Looking for a "30/30" diesel tractor

firemanpat2910 · Mar 30, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

I bought a used 88 or 89 model Ford 2910
29 draw bar hp 37 pto hp for around 5k. Low hours very good
condition. Too good of a deal to pass up. Its 2 wheel drive w/o
a FEL but it will do all I need. My buddy was going to trade it in on a new JD 4wheel with FEL and I found out what they were going to give him on trade and told him I would take it.
I have been very happy with it

Farmwithjunk · Mar 30, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

Not so sure about that. I had a Ford 3000 up until late December. I still have my Massey 150. I've never had a moments difficulty getting parts from AGCO. Prices are in line with everyone else. New Holland isn't the cheapest by any stretch. TISCO carries parts for both. In the end, the Massey has the cheapest engine to rebuild of any diesel I've ever ran across. A complete kit for the Perkins is less than $500. Best part is, it's probably the best engine to ever grace a tractor as far as reliability and longevity. Both are EXTREMELY good tractors. Both hold up well. To me, the deciding factor would be which one I could find in the best shape and the best price.

There were almost 30,000 more 135's built than 3000's. No aftermarket company would walk away from a market like that in favor of a smaller market.

KiotiJohn · Mar 30, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

That's good to know Farmwithjunk. Since I really like the Masseys, I was hoping they would have good parts support. I know a lot of the old Fords, like the 8n I had years ago still have pretty good parts support. Of course, I'm not the one looking, but I have always like the old Masseys and Perkins, as you say, were always great engines.
John

wolc123 · Mar 30, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

For vintage tractors, you cant beat the diesels for fuel economy, especially these days. They are also longer lasting than gas but tend to be noisy, especially those 3-cylinder fords. I ran a 2000, which is right in your hp range for quite a few years and it was deafening at high rpms. Whatever you buy, I would suggest testing it under load at maximum rpm's and make sure you can handle the noise. They sure have licked this problem these days as my new JD 4120 purrs like a kitten at max rpms and I can finally get the work done without those **** earmuffs.

KiotiJohn · Mar 31, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

( I ran a 2000, which is right in your hp range for quite a few years and it was deafening at high rpms. )
The old Yanmar 2 cylinders too can make a lot of noise. They call it the Yanmar hammer. I like the sound though, but would need those ear protectors for sure.
John

Farmwithjunk · Mar 31, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

You wanna talk noisy? Climb on board an old 435 Deere. Those 2 cycle GMC diesels wrote the standard for loud. (Not to mention hard to start in cold weather)

Partsman2 · Mar 31, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

I bought a 73 Ford 2000 in 1986. I sold it and bought a new JD 4710 in 2003. I got almost what I paid for it when I sold it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I never thought about the noise but it's hard to beat those old 3 cylinder thumper diesels. I did very few repairs to that old tractor in the 17 years I owned it. Mostly oil seals where it sat for about 10 years before I got it. Stay away from the Selecto Speed tranny is what I've always heard.

You can't go wrong with an old Massie either.

One problem with the older tractors is they don't have the hydraulics available that the newer ones do. You can make it work but it's not as "plug and play" as the newer ones are.

daTeacha · Mar 31, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

( ..... They sure have licked this problem these days as my new JD 4120 purrs like a kitten at max rpms and I can finally get the work done without those **** earmuffs. )

Could be the tractors are just as loud but your hearing isn't so good anymore from all the time spent around them. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

wolc123 · Apr 1, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

The first tractor I ran on this farm was a JD M 2-banger that replaced the horses back around 1950. That sucker would get plenty loud when the muffler wore out, but a new one would always quiet it down. I tried new mufflers on the Ford 2000 3 cyl diesel but that never helped much. As far as dependability, that Ford didn't owe me nothing as it logged about 7000 hours and I sold it for more than I paid with no major breakdowns. The only problem I had was the noise but for me that was a big one because I do not like wearing hearing protection. There are not many better indicators of equipment condition than sound and when you put on hearing protection you tune that out. You would be suprised at how much time and money can be saved by catching bearings as soon as they begin to fail, etc. I dont like cabs either for this same reason.

flusher · Apr 2, 2006

Re: Looking for a \"30/30\" diesel tractor

Many thanks for the excellent suggestions.

My "30/30" wish list presently includes:

Case 470
Ford 3600
JD 830
JD 950
JD 1050
MF 135
MF 150
White 2-35