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Why SOS why invent it?

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Bill Blaisdell

05-26-2005 10:19:29

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Why was the SOS invented? What was the reason for it when the 4 and 5 speeds worked and Sherman step down and step up tranny's worked etc.

Where did Ford get the idea for hydraulic transmissions?

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Texas Denny

05-27-2005 07:45:21

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

I think Larry NCKS put it pretty well. Improvements are constantly sought. Not all become commonplace. Some that did were power shift such as SOS. Hydraulics is another. The three point shift is still another. Spin out rear wheels is another. Actually, so are the gasoline and diesel engines.

I bought a 901 (971) for the transmission - exclusively. I wanted to experience SOS and didn't think I could do this effectively without owning the tractor. I've had this one for nearly a year and will say that it is more secure in my barn than most of the other 15 tractors. It is a blast to drive and works great in every job I've given it so far. I feel Ford should be heralded for the SOS not only because it was used so extensively in Ford tractors but eventually was found in similar designs in most other makes. It may not be as big as the diesel but it is certainly worthwhile and notable.

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Joe(TX)

05-27-2005 05:32:23

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

The design reasoning is the same as for any power shift transmissions. Shift on the go. It allows ground speed changes to match conditions. It works great for baling and cutting not to mention plowing in a field with varying soil types. The design is the same as an automatic car transmission except it is manualy shifted.

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Bobrh

05-26-2005 22:36:13

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

SOS was invented by Ford to sell more tractors and part of the idea stems from the Model T which had a planetary transmission. when the SOS was introduced it was like a car show with regional introductions, demonstrations, movies etc-great excitement for hard working midwesterners.The John Deere powershift was invented by the same engineer after he left Ford. Back in the late Fifties we were obsessed with the space race and in 1957 Ford was showing off "The Fabulous Ford Typhoon" which was built around a free piston turbine engine. It would run on anything including cooking oil. Horsepower was about 100 but they kept it at 50 which was big for the day. What they didn't mention in the ad's and their Ford farming magazine was that it had a magic transmission with no clutch-it was the Select O Speed and it was a secret that would be introduced 2 years later!!!! Anyway also in 1957 Allis Chalmer built a fuel cell tractor. The companies were making money and spending it on research but the best ideas to save fuel were not given a chance and are still struggling fifty years later.

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Chris Brown

05-26-2005 18:26:04

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

I don't know what year ford made toe SOS tranny,but I would figure they had to have one to keep up with everyone else.People talk down a ford with selectospeed,but you never hear anything bad about a cat dozer's powershift or john deeres powershift,or the automatic tranny in your car,same principal. But with an auto upshift added. Allis Chalmers had a power shift,but I don't remember what they called it as did case. So my answer would be ,th keep up with the Jones'es.

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Joe(TX)

05-27-2005 05:41:58

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Chris Brown, 05-26-2005 18:26:04

I agree with Larry. All the ones mentioned came after Ford. Ford was ahead of its time. Allis Chalmers power shift was in the mid 70's. They did have a power director which was a high low. The AC hydraulic power director was introduced in 1965. I guess you could consider the power director, IH torque amplifier, and the others as partial power shift. The SOS was a full powershift.

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Hurst

05-27-2005 06:38:31

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Joe(TX), 05-27-2005 05:41:58

The allis Chalmers power director was introduced first on the d14 and d17 in 1957. Sorry, not trying to butt in, just making sure the facts are correct. I think that the SOS trannies were ahead of their time and that the biggest complaint is from abuse of them. People think that they can drive tractors like sports cars, but in reality these trannies weren't made for that. Would love to own one one of these days. Have a good day.

Hurst

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Joe(TX)

05-28-2005 16:50:34

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Hurst, 05-27-2005 06:38:31

The D series power director were mechanical and not hydraulic operated like the SOS, the 190XT and power shifts. I have my facts staight.

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Larry NCKS

05-26-2005 20:39:11

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Sorry, but you'd be wrong! in reply to Chris Brown, 05-26-2005 18:26:04

Ford was the Joneses of power shift tractors.

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05-26-2005 17:11:49

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

I am partial to manual transmissions, but I also believe that the flaw in these select-o-speeds was not in the design. I believe that many people do not maintain their machines like they should, and I also believe that many people did not properly shift with these transmissions. That's just my opinion, and I personally would have bought the 5 speed for the purpose of my own repairs. (off the subject) The 8 speed high/low in later years is the best ranged tranny I know of up until the hydrostats.

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SHIFTLESS

05-26-2005 13:50:05

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Re: Why SOS why invent it? in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

I must say "A silly question deserves a silly answer"

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Larry NCKS

05-26-2005 11:06:46

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You could ask that question about anything!!!!!!! in reply to Bill Blaisdell, 05-26-2005 10:19:29

Why was the tractor invented when the horse worked fine? Why was the rubber tire invented when steel wheels worked fine? Why was the automatic transmission invented for the automobile when the old system worked fine? Why was the automatic washer invented when the old ringer worked fine or for that matter, the washboard? Why have computers been invented when books and pencils worked fine? This list is endless, but perhaps you"ll get my drift.

The answer is easy!!!!! Every invention was an attempt to make life easier. Some succeeded. Some failed. The S.O.S., the first true farm tractor powershift, was a success in my book.

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easy go easy young fella

05-27-2005 06:21:53

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Re: You could ask that question about anything!!!! in reply to Larry NCKS, 05-26-2005 11:06:46

I am trying to understand Ford back in the 50's because it is an interest of mine and I like to know things about machines I have. Silly question maybe but it was important to me. For the rest you who provided informed answers thank you. To those who laugh and ridicule at an honest quetion I will reserve an honest remark. It just reflect poorly on your ingnorance and arrogance.

Bill

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awhtx

05-27-2005 14:17:10

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Re: You could ask that question about anything!!!! in reply to easy go easy young fella , 05-27-2005 06:21:53

Bill,
I don't understand why you think Larry NCKS was laughing at or ridiculing your question. He gave an honest response- the SOS was developed because of plain old American ingenuity. Just because something works fine as is doesn't mean we shouldn't look for something better.
Larry NCKS is one of the most helpful people on this board (especially concerning the SOS) and he doesn't deserve to be dissed.

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Larry NCKS

05-27-2005 15:22:06

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Thanks! in reply to awhtx, 05-27-2005 14:17:10

Wow! Thanks for that superb defense. Maybe I misunderstood Bill, but I read him as dissing the invention of the S.O.S.

The long and short of it to you, Bill, is that new inventions abound that attempt to make life easier. Sorry if my response seemed arrogant, but your response to it is totally undeserved as well.

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Bill Blaisdell

05-31-2005 11:55:58

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Re: Thanks! in reply to Larry NCKS, 05-27-2005 15:22:06

I think your misunderstanding lead to another Larry and my comment wasn't really meant for you anyhow. I believe the guy named Shiftless was the least respectfu. I respect your knowledge Larry alwys did. But to Shiftless I'm not sure if I can respect his answer.

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