Suggestions on which tractor wanted

[pharmvet]

Ive had a Ford 3930 and a Massey 135. I liked them both just fine but it seems that each time I have a big job Im always having to borrow a larger tractor. I would like to find a tracor in with 80-110 hp. I would like it to be a no frills tractor with straight hi and low gearing and very little electronics. I want it to be 4wd and either a Ford or Deere. I would like for it to be a bulletproof re-buildable model that can ealily be worked on in the dealership, I would go Cab/air or open top canopy. Some have suggested the 6610,7710 in Ford and the 4030 in the Deere. Please give me some models that fit my description so that I can get down to some serious research. Also, if you have time and feel like it, please give me some insight as to why the particular models you suggest are desirable. thanks a million.

 

[JasG]

I would stay away from Deere 30 series. I love Deere and 20's, 40's, and newer etc would be a very good choice. The 30 series were a lower compression diesel, which they had less torque and started harder than any other series made. If you want 4wd I would recommend a 2940, it's one of the few 40 series that was MFWD vs HFWA. This would be about 80-85 Hp. Any 30 series in the size you are looking at would be HFWA, it was a great idea in theory but in practice didn't work very well.
3150, 4050, 4250, or any in a 55 series would be a good choice.

One note: make sure you ask a reputable dealer about parts for IH, Ford, Case, and CaseIH. I'm hearing that parts for the older lines now that they have merged are becoming and issue. This is coming from a friend of mine that has 06 and 66 series IH tractors. It could be his dealer isn't stocking as much or due to the size of the lines they now support they are phasing out older model support and parts.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Im not sure how many of the Ford 10 series tractors were sold in the Us with MFWD. I just didnt see a lot. Same with the Greens most of the green MFWD in that age range is imported used like from Europe.
The later Green or Blue tractors like 95 or later are more common with mfwd.
I dont know of parts or service issues with either color. Blue is more popular in the non row crop areas for some reason.
I would probably go to a less than 5 year old model to get what you want of any color. check craigslist for individuals selling, or estate sales.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I am a fan of the Ford 7610 and 7710. As I recall, the prices are pretty strong for these tractors...that tells me that they are worthwhile looking into further.

I have never heard much good about Deere 4030 tractors. I always chalked them up to be a newer version of Deere's 2010...a dog. Like JasG says, if you could find a Deere 4030 with front wheel assist, it would be a hydraulically-powered system, not a mechanical MFWD. That is another downer in my opinion.

I will second what JasG says about the Deere tractors built in Cologne, Germany. Take a good look at Deere 2955, 3055, and 3155 tractors. Many more of them were MFWD, but you may need to hunt a bit more to find one. A good friend of mine who works at a red dealership likes those Cologne-built Deeres. That speaks volumes.

If you step back in age a bit, IH had some tractors that had either an Elwood or a Coleman MFWD option. They didn't turn very tight, however.

 

[JasG]

I would stay away from IH 66 series with MFWD. They had at least 3 different versions and 1 of them was just horrible. The 1st version had shaft that ran from the top of the transmission down to an offset pumpkin, It had no planetary gears in the front wheels. If you were on hard soil and turned to much or backed up it would twist the drive shaft off. The second version had a larger hub assembly in the front wheels. If you looked at it from the side it looked like the hubs from a Deere HFWA tractor. The last version is more like what we see today. None of them turned very well. I liked IH tractors, tons of torque, good on fuel when under a light load, pulled great under a high load. 2 things I never liked, the stacked PTO, always puts extra wear on the 540 drive shafts. The 2nd is the torque amplifier. I know many people who had issues with that, and they were not cheap to fix. They also made a hydro transmission option that was very poor.

IH motors when taken care of do seem to run forever.

If I could find a 966 - 1466 with the last version of MFWD, I would consider it if I needed a tractor. The 86 series IH had a good MFWD system, but they shortened the wheel base to give better turning. Due to this the ride was bad when compaired to other similar tractors.

 

[Oleozz]

There are quite a few 66 and 86 series IH's that would fit what you are looking for. In the 66 series I have seen some nice 766's and 966's. The 766 has about 85 hp and the 966 has about 105. In the 86 series the 886 and 986 have about the same horsepowers but are newer tractors. They are all non-turbo, to get into the turbo you would need a 1066 or 1086. They don't have a lot of fancy electronics, biggest problem seems to be cavitation but a water filter plus keeping the antifreeze fresh will help with that problem. NONE of these tractors were normally four wheel drive but I'm not sure how important that is with a tractor this size. If traction is a concern get duals on the rear.

 

[Renze]

I will second what JasG says about the Deere tractors built in Cologne, Germany.

The green tractors that used to be built in Cologne didnt have a galloping goat on the front... Deutz used to build tractors in Koln and currently at their combine facility in Lauingen.
Deere obtained their European tractor works by taking over Heinrich Lanz works in Mannheim, somewhere in the late 50's. Thats where they still come from.

I am a fan of the Ford 7610 and 7710. As I recall, the prices are pretty strong for these tractors...that tells me that they are worthwhile looking into further.

Maybe you guys should pick them up in Europe... they are have just a modest popularity here, because they are fuel hogs (just like Deeres 40 series and older) and need a strong arm to force it into gear.
Most popular used tractors around here are older German built Case (the english built ones are disliked for their poor reliability) and certain ranges of Deutz tractors. Older for 1000 and 600 series are also popular for the light jobs.

Older Zetor Crystal tractors, and their Polish twins from Ursus, are very scarce all over Western Europe even though they were sold quite good in the 70's and 80's: They are all bought by people from the east that took them back home. Often for better money you could get for a similar MF or Ford. Right now they are getting a sought after collectors item, a modern classic.
I guess fuel consumption isnt such an issue in north america.

 

[flusher]

Ive had a Ford 3930 and a Massey 135. I liked them both just fine but it seems that each time I have a big job Im always having to borrow a larger tractor. I would like to find a tracor in with 80-110 hp. I would like it to be a no frills tractor with straight hi and low gearing and very little electronics. I want it to be 4wd and either a Ford or Deere. I would like for it to be a bulletproof re-buildable model that can ealily be worked on in the dealership, I would go Cab/air or open top canopy. Some have suggested the 6610,7710 in Ford and the 4030 in the Deere. Please give me some models that fit my description so that I can get down to some serious research. Also, if you have time and feel like it, please give me some insight as to why the particular models you suggest are desirable. thanks a million.

Gee, with all the acreage you own, I'd think you'd be looking for something a little larger in hp.

If I were in your situation I'd be looking for a true 4WD articulated tractor in the 150-200 hp range. One of my neighbors uses a Steiger Super Wildcat (200 hp engine) to farm about 200 acres of hayfield

Another neighbor uses an IH 4366 articulated tractor (160 hp on the drawbar) on his 30 acre alfalfa field

Both of these tractors are simple, no frills machines from the 1970s and 80s.

The Steiger is powered by a Caterpiller 3160 diesel which is a fairly common engine found on all kind of heavy equipment in the construction and transportation industries. Shouldn't be a problem getting it serviced in the field.

The IH has a 6-cyl DT-466 turbo-diesel engine apparently made by IH. It probably can be serviced by a CIH dealer in the field.

 

[flusher]

Gee, with all the acreage you own, I'd think you'd be looking for something a little larger in hp.

If I were in your situation I'd be looking for a true 4WD articulated tractor in the 150-200 hp range. One of my neighbors uses a Steiger Super Wildcat (200 hp engine) to farm about 200 acres of hayfield


Another neighbor uses an IH 4366 articulated tractor (160 hp on the drawbar) on his 30 acre alfalfa field


Both of these tractors are simple, no frills machines from the 1970s and 80s.

The Steiger is powered by a Caterpiller 3160 diesel which is a fairly common engine found on all kind of heavy equipment in the construction and transportation industries. Shouldn't be a problem getting it serviced in the field.

The IH has a 6-cyl DT-466 turbo-diesel engine apparently made by IH. It probably can be serviced by a CIH dealer in the field.

BTW: the IH 4366 body and frame were made by Steiger under contract to IH. IH supplied the engine.

 

[pharmvet]

Flusher, I never really even considered anything other than a traditional tractor. All but about 150 acres is timber. I maintain several right or ways and lanes for hunting and wildlife habitat. I work on cattle all day but don't own any so I don't bail any hay. However each year I do some moderate disking and shredding. Sometimes the shreading is some 3 or 4 year old stuff so a large tractor and heavy duty shredder would really come in handy. What price range could one of those older articulated rigs be found in. Also, I really need the front end loader much of the time for piling brush / logs ect. Thanks for the advice, I will give it some consideration.