15 replies to this topic

[bja105]

I am looking for a big tractor for the farm.  While the Cub Cadet and Ford 80 do alot, they need some help on 100 acres.

Here is what I will be looking at this weekend,

 

I am looking for 50+ horsepower and a loader.

 

Shopping is fun, I just hate spending money.

[Bob IN]

Cant go wrong with a red one.

[Cat385B]

If you're good with wrenches, a 66 or 86 series would be a good choice. Lots of parts available. Stay away from the 84 and 100 hydros, they can't take the abuse of being used as tillage machines.

 

How much money are you considering chiseling out of your wallet and letting go of?

[hamman]

" Orang is Bright and will work from Morning till Night"     Roger.

[OkieGt]

IMHO, and many that ACTUALLY farm the 1975-1984 International Harvester tractors were the best machines ever built. Your not spending money, your making money, a large thactor should make you enough money to pay for the expenditure within a year or three, with a 100 acres you should be producing something, without a large tractor you cant, and one final note with 100 acres you probably need something closer to 90 hp and another 40 hp tractor, I think most will agree with that

[CRFarnsworth]

IMHO, and many that ACTUALLY farm the 1975-1984 International Harvester tractors were the best machines ever built. Your not spending money, your making money, a large thactor should make you enough money to pay for the expenditure within a year or three, with a 100 acres you should be producing something, without a large tractor you cant, and one final note with 100 acres you probably need something closer to 90 hp and another 40 hp tractor, I think most will agree with that

        Rick

[superaben]

Cat is right, the 66 and 86 were one of IH's best tractors.  They have most of the adaptability and much larger dependability than many pieces made today. 

 

If you haven't shopped farm tractors, though, I would really suggest you take an old farmer or mechanic with you.  They know the right questions to ask and the right things to look for. 

 

Ben W.

[OldBuzzard]

In general, I'm definitely  RED tractor fan.

 

That said there is one GREEN tractor that you might consider...the Oliver 1850.

 

The 1850 has a pretty danged good reputation.  Beware though, the 1855, not so much.

[OkieGt]

In general, I'm definitely  RED tractor fan.

 

That said there is one GREEN tractor that you might consider...the Oliver 1850.

 

The 1850 has a pretty danged good reputation.  Beware though, the 1855, not so much.

That is a great machine!!!! I just dont know how available parts are

[JD DANNELS]

Well I do not think there are many tractors out there in that range of years that are bad.
You need to find what is available that you can find parts for in your area.
I am partial to the Olivers and Case tractors, though in my County Most are either Farmall or John Deere.
A county north you will find a lot more Case and a County South is Oliver and Massey Ferguson.
In a used machine you are buying what is left. So look them over good unless your willing to do a bunch of work on them. Though much smaller I bought a nice low hour machine because I needed it to do the work, not a rebuild project. If I ever sow my 7 acres beyond the garden and orchard to Alfalfa I am going to need a 50 hp or better machine myself.
I really wanted a 550 Oliver but never found one that suited me without needing some more work work than I had time for.

Edited by JD DANNELS, December 31, 2013 - 07:47 PM.

[JDBrian]

This has been touched on above but I would look at overall condition, hours, availability/ cost of parts and reputation of local dealers without considering a certain brand. Looking at the repair history for different models will give you some indication of what to expect but each individual tractor has a history of use/abuse that you can't avoid. I'd be looking for a low hours tractor with good parts/dealer support and a bit bigger than the minimum I think I need. There are good tractors in most brands but a worn out poorly maintained tractor is trouble no matter what the brand. 

[bja105]

I have an agreement to buy a Ford 4610.  1200 hours, loader, pallet forks, loaded rears, everything works.  New brakes, clutch, battery.

 

I will have to hire it hauled 40 miles or so to the farm.  Kinda stinks, I am on call this weekend and next weekend, so it will be a while before I can play with it. 

 

I am really looking forward to using it o move 1000+ lb round bales.  My back has been sore for a few days after each time I feed.  Fortunately, each bale lasts us two weeks.

 

Be patient, I'll get some pics in a few weeks.

[MH81]

Hire it hauled? Why? Buddy drive you over, put on an SMV sign and go.
At 17ish mph, the trip wouldn't be that long. Weather dependent of course.

Can't wait to see pics.

[JD DANNELS]

Hire it hauled? Why? Buddy drive you over, put on an SMV sign and go.
At 17ish mph, the trip wouldn't be that long. Weather dependent of course.
Can't wait to see pics.

That would be ok in better weather. There are a lot of retired farmers herein Iowa that run their tractors in organized Tractor Rides.
A couple big ones and a lot of smaller rides. Last summer the COOP a couple miles down the road was one of the overnight stops.
Must have been over 100 tractors on the grounds when I went by.

[bja105]

I considered driving it home, but even in better weather, I didn't want to learn to drive it on public roads.