Ford 3600 Overview
The Ford 3600 is a later three-cylinder Ford utility tractor built from 1975 through 1981. Published specs list 175 ci 2.9 L displacement and transmission rows for 6 forward and 2 reverse, 8 forward and 2 reverse, and 6 forward and 4 reverse setups.
For day-to-day comparison, the Ford 3600 combines a transmission rear PTO with 540 (1.375) speed, a Category I rear hitch, 8.5 gpm 32.2 lpm hydraulic pump flow, 2100 psi 144.8 bar hydraulic pressure, and a published weight range of 3846 to 5590 pounds.
Read those figures against the tractor in front of you, not just the model badge. Engine output, air cleaner, compression, torque rpm, and transmission rows include mixed values, while the Nebraska tests are tied to specific gasoline, diesel, 6-speed, and 8-speed configurations.
Ford 3600 Quick Answers
- Production yearsThe Ford 3600 was produced from 1975 through 1981.
- PowerNebraska Test 1226 records 40.62 hp 30.3 kW PTO output for a gasoline 8-speed test configuration. Nebraska Test 1208 records 34.35 hp 25.6 kW drawbar output for a gasoline 6-speed test configuration.
- EngineThe Ford 3600 engine displacement is 175 ci 2.9 L. Other engine rows include mixed air-cleaner, compression, gross/net power, and torque-rpm values, so match those details to the tractor's actual engine setup.
- PTO and hitchPublished specs list a transmission rear PTO with 540 (1.375) speed and a Category I rear hitch.
- Service capacityPublished capacities list 7 qts 6.6 L engine oil, 13.8 qts 13.1 L transmission oil, and 6.15 gal 23.3 L hydraulic system capacity. Use a manual or parts catalog for oil type and filter-number decisions.
Engine and Power
The Ford 3600 engine table is useful for the 175 ci 2.9 L displacement, 4.20x4.20 inch bore and stroke, 2000 rpm rating, and 40 hp 29.8 kW claimed PTO figure. Mixed fields such as air cleaner, compression, gross/net power, and torque rpm should be checked against the tractor's actual engine setup; the 40.62 hp 30.3 kW tested PTO figure comes from the gasoline 8-speed Nebraska Test 1226 configuration.
Diesel engine
Ford / diesel / 3-cylinder / liquid-cooled
| Displacement | 175 ci 2.9 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.20x4.20 inches 107 x 107 mm |
| Power Net | 45 hp 33.6 kW |
| Power Gross | 48 hp 35.8 kW |
| Air Cleaner | oil bath |
| Pre Heating | ether injection Opt Optional |
| Compression | 16.3:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2000 |
| Torque | 135 lb-ft 183.1 Nm |
| Torque Rpm | 1400 |
| Starter | electric |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7 qts 6.6 L |
| Coolant Capacity | 11 qts 10.4 L |
Gasoline engine
Ford / gasoline / 3-cylinder / liquid-cooled
| Displacement | 175 ci 2.9 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.20x4.20 inches 107 x 107 mm |
| Power Net | 44 hp 32.8 kW |
| Power Gross | 46 hp 34.3 kW |
| Air Cleaner | dry |
| Compression | 7.75:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 2000 |
| Torque | 135 lb-ft 183.1 Nm |
| Torque Rpm | 1100 |
| Starter | electric |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7 qts 6.6 L |
| Coolant Capacity | 11 qts 10.4 L |
Manufacturer
Manufacture years
PTO power
Drawbar power
Transmission
Ford 3600 transmission references include gear and mechanical-shuttle entries, plus 6 forward and 2 reverse, 8 forward and 2 reverse, and 6 forward and 4 reverse gear-count rows. Confirm the gearbox, clutch, PTO arrangement, and shift pattern on the tractor before using the table for service or parts ordering.
6-speed gear
| Type | gear |
|---|---|
| Gears | 6 forward and 2 reverse |
| Clutch | 279mm dry disc |
| Transmission Oil Capacity | 13.8 qts 13.1 L |
Dual-Range
| Name | Dual-Range |
|---|---|
| Gears | 8 forward and 2 reverse |
| Clutch | 279mm dry disc |
| Transmission Oil Capacity | 13.8 qts 13.1 L |
6-speed mechanical shuttle
| Type | mechanical shuttle |
|---|---|
| Gears | 6 forward and 4 reverse |
PTO and Hitch
Ford 3600 PTO and hitch specs center on a transmission rear PTO with 540 (1.375) speed, a Category I rear hitch, top-link draft sensing, and 1940 lbs 879 kg rear lift. Match implement requirements against the PTO type, speed, hitch category, and the tractor's actual equipment.
Rear PTO
Rear PTO type
Rear hitch
Rear lift
Hydraulics
Published Ford 3600 hydraulic specs list 8.5 gpm 32.2 lpm pump flow, 2100 psi 144.8 bar pressure, and 6.15 gal 23.3 L system capacity. Pump condition, remote valves, hitch equipment, and implement setup still affect how those numbers behave in use.
Capacity
Pressure
Pump flow
Fluids, Battery, and Service Facts
Use the Ford 3600 capacity rows as fill-volume references: 7 qts 6.6 L engine oil, 13.8 qts 13.1 L transmission oil, 6.15 gal 23.3 L hydraulic system capacity, 11 qts 10.4 L coolant capacity, and 12-volt electrical data. The available evidence does not establish oil type or viscosity, filter numbers, belt numbers, battery group, or loader fitment, so those choices need a manual or parts-catalog check for the exact tractor.
Fuel tank
Hydraulic system
Battery volts
Tires and Dimensions
Tire and dimension values can vary by wheel, axle, and configuration.
Wheelbase
Weight
Length
Width
Front tire
Rear tire
Ag front
Ag rear
Electrical
Electrical rows are included when documented.
Ground
Charging system
Charging amps
Battery volts
Serial Number Lookup
Ford 3600 serial rows list C-prefix starting numbers for 1975 through 1981. Use them as a model-year guide only; factory prefix, regional build, and serial-break applicability need matching documentation before treating a number as definitive.
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
Manuals and Documents
These references add the manual, parts, and test context behind the Ford 3600 spec rows. Use them for controls, lubrication categories, assembly matching, and configuration-specific test results.
Check each document's coverage before relying on it for service decisions, especially when a manual, catalog, or report covers several models, fuel types, transmissions, or tractor variants.
- Ford 2600/3600/4100/4600 operator manual reprintLicensed reprint covering Ford 2600, 3600, 4100, and 4600 controls, operation, lubrication, maintenance, service checks, and specifications.View reprint
- Ford 3600 parts diagramsNew Holland parts diagrams for Ford 3600 3-cylinder all-purpose assemblies and applicability checks before ordering.View parts diagrams
- Nebraska Test 1208: Ford 3600 gasoline 6-speedOfficial Nebraska test report for the Ford 3600 gasoline 6-speed configuration.Open test report
- Nebraska Test 1221: Ford 3600 diesel 8-speedOfficial Nebraska test report for the Ford 3600 diesel 8-speed configuration.Open test report
- Nebraska Test 1226: Ford 3600 gasoline 8-speedOfficial Nebraska test report covering Ford 3600 and 3610 gasoline 8-speed performance; use it only for that test configuration.Open test report
Parts Checks Before Ordering
Before ordering Ford 3600 parts, match the part to the tractor's model code, C-prefix serial/year, engine and fuel setup, transmission variant, PTO type, and hitch equipment.
Filters, fluids, belts, electrical parts, clutch and PTO parts, and hydraulic parts can vary by setup. Treat the diagrams and manuals as applicability checks, and use exact part numbers only when a parts catalog, manual, or trusted supplier source supports them.
Accuracy Note
Tractor specifications can vary by year, region, factory configuration, installed equipment, and later repairs. Match serial range, engine, transmission, PTO setup, and model code before ordering parts or doing service work.