30 series vs 70 series

Well I am looking for a 85 to a 100 hp tractor to chop corn/ bale hay with. It will have to be an older tractor to keep cost down since im not fortunate enough to be able to farm full time and in a way just getting started. No matter what route I go I must have one with a cab and loader. (Ive breathed to much dust rolling hay and smashed two many fingers hooking up scissor arms). I like the looks of the 30 series much better but a 930 probably does not meet my needs as much as a 970. Ive ran a few 30 series with loaders and they are kindly ruff to steer loading hay all day. But I have heard of a lot of issues with the 70 series powershifts. I am leaning towards a 970 with 8 speed manual transmission. I am looking to get some opinions from you guys that have a lot of experience with both. what are the pros and cons of both.
 
Well, Cabs wern't much on 30 series compared to 70 series. Steering on a 30 series needed to be maintained belt wise, where steering was hydrostatic and much better on 70 series, with a far stronger front axle. Hydraulic abilities for loaders were very similar. As for the RPS34 PS tranny, it all boiles down to proper service and an understanding by the operator of what it should act like and how it was operated. Regular service was necessary as in any PS tranny.
The RPS has power shuttle which would be a real plus with a loader, over an 8spd manual 970. The 8spd tranny was bullet proof, on both series other than the shifting linkage on the 70s. There are a lot of moveing parts compared to a 30 series with the lever mounted in the shifting basket. That being said, you can make the linkage on a 70 series much better by beefing up the rods from the quadrant to the shift levers protruding from the tranny, and tighten up the quadrant sectors, and shifting it precisely rather than trying to cut corners and ramming it.
I would recomend the 970 you mentioned. Myself I would look for a Power Shift, but I grew up with them, and know all their quirks, and can fix them.
Loren
 
I have been fortunate enough to own both a 830 and a 1070. The 1070 was a great tractor, except I had a lot of trouble with the steering actuator that is directly above the front axle. I would turn too sharp or have a load on the loader when turning and sure enough the end caps would crack because the piston traveled too far. I tried everything to fix it to include buying a used steering actuator, new spindles that had good steering stops, but I could not solve the problem. I now have a 2290 and 2294 which have much nicer steering and cabs. You should be able to find a 20 or 2290 with a loader fro around 10k or less....if it were me I would be searching for a 90 series.
 
Sounds like the pressure relief on your steering curcuit was screwed up. As a dealer, I can honestly say that I never saw that problem occure. I have seen spindles over center and have an early 770 with bad stops, that has gone over relief, but it broke the end of the spindle steering arm off.
Loren
 
Thank you both for your replies. I have been looking on tractor house and unfortunately I am going to have to travel quite a ways to get one. I live in south west Virginia and cant seem to find any close by. Ive found several in Kentucky and ohio so hopefully ill be able to go bring one home pretty soon.
 
I own both a 930 and a 1370 case. I know you mentioned a 970 8 speed, but what about an 1175.

I think you would be very happy with an 1175.

They are 8 speed tractors, they have a little more power than a 1070 but body out about the same and if you can find one with a good cab and AC I think you would be very pleased.

I suggest this because sometimes when chopping corn a little extra power helps when its wet
 
Had 2 930s. One with cab. Baled 15,000 round bales and about same for small square per year. Added after market
AC to cab tractor. Didn't do well. Space between radiator and AC cooler always filling with hay chaff and dust
causing a hot engne. 930s very good on fuel and cheap to operate. My 2 cents
 

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