Ford 2600

Last Updated: July 2024

Overview

The Ford 2600 is a two-wheel drive utility tractor produced by Ford from 1975 to 1981. This model was available with either a three-cylinder diesel engine rated at 32.47 HP or a three-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 32.78 HP, both liquid-cooled with a displacement of 158 cubic inches (2.6L). The diesel engine had a compression ratio of 17.3 to 1. It offered an option between manual or power steering and came with an operator's station that could be open or optionally fitted with a two-post ROPS. The tractor's transmission came in multiple variants, including a gear type with six forward gears and two reverse gears for the gasoline model. It was equipped with a Category 1 three-point hitch and had a lift capacity of 1,975 pounds at the hitch end. For farming and fieldwork, it featured differential mechanical expanding shoe brakes, and the option of transmission or live PTO. The Ford 2600 was designed to meet the needs of small to medium farming operations, offering a robust and durable tractor for diverse agricultural tasks. Based on independent test results, additional details such as fuel consumption, tire specifications, ballast information, sound levels, drawbar performance, and centers of gravity have been updated.

Key Specifications

Category: Utility

Power Output: Diesel: 32.47 HP, Gasoline: 32.78 HP

Transmission: Gear type

Drive Type: 2WD

Operating Weight: 6000

Fuel Type: Diesel or Gasoline

Ford 2600 vs. Similar Tractors

Hitch Capacity

Average

Greater than 33% of similar tractors.

Operating Weight

Average

Greater than 31% of similar tractors.

Technical Specifications

Engine

Manufacturer: Ford
Model: Ford 2.6L 3-cyl diesel or Ford 2.6L 3-cyl gasoline
Cooling Type: Liquid-cooled
Cylinder Orientation: Inline
Valve Configuration: -
Fuel Type: Diesel or Gasoline
Induction Type: Naturally aspirated
Cylinders: 3
Displacement (ci): 158
Bore (in): 4.21
Stroke (in): 3.82
Rated RPM: 2000
Power Output (hp): Diesel: 32.47 HP, Gasoline: 32.78 HP

Transmission

Type: Gear type
Forward Gears: 6 forward
Reverse Gears: 2 reverse
Total Gears: 8 total

Dimensions

Length (in): 126.5
Width (in): 52
Height (in): 52.5
Operating Weight (lb): 6000

Power Take-Off (PTO)

PTO Type: Optional Transmission or Live PTO
PTO Speed 1 (rpm): 540
PTO Speed 2 (rpm): -
PTO Speed 3 (rpm): -

Miscellaneous

Chassis: 4x2 2WD
Drive Type: 2WD
Steering Type: Manual or power (option)
Coolant Capacity (qts): 11
Front Tire Diameter (in): 16
Front Tire Width (in): 6.5
Rear Tire Diameter (in): 24
Rear Tire Width (in): 14.9
Front/Rear Rim Diameter (in): -
Tire Type: Agricultural
Manufacture - End Year: 1981
Hitch Type: Three-Point Hitch
Hitch Category: Category 1
Hitch Position: Rear
Hitch Capacity (lb): 1975 lbs
Operator Station Type: Open operator station or two-post ROPS (optional)
Starter Type: Electric
Brake Type: Differential mechanical expanding shoe
Hydraulic System Type: -

Test Results

Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory - Test Date: March 26 to April 20, 1976

Maximum Power and Fuel Consumption

Maximum Power (PTO Speed - 597 rpm): 32.78 HP at 2000 rpm
Fuel Consumption at Rated Speed: 3.048 Gal/hr with a fuel efficiency of 0.569 lb/hp.hr and a power output of 10.76 Hp.hr/gal

Drawbar Performance

Maximum Available Power (3rd Gear, 2 Hours): 27.04 HP with a drawbar pull of 2540 lbs, a speed of 3.99 mph, and fuel consumption of 3.064 Gal/hr
Fuel Consumption at 75% of Maximum Pull (3rd Gear, 10 Hours): 2.762 Gal/hr with a fuel efficiency of 0.749 lb/hp.hr

Hydraulic Performance

Hydraulic Control System: Direct engine drive with a power-assist steering system

Overall Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency at Standard PTO Speed (540 rpm): 11.14 Hp.hr/gal at 1810 rpm
Average Fuel Consumption (Varying Power, 2 Hours): 2.264 Gal/hr with a fuel efficiency of 0.776 lb/hp.hr

Tractor Sound Levels

Maximum Available Power (2 Hours): 92.0 dB(A)
75% of Pull at Maximum Power (10 Hours): 90.0 dB(A)

Nebraska Tractor Test Lab. (1976). Nebraska Tractor Test 1206: Ford 2600 Gasoline 6-Speed. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tractormuseumlit/1527