Comparison 1975 Ford 5000 vs JD 2030

[Kando]

Hello TBN, I'm looking into these two tractors.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/164218137/1975-ford-5000

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/190432579/john-deere-2030

The 5000 looks a little rough, but it has a cab and being a later model 5000, a better engine, at least on paper.

The 2030 looks about in perfect condition, only 1474 hours listed.

I have a 5000, so I'm already familiar with that particular tractor, operation and maintenance.

Majority of the work will be small square haying. Potential round baling if I come across a decent round baler that works well with 50-60 pto hp. Some tillage work as well, but not often. (Plowed a 16 acre field during the end of last year with my 5000, nice experience.)

Thoughts? How does the 2030 stack up? Prices are similar with the 5000 asking $500 more.

 

[Kando]

I'd noticed. Meant to add a "seem's too good" to that.

 

[RickB]

Look closely, the 2030 is a repaint.

And likely to have had the tach/hour meter replaced.
The Ford has two remotes, Dual Power, telescoping draft links and a crappy cab which could be replaced with fenders and maybe a ROPS and canopy for greater comfort. Without knowing any more about condition than what I can see I would pick the Ford. The cab is not desirable however.

HP would be very close. 15.5x38 tires on power adjust rims would be great for haying. A close inspection of both could tip the scale either way. The Ford is not likely to sit there long if it is sound.
I owned a 2030 once but it had a gas engine. I hated it but a diesel is far more desirable.

 

[fried1765]

Hello TBN, I'm looking into these two tractors.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/164218137/1975-ford-5000

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/190432579/john-deere-2030

The 5000 looks a little rough, but it has a cab and being a later model 5000, a better engine, at least on paper.

The 2030 looks about in perfect condition, only 1474 hours listed.

I have a 5000, so I'm already familiar with that particular tractor, operation and maintenance.

Majority of the work will be small square haying. Potential round baling if I come across a decent round baler that works well with 50-60 pto hp. Some tillage work as well, but not often. (Plowed a 16 acre field during the end of last year with my 5000, nice experience.)

Thoughts? How does the 2030 stack up? Prices are similar with the 5000 asking $500 more.

KANDO ???
Before you seriously consider either tractor, be absolutely certain that it's oil drain plug is EASILY removable.

 

[Kando]

KANDO ???
Before you seriously consider either tractor, be absolutely certain that it's oil drain plug is EASILY removable.

Well of course

Thanks for the input Rick. I've read a fair bit about the cabs on these older tractors being subpar. What about them is particularly problematic? I would probably keep it, if for no other reason than a bit more comfort against the cold winter wind while plowing snow.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree, the cab would be an asset in cold weather. And, it would be just as big of liability in warm weather. Since most haying is done in hot weather, I'd not put too much emphasis on the cab unless you could pair up with your open station 5000 and use whichever one applied.

I don't like to buy paint. Might not be anything wrong with the JD. But the price is where it's at partly due to paint.

I'd think the Ford would best fit your program.

 

[arrow]

I'm prone to the JD. Here's why: It has definitely been repainted and to that I say "so what". It is a stretch to say that because of that, the entire tractor is suspicious. You can also say someone cared enough about the tractor to take care of its appearance with a paint job because the rest of the tractor is so nice. Perhaps its previous and probably weathered paint didn't do it justice. Perhaps it looked like crap but didn't deserve to look that way. The Ford looks like crap and no one cared enough about it to do anything about that. They just wanted out of it.

Ok, you hay mostly. A canopy and a face mask abates the heat and particulates. Sit on the JD and run it. A tractor with only 1400 or so hrs will run like its just about new. No piston slap. No blow by. Explore parts availability. If they're equal, the JD gets the nod in my book.

As far as price. You can work on that. There is a premium to a low hr. tractor and that's the one I'd choose.

 

[goeduck]

Kando, have you researched which one is less likely to have a stuck drain plug?

 

[ovrszd]

I'm gonna guess the Ford is "Farm Fresh".

I'm gonna guess the JD is "Trader Fresh".

 

[RickB]

I'm prone to the JD. Here's why: It has definitely been repainted and to that I say "so what". It is a stretch to say that because of that, the entire tractor is suspicious. You can also say someone cared enough about the tractor to take care of its appearance with a paint job because the rest of the tractor is so nice. Perhaps its previous and probably weathered paint didn't do it justice. Perhaps it looked like crap but didn't deserve to look that way. The Ford looks like crap and no one cared enough about it to do anything about that. They just wanted out of it.

Ok, you hay mostly. A canopy and a face mask abates the heat and particulates. Sit on the JD and run it. A tractor with only 1400 or so hrs will run like its just about new. No piston slap. No blow by. Explore parts availability. If they're equal, the JD gets the nod in my book.

As far as price. You can work on that. There is a premium to a low hr. tractor and that's the one I'd choose.

I don’t think for one single second the Deere has 1400 hours on it. It is +/- 46 years old. If it were used 30 hours per year why repaint?