If you've been scouring the classifieds for a budget-friendly project or a small loader for the property, you've likely bumped into a ford cl40 and wondered if it's actually worth the headache. It's one of those classic pieces of equipment that seems to refuse to die, even though it hasn't rolled off a factory line in decades. It's small, it's orange (or blue, depending on who owned it last), and it has a certain charm that modern, plastic-heavy machines just can't replicate.
But let's be real for a second—buying a machine this old isn't like buying a new Bobcat. You aren't just getting a tool; you're getting a hobby. The ford cl40 is a specific breed of skid steer that hails from an era when things were built heavy, simple, and meant to be fixed with a basic set of wrenches and a bit of patience.
A Little History on the Blue (and Orange) Oval
To understand where the ford cl40 comes from, you have to look back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ford didn't actually manufacture these in-house from the ground up. Instead, they partnered with Owatonna (which many people know today as Mustang). If you look at an old Mustang 330 or 342, you'll start seeing some very familiar lines.
Ford rebranded these machines to fill a gap in their industrial lineup. They wanted something compact that farmers and small contractors could use in tight spaces where a tractor just wouldn't fit. Back then, skid steers were still a relatively new "must-have" on the farm, and the CL40 was Ford's entry-level workhorse. It was designed to be nimble, and even today, that's its biggest selling point. You can tuck this thing into a horse stall or a backyard garden shed with room to spare.
What Makes the Ford CL40 Tick?
Under the seat—or rather, behind it—you'll usually find a Wisconsin VH4D engine. Now, if you know anything about old engines, the Wisconsin V4 is a bit of a legend. It's an air-cooled, four-cylinder gas engine that sounds like a miniature tank. It's rugged as all get out, but it definitely has its quirks.
The ford cl40 relies on this engine to run the hydraulic pumps that handle both the drive system and the lift arms. Since it's air-cooled, you don't have to worry about a radiator leaking or a water pump seizing up, which is a huge plus for a machine that might sit for months at a time. However, the trade-off is that these engines can run hot if the cooling fins get clogged with hay, dust, or old grease. If you're running one in the middle of a July afternoon, you've got to keep an eye on that.
Power-wise, we're talking about roughly 30 to 40 horsepower. That might not sound like much compared to a modern 74-hp Tier 4 diesel monster, but for a machine that weighs around 2,500 to 3,000 pounds, it's plenty. It's got enough grunt to move a bucket full of gravel or a heavy pile of manure without breaking a sweat.
The Driving Experience (Or Lack of Luxury)
Driving a ford cl40 is a visceral experience. Forget about heated seats, Bluetooth speakers, or pressurized cabins. You are sitting on a piece of foam (if it hasn't rotted away) surrounded by steel. The controls are usually the classic dual-lever setup—one for the left wheels, one for the right.
One thing that surprises people who are used to modern joysticks is how much of a workout it can be. There's no power-assisted steering here; you're manually moving valves to divert hydraulic fluid. After a few hours of clearing a driveway, you'll definitely feel it in your shoulders.
The visibility is actually pretty decent since the machine is so low-slung, but you do have to be careful. These older machines often lack the sophisticated safety interlocks we see today. If you get out of the seat while the engine is running, the lift arms don't always lock out. It's a machine that demands respect and a "safety-first" mindset.
Maintenance and the "Parts Hunt"
This is where the rubber meets the road—or rather, where the tracks meet the dirt. Keeping a ford cl40 running requires a bit of detective work. Since Ford hasn't supported these machines in years, you can't exactly walk into a modern New Holland or Ford tractor dealership and expect them to have a hydraulic pump on the shelf.
However, because these were built with off-the-shelf components from companies like Vickers, Cessna, and Wisconsin, parts are still out there. You just have to know where to look. Surplus centers, eBay, and specialized engine rebuilders are your best friends.
The biggest headache for most owners is the hydraulic system. If the drive motors start getting weak, it can be a bit of an investment to get them rebuilt. But the beauty of the ford cl40 is that it's all "dumb" technology. There are no sensors to fail, no ECU to fry, and no DEF fluid to worry about. If it's not moving, it's usually something mechanical that you can see, touch, and fix.
Repowering: Giving New Life to an Old Dog
A very common trend among ford cl40 enthusiasts is "repowering." Let's face it, as cool as the old Wisconsin V4 is, it's thirsty. It drinks gasoline like it's going out of style, and parts for the magneto or the carburetor can get pricey.
I've seen plenty of guys swap out the old gas engine for a modern Honda GX690 or even a small Kubota diesel. Because the engine bay is relatively spacious for the size of the machine, it's a fairly straightforward conversion if you're handy with a welder and can align a pump shaft. Once you put a modern engine in a CL40, you suddenly have a incredibly reliable, fuel-efficient little loader that can compete with machines costing five times as much.
Is the Ford CL40 Right for You?
So, who is this machine actually for? It's probably not for a professional landscaper who needs to run a 10-hour shift every single day. The lack of modern speed and comfort would make that a grind.
But if you're a homeowner with a couple of acres, a small farm owner, or just someone who likes mechanical projects, the ford cl40 is a gem. It's small enough to trailered with a standard pickup truck, which is a huge advantage. You don't need a CDL or a massive flatbed to move it around.
It's also surprisingly capable for its size. Whether you're grading a driveway, moving mulch, or even doing some light demolition, it punches way above its weight class. Plus, there's a certain satisfaction that comes from using a machine that's forty years old and still doing the work it was built for.
Final Thoughts on the CL40
Finding a ford cl40 in good shape is getting harder, but they're still out there. If you find one that hasn't been completely beaten to death, and the price is right, it's a solid investment. Just go into it with your eyes open. Check the pins and bushings for excessive play, look for leaks in the wheel motors, and listen to that Wisconsin engine—if it purrs (or rather, growls) without blowing blue smoke, you're probably in business.
It might not be the prettiest thing on the block, and it certainly won't be the fastest, but the ford cl40 is a testament to the idea that simple is often better. In a world of complex electronics and planned obsolescence, this little blue loader is a reminder that a good design can last a lifetime if you just give it a little bit of grease and some respect.