Need older tractor recommendations for round baling.

[bigtiller]

The JD 3020 and 4020 are high on my list at this point. Some of my neighbors have also mentioned them. But, im ofan open mind.

How big of bales are you making?

 

[FarmerRancher]

How big of bales are you making?

5x5 for myself. I have the original Vermeer manual for the baler and they recommended 60 to 70 hp. They also recommended against too much hp, although i dont recall them saying what too much was.

Just a note to everyone… if i say something, its to the best of my knowledge and ability. So, i will change my opinions on a dime if given a good reason. Im here to learn.

 

[5030]

Forget any open station tractor, especially with a disc bine because they can throw debris (sticks and such) forward while cutting. No disc bine manufacturer would recommend cutting with an open station tractor. What ever you get. expect to pay top buck for it because pre 4 (older tractors) are commanding premium prices today. 5x5's you need at the bare minimum 60 pto and a dis bine is power intensive as well. I'd be looking it the 80-100 pto bracket, cab tractor with working ac.

Good luck finding one.

 

[hosspuller]

Think hard on the stacking capability... If you have another machine with a loader. Non-loader tractors are much less cost. Without a loader 2wd is doable. Seems everyone with a single machine wants a loader and MFWD.

 

[herm0016]

oh man, if I was doing hay i would have one of these. if its in good shape, its a fantastic deal on a hard to find machine.

Ford 4wd 276 II Bi-directional tractor - farm & garden - by owner -...

Ford 276 II bi-directional tractor with loader/grapple on one end and three point on the other end.. runs good....you can not come up with a better cow/calf chore tractor...I have owned five of...

lincoln.craigslist.org

 

[LouNY]

They are a nice handy tractor for a second unit. Drawbar work is not there strong suit
the transmission generates too much heat and will wear out. That is what shuts most of those down.

 

[eagle628]

The JD 3020 and 4020 are high on my list at this point. Some of my neighbors have also mentioned them. But, im ofan open mind.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I hate to use one of those for hay work. Just not enough gears in an eight speed transmission to be efficient. I've used a Deere 4000 with the syncro range for a lot of acres, and the fifth to sixth gap is just too big, and since it crosses ranges you kinda gotta pick one and stick with it. Just horrible. Power shift would probably be better, but still too few gears. It sounds like a more modern powershift tractor would be out of your budget, so I would really try to find something with a high/low in each gear (or a high/straight/low with the White).

I'm really partial to Fords for hay work. The foot pedal high/low is really convenient, the non-synchronized transmissions are still pretty easy to shift on the fly with, the operator station is way better than the German Deere utilities (Waterloo tractors command stupid high prices for someone on a budget) or any IH, and they tend to get overlooked in the red/green color split so they can get bought pretty reasonable.

 

[5030]

Like I said, whatever you decide on, expect to pay a premium price for it.

 

[FarmerRancher]

Like I said, whatever you decide on, expect to pay a premium price for it.

I guess I'm in a good position. Both of the neighbors I've talked to have offered their tractors (JD 4020 and JD4640) to use until I find a "good deal". Like I said though, the pressure on me to buy comes from myself. I don't like breaking/repairing stuff that belongs to others. On the other hand, I'm not opposed to paying more for a well-maintained machine. My experience is that the further the seller is from technology like eBay and Craiglist, the more sensible the price. So, I'm shopping more by word of mouth and letting all my neighbors know what I'm looking for, as soon as I can figure out exactly what that is. Thanks to all for the input.

 

[FarmerRancher]

oh man, if I was doing hay i would have one of these. if its in good shape, its a fantastic deal on a hard to find machine.

Ford 4wd 276 II Bi-directional tractor - farm & garden - by owner -...

Ford 276 II bi-directional tractor with loader/grapple on one end and three point on the other end.. runs good....you can not come up with a better cow/calf chore tractor...I have owned five of...

lincoln.craigslist.org

Another I've talked to recommended something like that, but it was a different brand... Versatile. But, when I looked at prices for those, most of them were overpowered for my needs and cost a lot more. The ones that seemed within my budget were a LONG ways from Oklahoma. Family issues and ranch demands make travel like that unfeasible.