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Best tractor for 80 acre farm?

M

MichaelNEIowa

Member
After selling out almost 3 years ago, I"m buying a smaller place for my retirement years. In the past I"ve had a Farmall M, 300, 806, John Deere 60, Ford 860, Massey Ferguson 165. This time around I"d like to stick with one or two tractors. I plan to make some hay, plant about 30 acres of row crops and run some cows and horses. I like the older stuff and while I"m more of a Farmall man, my favorite tractor was probably the Ford 860. I think an 806-sized tractor might be overkill here. What"s a good all around tractor? Allis WD45? JD 3020? Farmall 756?
 
You know there is not.any correct or incorrect answer. That said, you probably do need a 100hp tractor, and a 40 to 50 Hp 4X4 with a loader. Vic
 
How many hours are you physically able to spend riding a tractor? An old neighbor of mine farmed an 80 with a B Farmall for a couple of years after he got rid of the horses. He traded that for an SC Case and farmed with it until he retired 25 years later at the age of 80. Most of his land was row crops. But he was just plain tough. He lived to be 98. A 756 would be plenty of tractor for 30 acres of row crops. It's big enough make a smoother ride and is dependable as the day is long. You can probably buy it cheaper than a 3020, if it's a diesel. Jim
 
A Ford 860/861 is hard to beat for your needs but it is not a row crop tractor.

Why not try a Ford 961, which is a row crop machine with better weight distribution than the 8xx machines.

My second choice would be the AC WD-45 (if you can find a decent one) or, preferrably, D-17 (more thractor than the 9xx Ford).

Dean
 
If you're an IH man,what's wrong with a good 656? Decent enough tractor for that acerage isn't it? Being an Oliver man,I know I could do it with an Oliver 1650-1655. Compairable size.
 
Michael, what dealers are close ? How much of a mechanic are you ? How much of your retirement time do you want to spend on a tractor ? My thought would be a 1960s or 1970s ; 75-80 HP and a 19?? 40+or- HP utility type. and equipment sized toward the smaller.
 
I'm predjudiced to green, so I'd go to a 2520 and 4020 combo, or maybe a 3020. They're all three grat tractors, and very versatile. If you really want red, a 656 and a german 706,826 or late 806 with three point. They're all in about the 'best of the best' for their era, an stii good tractors today.
 
B&D, that is funny, considering the messages around you. :)

I'd like a 60-100 hp tractor because they are plentiful, and will handle 'fun and interesting' tools you will come across. You can probably handle the farm with less hp, but then if you find a 3pt heavy chisel plow 8 - 10 feet wide, for scrap iron price (as comes up 'here' all the time) you can't buy it and have fun, because you don't have the tractor.

And the 2nd tractor could be in the 35 hp range, little smaller but still get something done with it. Again, you got your tillage hooked onto the big tractor, it is cheaper to find a 4 row planter than a 2 row 'here' so I'd want enough tractor to pull a 4 row planter.

You can go smaller, but it might end up costing you more in implements later. Those 10 acre operations seem to have a lot of money and have driven up the cost of the small implements and tractors.

--->PAul
 
First figure out exactly what you are going to be doing and with what implements. For an example my round baler requires 70HP. If you are not going to mess with anything big in implements you can go with a smaller tractor. Check the local market. Here you can buy a 2 bottom plow that will work on a Ford N for 350 dollars or a towed 4 or 5 bottom for scrap value maybe less at auction. You really don't want to buy a tractor only to find that the correct sized implements are high price in the local market or just not available! An example would be mechanical lift stuff here is really high and in demand because so many tractors are available that are not set up for hydraulic lift or only marginally so plus the yard art crowd wants them.


My round balers calls for 70 PTO HP and makes 1800 LBS bales so that means a bigger tractor than a guy would need for tillage on 80 acres. Plus the tractor not only has to power the baler but has to be big enough to handle the bales. Don't know that I'd trust the front end of my M with 1800 LBS hanging off the front.

Same with row crops. If you are going to be using chemicals you may not need to cultivate, so do you really need a row crop?

Rick
 
4000 Ford 3cyl diesel or newer with 8speed trans
second tractor MF 135 Perkins Diesel
or whatever else you want as the Ford will do everything you need
So anything from an H to 1206
2 lunger JD to 4010
Oliver 66 to 1950 GM
Case
MM
Cockshutt
or?????
just whatever trips your trigger

good luck
Ron
 
A good AC D17 series4 wf gas 3pt and power steering is a good all around utility tractor to have. I think maybe a IH 560 or 656or666 diesel would be good 2nd tractor because you know them already. I know the D17 maybe an odd choice but trust me you would like it, They are handy tractors to have on the farm. Bandit
 
Since you like IH,how about a 865 and a 656?I would stay away from an'06 tractor-bad shifters.A wise old man once told me"a big tractor will do anything a small tractor will do-and more!"Better to have more power than you need than not enough.Since your retired,a bigger tractor will let you spend less time in the field.
 
If your going to make you will wish you had 3 tractors. Hookin/unhookin 3 or 4 times a day gets old real fast. I would suggest a pair of Oliver 1650s and a 77or 88 to put on the rake.
 
No ne or even 2 tractors will fit the bill all the time and if your going to do hay you need at least 3. 1 to cut the hay, 1 to rake the hay and one to bale the hay. My self when I do hay I have 5 tractors out in the field all the time and a 6th or 7th one on stand by
 
Most of the responses here are overkill- wants vs needs. Especially since you"ll be retired, not employed. 3020 would be plenty adequate for a main tractor. D17 would be an excellent 2nd tractor, especially the Series IV with 3ph option.
 
hmmmm, in my opinion if you want 2 tractors on 80 acres, you prefer farmall. you will be very glad to have one big 90-110hp and one 50-70hp, id recomend 806, 856,966, 1066 for the big and a 656, 666,756, 766 for the other. the bigger will make all your tillage needs simple with implements that wont take you weeks to get a seed bed prepped on 30 acres of crops and will make bailing with a round baler or mowing with a disc mower possible. the mid size tractor will be great for all most all bailing needs and handle planting cultivating and still be a good size for utility work. also if you really feel u need a tractor dedicated for light work a farmall H or M series does well on the rake. also i would want three tractors as well but i would want the before mentioned mid size and a larger but would want a true utility tractor NOT a compact but somthing the size of a oliver 550 or ford 2000 or 3000 with a loader, independent PTO, live hydraulics, diff lock (or 4x4 if budget allows).
 
too funny. that's the most loaded question ever with no correct answer. i'd say whatever you can afford and what you like, etc, etc. no such thing as overkill either, unless you're worried what the neighbors will say.
 
A Ford 5000 or 5600 at about 63 hp would pull 4 bottoms in most soils, pull a haybine and or a round baler. Easy on fuel compared to some of those bigger rigs and a nice handy size to drive.
If I was gonna have two I would want a 3000 or 3600 - 37 hp for "all the other stuff".
Both are proven to be utterly reliable and parts are readily available - most of them aftermarket so at a reasonable price.
If I could only have one I'd pick a 4000 or 4600. At 52 hp it would pull 3 bottoms, a 10' wheel disc, small square baler and is not to big to also use on a sickle mower and rake.
 
old and rusty are right.I also have 5 or 6 tractors available.So nice to not have to swap machines.The three bigger(706-stackwagon,826-baler,1256-swather) ones are'interchangable'the the smaller ones(SM,SH,SC) can rake(we use two rakes),the SM can also run the baler if needed.
 
Agree. First choice would be an eight speed Ford 5000 (not SOS), or newer equivalent model. Second would be a Multipower MF 175-180 or the newer equivalent, MF 265-275. Would go bigger if intending to do deep ripping or chiseling very often. If bigger would tend to look for an IH or JD. Always need for a second tractor, 30-40 hp. This second tractor probably again Ford or MF, but AC WD45 and many others are usually very cost effective alternatives and certainly adequate for a second tractor.
 
Get a tractor with a cab. CASE is maybe lower priced than some other brands and a early ROPS cab for safety. A 90hp tractor can handle most of the equipment being sold or junked by the bigger farmers and still have some fuel economy if it is a diesel.
 
Any of those would work. Shoot, a Farmall H would be just right but they don't have 3 point. A Farmall 656 is my main tractor and I farm about 30 acres and put up hay on 100.
 
(quoted from post at 19:49:11 01/01/12) No ne or even 2 tractors will fit the bill all the time and if your going to do hay you need at least 3. 1 to cut the hay, 1 to rake the hay and one to bale the hay. My self when I do hay I have 5 tractors out in the field all the time and a 6th or 7th one on stand by
Click to expand...

Old, what do you have on those five tractors?
 
You need one big enough to pull a wagon or 2 of grain if you ever need to. I farm 65 acres, I can put the crops in and care for them with a JD 70. It will not budge a 220 bu gravity wagon full of corn. I bought a 1850 diesel and now can pull 2 wagons to bin or transfer auger. Since you are retired, you need a medium sized tractor with a loader just to pick up the heavy stuff. I'd recommend a 85-110 HP and a 50-75HP for the loader. My opinion, Chris
 
MichaelINEiowa, IMO I agree with Neb.Cowman, Being you are an IH man already, and having owned a 806, a "platform deck tractor" stay with this type just step the HP down a little,.. IE 756,656,706. Keeps you up out of the dust and dirt is most application as apposed to a lower to the ground tractor and having to "straddle the torque tube type" tractor.
65-80 hp tractor in a flavor and type that most suits you!
Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.
 
Don't forget to consider the dealers you have close by for service and parts on what ever brand you pick. I know that makes a difference with me.
 
Vic is right, 2 tractors would be ideal, keep the 860 or something similar for light chore work, and have the 806 or 1066 IH for spring tillage, I am partial to Oliver so a good 1755 would be nice...Let us know what ya end up with, Good Luck!
 
We farmed 180 acres this year with an IH 756 and an Oliver 1800. We raised corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay using these tractors. We have a Farmall B and an Allis-Chalmers WD that we use infrequently to pull wagons.

I suggest you go with a "modern" tractor frame IH 56 or newer, JD 20 series or newer. You gain comfort, power, and safety compared to the antiques people are trying to push on you.

Jim
 

Well I don't know about your stamina or endurance level but I have a much smaller operation and the 861 really leaves my rear end sore after work. Now my 165 seems to have all that is needed with a good blend of power and comfort.
 
get what catches your fancy and matches your pocketbook--I would go for any later model cabbed tractor with about 100 HP and have a newer model 50 plus hp loader with 4wd. I have lucked out at farm sales and being in the right place at the right time. good thing about tractors is that you can always buy more or sell them if they aren't what works. get the one with the most capability for the money.
 
since you like the ih and ford tractors maybe a 966 and a ford 860 i think you have your answer.
i also think you need a 3rd tractor.
a lot depends if you have a good local source for parts and repairs.
if it were me john deere 4020 maybe a ford 7000
i have good place to get parts and good friend that can fix them.
 
Only The Best !!! I like my 870 & 1070 Late Model Has 20.8-38's & of 2290 Factory 4X4 & Factory set at 180 HP.We have 3 930's all 8 speeds 1 Gasoline others 2 are Diesel.
 
If you can afford it, a more modern 60+ hp front wheel assist loader tractor would be good. You can get a wide variety of buckets and attachments, plus superior hydraulics. And once you have front wheel assist you will wonder how you ever got by without it.
 
Good suggestions all. I"ve got an IH and Deere dealer fairly closeby. I"m leaning toward a 756 or 856 and possibly a 1256. I"d go with the 3020/4020, but they are often way more expensive than their IH counterparts. I"ll definitely need a bigger tractor to handle those round bales! I"ll probably go with an antique for light work.
 
I've got a 1206. Way more than I really need but it was cheap HP and I don't have to worry about something being too much for it. I also have an M and a Ford 8N. The Ford gets used a lot for a lot of jobs. I don't use the M much at all, too big for chores and not really enough power for the other jobs. I've been looking for a 706 sized tractor as a replacement. If I could I'd repalce the ford too with something along the lines of the Ford 2000. Same size but more power and way better hydraulics!

Good Luck

Rick
 
A Farmall 756 and an Allis WD have kept us working around here. Had visions of using a Farmall 400 but it crapped out and we went with the 756. It is a lot more comfortable for those all day episodes out cutting hay.
Replacing the WD with an 860 might not be a bad deal. Had an 801 with a loader and SOS that was the cats pajamas.
I can pull 4 bottoms with the 7 and put the kid on the WD pulling 2 if I need a lot of plowing done. Most of the time the 7 is overkill since we make all small squares.
 
I agree, with the exception that I'd take a 4000/4600 as a second tractor, and a (late) 5000 or 6600 if I could only have one. (late 5000's and 6600's have the 256 and about 70 h.p. - early 5000's and 5600's have the 233 and about 60 h.p.) 5600 or early 5000 would be a little small for round baling.
 

Depends on the size of equipment you plan to run.

60 PTO HP fwa with loader will do anything you want.

IH 684
CaseIH 685 695 4210 C80

We do 90 acres of hay (round & square) with two 40 PTO HP tractors easily.
 
The best answer is one you like and can afford.Some of the classics seem to increase in value.one of the best buys are 66 series IHs they bring about 2/3 of what a similar JD sells for.I still like late 4020s with out a cab as they are handy,quiet,and seem to increase in value plus they make me feel like its 1972 and I am 40 years younger.
 
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