Looking for a different tractor

Danny in CO

Well-known Member
I have a 48 8N that I have owned for about 14
years. We are going to be moving to a
different state in the near future. I plan to
sell my tractor and implements and buy
different one where we get moved. I would like
something a little bigger than the 8N. Here is
what I am finding. I would like y'alls
opinions on what would be a good choice.

1974 Massey Ferguson 135 Diesel $5000
510 Long Tractor with loader $3000
354 International diesel $3500
Massey Ferguson 165 gas $4200
Case Comfort King tractor $4000
Ferguson TO20 $1850
Ford 601 Workmaster $2800
244 International Harvester $2250
1958 Ferguson 85 with loader $3500

Thanks, Danny
 
(quoted from post at 19:19:25 01/09/15) I have a 48 8N that I have owned for about 14
years. We are going to be moving to a
different state in the near future. I plan to
sell my tractor and implements and buy
different one where we get moved. I would like
something a little bigger than the 8N. Here is
what I am finding. I would like y'alls
opinions on what would be a good choice.

1974 Massey Ferguson 135 Diesel $5000
510 Long Tractor with loader $3000
354 International diesel $3500
Massey Ferguson 165 gas $4200
Case Comfort King tractor $4000
Ferguson TO20 $1850
Ford 601 Workmaster $2800
244 International Harvester $2250
1958 Ferguson 85 with loader $3500

Thanks, Danny

If you have $5k I'd be looking 1980's or newer diesel. Minimum of 6 forward speeds. Add Kubota, David Brown, White, JD, and Farmall to your list. The IH 244 is compact and not in the same class as the others and engine parts are unobtanium. There are a number of different Comfort Kings and they are a LOT of tractor. That is not a bad price if it is in good shape and you want to go that old. Five thousand will get you a lot of tractor.

TOH
 
If stuck to that list, the 135.

Really, I'd get an 8xx/9xx or 4000 4 cyl with options like PS and other than a 4 SPD, though a 4spd with a aux trans would be ok
 
Of the bunch I would take the 135.
But what I'd really do is find a Ford 3000 or 3600. Live Hyds, 8 speed, LPTO, PS, differential lock, remote valves, gas or diesel and still basically familiar to an N owner. You could get a real nice one in the $4-$5K range.
Also, if there was any way to keep and transport them I would hang onto your implements.
They will all fit on any one of the tractors you list and you'll be sorrier you sold those than your tractor.
A guy can go out and buy a tractor pretty quickly but it takes years to find good implements.
 
(quoted from post at 20:02:29 01/09/15)
Is that comfort king 30 series case?

Did they make Comfort Kings that were not 30 series? There is an 830CK for sale locally - $3200 looks pretty good but it is a gasser. The Comfort King caught my eye because the 830, 930, and 1030 are pretty good size machines - cat II hitch, dual speed independent PTO (65- 100 HP), and 5700 - 9000 pounds before ballast. But too old for my taste - built in the early sixties. Now if I could get this one for that price I might think twice about it.....

TOH

PS> This David Brown 990 Selectamatic is also being offered on our local CL for $4k even. Basically the same size as the 830CK but on 36" rubber and 12/4 transmission. It's a little (possibly a lot) newer model then the CK. Paint it green, put a JD stencil on the hood, and add a bunch of money to the asking price ;-)

00r0r_biBhnrxCXVf_600x450.jpg


499-td4-b01-ext090.jpg
 
As others said would be nice to keep your equipment if you have a full set of tools.

Might check out the local equipment dealers in the area. Hate to buy a particular brand of tractor, but each time you need something, you have to drive 50 miles.

Good advice on the:
MF 135 4 cylinder gas, 245 diesel,
Ford 3600

Kubota are good and you can get parts, some other foreign makes, parts can be a problem.
 

I don't think so I was just curious I think they made them in a smaller tractor we have a 530 case its not a comfort king but I love it its about the same size as a 77 Oliver its a gas it has PS livepto live hydraulics and 2 remotes that I never use lol. That's a good idea! Lol would make your money back over that also sounds like a good deal on that 830 if it works and is in decent shape
 
(quoted from post at 22:32:03 01/09/15)
I don't think so I was just curious I think they made them in a smaller tractor we have a 530 case its not a comfort king but I love it its about the same size as a 77 Oliver its a gas it has PS livepto live hydraulics and 2 remotes that I never use lol. That's a good idea! Lol would make your money back over that also sounds like a good deal on that 830 if it works and is in decent shape

There was an older 530CK and newer 580CK - both industrial models that are typically configured as backhoes. I almost bought a ratty 530CK hoe when I was building my shop but came to my senses just in time....

TOH
 
(quoted from post at 21:54:37 01/09/15)
(quoted from post at 20:02:29 01/09/15)
Is that comfort king 30 series case?

Did they make Comfort Kings that were not 30 series? There is an 830CK for sale locally - $3200 looks pretty good but it is a gasser. The Comfort King caught my eye because the 830, 930, and 1030 are pretty good size machines - cat II hitch, dual speed independent PTO (65- 100 HP), and 5700 - 9000 pounds before ballast. But too old for my taste - built in the early sixties. Now if I could get this one for that price I might think twice about it.....

TOH

PS> This David Brown 990 Selectamatic is also being offered on our local CL for $4k even. Basically the same size as the 830CK but on 36" rubber and 12/4 transmission. It's a little (possibly a lot) newer model then the CK. Paint it green, put a JD stencil on the hood, and add a bunch of money to the asking price ;-)
You can put a loader and a cool home made cab on those CK's too! LOL
I bought this one with the loader for $2000.
Drove it home, but it needed a valve job. Ran great after that.

The OSB cab door was literally hung on a closet door track and
slid back next to the seat to open.

The power steering on all of them was horrible. A lot of guys removed
the PS pump and plumbed the steering into the hydraulic pump.

This one was technically a 941. 930CK row crop gasser.
I sold it mainly because it was too much tractor for what I
need and it was cat II 3 pt hitch. All my implements are Cat I.
Oh, there was also that fuel consumption issue. Tank held 50 gallons.

mvphoto14826.jpg


mvphoto14827.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 01:20:29 01/10/15)
This one was technically a 941. 930CK row crop gasser.
I sold it mainly because it was too much tractor for what I
need and it was cat II 3 pt hitch. All my implements are Cat I.
Oh, there was also that fuel consumption issue. Tank held 50 gallons.

That Cat II hitch and thirst reflects the fact the 930 is a 6 plow tractor. Even so the Cat II David Brown 990 I pictured is still calling my name. I think it might handle my 8' snow plow :roll: I wonder what 4K gets you in addition to that pretty paint and spiffy rubber? Tractors are a lot like machine tools - vintage "industrial" size machines are often lower priced than their smaller counterparts. Demand is low - too big for the weekend warrior and too outdated for the guys that use them to make their living....

TOH
 
I'm not limited to these. They are just what I found on the local CraigsList. O think I would like a Ford 3000 or 4000 but didn't see any yet. It will be several months before we move and I will keep looking.

Thanks for all your input.
 
Demand is low - too big for the weekend warrior and too
outdated for the guys that use them to make their living....

TOH
That was my thinking too. Especially being open station and gas.

I'm not sure how wide the 990 is. That 930 was 13 feet wide with
the duals on, but easily fit through my 10 foot door without them.
 
(quoted from post at 11:21:33 01/10/15)
Demand is low - too big for the weekend warrior and too
outdated for the guys that use them to make their living....

TOH
That was my thinking too. Especially being open station and gas.

I'm not sure how wide the 990 is. That 930 was 13 feet wide with
the duals on, but easily fit through my 10 foot door without them.

TractorData says the 990 is a good bit smaller than the 930CK - 10' long x 6 ' wide and 5000 pounds vs. 12' long x 7' wide and 9000 pounds. More like an 830CK. Only 45 minutes to go kick the tires....

TOH
 
bout 20yrs ago got a 530 hoe and a4000 hoe..both
rough..tried em out..still have the 4000..sold the
530 used it all these yrs around the area..even
lent it once..big mistake..really ratty rears.still
on it..new set in the barn..new fuel
shutoff.points.that need cleaning bout every time i
used it..sets for long time..hyd oil..one of the
best investments ever
 
A Case 930 with 3 point (older models didnt have it), is a work horse. Growing up we had an 1070, 1170, 930, and the last one is an 830 Propane. Parts are readily available for all of these tractors, but they have some size to them. With a GB loader on any of them you can do just about anything any other tractor can do.

A strong 930 with GB loader is golden, they can do just about anything. Loads and loads of rock, run a baler, tow swather, a 12 ft mowers without any problems. But you will be on a big tractor that should have a deck that you always park next to so you can get on and off of the sky scraper..

Think about this though, I have experience with all of these newer bigger tractors and still have the 830, but I went out and got a 2N.... I needed a smaller mower tractor for my orchard and I am learning how useful these little boogers are even without a front end loader....

I'd go with the case depending on it's condition. Parts are cheap and they are strong tractors.
 
(quoted from post at 12:42:21 01/10/15) A Case 930 with 3 point (older models didnt have it), is a work horse. Growing up we had an 1070, 1170, 930, and the last one is an 830 Propane. Parts are readily available for all of these tractors, but they have some size to them. With a GB loader on any of them you can do just about anything any other tractor can do.

A strong 930 with GB loader is golden, they can do just about anything. Loads and loads of rock, run a baler, tow swather, a 12 ft mowers without any problems. But you will be on a big tractor that should have a deck that you always park next to so you can get on and off of the sky scraper..

Think about this though, I have experience with all of these newer bigger tractors and still have the 830, but I went out and got a 2N.... I needed a smaller mower tractor for my orchard and I am learning how useful these little boogers are even without a front end loader....

I'd go with the case depending on it's condition. Parts are cheap and they are strong tractors.

I can't choose because it hinges on what the PO needs in the way of a machine. His list had everything from ancient to "late model" and compact to behemoth on it....

TOH
 
One thing to keep in mind as you look ahead, something that often confuses people was Ford built two completely different 2000s and two different 4000s.
The early 2000/4000 were 4 cylinder machines and were a continuation of the 600/800 tractors. They started painting all Fords Blue in 1962.
Here are a couple of pictures.

About a 1964 2000. These are still similar to a Jubilee - same engine, etc but have many improvements over the Jube.
5029.JPG


Likewise about a 1964 4000
Ford4000SOS_after.jpg

Those tractors ended in about March of 1965.

The 3 cylinder models came out in April of 1965.
Some folks call them the square tin models.

This is actually a 1972 3000 but the 2000s are almost identical - such that I don't understand why Ford continued to build both models.

100_08381.jpg


Lastly, here is about a 1967 3 cyl 4000. They are substantially larger machines.

P1010004.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 16:19:25 01/09/15) I have a 48 8N that I have owned for about 14
years. We are going to be moving to a
different state in the near future. I plan to
sell my tractor and implements and buy
different one where we get moved. I would like
something a little bigger than the 8N. Here is
what I am finding. I would like y'alls
opinions on what would be a good choice.

1974 Massey Ferguson 135 Diesel $5000
510 Long Tractor with loader $3000
354 International diesel $3500
Massey Ferguson 165 gas $4200
Case Comfort King tractor $4000
Ferguson TO20 $1850
Ford 601 Workmaster $2800
244 International Harvester $2250
1958 Ferguson 85 with loader $3500

Thanks, Danny

First check what you are going to have a local dealers. Don't just drive by. Stop and chat. Talk to local people too. A good example is the MF/AGCO near me. They are there but unless you are buying a new tractor they are not worth a darn. No parts or service to speak of. Next closest one is over 50 miles one way. So here in my neck of the woods we have JD and CaseIH. CaseIH can get all the Ford parts a NH dealer can provide you with.

So by your list:

MF 135 diesel. Good tractor with an outstanding reputation.

510 Long. Have no idea where you would get parts and service. Very undesirable here. Can't hardly give em away because of support.

354 IH. British made and parts can be a problem.

MF 165. Don't honestly know. I've never heard anything bad about them but I've heard nothing good.

Case Comfort King. Good tractors. Depends on what you are going to be doing and the model. The Comfort King was at least from the 730 and up tractors. But even the 730 is much larger that the N Fords. Only you know what it will be used for. May be too much tractor (did I say that???)

TO-20. Good tractor but you may as well just keep the 8N.

601 Ford. I think we all know its a good tractor and parts are available.

244 IH. Import made in Japan for IH. Kinda small compared to other you have listed. Never heard anything good about them.

MF 85. Not too good of a reputation around here. Big problem was the PS pump.

If you go for a larger tractor go ahead and get rid of the implements too. Most of what you may have for the N won't work on some of the listed tractors.

Rick
 
from your list,

1974 Massey Ferguson 135 Diesel $5000
(seems like a lot, but they are never cheap)

or keep looking for a 'square' 4000 Ford.
or with $5k and a LOT of luck....a 5000 Ford...bigger, yes, but pretty much nothing it can't do.

Being a mostly Ford, Farmall guy, I hate to admit it,
but any Ford smaller than a 4000 will not match a MF diesel 135.
Good engines and the whole tractor is Very strongly built.
Looking at one, ya think...ahh like a 8N/NAA/600 Ford....until you use it.
 
My personal opinion, I would stay away from the Long, due to parts availability locally.

Of the pick, I would go for the 930 Case hands down provided it's in suitable shape. There are a couple things to take into consideration with that tractor though. I.E. - How much land/what kind of land you will have...the hp and weight will be great, but if you are only going to have 10 ac for example, that is an awful big tractor as far as physical size goes. The same applies if you will have a moderate to significant amount of trees because of the sheer length, width and height. It won't be as maneuverable. For small acreage, I would recommend something similar to a John Deere 2640. It's 70 hp vs 81 hp but has a much smaller, more nimble utility frame with an 88" wheelbase as compared to the 108" wheelbase on the row crop 930.

Something else to consider is the cat II 3 pt. Some of the implements you have now might work by just replacing the pins, but probably not all of them due to the lack of standardization between hitch dimensions. That said, cat II implements are significantly more expensive than cat I across the board. For example, when going from a 6' rotary mower to a 7', you can figure on doubling the price for that extra foot due to the increased gearbox size, width and overall build quality (beefiness).
 

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