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Ford 8600 Tractor Specifications

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Complete specifications for the Ford 8600 agricultural tractor, transcribed from the specifications section of the factory operator's manual (SE 3377). The 8600 is a six-cylinder diesel of 401 cu. in. (6571 cc) rated at 2300 rpm, with hydrostatic power steering, self-compensating hydraulic wet disc brakes, and a PTO-driven gear pump delivering 12 gpm to a Category II linkage with variable sensing draft control.

Nearly every dimension in this manual is given twice, once for the All Purpose configuration and once for Row Crop, and several again for a wide adjustable front axle against dual front wheels. Bare weight ranges from 8,033 lbs. to 9,020 lbs. depending on configuration. The rear wheel bolt torques are split four ways, by wheel position and by whether the wheels are manual or power adjust.

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Engine

Type Diesel
Number of Cylinders Six
Bore 4.40 in. (111.18 mm)1
Stroke 4.40 in. (111.18 mm)1
Displacement 401 cu. in. (6571 cc)
Compression Ratio 16.5 : 1
Firing Order 1-5-3-6-2-4
Idle Speed 700–800 rpm
Maximum Speed (No Load) 2530–2580 rpm
Maximum Speed (Rated) 2300 rpm
Valve Clearance, lash on a warm engine (Intake) 0.014 in. (0.356 mm) go, 0.016 in. (0.406 mm) no-go
Valve Clearance, lash on a warm engine (Exhaust) 0.017 in. (0.432 mm) go, 0.019 in. (0.483 mm) no-go

Capacities

Component U.S. Imperial Metric
Fuel Tank 43 gals. 36 gals. 163 liters
Cooling System (without heater) 18 qts. 15 qts. 17 liters
Cooling System (with heater) 19.5 qts. 16.2 qts. 18.5 liters
Engine Crankcase (less filter) 10 qts. 8.3 qts. 9.5 liters
Engine Crankcase (with filter change) 12 qts. 10 qts. 11.4 liters
Hydraulic System, rear axle and transmission (8-speed transmission) 64 qts. 53.3 qts. 60.5 liters
Hydraulic System, rear axle and transmission (Dual Power transmission) 69 qts. 57.5 qts. 65.3 liters
PTO Gearbox 4 qts. 3.3 qts. 3.8 liters
Power Steering 3 qts. 2.5 qts. 2.8 liters
Brake Master Cylinder Auxiliary Reservoir (to level mark) 1.1 pts. — 0.53 liters

Cooling System

Type Pressurized liquid with recirculating bypass
Water Pump Type Centrifugal
Water Pump Drive V-belt
Water Pump Belt Deflection 3/4 to 1 in. (1.9 to 2.5 cm) with 25 lbs. (11.3 kg) force applied midway between pulleys
Fan Diameter 19 in. (48.3 cm)
Thermostat Starts to Open 168°F (75.5°C)
Thermostat Fully Open 192°F (88.8°C)
Radiator Cap 7 psi (0.49 kg/cm²)

Engine Oil

Temperature Viscosity Grade and API Classification
Below 32°F Low Ash SAE 10W (CD)
Above 32°F Low Ash SAE 30 (CD)

The manual adds that in areas where prolonged periods of extreme temperature are encountered, local lubricant practices are acceptable: Low Ash SAE 5W (CC) in extreme cold, or Low Ash SAE 40 (CD) or SAE 50 (CD) in extreme heat.

Fuel sulfur note, as printed: with a sulfur content below 1.0%, an API CC oil may be used instead of CD, but the oil and filter change interval must be reduced to 150 hours. Between 1.0% and 1.3% sulfur a CD oil must be used (except at 10°F and below), with the interval reduced to 150 hours. Fuel with a sulfur content above 1.3% is not recommended.2

Electrical System

Alternator 12-volt, heavy duty, 55 amps
Regulator Transistorized
Battery 128 amp. hour rating with negative ground
Starting Motor Solenoid, pre-engaged
Outboard Worklamps (low beam) No. 4406
Inboard Headlamps (high beam) No. 4411
Rear Lamp, sealed beam unit No. 4424
Taillight Bulb No. 1141
Flasher Warning Lamp Bulb No. 1156
Instrument and Warning Light Bulbs No. 1895
Fuse, Instruments and Warning Lights No. AGC 3
Fuse, Heater Blower No. SFE 7-1/2
Fuse, Air Ventilation Blower No. SFE 20
Fuse, Windshield Wiper Motor No. SFE 7-1/2
Fuse, Dome Light No. SFE 4

Fuel System

Type Diesel
Injection Pump Type In-line
Injection Pump Timing 23° BTDC

Clutch

Type 13 in. (33 cm) single disc, dry plate
Pedal Free-Travel 1-3/8 to 1-5/8 in. (3.49–4.13 cm)

Brakes

Type Self-compensating, hydraulic (wet disc)
Disc Diameter 14.5 in. (36.8 cm) outside diameter, 12.7 in. (32.3 cm) inside diameter
Lining Area 69.9 sq. in. (449.1 sq. cm) per disc
Pedal Free Travel 3/16 to 1/4 in. (4.763 to 6.350 mm)

Steering

Type Hydrostatic, power
Turns Lock-to-Lock 4-1/4
Pump Type Gear
Pump Relief Valve Setting 1450 to 1550 psi (101.5 to 108.5 kg/cm²)
Pump Capacity 4.2 U.S. gpm at 1000 rpm (3.5 Imp. gpm, 15.9 liters per minute)
Steering Wheel Tiltable and telescopic
Front Wheel Toe-In 1/2 in. (1.27 cm)

Power Take-Off

Engine Speed for 540 rpm PTO Operation 1900 rpm
Engine Speed for 1000 rpm PTO Operation 1935 rpm

Hydraulic System

Type Live, with variable sensing draft control, flow control, position control, and Category II three-point linkage with flexible link ends
Pump Type Gear, PTO-driven
Pump Capacity 12 U.S. gpm at 2300 engine rpm (10.0 Imp. gpm, 45.4 liters per minute)
System Relief Valve Setting 2500 psi (175 kg/cm²)

Cast Iron Weights

Front End Weights 100 lbs. (45.4 kg) each, maximum of sixteen
Front Wheel Weights 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) each, maximum of two per wheel
Rear Wheel Weights (30, 34 and 38 inch wheels) 85 lbs. (38.6 kg) each, as required per wheel

Tires

Position All Purpose Row Crop
Front, standard 7.50-18 (6 ply F2) 7.50-16 (6 ply F2)
Front, optional 10.00-16 (6 ply F2) 7.50-18 (6 ply F2)*; 10.00-16 (6 ply F2)*
Rear, standard 18.4-34 (6 ply R1) 16.9-34 (8 ply R1)
Rear, optional 18.4-34 (6 ply R2); 18.4-38 (8 ply R1); 18.4-38 (8 ply R2); 23.1-30 (8 ply R1); 23.1-30 (8 ply R2); 23.1-34 (8 ply R1); 23.1-34 (8 ply R2) 15.5-38 (6 ply R1); 15.5-38 (8 ply R1); 16.9-38 (6 ply R1); 16.9-38 (8 ply R1); 18.4-34 (6 ply R1); 18.4-34 (6 ply R2); 18.4-38 (8 ply R1); 18.4-38 (8 ply R2)

* Wide adjustable front axle only.

Lubricants

Engine See the engine oil table above3
Hydraulic System (rear axle and transmission) M-2C53-B or ESN-M2C53-A
Power Steering M2C41 or ESN-M2C41-A
Brake Master Cylinder Auxiliary Reservoir 1Q-M6C34-A
PTO Gearbox M-4864-A or ESN-M2C77-A
Front Wheel Bearings and Lubrication Fittings Good quality, multi-purpose, lithium base, cup-type grease

General Dimensions

Dimension All Purpose Row Crop
Length (to rear of rear tire)
Wide adjustable front axle 148.3 in. (366.7 cm)4 154.8 in. (392.2 cm)
Dual front wheels — 146.6 in. (372.4 cm)
Height
To top of exhaust 106 in. (269.2 cm) 104.6 in. (265.7 cm)
To hood line 74 in. (187.9 cm) 73 in. (185.4 cm)
Width and clearance
Width at minimum track 85 in. (215.9 cm) 85 in. (215.9 cm)
Crop clearance at front axle 25.3 in. (64.3 cm) 24.0 in. (61.0 cm)
Crop clearance at rear axle 26.7 in. (67.8 cm) 25.2 in. (64.0 cm)
Turning radius without brakes
Wide adjustable front axle 13 ft. (396.2 cm) 15 ft. (457.2 cm)
Dual wheels — 11 ft. (335.3 cm)
Turning radius with brakes
Wide adjustable front axle 11 ft. (335.3 cm) 12 ft. (365.8 cm)
Dual front wheels — 9 ft. (274.0 cm)
Weight (less options)
Wide adjustable front axle 8,033 lbs. (3,644 kg) 9,020 lbs. (4,092 kg)
Dual front wheels — 8,750 lbs. (3,969 kg)
Wheelbase
Wide adjustable front axle 91.5 in. (232 cm) 108 in. (274 cm)
Dual front wheels — 100 in. (254 cm)

Rear Wheel Bolt Torques

Wheel Position Disc-to-Rim, manual Disc-to-Rim, power adjust Axle Shaft-to-Disc, manual Axle Shaft-to-Disc, power adjust
Single wheel and inner duals 300–330 lbs. ft. (41.5–45.6 kgm) 300–330 lbs. ft. (41.5–45.6 kgm) 500–550 lbs. ft. (69.2–76.1 kgm) 500–550 lbs. ft. (69.2–76.1 kgm)
Close spaced duals (outer) — 180–220 lbs. ft. (25.0–30.5 kgm) — —
Wide spaced duals (outer) 130–160 lbs. ft. (18.0–22.1 kgm)* 300–330 lbs. ft. (41.5–45.6 kgm) Disc-to-hub: 380–420 lbs. ft. (52.5–58.0 kgm) Hub-to-shaft: 500–550 lbs. ft. (69.2–76.1 kgm)

* Outer manual adjust wheels with a cast disc must be torqued to 300–330 lbs. ft. (41.5–45.6 kgm).

Notes:
1 Reproduced as printed. 4.40 in. is 111.76 mm, not 111.18. The imperial figures are the sound ones: a 4.40 in. bore and 4.40 in. stroke across six cylinders gives 401.4 cu. in., which matches the printed displacement of 401, and 401 cu. in. converts to 6571 cc exactly as printed. The same 4.40 in. to 111.18 mm pairing appears in the Ford 7000 manual, so this looks like a house convention rather than a one-off slip.
2 Note the interval. The Ford 7000 manual gives 50 hours for the equivalent sulfur condition where this manual gives 150. Both are reproduced as printed; the difference is between the two books, not an error in either.
3 The manual prints “See table on page 62” here, referring to the engine oil recommendations reproduced above.
4 Reproduced as printed. 148.3 in. is about 376.7 cm, not 366.7. Every other length and height figure in this table converts correctly, so this appears to be a single mistyped digit.
No ground speeds table appears in the specification section of this manual as transcribed (pages 62 to 64). The Ford 7000 manual carries one; if the 8600 has a speed chart elsewhere in the book it is not part of this section.
All specifications transcribed from the specifications section of the Ford 8600 operator's manual, manual code SE 3377, originally published by Ford Motor Company. Ford reserved the right to change specifications without notice; verify against your tractor's serial number before ordering parts or setting clearances.

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Manual code: SE 3377

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