hands-on projects and incremental restoration work. While it is operational and mechanically sound, it is not yet perfect and would benefit from continued attention and refinement. It would be an excellent fit for a hobbyist, collector, or small-scale landowner who does not require modern, high-capacity machinery but values character, simplicity, and the satisfaction of improving a classic machine over time. Ultimately, I am hoping to see this tractor go to someone who will appreciate it, continue its restoration, and provide it with a long-term, caring home.
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The 1967 Pre-Force Ford 4000 stands as a remarkable milestone in agricultural engineering, representing a time when innovation, durability, and forward-thinking design reshaped farming machinery. With its Select-O-Speed transmission and distinctive styling, it remains a powerful reminder of how far the industry has come, and why preserving such machines still matters today. Now restored to working order, this Ford 4000 is not just a tractor, but a living piece of agricultural history, ready to be appreciated by the next generation of enthusiasts.
Joanne’s work on the 1967 Ford 4000 is a testament to her skill, determination, and passion for agricultural engineering. Taking on a complex and rare machine with limited resources, she demonstrated not only technical ability but also resilience and problem-solving well beyond her years. Her success is a brilliant example of the talent and diversity shaping the future of our industry.
Call 01869 343333 to give this tractor a deserving home.
