Advice on tractor purchase

R Thiesen · Oct 25, 2015

I'm in the market for a 90-100 hp older tractor, something with a 3 point hitch and working a/c. My price range is only up to 10,000
I want to use the tractor mainly for running my Vicon mower. My concern is, (even though there is no old tractor that is bullet proof) I would hate to get into a major repair on a bigger machine.
I used to own a little Massey 135 which seemed to actually be bullet proof and had that reputation.
My question is, is there any older larger tractors that would have the same proven track record?
Thanks for reading

Dean · Oct 25, 2015

Working AC will be the biggest obstacle.

I'm in the process of replacing both of my late model Massey Fergusons (2007 and 2012) with Kubotas due to loss of confidence in both MF and my MF dealer. Neither have treated me fairly.

Never again.

Dean

tractorguy2 · Oct 25, 2015

I doubt you can buy a Deere with a working AC for ten
grand. Deeres are greatly over rated anyway.

You will want to find one that has already been converted
from R12 to 134A refrigerate.

Look closely at all the AC components, including the
hoses. Any oily spots is a indication of a leak.

The Allis 7000 series are known for transmission or power
shift problems.
Case agri kings are good tractors.
Neighbor had a White 2_85. Must have ran it for 30=years.
Only replaced the injector pump.

jon f mn · Oct 25, 2015

You can get a case 970/1070 in that price range, finding one with working air will be a trick. But then
working air on any $10k tractor will be a trick. Massey 1130/1135 would also be an option.

oldtanker · Oct 25, 2015

Location will dictate price in most areas.

As others have stated working AC is going to be a major issue in that price range but you can find some.

I agree with Jon on the Case 70 series tractors. Get and read the owners manual if you find one with power shift (very common).

In my area we are starting to see the 86 series IH tractors around or slightly below that 10K figure.

One thing to check out by talking to farmer in your area is dealer support. If you can't get parts and service it isn't worth much.

Rick

aFORDable · Oct 25, 2015

It's all in prior maintenance but we found a pretty nice 1974 7030 Allis for $7500 with cab and air. Our local Massey/Agco dealer has parts available for the Allis. Shop around on the internet to see what is available and price ranges.

keh · Oct 25, 2015

Which Vicon mower? I too have doubts about getting a working AC in that price range. Since you already are familiar with Masseys I would consider a MF 175, if you decide to forego air. It would have to be a very large disc mower to challenge a 175. If you need more hp for other reasons, then refer to the above advice.

Personally I would prefer a tractor with independent PTO which the 135 and the 175 don't have.

KEH

R Thiesen · Oct 25, 2015

I Have found someone selling a 1980 Case 1594 white in colour, it's in the price range, but I have heard it's a David Brown tractor and could have a tricky transmission? Only has 3900 hrs, and the air works, the owner says transmission is Ok, anyone know about these beasts?

showcrop · Oct 25, 2015

Two that I think are pretty safe bets would be Ford 7700 and Case 1690. They are both I your price and power range. The Case is a particularly good deal because even though case bought IH, Case is the one that came out of it being an orphan. You don't need to worry about dealer support because dealers don't want to support the old stuff anyway.

jon f mn · Oct 25, 2015

Those are good tractors, the larger 1690/94 not so much. Those smaller cases really run cheap on fuel.

showcrop · Oct 25, 2015

I had a 1490 David Brown Case. I should have kept it and I would be about six thousand dollars better off now. The four IIRC speed power shift can cause problems but I don't think more than most other power shifts. just keep after the oil and filter changes.

GordoSD · Oct 25, 2015

Look for IH 886/986.

farmer boy · Oct 25, 2015

Known for transmission or PS problems? Who told you that? About the only thing they were known for was the 426 with a weak bottom end.

Brown Swiss · Oct 25, 2015

Since you already have the best brand, Massey, just as well stick with them, just razzing you guys! LOL Can get a nice
1105 or 1135, they tell me the pto shaft was weak on them but our 1105 went 11000 hours before it went out, and that
was after running a 2 row chopper for years.

VicS · Oct 25, 2015

My son bought a 4040 JD, cab, working air, good tires. But the cab top needed to be replaced and the bottom
repaired. hyd seat, quad range. Used it 5 yrs sold it to a neighbor for $8000. Same price he paid for it. The
tractor showed 8800hrs. pushing 10000 now. Motor or trans never opened up. Tractor looks rough, hood bent
also hardly any paint. So I would look for a 4040, 4230, 4020. There is a reason they are sought after!

R Thiesen · Oct 25, 2015

I'm very thankful for the information offered. So I don't here anyone out there condemning the 1594. As far as the transmission I'm only going by what I've read, I suppose if its operating good that's as much as I can expect.
I've only owned 50 hp tractors so I'm not familiar with power shift type transmissions, are they similar to a shuttle shift, are they an advantage for mowing? Thanks for all the tractor model suggestions
Sounds like maybe I should pursue this 1594

jon f mn · Oct 25, 2015

The case power shift does operate
similar to a shuttle, but it is not a
shuttle. To go from forward to reverse
you push the clutch and pull the lever
into reverse with no grinding or
anything just like a shuttle, but it is
a gear shift where a shuttle is a
separate set of gears. Reverse the
procedure to go back to forward. A 1594
is only going to be about 85 pto hp.

David G · Oct 25, 2015

There is no bullet proof tractor, you are limiting yourself to a high hour tractor with your price, with hours come maintenance. I think a 1086 IH would be as good of choice as any.

ss55 · Oct 25, 2015

Do you need a quiet cab or will an ear-beater cab with working A/C be OK for you? By the mid-1970's most brands had decent cabs on their 90-100 HP rowcrop tractors. Budget for fixing almost any fort year old A/C system.

If you need a quiet cab, I'd look into Case 970, 1070, 1175 tractors. I don't know if White 2-105 or Allis-Chalmers 7000, 7020, IH 986, 1086 fall within in your price range.

If you can live with an ear-beater cab, I'd look at IH 966, 1066, Oliver 1850, 1855, 1950, 1955, Case 930, 1030, Alliis-Chalmers 190XT, 200.

RandyB(MI) · Oct 25, 2015

I have to second the Case 970-1070 but only if you can find one with 8 speed ( 4spd w/hi-low gear type trans) as apposed to the power shift. Air is pretty simple and easy to access on them. I sold a 970 / 8 spd / open station w/4500 hrs , new tires, a year ago for $7500 and a 1070 power shift , white w/working air w/6000 hrs for $ 10,500. Both very nice tractors. Market is softer since then so I'm betting 8 - $ 10,000 would get you a good clean one with an owner history behind it. Put a want ad in craigslist , sometimes you can shake one loose from first or second owner that's been on the fence as far as selling or not. Maybe a retired farmer who has been just hanging on to it for no reason. Stay clear of consignment auctions. If you can't get some history on a 45 yr old tractor then be careful.

tractorguy2 · Oct 25, 2015

The owners told me that and a former Allis tech that opened his own shop after the dealer he worked for closed.

R Thiesen · Oct 25, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:02:49 10/25/15) I have to second the Case 970-1070 but only if you can find one with 8 speed ( 4spd w/hi-low gear type trans) as apposed to the power shift. Air is pretty simple and easy to access on them. I sold a 970 / 8 spd / open station w/4500 hrs , new tires, a year ago for $7500 and a 1070 power shift , white w/working air w/6000 hrs for $ 10,500. Both very nice tractors. Market is softer since then so I'm betting 8 - $ 10,000 would get you a good clean one with an owner history behind it. Put a want ad in craigslist , sometimes you can shake one loose from first or second owner that's been on the fence as far as selling or not. Maybe a retired farmer who has been just hanging on to it for no reason. Stay clear of consignment auctions. If you can't get some history on a 45 yr old tractor then be careful.

That's all good advice, I'm making notes, thx

oldtanker · Oct 26, 2015

(quoted from post at 16:16:51 10/25/15)
Two that I think are pretty safe bets would be Ford 7700 and Case 1690. They are both I your price and power range. The Case is a particularly good deal because even though case bought IH, Case is the one that came out of it being an orphan. You don't need to worry about dealer support because dealers don't want to support the old stuff anyway.

Not true. I buy most of my parts in person at a dealership with cash. I've Got DJ, CIH, Cat and AGCO reasonably available. JD, CIH and Cat are all pretty good about servicing, finding and getting parts. I don't expect them to have parts for my old tractors on hand but they can and will get them. AGCO is another story. They won't get you parts for a 20 year old tractor much less and older one thinking that they can sell you something new. Plus ALL of the above mentioned dealers will work on just about ANY equipment that you want to bring in and are willing to pay the labor rate on.

Rick

Karl in MD · Oct 26, 2015

Ford 8000, 8600, etc. Simple to fix, almost indestructible, parts readily available and not outrageously expensive.

showcrop · Oct 26, 2015

(quoted from post at 10:12:30 10/26/15)

(quoted from post at 16:16:51 10/25/15)
Two that I think are pretty safe bets would be Ford 7700 and Case 1690. They are both I your price and power range. The Case is a particularly good deal because even though case bought IH, Case is the one that came out of it being an orphan. You don't need to worry about dealer support because dealers don't want to support the old stuff anyway.

Click to expand...

Not true. I buy most of my parts in person at a dealership with cash. I've Got DJ, CIH, Cat and AGCO reasonably available. JD, CIH and Cat are all pretty good about servicing, finding and getting parts. I don't expect them to have parts for my old tractors on hand but they can and will get them. AGCO is another story. They won't get you parts for a 20 year old tractor much less and older one thinking that they can sell you something new. Plus ALL of the above mentioned dealers will work on just about ANY equipment that you want to bring in and are willing to pay the labor rate on.

Rick

No argument with your points Rick. But, I get parts on line, no travel expense. My dealer is only 16 miles away but it takes two trips, one to order, one to pick up. Pay the labor rate sure, no problem. But when it takes 11 hours to do a 2 hour job they are telling me "DO NOT COME BACK!!!" I tried for years to support them to keep them there when I needed them, but I don't need them.

stonerock · Oct 29, 2015

fords are cheap tractors don't see many of them around

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