Can't decide between two tractors

Baranx4

New User
I've been seeing an oliver 1850 gas with 6000 hrs and in above average condition, I can't decide between that and an IH 856 diesel with less than 4000hrs and one owner. The IH is $ 3,000 more. I have less than 90 acres and want a larger tractor for mostly tillage and hay. I already have a 50 hp tractor. Looking for the larger tractor due to time constraints and because I want a larger one. With how much more diesel is in Pa., I'm not sure I will be having much saving with diesel but I won't be working the tractors daily with most chores using the 50 hp tractor. I've also seen an oliver 1955 near by for $1,500 more than the 1850, but was thinking it might be too large. looking for opinions. Thanks
 
I do have a lot of respect for an 856. They are a workhorse and the 407 is a good engine. I had a 1955 for nearly 20 years but I would want some history on the engine or it would have to be pretty cheap to leave room for a rebuild. I guess I wouldn't want to feed gas to an 1850. Some will say they were not to bad on fuel but for heavy work I prefer a dsl.
 
The only thing I would worry about the Oliver is gas setting in the tank for a long period of time, this can and most likely will lead to carb. problems. If you are careful to keep some type of additive in your gas to keep it form spoiling you may be OK. I have had very good results with Sta-bil. Personally I would go with the 856, I have owned one for about 15 years and it is a work horse. Good luck with your decision.
 
(quoted from post at 19:00:29 09/21/17) I love my 1850, but if you are going to be doing much tillage or hard pulling I would go with the 856. 4000 hours is not bad at all as long as it's had good maintenance. You should get both anyway! One for tillage and one for hay... :)
 
4000 hours on a nearly 50 year old tractor is very low hours, especially for a tractor that was a big horse in its day. Gas tractors are generally lower houred machines than diesels, but any 50 year old machine could easily have 10,000+ hours. Check if the tachometers and hour meters still work. One owner for a tractor that old is also very rare.

Talk to the owners and look at the condition of each tractor. Drive each one. The seat suspension on high hour tractors (10,000+ hours) are often worn enough to be loose, wobbly and often tilted. That can be uncomfortable and expensive to replace ($500+?). Rear tires are expensive to replace ($1,500+). An IH 407 engine could cost twice as much to overhaul as a Waukesha gas engine, and should run two or three times as many hours as the gas engine. If the shift on the go on either tractor is not working, budget around $1000 parts and $1000 labor to replace either one. IMHO, the 1850 gas (with a 310 cubic inch engine?) is probably an honest 90 HP tractor, the 856 diesel more like 110 HP. Bigger horses need bigger wagons, you may need larger tillage equipment with either tractor. Gas tractors are nice for clearing snow, they start well in cold weather without assistance and they throw enough heat to keep you warm. Nebraska tractor test numbers are test #875 for Oliver 1850 gasoline, and test #970 for the IH 856 diesel.

Maybe look at another large IH (lots of well used 1066's around) before looking at the 856 to get reference point on what a worn machine looks like. You will soon know if the 4000 hour one owner claim is genuine. If it is, I would jump at the 856 unless there is an obvious reason not to (poor maintenance, needs overhaul, tires, TA, etc.).

Large gas tractors are often about $4,000 tractors (IH 706, JD 4020, 1850, etc.). Diesel adds $2,000 in the same condition.
 
You've got at least 6000 hours before you'll have to worry about the engine on that 856 if the hours are right and it hasn't been run without oil. Maybe an injection pump sooner than that but that should be 1000's of hours off too.

The condition of the Torque Amplifier should be your main concern on the 856. It's hard to assess its true condition without running it hard in the field for a day or more, but if the tractor shifts smoothly, and seems to hold good in both hi and lo, you probably have a winner. Having a dealer replace is probably going to run you close to $5000 (which does include other things), but I expect the price is comparable to doing an over-under job on an 1850.
 
Thanks for all the replies,

It gives me more to look at. Any issues to look for on each specific model?
 
(quoted from post at 14:42:37 09/22/17) Thanks for all the replies,

It gives me more to look at. Any issues to look for on each specific model?
s55 nailed it. Drive each one. You might love one and hate the other or vice versa. Check the shifting and two speed or torque amplifier. Find what may need replaced or repaired then push your pencil and see which one makes the most sense for you.
 

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