Tractor Choice??

g42guy · Sep 13, 2003

This is part of a post on the general buying forum. But in a nutshell, all three of these tractors fit my need. What would be your choice? Any others to consider? Would be looking for one that is restored or in real good clean original shape.
Ford 640 or 860
Oliver 55/550
MF 135

Soundguy · Sep 14, 2003

I'm a ford man myself.. but I'll try to offer some advice without too much bias.

1, the fords will have the best parts availability.. probably followed closely by the oliver. I cant remember if the 135 is the domestic model.. but I think it is.. and the 130 is the french model... stay away from the french model.. hard to get parts for... domestic model should be ok.

I almost bought an oliver 55.. was nice that it was a deisel.. seemd like a solid tractor.

I would guess from seeing them in person, that the 135 is the smallest of the 3, and that the 860 and the 55 are the best HP machines, with the 135 being close to the 600 series.. though perhaps a bit better.

In the end.. it will matter more on the condition of the machine.. the price, and how well you take care of it... the machines you mentioned are close ballpark. older mid size tractors.

Get a good one.. take care of it, and it will take care of you.

Soundguy

SteveM · Sep 15, 2003

I just went through this process for work on my 40 acres - although I am quick to admit I dont manage all 40....local farmer plants hay on more than half. Anyhow, I found that adding loader to the requirement reduces options, raises price, and diminishes quality (as a function of statistics I guess)...what this simply means is that I found lots of nice, clean, restored tractors for $5,000 or less....but with no loaders. Tractors with loaders are always significantly more expensive, and often were worked harder and in poor shape.

Enough babbling. In my area, you could get a Ford 3000 or 4000 with power steering and 8spd manual with full hydraulic loader in good to very good shape for $7,000. This would be my choice if I were looking to spend that. If you want to stay around 5k - nix the loader. Most loader tractors at 5 are either trip bucket antiques, or beat to heck. Have fun searching! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bob_Skurka · Sep 15, 2003

Of the brands of tractors you list, I would favor the Olivers. I think they are built heavier than the Fords. Parts are fairly easy to get. However, I think you might have a hard time finding one in good shape with a loader. You might want to try the Jimna tractors from China, they are over your price limit, and are bare-bones units, but their small units are very reasonably priced and seem capable. They are sold under a variety of names including Farm Pro, NorTrack, Jimna and Homier, plus a few others. I'd prefer to go with a new tractor over a 40 to 50 year old unit any day, and I'd prefer to go with something that has more features than a Jimna, but with the budget you are looking at, you might be able to push a bit more and get new with a warrenty? You could also look at the grey market tractors, try Sweet Equipment or Corriher's, both are big movers of the grey market machines and have been around for a while. Grey market units are similar to the Jimnas, only used and lower priced. There are advantages to them over the old Fords/Olivers (though I hate to admit that). And the prices are LOW.

JerryG · Sep 15, 2003

The MF 135 is a good solid tractor, that is easy to operate. And yes, you can still get all of the parts. I would like to have a orchard model to restore.

g42guy · Sep 15, 2003

Thanks Bob,
I have had an 8N in the past and know what I would be getting into on old tractors. But I gotta tell ya, I was not aware of the old Olivers until I saw your post about the one you had on ebay. I thought it looked and sounded great!

I would like to get more info on them. Where should I be looking. Sounds like it would be good match for a ford 600 or 800 series.

I may still be considering an old Ford in good shape just because there are still a lot around and parts are easy to find. I had the 8N for five years did all my landscaping and hauling for our new house then sold it for the same amount. I think (up here anyway) the novices all have the prices up even higher than they where back then (about 7 years ago when I sold it).

g42guy · Sep 15, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In the end.. it will matter more on the condition of the machine.. the price, and how well you take care of it... the machines you mentioned are close ballpark. older mid size tractors. )</font>

Sound guy, I agree all the way!! It will come down to what I can find, in the best shape. Would love to track down a old Ford or Oliver that was completely restored. I may even consider another 8N if it was nice. I think for what I need to do it would work fine. But the extra hp of the others would always be nice.

SteveM · Sep 16, 2003

Certainly not to start a war, but proceed with caution with greys and chinese. I think the grey jap tractors are very well built and engineered, but geesh it can be tough finding parts. Plus most of them are quite small - not suited to your task at all. I have looked at the chinese tractors (jinma) and have real concerns about the build quality, and also the parts. There is nothing nicer on a sunday afternoon than walking into tractor supply and snagging the part you need off the shelf.....

Bob_Skurka · Sep 16, 2003

The Ford 860, or 800 series in general, is larger than the 600's and the Oliver S55 or 550s so I am not sure if you need that large of a tractor or if the utility class units will be large enough. I cannot say enough good things about the Olivers. I sold the Super 55 but am now considering buying my next, and it might be a similar model. I would love to get an Orchard tractor to restore, any series would be good. But the nostalgia aside, Olivers are just darn good tractors, for their time they were better built and had more features than their competitors. Their prices today are a little higher than the Fords, I can't speak to the Massy, but the Olivers are more capable than the fords. In the fields around me I still see Oliver 77s working, so that says something about them.

g42guy · Sep 16, 2003

Do you know of web sites or book where I can get more info on the Olivers? I am VERY interested. Are ther any other model other than the 55/550 modle that would be roughly the same size.

g42guy · Sep 16, 2003

Steve, I agree with you. I don't know much about the Jinma's but when I am completely honest with myself, what I really want is a real nice maybe even restored old tractor. The ones I have mentioned are very capable and let's face it, they look darn nice puttin around!!

Since the larger tractor is more for my "other" lots rather than where I live (my bx2200 works fine here). My dream would be to have an old Ford or Oliver lookin real good up on a trailer pulled with a '56 Ford F1. (I don't have the truck either). ...NICE

RichZ · Sep 16, 2003

Yesterdaystractors.com

Click on the Oliver forum.

I have an Oliver 1550. I love it!! Great tractor, I'd get another Oliver in a heartbeat, and I probably will!!

Bob_Skurka · Sep 16, 2003

There is a very active Oliver Tractor Collectors Association, of which I am a member. Anything related to Hart-Parr, Cletrac, Oliver, etc can be found in their magazine. They also have a website. The magazine is a great source for information on restoration, history, etc.

Oliver Collectors Association

Soundguy · Sep 16, 2003

If you do go for an old ford.. get a 53 or newer.. which puts you in the Jubilee/naa ( 1954 ) area. and up. The 53's an up had live hyds.. the newer models.. like the 800.. some had live pto, etc.

Soundguy

slowrev · Sep 16, 2003

Yesterdaystractors.com has an Oliver section with some very knowledeable people over there.

rambler · Sep 18, 2003

www.ytmag.com (as the others have said) is a wonderful source of info for all the old tractors, Oliver included.

All 3 of the general machines you mention were good machines, so you are starting out well.

As to the Fords, do you know the difference? A 640 will be similar to the N you had, with a few tweaks to improve it, mostly live hyd. The 860 has a bigger & stronger engine, and will have live pto & a 5-speed tranny. I would much rather have a 660 Ford than a 640 - that middle digit tells you the options the Fords have. 'x6x' is most desirable, lower numbers have less options, higher numbers have the SoS auto tranny which was a good unit actually, but costs a TON to repair & parts are becoming difficult to get. If the choice is 640 vs 860, go for the 860!

--->Paul

g42guy · Sep 18, 2003

Thanks Paul, I guess if it came to a choice between a 6xx and a 8xx I would go with which ever was the best shape. I realize the 800 series had more power but the 600 series has more power than a 8N as well.

As I said ealier I have had a 8N in the past. My dad currently has a 640 so yes I do know the difference. For my needs realistly a 8N would do the job. But hey, I agree with you, if I could get more power in "roughly" the same size package I would go for it.

Another tractor I have seen on the web since I started my search is the JD 430 W. I think they are a little bigger in size but seem to have a lot of nice features. I may need to expand my list!

professor · Sep 19, 2003

For Oliver information you can try our web site at www.hartparroliver.org. This is the web site for our Oliver organization. Visitors welcome. You can also go to the Oliver site on Yesterdays Tractor.
As for other sizes, Oliver imported the David Brown and named them the 500 & 600 models. Good cheap tractors but parts could be a problem. Oliver also imported Fiat tractors in late sixties and sold them as the 1250, 1350 and 1450. Part are extremely hard to get. If you can get a good S55 or 550 you will be very happy. My opinion is you get the best tractor for the money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Sep 21, 2003

Professor,
Yes, the official Oliver sites will be no help on the 500 and 600. They don't seem to acknowledge their existence.

g42guy · Sep 22, 2003

Re: Hey rambler!

Hey Paul, I just now noticed you are a MN res. Looks like you have a few tractors under your belt!

If you hear of any old fords (or Olivers) in great shape around the state give me a holler. I'm still lookin. Not in a real big hurry. Have plans on the books to build a barn next spring so hope to find a tractor to help fill the new space!

I really miss my 8N. It was a nice "working" tractor with a loader. I sold it about 5 years ago along with a 15 acre lot. Wish I had BOTH back.

Keep me in mind!
Guy