Super A Trouble/ Other Questions! Input Needed

I have a few questions problems and I'll start with the most pressing.

Today I was brushhogginng (or started anyway) a 10 acre field. Things were going Ok but the tractor does not seem to be running as strong as It should. can anyone tell how to check if it is running on all cylinders. It just seemed to REALLY dog out alot and it wasn't missing noticeably but maybe I just don't know what to listen for. so any help on this front (what to check? and how!) would be great.

Of note here. After the 2nd problem happend (read below) I Was traveling thru the field back to the barn and some whisps of white smoke started coming out of the stack. This took place for about 1 minute total. not HEAVEY white smoke but noticeable. I was really worried something with the engine was terribly wrong (from above you can tell I don't think its running right anyway)

Is this a sign of anything I need to worry about... it was a HOT day here for PA. about 85.

2nd problem... I got about 10 trips around done and a bolt on the brush hog sheered off. it was the bolt that connects the U joints to the spindle that turns the gearbox that in turn, turns the blade... does that make sense? It is and OLD unit. VERY old. No markings... I am wondering if this should be a softer bolt that it made to shear? or just a regular one?

3rd question. I have two smaller tractors. on 782D cub cadet and 1 982 cub cadet both in excellent shape and I love using them to mow grass and I also have a brush hog for hte 982. BUT I have just recently moved and I'm wondering if a sub compact or compact might do me better. Trade those two in possible on a new one that I can do multiple tasks with.

I need a front end loader, grass cutter, and brush hog tractor all rolled into one.

Does anyone have a good suggestion on a model to look at for this task? I know this is IH but I saw the other day kubota has 0% financing right now. not sure if CaseIH does or not.

THanks for ALL your input and help guys. Really appreciate it.

If you suspect a compression problem (like a blown head gasket) a compression tester will tell you if you have a weak cylinder(s) and if you need to do a tear down. If all cylinders are at 85# (throttle wide open during the test) or more and are within 10% of each other, then you have what most consider acceptable compression and probably don’t have a blown head gasket or leaky valve.

I’m not sure of the history on your tractor, but it could be points, plugs, wires, ignition timing (or worn or broken ignition advance parts), valve adjustment, fuel ratios (carburetor of fuel supply problems) that are causing it to not put out full power. As far as the hot day I have run my B on days when it is near 100 degrees and it doesn’t over heat. If the cooling system and radiator are in good shape 85 shouldn’t be a problem.

My 2 cents..

A miss would be noticeable, especially since you'll be more "in tune" with the tractor. You know what I mean, like in your car/truck and you notice little clunks and squeaks that nobody else seems to hear.

White smoke is coolant.