Still tractor shopping..Ford vs IH

I've just about give up on the cab. Used tractor prices around me are scary. For those that might have missed my earlier post, I'm in the market for a second tractor, 60 pto hp plus or minus 5, loader, and I was looking for a cab. But I'm about to scratch that. I've found 2 cab tractors, one with a loader, one without.

First is a Ford 5640 SL, 6600 hrs, dual remotes, allied loader, needs tires, 2wd, average tractor, 4 hours away, $12000.

Second is a Ford 5610 series 2, cab with heat and ac, 8x2 trans with dual power, 2 wd, tires in good shape, showing 4500 hours, relatively decent looking tractor, dual remotes and adjustable link ends, no loader so I'd have to try and round that up somewhere and I'm not buying a new one, about 2 and half hours away, asking $12900 but says make offer.

I've found 3 open station that fit the bill.

First is 1995 Ford 5030, one owner, Tractor has 696 original hours on it and looks it. Really sharp looking. 7310 Ford loader with joystick, straight 8x2 trans, 2wd, single remote, adjustable link ends, and roll bar/canopy, about 4 hours away, $14750 bottom dollar.

Second is a Ford 5610 series 2, one owner, roll bar/canopy, just over 3000 hours, dual power, Bush Hog 2400 qt loader, adjustable link ends, dual remotes but the loader appears to be tying both remotes(all 4 ports) up and there appears to be no loader control(maybe its plumbed straight in??), tires are decent, decent looking tractor, about 2.5 hours away, $12500 bottom dollar.

And third, and probably the tractor I know the least about, an IH 684, one owner, 4600 hours, good tires, 2 wd, with roll bar/canopy , single remote, IH 2050 loader. Owner says nothing wrong with it, looks good in the pictures Ive seen, he said they just upgraded to a bigger tractor. Said they bought it new in '81. Asking $8000 but he'll move a little, told me to come look at and see what I thought. Probably buy it for $7-7500.

I like the 5030 the best, but that's really stretching my budget. The price of the IH has me really considering it, but I know nothing about the IH's. Any guess as how it would compare to the Ford's? Closest Case IH dealer is just over 2 hours away and know very little about them. There's another one about 3 hours away in Jonesborough, Tn that's suppose to be a good dealer, but again no first hand knowledge...Appreciate any input.

I have a NH 6635 with 7310 loader,1700 original hours good tires with a 12x12 trans I would part with for about 12500.00 if your interested.

Where are you located?

South eastern wisconsin

A neighbor has an IH 684 and she has to drive real careful with it as it has no brakes. Its been like that for at least 5 years and when I ask her about why she doesn't get a brake job, she replies it cost too much because the dealer says it needs to be split and its a major job. Also, the loader on it keeps sagging. I've driven it for some raking jobs, but I'd rather drive my old Cockshutt.

6635 is a fiat with iveco engine???

I had enough of the IH /CaseIH 84 and 85 series tractors , and I would never want another. Had a 584 , and a 585 with loader as well as a 885. These tractors do not have enough rad to keep them cool, my 885 had a cab , and it would heat up if you ran the air, and was an oven with tiny windows. They also have poor clutch and water pumps. The classic brake problem comes from folks using cheap hydraulic oil. They need CaseIH hytran ,because one common oil runs every thing , brakes, steering, and hydraulics too. Oil gets too hot , and will break down, this cause the seals to leak and the brakes will fail. My brother still has two 584 tractors and fights with lame brakes. One other thing about the CaseIH tractors when you use them for loader work, and handeling big bales , you need to keep a close eye on the bolts in the front axle, as they shear off. Not really designed for a loader. You can get these tractors with a shuttle , but a dry clutch tractor with a loader will be looking for a clutch job every 2000 hours. I don't hate these tractors , just got feed up with their short comings. I had bought my tractors new , and was glad to trade them off. Bruce

Have you considered 4wd? This would make the loader a lot more useful. I don't know your situation so I don't know how valuable the 4wd or cab would be to you.

My brother has a NH TNxx, the 4wd makes it a really useful tractor for all loader work. He has no cab and is in middle Wisconsin. He only uses it in the winter to cut wood.

Paul, La Crosse, WI

Never owned a 684 -784 but been told they [brakes]are expensieve to repair, so really there not as good as a old M Farmall.

love the fords and you will pay 10 to 15 grand for a nice one. wouldnt have any tractor with out a cab life islots better in a cab its worth more.

Why not go first class? Buy a nice Oliver 1650 real good ones can be had for under
$5000(I paid $3000 for mine)If needed they're easy to work on and parts are available.

An IH 684 is a very user friendly loader tractor: loader controls right hand, trans levers left hand, many speeds and like a shuttle low range and reverse straight line shift, 1-4 syncro. I had a 684 with 2250 loader and a 5600 Ford and very good loader; sold the Ford kept the IH.

Run from that IH 684. They are a nightmare to work on and that shifter on the left can be areal PIAN to keep working correctly. The resale value is LOW on the 84 and 85 series IH tractors. IH just did not make a GOOD utility tractor at that time.

My choice from the list would be the Ford 5610. They are rugged, simple and just LAST like iron. I think they have the inboard wet brakes, those last for a long time and work well. .

Of all mentioned, the 5030 with low hours is easily your best deal---the others all have more hours, need a loader and/or a cab or need new valves and proper plumbing for the loader. You can add an after market cab to the 5030 for much less than you wull have tied up in the others, and have a low hour tractor to boot.

Myself, Id really rather have a Deere.....

Ben

I've got a MF294-4,a real off breed around here but it is built like a tank. After using loaders without 4whd,I would give up a cab for 4whd. I do use mine like a dozer. It will go anywhere with a full load in the bucket. Try that with a 2whd. It is a little tough in the winter.

Open up your scope to JI Case 70 series and later tractors. All sorts of options with cabs for less than 10K. May have to go up in HP though...

John

Buy the one you like best. You will be sorry /regret your choice about your 'cheaper' tractor for a long tme after you forgoten the higher price.... do not buy on 'price alone'. BTDT. Cab or not depends on your use. Long hours in the field, day in/day out,yes cab is nice. For a chore tractor,a few hrs here/there, no cab is acceptable,maybe even preferable.

Same as a TL90 I think or pretty darn close to it. And it isn't much different from the 7610S.

You won't keep a clutch in a Doncaster IH... and they never have brakes because the slaves are forever leaking on them. My pick... I think would be the PowerStar... 5640 SL should have the 12x12 which will be decent for loading if the syncro's aren't buggered in it. The 5610 would be the second pick, moreso if it has the 16x8 transmission. If it's only got the 16x4... that's not really a good deal for a loader because you have the two main reverse ratios frequently known as too slow and too fast...
I know the 5030 is probably tempting.... but without the 8x8 transmission and 2-3 remotes... I think I'd pass. Also consider that the 30 series is a good deal lighter chassis that will always be light in the arse for loader work. The powerstar will be a lot more stable in that regard.

Rod

(quoted from post at 07:57:34 10/30/15) Open up your scope to JI Case 70 series and later tractors. All sorts of options with cabs for less than 10K. May have to go up in HP though...

John

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I've got a Ford 4630 that is the 52 hp little brother to the 5030. It is a tough little tractor. I put a NH disc mower on it an run all day. I've used and abused it and it had 4000 hours on it before it let me down and that was my fault. I'm not a fan of the newer NH tractors but I love the later Fords.