Buying Advice 60/70 HP tractor

[budpat105]

I am looking to buy a 60/70 HP tractor. I have a Kubota L3800and need a bigger tractor , mostly for mowing but a 5' shredder on the Kubota takes too long. I really know nothing about these tractors. My budget will put me in a late 70 or early 80's tractor. What should I watch out for. I see some A/C pop out of gear, some people ask about the T/A, I don't know what that is. Benefit of diesel over gas? I am in central Illinois.thank you.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would suggest a Deere 3020 early 70's and an excellent tractor. Lots of them made with good parts availability. There are lots of other good tractors too so consider all brands and ask questions on specific models you find.

 

[jibe717]

The 686/786 or the 666/766 Internationals were very popular and good machines. I always liked the design of these as well. A lot of these were made as too.

If you want green the 4030 JD was a good machine. Massey Ferguson and Ford were also popular AG tractors in the 70's too. I had no experience with them to comment on however.

 

[2458n]

I have a odd ball tractor that fits. A White field boss- also known as a Fiat 2-60. They were available as a 4 wheel model as well. Bought one with a Quick attach front loader made for the 4 wheel drive tractor. Mine is 2 wheel. Bought it cheap at a auction. Changed all fluids and put in a new battery and could not be happier. Has done everything. Starts right up and works in the woods as well as in the fields. Open station so blows snow every place. Going to fake the neighbors out and give it a Kubota paint job. Keep a open mind in case you run across something different.

 

[stuckmotor]

My thinking is that a tractor model that is plentiful will be easier to find parts for and advice about. When you find a tractor you like, it might be good to search for one like it on one or more of the 'tractor for sale' web sites. Tractorhouse is easy to use for that purpose. Depending on how you do the search, it'll also give you an idea of the asking price for that tractor in your area. Good luck.

 

[stuckmotor]

My thinking is that a tractor model that is plentiful will be easier to find parts for and advice about. When you find a tractor you like, it might be good to search for one like it on one or more of the 'tractor for sale' web sites. Tractorhouse is easy to use for that purpose. Depending on how you do the search, it can also give you an idea of the asking price for that tractor in your area.
Good luck,
Stuck

 

[square1]

My immediate thought was the JD 3020. +1 Jenkinsph.

 

[2ndhalf]

I guess the obvious question is how much of your 100 acres are you mowinig? Do NOT go with a gas tractor after using a diesel. You will probably not be happy. Mowing likes torque and diesel is all about torque. Gas and Diesel are night and day different.

 

[Gary Fowler]

With todays gasoline, I would never get a gasoline tractor due to stale fuel setting in a seldom used piece of equipment. I agree with looking at the XX 10 or xx20 series JD or the IH 706, 756, 766 tractor all in diesel engine of course. All of these were very reliable tractors. Just make sure the TA (torque amplifiers) work properly on any of these models

 

[Farmer495]

IH 674/684 (62 pto HP)
IH 784 (67 PTO HP)
IH 884 (72 PTO HP)

All made late 70's early 1980s and can be had reasonable 2wd ROPS, and 84 series could be FWA as well.

 

[budpat105]

With todays gasoline, I would never get a gasoline tractor due to stale fuel setting in a seldom used piece of equipment. I agree with looking at the XX 10 or xx20 series JD or the IH 706, 756, 766 tractor all in diesel engine of course. All of these were very reliable tractors. Just make sure the TA (torque amplifiers) work properly on any of these models

I knew the T/A would show up, how do I check this? Do all tractors have this? Thanks for all advice.

 

[jibe717]

International had the T/A's for years. From the Super M to the 80's models, maybe beyond? As far as I know either the T/A engages or it doesn't when you pull the lever as far as testing it. It was quite obvious when it shifted.

I don't think other tractors had it. We had one go out on a 706. But had a 400 from the 50's that had it last until we sold it in the 90's.

Going downhill with it engaged in high I believe was quite dangerous. The tractor would freewheel. It happened to us while square baling hay. We never made that error again.

 

[jibe717]

In retinking my statement it was in low that they would freewheel while going downhill.

 

[jibe717]

As far as the equivelant of the IH T/A, MF had the Multipower, Case had the Case-A-Matic, Ford had the Dual Power. I don't recall that JD had anything like these.

 

[motownbrowne]

As far as the equivelant of the IH T/A, MF had the Multipower, Case had the Case-A-Matic, Ford had the Dual Power. I don't recall that JD had anything like these.

I'm certainly not an expert, but isn't JD's power-shift like a TA? It lets you shift into a lower range on the fly without clutching.