Buying Advice Second Tractor: Need Something that PULLS Like A Son of a B

Laminarman · May 11, 2012

I have a NH TC40DA, a fine tractor and I've been very happy. However, a few situation arise from time to time that make me think I'd like a second machine. The first is the struggling I have pulling a two bottom plow in some heavy soil, I have her pretty well high in the RPM's, in low gear, and she'll struggle a bit. It's been dyno'd, checked out, I just think after watching my neighbor's 50hp Deere, I need more horsepower at times. Second, couldn't lift (safely) a no till drill that I rent from a guy. So I'm looking (I think) for a second tractor and I could use some advice. I will buy used, and I don't mind high hours as long as it's sound, as long as it meets the following criteria:

*Must pull like a mule, the plow, maybe larger discs
*Must have a 3pt hitch lift capacity greater than mine now, Cat. 2 I suppose.
*Must have ROPS
*PTO clutch, or whatever safetly mechanism to protect me from the PTO driving the tractor
*Should be able to get a loader, but not necessary

Cosmetics don't matter so much. Bells and whistles don't matter. It will be for plowing, pulling that no till drill, maybe pulling a larger rotary mower (7'+), perhaps someday run a baler.

Looking for some specific models of tractor to shop for or look at. Would like to keep it under $10,000. Ideally a sound tractor with a good pedigree with high hours that starts, pulls, and is more an ag tractor than what I have now. I am not being brand specific, open to anything that fits the "bang for the buck" model. For example I passed up a high hour TN70 recently that sold in a day locally, should have grabbed it. Thank you!

Robert_in_NY · May 11, 2012

That TN70 would have been ideal for what you want. I have a TN65 and it compliments my Ford 1920 perfectly. It pulls like crazy and my friend thinks of it as a bulldozer because of the size trees I can push over with it. I can easily handle a 6' no till drill on the lift arms and have lifted over 3000 pounds with forks on the front loader up to a first story section of a roof to unload shingles.

I would keep your eyes open for any of the Ford 3910/3930's, New Holland TN's or John Deere 5000 series. Their all good tractors. I would shy away from the Kubotas though for your use since they are lighter and for pulling you want as much weight as possible.

Martian · May 11, 2012

On a budget, I'd look at Deere's 5000 D and E series machines. Even the ones around 50HP are built like tanks and will pull 'like a son of a b' when weighted properly. You definitely want a UTILITY tractor, not a COMPACT utility tractor, though. A new D or E could be had for around $18k. Definitely not my first choice in tires, but here's a 4x4 for $18,9: http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6879959&

Laminarman · May 12, 2012

Thanks folks. I'll look at those. My neighbor does amazing things with an old 8N with filled ag tires and a two bottom plow. Of course he's an 85 year old farmer so it's not all equipment, and a lot of technique.

jenkinsph · May 12, 2012

Sounds like you have a good idea of your needs so I would do some local searching to see what turns up. Lots of older Fords, Deeres and other brands out there that should fill the bill.

FredH · May 13, 2012

Plenty of power , ( 200 h.p. ) , light ground pressure , and with 4 speeds can crawl or haul the mail .

Fred H.

Laminarman · May 13, 2012

FredH said:
Plenty of power , ( 200 h.p. ) , light ground pressure , and with 4 speeds can crawl or haul the mail .

Fred H.

Whooo-whooo-whooo-whooo... (insert sound of male on testosterone overload here)

Sportsman762 · May 20, 2012

Why not look at some older row crop tractors in the 50-75 horse power range? These are often less expensive than utility class tractors and are more easily found. Your requirements of having ROPS will force you into a newer machine (post 70s). You will have difficulty finding one with a loader for under 10K, however you can mount a loader on all of them. I would also stick with the main brands: Case/IH, Ford, International, John Deere, Massey Ferguson.
As long as the tractor does not have a transmission PTO you should not have a problem with any implements cause a run away tractor. If it does have a transmission PTO then install a over running clutch on it (under $100). I doubt you will find many machines that have a transmission PTO in the sizes you are looking at, most will have independent or live.
One of the reasons you have a problem with the plow is that hydo tractors do a very poor job of transmitting power to the ground.

slowzuki · May 20, 2012

Your requirements are on the bare minimum end of ag tractor sizing. Any ag tractor 45 hp and up should do fine. 2wd would be fine too given the uses unless you're gonna get that loader. Here, a older 2wd ag tractor from 45-100 hp that would be reliable sells for about 5000-8000$ regardless of hp. 10,000 will get you a really clean one.