Brand siblingRow CropPerformance profile
Ford 8970
The Ford 8970 is a powerful row crop tractor made from 1993 to 2002. It has a strong diesel engine with 6 cylinders and 240 horsepower. This engine is turbocharged and has an above-average displacement of 456 cubic inches. The tractor runs at 2100 rpm, which is about average for its class. This tractor is big and heavy, weighing 16,950 pounds. It's 196.7 inches long, 96.7 inches wide, and 121.3 inches tall. The Ford 8970 has a full power shift transmission with 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears. It also has a three-point hitch at the back that can lift up to 15,000 pounds, which is very high for its category. The tractor has a closed center load sensing hydraulic system and an independent PTO that runs at 1000 rpm. For comfort, it comes with a cab and uses hydrostatic power steering.
ManufacturerFordPower240 hpEngine6-cylTransFull power shift
Quick specs
- Category
- Row Crop
- Engine Power Output
- 240hp
- Operating Weight
- 16,950 lb
- Transmission
- Full power shift
At a glance
How the 8970 compares
vs. Row Crop medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
Across all Row Crop tractors
240 hp · 86th
This model
12
Median 138 hp
283
This modelRow Crop tractorsMediann = 1,206
The 8970 ranks at the 86th percentile for engine power among recorded row crop tractors.
Overview
About the Ford 8970
The Ford 8970 is a powerful row crop tractor made from 1993 to 2002. It has a strong diesel engine with 6 cylinders and 240 horsepower. This engine is turbocharged and has an above-average displacement of 456 cubic inches. The tractor runs at 2100 rpm, which is about average for its class. This tractor is big and heavy, weighing 16,950 pounds. It's 196.7 inches long, 96.7 inches wide, and 121.3 inches tall. The Ford 8970 has a full power shift transmission with 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears. It also has a three-point hitch at the back that can lift up to 15,000 pounds, which is very high for its category. The tractor has a closed center load sensing hydraulic system and an independent PTO that runs at 1000 rpm. For comfort, it comes with a cab and uses hydrostatic power steering.
Full specifications
Every recorded spec
General
| Manufacturer | Ford |
|---|---|
| Model | 8970 |
| Category | Row Crop tractor |
| Years built | 1993–2002 |
| Operating weight | 16,950lb |
Engine
| Make | Ford |
|---|---|
| Power | 240hp |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement | 456ci |
| Bore | 4.41in |
| Stroke | 5in |
Transmission
| Type | Full power shift |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 16 |
| Reverse gears | 8 |
Chassis & drive
| Steering | Hydrostatic power |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Wet disc |
| Cab | Cab |
Hydraulics
| Type | Closed center load sensing (CCLS) |
|---|
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Independent |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 1,000rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 196.7in |
|---|---|
| Width | 96.7in |
| Height | 121.3in |
| Operating weight | 16,950lb |
Tires
| Rear | 18.4R42 |
|---|
Capacities
| Cooling system | 6.6gal |
|---|
Head to head
8970 vs. Row Crop median
How the Ford 8970 compares to other Row Crop tractors
| Spec | This model | Row Crop median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 240 hp | 138 hp | +74% | 86th |
| Engine Displacement | 456 ci | 391 ci | +17% | 80th |
| Cylinders | 6 | 6 | at median | 50th |
| Forward Gears | 16 | 16 | at median | 50th |
| Operating Weight | 16,950 lb | 12,307 lb | +38% | 73rd |
| Length | 197 in | 180 in | +10% | 71st |
| Width | 96.7 in | 91.2 in | +6% | 73rd |
| Height | 121 in | 114 in | +7% | 76th |
| 3-Point Hitch Capacity | 15,000 lb | 11,023 lb | +36% | 71st |
Medians and percentiles are computed from the row crop tractors in our database with a recorded value for each spec (sample sizes 279–1,417 models).
Compare to tractors with similar specs
Commonly compared Ford tractors
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford 8870 | 210 hp | 16,700 lb | 1993–2002 | Compare → |
| Ford TW-35 | 187 hp | 15,100 lb | 1983–1986 | Compare → |
| Ford 8830 | 180 hp | — | 1990–1993 | Compare → |
| Ford TW-30 Diesel 16-Speed | 157.56 hp | 14,600 lb | 1979–1983 | Compare → |
| Ford TW-20 | 157 hp | 12,249 lb | 1979–1983 | Compare → |
Commonly compared tractors with similar horsepower from other brands
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGCO DT205B | 242.3 hp | 25,840 lb | 2009–2010 | Compare → |
| AGCO DT200 | 235 hp | 19,700 lb | 2002–2004 | Compare → |
| AGCO DT200A | 235 hp | 19,136 lb | 2005–2008 | Compare → |
| Belarus 7010 | 235 hp | — | — | Compare → |
| CaseIH 9230 | 235 hp | 24,106 lb | — | Compare → |
Explore
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Gallery
Ford 8970 photos
FAQ
Common questions
What years was the Ford 8970 manufactured?
Production of the Ford 8970 ran from 1993 through 2002.
What type of transmission does the Ford 8970 have?
The Ford 8970 uses a Full power shift transmission offering 16 forward gears.
What hydraulics does the Ford 8970 have?
The Ford 8970 uses a Closed center load sensing (CCLS) hydraulic system.
What are the factory tire sizes for the Ford 8970?
The Ford 8970 comes with 18.4R42 rear tires.
What three-point hitch category does the Ford 8970 use?
The Ford 8970 has a Category III three-point hitch rated to lift 15,000 lb.
How powerful is the Ford 8970?
The Ford 8970 has an engine power output of 240 hp. It is powered by a 6-cylinder engine displacing 456 ci.
What is the working weight of the Ford 8970?
The operating weight of the Ford 8970 is approximately 16,950 lb.
What routine service does the Ford 8970 need?
Regular maintenance for the Ford 8970 includes checking and changing engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and filters, plus routine inspections as recommended in the owner's manual. Always follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for specific intervals and procedures.