Tillage Question (for the big tractors)

[Farmwithjunk]

Whats the minimum HP I could get away with to plow, disc, and plant? Bigger crop fields, but good soft riverbottom soil. I know that bigger's better, faster and more efficient but I don't have a bottomless wallet.
I was thinkin around 120hp but just don't know if it would have the balls to actually be a primary Tillage machine.

All depends on what sort of time you want to spend per acre. I farmed 200 to as much as 275 acres for years with a 60hp tractor as my "big tractor". That was back in the day when I plowed, disced, and planted. That tractor is still with me, in really good shape, even after nearly 30 years as my "primary tillage tractor". It's all about matching implements to size/power/weight of tractor.

I'm working just under 500 acres now, with plans on upping that in years to come. I use a 4440 Deere (130pto hp "stock") All my acres are no till. Pulling an 8-row Kinze planter w/interplants. It takes a tractor the size of a 4440 to pull because of it's weight (when loaded w/seed,fertilizer)

 

[scrappy isb67]

When I was growing up, we farmed around 1000A with 2 tractors. one was a ~175 hp. AC 7060 and the other was a 160 hp. IH 3588. the 7060 was dualled but the 3588 was not(didn't need them). both would do fine pulling a 21' IH 496 disk or a 29' field cultivator. both tractors could be considered small for the acreage but worked fine.

 

[Illinoisdmax]

Time's not an issue as I dont have a lot of acreage.
Lookin to kill 2 birds with one stone and get a utility/AG machine with a quicktach loader. Tired of havin such an old machine, IH 2504. Lookin into the JD 6000 series or the IH MX, possibly NH TS.
Thanks everyone, Luke

 

[deereman75]

I was a bit low on prices, I looked again, and the 4440s often go from $12000-$20000. These are auction prices in the canadian prairies, where most big tractors are deere. Take a look at ritchie bros auction history. I think I listed the prices I see 4020s go for.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I was a bit low on prices, I looked again, and the 4440s often go from $12000-$20000. These are auction prices in the canadian prairies, where most big tractors are deere. Take a look at ritchie bros auction history. I think I listed the prices I see 4020s go for.

Show me a decent 4440 @ $12,000 and I'd be on it like white on rice! I've got an '81 model, powershift, cab, 90% rubber, cold AC, quick coupler, low hours, and excellent paint. I'd laugh at offers of $20,000. I turned down $25,000 last spring.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Time's not an issue as I dont have a lot of acreage.
Lookin to kill 2 birds with one stone and get a utility/AG machine with a quicktach loader. Tired of havin such an old machine, IH 2504. Lookin into the JD 6000 series or the IH MX, possibly NH TS.
Thanks everyone, Luke

I've got 3 Deere 6530's that are used in my mowing business. They've proved to be VERY good tractors, although one had an issue with the IVT tranny early on. Deere made good on it (warranty)

 

[D7E]

These are auction prices in the canadian prairies, where most big tractors deere

Heavily dependant on area, CaseIH would be the popular one here . The resale difference is getting less these days as last year we were hunting for another FORD TW15 FWA and went to auctions all summer throughout manitoba and ND and they were fetching as much as equivalent deeres . Ended up bought a 1986 115hp FWA MF of a MF dealer for $9500 with 4500 hrs /AC/CD player/Front fenders theres always cheap MF's about !

 

[deere755]

I've got 3 Deere 6530's that are used in my mowing business. They've proved to be VERY good tractors, although one had an issue with the IVT tranny early on. Deere made good on it (warranty)

What is an IVT transmition? Is it just a fancy way of saying Hydro? I have heard about them but they sound alot like a hydro tranny to me or am I wrong.

 

[slowzuki]

Not hydro. Its mechanical using a variator type mechanism. Not as lossy as a hst and there is a mechanical link between the engine and tires. Its does work similar to a hydro though, you can vary ground speed independent of engine/pto rpm.

 

[Turbys_1700]

10 years ago my dad bought an 8050 Allis with 4K hours on it for 12K...
He sold it new in 83 for a whole lot more than that...
I think list was in the 50's...
There are some good old iron deals out there if you are willing to wait around...
The guy that owned it was irritated at the dealer my dad used to work for and got rid of it to purchase a newer Deere...
It is a good clean tractor that is not used much but I ain't parting with it...