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Tractor · 1958Unverified

Ford 981

Name: Ford 981
Brand: Ford

Ford 981 — 901 Powermaster Series · 63 hp. Reference specifications; pending source verification.

The Ford 981 is a tractor rated at 63 hp — making it one of the more compact options in its class. The 981 was manufactured from 1958 to 1962. Power comes from a 4-cylinder diesel liquid-cooled engine, driving through two-wheel drive with a powershift transmission. Listed weight is 1496 kg, and it is aimed at jobs of around up to 200 ac. Recorded specifications in UK and US units are listed below.

Provisional listing — the headline figure is shown; full specifications are auto-generated and pending verification against published sources.

Rated power

63 hp

Weight

1496 kg

Catalogue coverage

Variants represented

Richest spec table

94 rows

Recorded power

63 hp

Recorded weight

1496 kg

Transmissions

10-speed full power shift

Production years

1958-1962

Verified variants

No linked source document is currently displayed; verify critical figures with the manufacturer or dealer.

Hover a source tag to verify

Overview

ManufacturerFordReference

Row-Crop tractorReference

Built in Highland Park, Michigan, USAReference

The Ford 981 Powermaster featured a dual-speed independent PTO, three-point hitch, and the Ford Select-O-Speed transmission.Reference

Two-wheel driveReference

Steeringpower assistReference

Differential mechanical expanding shoe brakesReference

Open operator station.Reference

Variants

881utility chassisReference

941four-speedReference

951five-speedReference

961five-speed, live PTOReference

971Select-O-SpeedReference

981Select-O-Speed, dual-speed PTOReference

Engine

Ford 2.8L 4-cyl gasolineReference

Ford 2.8L 4-cyl LP gasReference

Ford 2.8L 4-cyl dieselReference

Engine46.7 kWReference

Belt (claimed)29.8 kWReference

Plows3 (14-inch)Reference

Ford EAFReference

gasolineReference

4-cylinder 8-valveReference

liquid-cooled vertical overhead valveReference

Displacement2.8 LReference

Bore/Stroke99 x 91 mmReference

Power46.7 kWReference

Air cleaneroil bathReference

Compression7.5:1Reference

Rated RPM2000Reference

Torque225.1 NmReference

Torque RPM1600Reference

Firing order1-2-4-3Reference

Starter volts6Reference

Coolant capacity14.2 LReference

Sparkplug gap0.686 mmReference

Point gap0.635 mmReference

Intake valve clearance0.381 mmReference

Exhaust valve clearance0.381 mmReference

Oil capacity4.7 LReference

Oil change100 hReference

LP gasReference

liquid-cooledReference

Compression8.65:1Reference

Rated RPM2200Reference

FordReference

dieselReference

Power42.0 kWReference

Compression16.8:1Reference

Torque190.4 NmReference

Torque RPM1400Reference

Starter volts12Reference

Transmission

10-speed full power shiftReference

TransmissionFord Select-O-SpeedReference

Typefull power shiftReference

Gears10 forward and 2 reverseReference

Clutchhydraulic wet discsReference

Oil typeM2C41Reference

Capacities

Fuel64.3 LReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Hydraulic system7.6 LReference

Typeopen centerReference

Capacity7.6 LReference

Pressure137.9 barReference

Total flow15.1 lpmReference

Rear TypeIReference

Rear lift567 kgReference

Rear PTOindependentReference

Rear PTO Type540/1000Reference

Dimensions

Weight1496 kgReference

Front tire5.50-16Reference

Rear tire12-28Reference

Ag front5.50-16Reference

Ag rear12-28Reference

Length336 cmReference

Height167 cmReference

Ground clearance70 cmReference

Front tread21 to 41 cmReference

Rear tread142 to 203 cmReference

981 Serial Number Location

Left side of tractor, on top of transmission case behind the starter.Reference

981 Serial Numbers

19571001Reference

195811977Reference

195958312Reference

1960105943Reference

1961131427Reference

1962155531Reference

FAQ: How to read a serial number table.Reference

Electrical

Groundpostitive (6V)Reference

Groundnegative (12V)Reference

Charging systemgeneratorReference

Charging amps20Reference

Battery volts6 (gas/lp)Reference

Battery volts12 (diesel)Reference

Battery AH80 (6V)Reference

Battery AH135 (12V)Reference

Values normalized to UK metric units. Every figure is traced to at least one source; verified specs are cross-checked against two or more.

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