How old a tractor would you go if you require a front end loader?

[WinterDeere]

My place is on the side of a mountain... We have nothing but 2WD, and old... Amazingly, none of the equipment has slid to the bottom of the mountain to be abandoned because we can't drive it around regardless of the weather being wet, or icy.
Yes, 4WD would be nice, but seriously, it isn't the end of the world without it. Heck, I'd love a cab too, but sun, rain or snow, the open station machines continue to run, and do what needs to be done.

As a fellow hill-dweller, I understand what you're saying. But if doing any heavy loader work with a machine on any sort of grade, I'd still stay away from 2wd. Simply put, you have no brakes on the front wheels of a 2wd machine, and the rear can sometimes get too light to provide braking traction when there's a load in the bucket and you need to traverse a hill.

With a 4wd machine, the fronts are always engaged with the rears, such that braking applied to the rear wheels still has an effect on the front. With the transmission engaged, you have an inability to go freewheeling down the hill on the fronts, when the rears get too light to maintain traction.

It's nice to think that we can always back down hills, to keep maximum weight on the rear, but I routinely find myself in situations where that's just not always practical.

So, while I have no huge bias on age of the machine, I would insist it's 4wd and has power steering. I've owned a 4wd manual steering machine with a loader, and trust me, it's a good way to develop elbow joint problems!

 

[bmaverick]

There are several versions of the 5610: 5610, 5610II and 5610S

The 5610S is the newest, solid blue and New Holland decals, "S" on the radiator side panels. It was a very basic 2wd, 8x2 manual trans 70 PTO HP tractor. (The older ones had a smaller engine and 62 PTO HP, but could have manual shuttle, 4wd, factory cab etc.)

Almost any tractor mechanic could work on that, simple tractor.

4wd is not an absolute need, does make the job easier if you are on soft or slippery ground.

I run both 2wd and 4wd utility size loader tractors. Both can do the same work really, but the 4wd can always do it easily, the 2wd requires weather planning (wet/dry) and additional ballast/chains at times.

Personally I'd go no older than 1980s to ensure you get a full hydraulic loader (down pressure and hyd bucket) The tractor wearing the loader is much nicer with power steering, and differential lock.

Basic manual trans works, but is tiring using it for hours on end day after day, especially if non shuttle and a center shift model with limited reverse speeds. I've done many days work with manual trans loader.

No question a modern model with powershuttle or hydrostatic and 4wd is way nicer to use. Depends on what you want to spend!

Another reason why I snagged a Yanmar YM2610 with the PowerShift aka PowerShuttle. I had a JD850 being gear. At the end of the day the left leg was SORE from all the clutch work. The YM2610 is basically the JD850 with PowerShift. What a life saver !

I can add a loader for it. Loaders are just very pricey right now, even used.

 

[DaBear3428]

IMO must have's are power steering and wide front wheel spacing, the rest are nice options but most likely for limited use of the loader you will not regret saving the money.

very little time without power steering and a fel will make you cuss the tractor and decision.

narrow front end and you may not get the chance to cuss your decision.

 

[LouNY]

My place is on the side of a mountain... We have nothing but 2WD, and old... Amazingly, none of the equipment has slid to the bottom of the mountain to be abandoned because we can't drive it around regardless of the weather being wet, or icy.
Yes, 4WD would be nice, but seriously, it isn't the end of the world without it. Heck, I'd love a cab too, but sun, rain or snow, the open station machines continue to run, and do what needs to be done.

Can be done with 2wd, but 4 is nicer. 20+years ago

about the same time frame

again 2wd can do it

But much nicer and almost enjoyable, 2014-2015 time frame
when the front and rear blades were on and she's plugged in and warm.

Definitely much nicer it was -7F outside that morning

 

[sd455dan]

I think Budget was mentioned earlier.
If the Op can swing it, I would also agree- Get MFWD, power steering, obviously a wide axle. minimum of 30 HP, and a live PTO if not independent PTO. With at least a weight of 4000 lb with the FEL
If funds are limited I would rather have a 1965~ or newer 2 wheel drive utility tractor with FEL than a 2000lb 4x4 small CUT with FEL but that is jmo. IF in hilly country probably do need to start with MFWD but I would not buy one that did not already have a FEL on it.

This is somewhat like muscle cars,

Speed costs Money- How Fast do You want to Go?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I'd buy a skid loader or a wheel loader.

 

[WinterDeere]

I think Budget was mentioned earlier.

It's been about ten years since I was shopping the older used tractor market, but at least back then and around here, older tractors were free with an FEL. What I mean by that is that you could buy an FEL for $4k, or you could buy one with a tractor attached for not much more. Buying an old tractor, and then shopping for an FEL to fit it appeared to be an expensive and frustrating way to go.

 

[Hard Knocks IV]

I have a 2WD 1970's David Brown 990 with a Case/DB 56L loader,great outfit,very well built loader.Also have a 1973 Oliver 1365 4WD with loader does a good job.

 

[aircommuter]

I once used a tractor loader from early Ford style. Not sure of the model maybe the loader was a 771. When the bucket was flat on the ground it didn’t curl back, you had to push into the pile and raise loader to get back angle. Useless.
Then I bought my first loader an Oliver 770. 60s machine? The loader was pretty strong and curled back well. Big clumsy machine but $2600. I rebuilt the backhoe and it served me well. As business was getting bigger and faster I bought a new 1985 JCB turbo with a 4 in1 bucket, good machine too pricey for your usage. Then I bought a used Case 750 loader, good loader but they came out with a wet brake model in 1986 855d Cummins powered, loader ripper. Now thats a serious loader. But again pricey. I also bought a Case W-20 wheel loader 2.5 yd bucket. Too pricey again. Now retired I sold all those and many others and got some different ones to keep on my property. I think the Ford 445A I have might be a good fit for you. Got it for $6500 with a Gannon box on the back. Needed some work but it’s fine for here. I also have a JCB 1550 B and that’s a good loader, and a 1975 MF400 loader/ripper which I have shown on this forum as I restore it. Very serious loader.

 

[jaxs]

1969 4020 with 48 loader or do you need to be older than that?View attachment 772368

This is about twice the horsepower you mentioned but this 4020 will work any new row crop tractor to the ground and not break a sweat, It has little brothers in the same series with hp you mentioned.

 

[Vigo327]

I have yet to own a loader WITH power steering (unless you count a skid steer) and one thing i have noticed.. having a backhoe on the back sure makes steering easier. So my tongue in cheek suggestion is, if you want a loader tractor without power steering, just make sure it also has a backhoe.

 

[MarblemountLane]

The “check your budget” advice is good. My MF 204 Work Bull was inexpensive and has a good FEL. Part of the reason it was cheap is that the backhoe has been separated for years. I don’t think they knew the word “hydrostatic” in 1959 (mine is an early serial number) but I have the ReversOmatic torque converter in front of the gearbox, and it works well with a loader.

Dad put an aftermarket FEL on his 8N and broke it in half - twice - second time after we had added a tension truss from rear to front. Many of those aftermarket loaders clamped onto the rear axle and torqued it forward when lifting the bucket. The 8N has no frame.

You can still get parts for many old tractors. I can’t afford a new compact. And I already had a 16’ car trailer, so transport is not a problem. How many hours will you put on it? Are we talking production work, or home hobby work? An older tractor may be just fine.

 

[Cougsfan]

I agree with those who said an FEL on any tractor without power steering is a major problem

 

[BigRosto]

I've seen some of the older tractors with a front loader. They look rickety. I don't expect old to look brand new, but since I require a front loader, how old a tractor with a loader would you consider. For the sake of argument, please suppose the tractor itself is in good working condition. Weight capacity doesn't matter a whole lot. I'm only guessing but same 700+ is ok.

In my area, I have dealers for New Holland, Kubota, John Deere, and Yanmar. Atlanta GA area.

Thanks for advice. Like I said. I've seen older loaders, but they don't look sturdy.

Edit: this is for 40hp or less. I need it to move dirt and compost, lots of wood chips. I'm sure I would eventually "cut" in the ground a little here and there but no major excavation. Things like a foot plus of wood chips are, I am hoping, easy to dig up than shovel and wheelbarrow. The chips are from removed trees, so on top of the ground, but they've been there a while. They're kind of difficult to dig up by hand after they are wet and decaying for a year or so.

For years had a Ford NAA (1953) with power up, power tilt, gravity down. Did every kind of loader work and had more grunt than my Mahindra or Yanmar 3-cylinder diesels. Got rid of it because at 80+ I needed power steering when the bucket is loaded. Some times you can find a working one rather than a restoration show piece at a reasonable price. Good luck.