Good vintage utility tractor?

[ShowroomShine]

I’m looking for a utility tractor as a spare machine to do some occasional light mowing and driveway maintenance. Nothing heavy use, I have smaller and larger machines. This is mostly just a “toy”.

I’d like to stay with 3 point hitch, live pto, power steering. Diesel is preferred but I’d take a nice gas tractor. Love to be from 1960’s-1990’s. Something between 30/40hp.

I had a MF135 and found the operators station very cramped and the lack of power steering to be on the frustrating side. I traded that and picked up a IH 464 and 485 which are much roomier and easier to run, but have brake issues constantly which are very expensive to repair.

Ford 2000, 3000? Massey 235/240? Deere 820?

 

[masseyrider]

Avoid the MF250 like the plague. Everyone I've known was junk. The Perkins ran fine but steering components, hydraulics and most of the other things had issues.
The Polish built 231 runs great but no remotes and I hate the clutch/brake pedals.
My favorite was the MF253. Ran great, very light on fuel, pulled above it's pay grade.

 

[dusty3030]

Deere 5105 (the 45 horsepower from the early 2000's not the big one). Sips fuel and comfortable operators platform. 2wd ones without a loader go cheap. Lot of tractor for the dollar.

Deere 5200. Same as above just the older version of that size.

New Holland TC 35, TC 40 or TC 45 - Solid tractors. Great operator station.

 

[BigGG]

Ford/New Holland 3930 (ours)
John Deere 5103 (neighbors)

These are both 2wd, ~50hp, independent PTO, 4+1/2 range or 3+1/3 range gear transmission, hydrostatic steering.