Thinking of a 140

farm23 · Jun 17, 2015

I am in the market for either a Farmall Cub or a 140. Is one really better than the other? The tractor will be used to cultivate, & hill and harvest potatoes. I know the 140 can be much newer and more expensive but is it worth the extra expense and is the turning radius is important. I have an organic farm with 80' rows and only about 4' at one end before getting to the deer fence. The other end of the rows has about 6' to 8' before the greenhouses.

DJ54 · Jun 17, 2015

If you can swing the 140, go for it. It's 3 times the tractor the Cub is. More horsepower, and better design. Even better if you can find one with Fast Hitch and implements.

farm23 · Jun 18, 2015

Thanks DJ. I thought the 140 would be the better choice. Do you have any ides how much room is required to turn a 140? I can back it up and perhaps go all the way around the field for the next pass but I have only 2 acres so things are tight.

DJ54 · Jun 18, 2015

I'm not sure what the radius is, but they turn fairly short. But not as short, as you may need. You may need to shorten your rows just a tad. You can assist the turn by feathering the brake on the side of direction you're turning. You can also lock that wheel up to do a max. short turn, but doubt you want to scoot a wheel, and make little ruts in loose dirt.

Something like a Super C, or 200 with a tricycle front end may turn shorter, and have the advantage of two row cultivating, but that would depend on row width. The one row Culti-Vision is pretty sweet, when you're looking right down on the row.

farm23 · Jun 21, 2015

I think I will look for a 140 and shorten my rows if I need to. Are there any known trouble areas I should pay attention to?

DJ54 · Jun 21, 2015

I don't have a 140, bot would love to..! I do have 2 Farmall A's, which preceded it a few generations. I believe the weakest link of the whole tractor would be where the front steering assy. bolts to the engine block. I have seen a few of these break. I know what I've done to mine, and what was done to the one we had when I was a kid. Let me just say, they will take quite a beating, so those front ends that broke, had to take a pretty good shot. Maybe like dropping in a big hole, or just plain ran into something at a good clip.

The steering tie rods can get some slop in them, but they are adjustable. And the steering arm, out of the steering box can get some wobble to it, due to it coming loose on the steering shaft out of the box. And the bearing around that shaft, plus the seal, after many, many hours of use.

Other than that, if the one you get is in decent shape, with some good maintenance, it should last as long as you'll need something to cultivate with.

BobG_in_VA · Jun 23, 2015

As DJ said, the steering is the "link" on the A/SuperA/100/130/130 series tractors. If you find one for sale, turn the steering wheel left and right to check for "play". My 140 has literally no play before the fronts start to turn...mine is a '74 Key start. It has the fast hitch, 16" single plow, IH 251 two row planter, full set of cultivators, etc. (Great cultivator tractor!) Good luck! BobG in VA