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Farm tractors. Need help

J

Jd4520d

Member
I'm new to this forum and have no knowledge of tractors. I can change the oil. And fuel filters. I've been on a farm with my dad ever since I could walk, I'm now 22 and my father is getting older. I'm making some investments to better the future not only for him but me. We have some equipment that has been around for 15+years and are newest tractor is from the late 80s we have all John Deere except the front end loader spear tractor, it's a construction Massey Ferguson. Not concerned with that.
My concern is our equipment. I have no idea where to start.
We pull a 14foot 210 disc with a 4520 I believe a 71
Our 8430 (recently purchased) pulls a 214 11 shank chisel.
Depending on what goes wrong we either use a 2510 or a 2640 to pull our 6 row corn planter or the 450 grain drill with a 60 year old cultipacker.
Now you're all reading this and thinking I'm crazy but I have no one to show me anything my dad just doesn't wanna teach me how to do the crop end of it. Engine work let alone working on anything mechanical for my dad is not easy. He never grew up with equipment like we have now. It's a hard transition.
Might I add we have a 2840 and 2940. Over 10,000 hours on the 2940 and over 10,000 on the 2840 that has given us many problem NEED INFORMATION PERTAINING THE 2840.
I would like to see the 2510 swapped out for a 4020 narrow front and the 4520 I would like to replace with another Row Crop possibly 4640. But if anyone has any better recommendation I also thought another articulated would serve its purpose. I've heard some things about the 8440 and 8640 that show they are a better working reliable tractor as opposed to the 8430.
My main concern is to cut back the use on the 4520. Before the 8430 was bought three years ago the 4520 pulled the same chisel (with 9 shanks-2 removed) and the 14 foot disc from 1998-2012. The 4520 has over 4500 hours *on overhauled motor*
I just wanna know what should be watched over carefully. What could or couldn't use upgrading. And if I'm going in the right direction.

P.S. We want to buy a rolling basket in the future, if the 14 foot disc gets swapped for an 18 foot. How much bigger of a tractor will I need with the basket.
Also. We have 350 tillable acres and we use about 80-100 for hay. So we do about 250 acres of tillage a year. That's a lot for 2 guys taking care of 100+ cows and milking 50 of them.
 
jd4520,

Welcome to a very unique website. Hang onto your hat! The advise here runs true and deep; there's a lot of folks here with the answers you seek, and some you may not, but may learn/need anyway.

D.
 
It's all well and good that you want to update equipment but you do not say what your budget is. Buying any used tractor especially one that is 30, 40, or more years old is a gamble even if it is a 4020. We have run an 8430 articulated and it has had the engine replaced with a new at the time 50 series motor, hi-lo redone, and new axle bearings being of the major updates done. It has served us well given the number of hours on it. There were improvements made on the 40 series articulates given the serial number including the hi-lo and a crankshaft driven oil pump. The late 40 series articulates command more money too versus an 8430. I would take thorough stock of the situation including the fact that after a few years you know your 8430 versus a freshly painted 8440 that could be hiding expensive problems under the new paint. History is so important when looking at an older used tractor so I would be reluctant to move the 8430 unless you find a well known replacement.
4520's are nothing special especially when going up against an IH 1066 but they have served their owners well enough when taken care of. Your 2640 and 2510 are decent enough tractors without seeing them for myself and knowing what problems may pop up in the future. The tractors I would be looking at moving are the 2840 and 2940 but they do not command much money in terms of trade. You certainly would not get a 4020 even up for one of the two and maybe not the two together depending on the 4020 in question.
Again, it comes down to what kind of money you have to make these moves. With the price of milk where it is presently are there other areas where that money might be better spent. Without being close to your situation you might be better off keeping what you have save one tractor or so.
 
Hi
The first thing you need to tell us is what your day time job is and how much land you got. I have a feeling your Dad doesn't want to help you as he knows this is going to be tough and you probably won't get far, Spending money and even more so making money with what you have for land your equipment and your plan.
My Dad is 67 and i'm 42. I want to farm our land, And I currently run our 6 hog barns. I also run a farm machinery repair shop. I can do all my own repairs to our equipment as long as it's not specialist machine shop work $400 doesn't go far there as I currently don't have a big lathe and mill.

machinery dealers are the same for shop rates and parts are getting very expensive. I have customers here that are spending 5 and $6000 on repairs at the drop of a hat. With product prices dropping where are you getting that money from. There is nothing worse than financing equipment on a tight budget and it goes wrong , Then you got 2 guys holding there hand out every month. I can tell you even with my skills repairs are expensive!

I need to update equipment here the last payment of my Valtra tractor goes out first Jan ($10.000) that was over 4 years 40.000 total plus running costs and maintenence/parts and repairs I did my self with no dealer costs . Now I need another Muck spreader and a back hoe loader thats going to be $35.000. Just to farm hogs. I'm not even running the grain side yet and those expenses.
My Dad is being exactly like yours I got the big ideas on what to do, but he says wheres the money coming from to pay for it. I want to farm as I'm the last generation in our family that would carry it on. my dads just stopping short of giving me a Walmart job application!. Does my situation maybe clue you in a bit as to what you are getting into?. Some days I wish I wanted an office job that paid big bucks, But I'd be the miserable guy in the cubical next to someone else L.O.L
Regards Robert
 
15 years old really isnt that old.I farm successfully with much older stuff. DO NOT go into debt to "upgrade".Keep on with the present line of equipment. Only upgrade when the need arises.As in when a tractor 'blows up' or no longer serves your needs adequately.You seem to be a bit 'tractor heavy'. You could think of trading 3-4 of those smaller tractors for one of similar size. As for the articulated,Pass,consider a front wheel assist(46/4840 instead. I.ve seen more than one young man'upgrade' Dad's/Grandpa's equipment,only to see them loose it all.Be careful,think,consider how you will pay for the stuff should there be a (financial)'wreck'.
 
My comments are not JD specific.
Put a spread sheet together with a new sheet in a workbook for each type of tool or capital investment.
Make categories such as: tillage rough, tillage finish, planting, harvest, Utility tractors, tillage tractors, grain handling, transportation hauling, transportation human/pickups, Buildings and structures built-in equipment like milking systems, manure handling, grain storage, fencing and confinement, Home/dwellings.
For each sheet entry, have lines for serial number or VIN, year of manufacture, year purchased, cost (estimate if not known) repairs and modifications, frequency of use, current condition, maintenance items on hand/associated specifically to it. estimated market value.
Spend at least 2 hours/month making it current, and every time an entry component is changed in the real world. A computer based farming accounting program can do some of this, but is not for the same purpose.
Keep the cost columns in order and structure so tabulation and analysis can be done.
The hardest part will likely be the relationship with your dad. Getting information and making sense out of it into documentation will do one of three things possibility 1} He finally thinks you care, and will jump in both feet. 2} he will continue being antagonistic. Do it anyway. 3} he will ignore all efforts. Continue anyway as it will provide realistic concise memory independent documentation as you take on responsibility.
Best of luck and perseverance.. Jim
QUick Books and farms
 
Welcome. Because of your admitted lack of mechanical experience I would start transitioning to what ever color equip. dealer is nearest you. That may or may not be JD. If you want to stay with the JD line then I would surely get a 4440 in the mix. I think I would consider trading the 4520, 2940 and 2840 for a low hour 4440. Warning! Nice low hour 4440 will command a premium price but they are worth it. That would pull the 18 ft. disk/basket real nice. If your nearest dealer is red then perhaps a 1086.
 
It sounds to me like you have plenty of equipment to do 250 acres without spending money. We do about the same with a 4020, 6610, H, 12 row 7200 planter and hay equipment. It would be nice to have a 4450, but that is far off in the budget. I would keep your day job, be real careful about spending money, get to know the operation, and what your dad really wants to do.
 
Glad you joined the club! Im sailing a boat like yours! Ha Im 28 mom and dad milked cows and still do I left the farm at 19 gotta a job all had was a 8 dollar an hour job and a pickup truck a trailer and a 1066! Worked my butt off at my job worked all the over time I could get and bought a couple or pieces as I found them cheap plow disc ect gotta hunt for the deal! Made peace with the old man at 22 helped him out since when we got along! To him I was just a grunt! At 25 I picked up a piece of ground 10 miles away 10 acers and at that point I told my dad we were going to run things between us as a bussiness in a way I work for him he pays me he works for I pay him! Seems to be working! Now im up over hundred still work my job help dad when I can and keep plugging along! I keep all my equipment at my dads do to I rent a house! Now when it comes to equipment in my opinion dont dream to big! But that old 4020 that needs a clutch or something and buy some books and teach yourself or come on this site and ask a question we will all gladly help buy the one that is broke its cheap you will appreciate it more cause of the work you put into it and you will advance your mechanical skills! This is what is working for me may not for you but just another idea! Biggest thing dont rush and dont dream to big! And keep trying you will find the way farming is tough!
 
I've got to differ with you slightly on getting rid of three or four to get one. Without knowing the young man's specifics a lot of smaller dairies still make their own silage. Quite a few still blow silage into uprights. The 8430 probably sits during this time so one tractor goes on the chopper, one cuts hay, one pulls wagons, and one sits on the blower. Most of the weakness in 2840's and 2940's are in the transmission and the hydraulics so either of the two could sit on the blower. The 8430 is alright for doing tillage and pulling a manure tanker. What he has is not glamorous but to our knowledge works. If the farm is not tracking repairs by individual tractor it should be as JA suggested. As I hinted at there maybe other uses for any spare cash that would make for a better return. If need be he could work with a local banker or extension specialist to come up with a priority list of investments with the best return down to the ones with the least return. It may surprise him. It is also not to early about transfer of the business and the money needed for that when the time comes.
 
Wow. I cannot believe the amount of replies I have recieved thank you so much everyone I read a few. But I was so amazed I had to quickly reply. I will read all of them and take in your knowledge. My dad isn't as bad as I made it seem he is just really tired he is 58 and this is all he has ever done. I didn't wanna say to much in case no one replied but my dad is very good with numbers and planting the right amount per acre fertilizer etc he just isn't mechanically inclined TO ANSWER ABOUT EQUIPMENT DEALERS we have quite a few around us 6 John Deere dealers within a 2 hour drive *i have made many parts runs for various things* so John Deere is definately a preference just the service from the new service manager at our local dealer is outrageous, my dad can't keep putting money into these worn out tractors *aimed at the 26 and 2840* our last repair was 7,000 *my dad wishes he sold the thing and got a different tractor* but things happen. The craziest my dad and I have gone is splitting and swapping the motor out of our 2510 a 303 diesel I believe. He was leery but I told him we should try it *LINKAGE IS GETTING REBUILT THIS WINTER I HAVE THE PARTS LAYOUT SHEET FOR SOME HELP*8spd power shift. ALSO I have another job off the farm because my dad can't pay me like he wishes *his brother who is part owner 75 years old been doing it even longer* has gotten really tired and wore out. I pick up his work and on top of my work load. It can be a lot but I love it and am very determined I just want to talk to PEOPLE WHO KNOW. Some people tell me I'm crazy and I know, I know farming isn't a luxurious lifestyle but I want the farming lifestyle. I want to better my knowledge in farming equipment because my other job is in a tractor trailer shop where I have been for 3 years 1 1/2 cleaning shop running parts and a 1 1/2 working on trailers mainly that is also a good skill I'll know I can use for when I ever get a tractor trailer WE HAVE A GRAIN TRUCK gmc took kick AND COMBINE John Deere 7720 out of Ohio 4 years ago. Beautiful machine owned by an older man had lots of upgrade. Beautiful the guy even waxed before he sent it we bought it sight unseen guy prob spend 6,000 in last 2 years just fixing main items ALSO *I KNOW MORE THEN BASIC OIL AND FUEL FILTER CHANGES JUST ITS VARIOUS SO I KNOW RANDOM THINGS* Probaly the craziest was the hydraulic pump in the 8430 a week after we bought it. And I have replaced the hydraulic pump in the 4520. I know I'm going all over and in case anyone is wondering I use the caps just to have things point out I feel are necessary to ask. I'm sorry if you guys think I'm an idiot but I just wanna learn. I love tractors TO THE FIRST REPLY I've always wanted to find s tractor that maybe had a small cab fire or older and beat up. I would love a 4640 with a 4 post unless they only made them for the 4630. Idk I spend a lot of time on tractor house. Looking for good deals and looking up information on certain series of tractors because there is so many. I may not have the money right now to do this but at least I can get the knowledge. THANK YOU ALL WHO REPLIED. Il keep reading and reply
 
I live in East Central Illinois we are blessed to have a junior College, Parkland in Champaign, IL. They have a Ag & Automotive program. Sometimes the Ag program is looking for projects like replacing the clutch in your 4020. They don't charge for labor , you have to pay for the new parts. It takes longer because it is a teaching project. Every step is supervised.
 
Thank you. The age of equipment was a general guess, 7000 JD 6 row corn planter. The chisel and disc were early 90s the combine is 82, 8430 is 82, everything has some age but I understand. My dad knows his spending limits he is very very good with money. Which is surprising because NYS taxes you to death. But we did get a newer Kuhn side slinger spreader. It could of been a 4020 but we needed the spreader instead. We pull that with the 4wd 2940
 
Where the heck are you located ? Sounds to me like you have lots to work with, milk more cows , forget any crops but forage. Some one else will grow your grain for you with economy of scale that you will never achieve.
 
Nail on the head sit just a few adjustments *the 2840 wont drive anywhere *supposedly a forward oil control? It it's a pump that send oil to main hydraulic pump in the front it starts and the PTO runs so it sat on the blower both times this year for the upright silo yes haha. We chop corn/hay with the 4520. And run forage wagons with The 2510, we will cut hay with the 2940. Main concern is 2640 and 2840 my dad wants to scrap the 2640 and part it out but who will buy a tractor like that? No one. So we're stuck. With the corn and bean market shot the only person with a decent enough income to buy equipment in the next 5 years is me. And I appreciate your help I hope you get this reply. It's Wierd how it works
 
One thing that needs to be asked since you have given more detail is how much of that 7000 dollars is labor and how much is parts/ materials? With my small operation using the dealer shop is out of the question in most instances and I have had to train myself to do such repairs as changing out the hydraulic pump in an 8430. Other than the 2840 and 2940 your tractors are not known to be terrible from the factory although there are others that would out perform them. Given the size of your farm I would be apt to run what I had for the time being and if there is time in your schedule and breakdowns can be covered by the remaining tractors I would repair as needed. Maybe it is time for some money to go into a small shop?
 
Big Iron takes big money to fix, or buy new, so you will be in that category no matter what.

I will make others mad, but Tim S, JD Seller and TX Jim seem to be the most knowledgeable on the JD tractors. I think the JD 4450 and JD4455 are really useful and reliable tractors, so I would look at consolidating into one of those. They also still have the 540/1000 PTO options. I think the 4020 and 2510 are very useful tractors for around the farm I have seen, but not near as useful for tillage as the bigger iron. The 2510 with a narrow front is great for moving wagons around or running a feed mill.

Good luck and post back, there are hundreds of people on here that combined, know it all.
 
Well i know budget is a huge deal. I'm here now to learn knowledge of current equipment and hopefully update in a few years. I'm 22 and and still fresh meat everywhere. So saving money will be what I do for now. I have room to grow at my other job. And as for a living standards it's me and my dad. I pay no bills except car insurance and a tool bill from snapon haha. So other then that my dad just wants me around to help. I have a chance for something great. I just wanna make sure I keep my head in the right spot and don't go selling stuff or blowing money on equipment which I totally understand. I'm very conservative with money.
 
Bruce, a lot of farms around here are paying to have crops planted and harvested. The ones I have helped struggle on with old equipment. One of my dads friends long ago said the same thing you said just milk and have tractor and manure spreader.
 
How did the 2640 get to that point? Did you guys gamble on it buying it used? If so what is going to prevent its replacement from being any different aside from buying a known to you tractor? If you did the work necessary to make it reliable yourself would that cast a new light on your 2640? I am not saying the 2640 is not beyond what it is worth to make it good but who is to say the next tractor will be any better after a few years. If it is truly a salvage tractor then maybe it is worth a couple thousand dollars. Still many thousands away from a 4020 or 2550. Would 5-6 thousand dollars make that 2640 a "new" tractor?
 
As a former John Deere mechanic and now wrenching on my own, the 2840 would be the first to go away. You said you've had problems with it before and from my experience it will give trouble again. That,s a lot of hours for a 'good' 2840. 2940's are way better but can still cost some repairs with that many hours. If you are looking to long term future, I would look at 50 or 55 series tractors (4450, 4455, up to 4850, or 4955). These are the last of the 'simple' tractors that independent mechanics can work on efficiently. They cost more but will hold their value and will still be farming when the newer computerized stuff is sitting in the boneyard.
I can't comment on tractor size for larger equipment as that depends on the ground you're working. General maintenance is the best way to keep things running dependably. When greasing and checking oils, take time to walk around and check everything over and make notes on wear items you see that can be repaired during off season or rainy days. Larger equipment will save you some time in the field if that's what you're needing.
 
I'll look for a picture but when they fixed the 2840 they had it split apart, what they did for it to cost almost 7,000 I have no idea I would have to ask my dad, and we do have a small shop where we can fix equipment. It's not as big as I would like but I can get all the equipment in two pole barns * one is the shop*
a209709.jpg
 
Custom hire isn't always possible depending where your operation is. Sometimes there is not a custom operator in the area or the guy who would normally do it would rather squeeze you out of business to gain your land. Is the custom guy going to give you the same level of care that he gives his own operation? The more I learn about the OP the more I think there is room for improvement in terms of operating profit. Which is not the worst news unlike if you are already efficient and can't make it then you have few options at that point. Most silage harvesting equipment I see becomes junk because it is not cleaned after harvest and sits out in the rain accelerating rusting. Some guys would be better served by building a small shed and purchasing a power washer than trading stuff off every several year because it is eaten out from rust.
 
Be patient. Save your money and run with what you have. There will be auctions coming up now that the prices have dropped. Don't go the debt route. I was in your situation with the farm and a family run electrical business that to us is really successful. We cash crop about the same amount of land and our biggest tractor is a 4440.
 
We have had the 2640, 2840, and 2940, over 30 years all have over 10,000 hours. They have been taken care of oil changes, breakdown fixes, we got good deal on equipment back in the day, paid 8000 for the 2840 with 1300 hrs, paid 11,000 for the 2940 with 800hrs *30 years ago. The 2640 we recieved from a trade for the old 4000 my dad used to have
 
It sounds like some shop manuals and splitting hardware is in order. What the pros here on this website learned you can learn too. At some point we are all novices. As I said before me doing nearly all the repair work is the difference between being in business and not is not spending the big money at the dealer shop if at all possible.
 
Your right when I quit in 1994 I was getting $13.10 and the guy I help said he's getting around $15.00 now. At least you have some equipment my next door neighbor is down to one tractor and used mine for a year. I am not going to do that again.
 
Concentrate on the livestock if you are a dairy farm. That is where the money is.

Tractors are just a tool, they are many good deals out there. If you want to do your own work look at green stingers, older Versitles that were common parts, off the shelf stuff, easy to fix, simpler. Its only just dragging stuff across the dirt, if you are hooked on high cost green and need to take it to the high dollar dealership for everything you will go broke. Find a mechanic in your neighborhood, and let him do your repairs for 2/3 the cost. Deere and Case are getting into some unworkable fees and labor costs these days, you can't run a smaller farm with older stuff on -their- current business plan.

Concentrate on the planter and the harvest equipment. -That- is where you make your money farming dirt. Doesn't matter what tractor is pulling it, or how old. Improvement comes with a spot on planter, and a well adjusted combine (in your case forage equipment too). Put your money there.

My neighbor runs 750 acres, 120 cows. Him and his wife. They sometimes hired one guy in harvest time. He spent a bundle on a combine and a forage chopper and a moco and a souped up planter. That stuff is pulled with 1488 and the like tractors - he knows what parts make money, and which ones just do grunt work. You 2 can do half that, you need to cut costs tho not run new stuff or pay dealer charges on service.

Disk - no one disks around here. They pack clay. We have clay. Rolling baskets were popular for 3 years. Then they found rolling baskets pack clay just like disks. Everyone had a field cultivator, and a rusty old disk in the trees for that 'special' use every few years. Do you have any clay, are you sure a disk is a good machine or is it what was always used? It depends on your soils, it could be the perfect tool for you in your area, but..... Keep on top of what works, but not the latest most expensive fad.

Paul
 
only a totally committed (or needs to be committed) jd fanatic buys an 8630/40/50 as the 619 engine had a very poor reputation, if you are on a budget find a good Versatile or Steiger, forget the 2510 and find a 3020 dsl.
 
Are chisel plow doesn't work the ground up fine enough. So we do it over with a disc and the rolling basket would be nice to break it up more, 1 less pass. Maybe a little
More fuel use but we want a nice even seed bed for the soybeans they're only an inch max in the ground, and when it comes to harvesting you kinda gotta have an even surface Cus we have a flex head
a209710.jpg
 
When you are getting started or expanding it is wise to limit your spending as much as possible to only equipment or livestock that will provide more income. 100 acres of hay and 250 acres of tillable ground ought to be feeding more than 50 milkers and 50 dry cows and heifers, if expanding the milking herd won't pay right now then maybe feeding some steers or back grounding some heifers on contract will bring extra returns, feeding your own calves out should also be pofitable in most years. From what you describe you have plenty of rolling stock, have you looked at no-till or minimum till? Depending on your area and situation you may be able to change some of your farming practices and actually need less equipment instead of more.
 
2510 owes us nothing, that tractors only problem
Was the blown engine and now the linkage which is getting fixed here soon by me whether I know how to or not.
 
I would really like to expand the crop end of it, yes we do have enough for more cows, we don't have room for more cows, 45 tye stall barn used to be 55 stanchions or something we cut out old curb and made new, grandpa built the barn. He's gone sadly. But I don't see dairy farming being in my future only because if my father sells out that part it's hard to start milking again. Sanitation reasons I believe but yeah that's my dilemma. In 10 years I don't see any of the 40 series smaller tractor we have being around. Bigger 40 series yes.
 
Price was right. Had been sold to a different man after we originally looked at it then that 2nd man sold to us for asking price from the original owner so we knew it was a sign to buy it, 300 hours on rebuilt. Motor, beside the hydraulic pump it's been an awesome tractor b2 all day 11 shank chisel sunk right in. I feel as almost another two shanks could be added. I believe the 8430 are 180 drawbar hp?
 
A coupla different guys have asked you where you are located. You don't have to give your mailing address, but some direction from a large city would help them give you better answers.
 
if you intend on making a go of it farming you are in a better situation than you think the infrastructure is already in place THAT IS A BIGGGGGGGGG PLUS, take what you have at hand and make it work, gather all the information on farming knowledge from the older generation before it goes to the cemetery and is lost for ever,worst mistake you can make is trying to keep up with with the JONES'S, NEWER IS NOT ALWAYS the answer not that it isn't justifiable but take a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG HARD LOOK AT YOUR SITUATION BEFORE INVESTING IN NEWER,BIGGER,TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, ETC,newest tractor we own is 20 years old oldest is 70,combine is 30 years old and we don't have anymore down time for the acres harvested than the newer models because it is kept in good repair, the rest of the equip is old too,at any given time there is some minor thing wrong with any of the tractors we run they range from 20 to 140 hp, but on the other hand I can go to any of them right now and use it without any hesitation,out of necessity we do all our own repairs,daddy use to say when repairs exceed the payments on a newer piece of equipment then it was time to consider buying another,he only used 2 tractors an MT jd and a M farmall to cover close to what you're working with the help of swapping and hiring equip and labor during harvest, coarse he still used his M farmall until he died and it's still in use today, but it was always kept in good repair
 
After reading the other comments I will add a few of my own. Below you mention that the 2510 is a powershift, if so you should be able to trade it almost even up for an early 4020 as the powershift 2510 is in demand as a collecter tractor.Do not spend money on the 2840 unless it is something you can do to help get rid of it.The 2940 maybe but it does sound like it has enough hours on it as well. The 4520 is a cheap big tractor and I would be slow to sell it but would keep it for a back up machine.Our big tractor is a 4520 with the 4620 engine.We have 200+ acres and milked cows untill two years ago.What are the 2640's problems? Those tractors do sell well when in good condition. You need to start watching Ebay and pick up several Deere tech manuals for your tractors.Many repairs you can do yourself.The 7000 planter can be rebuilt to do as good of a job as a new one.Shoup Manufacturing has most parts and at a good price as well.You have a good combine and it sounds like you are getting your work done.You need to set goals and change one thing at a time as you can afford it.Small farmers plod along,big farmers plunge.The next few years could really change things for alot of big farmers.Who owns the land you are now farming? Are there lots of other children who will want a share when someone dies,this can make starting out impossible.My oldest son left the farm because we did not have enough resources to create an income for a second family and your dad might feel the same way. Tom
 
I think you can park that chisel plow in the fence line Go with field disk and finish disk. If you build that 7000 right, as a no til with correct down springs and yetter 13 wave coulters up front and properly set up packers It will do good job on beans. Mine got me 49 bushels this summer, dryland SD not much rain. you can get by with two passes in opposite directions with the finish disk only.
 
Well I live in New York and the biggest city landmark would be Syracuse were half an hour north, we don't have a lot of clay as someone mentioned it's like sandy loamy dirt I believe it breaks up rather easy. The only stones we have go in your pocket. We use our chisel a lot so until we can afford something to replace it I chisel everything. And I'm not sure about the one guy who said his beans were only 49 b.a we got 56 this year.
 
jd4520d

As far as considering replacing one of the more troublesome tractors and your budget, if you are to get rid of one such as the 2640 or 2840, you could always get a smaller and older tractor, as i believe you mentioned how the 2840 just sits on the blower for the silo. You probably could find a decent farmall Super M or a JD 60 or 70 that could do the same job. I have seen them used for jobs such as this where i am though if you have a larger setup you might need a bit more power such as a farmall 460 or 560.

These might also be able to be used for hauling wagons provided they are not too massive which could help cut down on costs since parts are usually readily available and most of the tractors i listed can be found decently cheap compared to the tractors you are using right now. Considering how those jobs (blowing and hauling wagons) can be lighter jobs it might be worth at least looking into a smaller tractor like this since you have the other big tractors for the other jobs.

Just an idea

FarmallCT
 
No one is interested in the farm except me and I know until the time arises I can say no one wants it We own all our property except 90 acres. 70 of which is 500 a year the older man didn't want big cash crop farmers to have it so we got it. My dad has me do everything and wants me to learn. But at the end of the day when we come inside he still acts like I want nothing to do with it. I know if I stick around he will realize. But I feel like if I make changes to better the farm
On my own that will make my dad proud
 
If this helps any. My father figured that with the running around we do that a service truck would suite the farm, the combine was bought because custom harvesting around here is 50 an acre, 3 more years the combine is paid for itself, the 8430 was bought three years ago. Which has sped up our tillage by 2mph We also have a grain truck with under 100,000 which is good for an OTR truck, we just purchased a used manure spreader. Like i said it should of been a tractor but our old spreader is wore out. We do much more beyond milking cows and planting crops. I feel that if my dad didn't think I was interested he wouldn't of spend all this money in the last 5 years. He told me when I graduated in 2011 no other kid had the opportunity I do. Which is very true. Only once have I heard my father say he is doing this for me, it's Been years since then.
 
(quoted from post at 18:17:56 12/27/15) If this helps any. My father figured that with the running around we do that a service truck would suite the farm, the combine was bought because custom harvesting around here is 50 an acre, 3 more years the combine is paid for itself, the 8430 was bought three years ago. Which has sped up our tillage by 2mph We also have a grain truck with under 100,000 which is good for an OTR truck, we just purchased a used manure spreader. Like i said it should of been a tractor but our old spreader is wore out. We do much more beyond milking cows and planting crops. I feel that if my dad didn't think I was interested he wouldn't of spend all this money in the last 5 years. He told me when I graduated in 2011 no other kid had the opportunity I do. Which is very true. Only once have I heard my father say he is doing this for me, it's Been years since then.
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One time is enough for him to say it. Do you tell him regularly how much you want to farm? Sounds like you two may have a communication problem. I had one with my dad, and it is very difficult, so if you do, you need to take the initiative to remind him how you feel, not assume he knows by what you are doing. And if you constantly argue with him and don't do what he expects, then you may be the problem.
 
I knew this site would help for more then tractors.
Thank you. I do tell him actually just last week.
 
We are small farmers too. But haven't chiseled in 25 years. No-till everything. Except disk and do-all when combine cuts ruts. 125 HP biggest tractor. This ground was disk once and do-alled once. Corn made 180.
a209736.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 17:47:35 12/27/15) jd4520d

As far as considering replacing one of the more troublesome tractors and your budget, if you are to get rid of one such as the 2640 or 2840, you could always get a smaller and older tractor, as i believe you mentioned how the 2840 just sits on the blower for the silo. You probably could find a decent farmall Super M or a JD 60 or 70 that could do the same job. I have seen them used for jobs such as this where i am though if you have a larger setup you might need a bit more power such as a farmall 460 or 560.

These might also be able to be used for hauling wagons provided they are not too massive which could help cut down on costs since parts are usually readily available and most of the tractors i listed can be found decently cheap compared to the tractors you are using right now. Considering how those jobs (blowing and hauling wagons) can be lighter jobs it might be worth at least looking into a smaller tractor like this since you have the other big tractors for the other jobs.

Just an idea

FarmallCT
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The 2840 only sat on the blower this time only because the hydraulic aren't working and it won't move anywhere by itself. We use the 2510 or a JD 50 to pull forage wagons so that's covered. Mainly looking for another big tillage tractor 150hp+and preferable a 4020 to run baler/discbine/grinder/blower/rollermill
 

I've asked, he said a lot of guys have switched, it's a big conversion and I don't think he is interested he is very old school he doesn't think no Til is the best idea.
 
Well, here's my two cents.

I have an 8430 that came to this farm new. They aren't worth much but are cheap horsepower. Grease everything copiously and it will serve you well. Ours has a 50 series engine in it we put in at about 9000 hours. I won't put a ton of money into mine but it will have a place here as long as I can keep it running.

If I were to get another older tractor I would get a 4440. I love mine - had two and stupidly sold one. Big mistake. Ask a Deere mechanic what the two best machines they made are and he will likely mention the 4440. Mine has been here 25 years. When I got it the pump had been turned up to 150 horsepower. The guys at the shop about have a fit every time it has been in for a priority - it's going to tear up the rearend, etc. I run it smart and it has never failed me. It does an amazing job and can outwork all but the 8430. It drinks more fuel than the other one I had, but is twice the machine. That engine (same one as the 8430) is unstoppable.

It sounds like you are more comfortable with old machines. If you are patient you will find a good one. They hold their value well and are simple to work on. I only have one tractor newer than a 40 series - a 7800 that I plant with. It's a great machine and in great shape. It was worth the $50k I paid but it is computer gizmo city. The IH's I have are all the same era of the 40 series Deeres (and some as old as the old Johnny Poppers). Again, easy to work on.

Keep the 8430, get a 4440, and a 4020. Use the old poppers to pull wagons. Liquidate other dead weight and free up some cash.
 
(quoted from post at 20:28:56 12/27/15) Well, here's my two cents.

I have an 8430 that came to this farm new. They aren't worth much but are cheap horsepower. Grease everything copiously and it will serve you well. Ours has a 50 series engine in it we put in at about 9000 hours. I won't put a ton of money into mine but it will have a place here as long as I can keep it running.

If I were to get another older tractor I would get a 4440. I love mine - had two and stupidly sold one. Big mistake. Ask a Deere mechanic what the two best machines they made are and he will likely mention the 4440. Mine has been here 25 years. When I got it the pump had been turned up to 150 horsepower. The guys at the shop about have a fit every time it has been in for a priority - it's going to tear up the rearend, etc. I run it smart and it has never failed me. It does an amazing job and can outwork all but the 8430. It drinks more fuel than the other one I had, but is twice the machine. That engine (same one as the 8430) is unstoppable.

It sounds like you are more comfortable with old machines. If you are patient you will find a good one. They hold their value well and are simple to work on. I only have one tractor newer than a 40 series - a 7800 that I plant with. It's a great machine and in great shape. It was worth the $50k I paid but it is computer gizmo city. The IH's I have are all the same era of the 40 series Deeres (and some as old as the old Johnny Poppers). Again, easy to work on.

Keep the 8430, get a 4440, and a 4020. Use the old poppers to pull wagons. Liquidate other dead weight and free up some cash.
Click to expand...

My father is looking at 4020s who knows what he will do, he doesn't really tell me. Especially if he were to buy one local he would surprise me and have it sit in the barn until spring and act like it was just there. WE GREASE EVERYTHING, I should invest in a grease fitting tool for the old ones on our chisel, forage wagons etc.,nothing gets ran in the field without grease, we will
Change the oil and filter every 80-100 hours depending on how much it was used. My dad always says we're lucky to have the storage we do. There is a local guy milking 300, crops 1,000 and more then half the equipment sits outside.
 
Here is my opinion and questions. You and Dad need to sit down and have a SERIOUS Heart to heart talk!! If you want to take over the farm and your Dad wants you to take over the farm, he is going to have to HELP YOU!! How many siblings are going to want their share the day after Dad passes away? You mentioned your Dad and Uncle farmed together, are they partners or just trade work on separate farms? If they farm together is he still receiving income from the farm? Does Uncle have kids that will want his share the day after he passes on? Most guys your age have been a integral part of the farm since they were tall enough to drive a tractor. Have you been helping out all along or did you just get interested after high school? If you plan to take over, you need Dad to keep you in the loop of what is going on, carry a note book and pen, take notes!! If he owns most of the land and doesn't have a large debt, he has a Million dollars or so invested, you can't just buy him out tomorrow. Dad, Mom and you NEED to talk to an estate planner NOW, not tomorrow, not next month or next year!! Dad needs to start giving you responsibilities now so he can guide you along to a successful transition of the farm ownership. Any siblings need to know what is going on, EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING needs to be written down and signed by all parties involved. Not trying to put you down, you have a fantastic opportunity to farm, but it will take work and co-operation from all parties involved. Verbal agreements are only worth the paper they are written on. Good luck, talk to Dad and Mom together. Hope you get things worked out. Chris
 
I also have to suggest that you and your father have a heart to heart talk to actually say out loud and then hear what each other's needs and goals are. From there you can work on a common plan or separate plans to achieve those goals.

In the meantime you may have to make your own future. Figure out what you need to know and learn as much as you can to get yourself there. You may need to take night classes, get an off-farm job or work on another farm for a while before you build up the knowledge and the capital to start out on your own.

Also look around at what is happening in the neighborhood and in the industry. In the last ten years, most small dairy farms in central Minnesota have either expanded or quit dairying. Look into where the industry is going and will you be able to make any money at it. Do you have the abilities and skills to do better for yourself doing something else?

Good luck.
 
(quoted from post at 05:38:09 12/28/15) Here is my opinion and questions. You and Dad need to sit down and have a SERIOUS Heart to heart talk!! If you want to take over the farm and your Dad wants you to take over the farm, he is going to have to HELP YOU!! How many siblings are going to want their share the day after Dad passes away? You mentioned your Dad and Uncle farmed together, are they partners or just trade work on separate farms? If they farm together is he still receiving income from the farm? Does Uncle have kids that will want his share the day after he passes on? Most guys your age have been a integral part of the farm since they were tall enough to drive a tractor. Have you been helping out all along or did you just get interested after high school? If you plan to take over, you need Dad to keep you in the loop of what is going on, carry a note book and pen, take notes!! If he owns most of the land and udoesn't have a large debt, he has a Million dollars or so invested, you can't just buy him out tomorrow. Dad, Mom and you NEED to talk to an estate planner NOW, not tomorrow, not next month or next year!! Dad needs to start giving you responsibilities now so he can guide you along to a successful transition of the farm ownership. Any siblings need to know what is going on, EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING needs to be written down and signed by all parties involved. Not trying to put you down, you have a fantastic opportunity to farm, but it will take work and co-operation from all parties involved. Verbal agreements are only worth the paper they are written on. Good luck, talk to Dad and Mom together. Hope you get things worked out. Chris
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I have helped him ever since I could walk, I really took responsibility when I was 15 because after Learning throttle and steering at age 13 and setting plow depth at 14 as dad for a seat, I was by myself by 15 and had done mostly what tillage my dad didn't do while I was at school now work takes up the gap school given me. I still work everyday after my *2nd* job. Farming comes first. Everything I've been told is constructive criticism, i always have something to do, the last two weeks have been refurb a used manure spreader, before that swapping out fuel tanks from the grain truck. We did that's before harvest season and finite around thanksgiving. I do need to have a heart to heart I have a chance everynight especially now with the weather he comes in early, but I help feed calves everyday, when my uncle takes off *which is usual* I feed the heifers he usually feeds so I know the responsibilities I would take over. Also my dad and uncle are partners and the family does have a hand in the farm. I know what I have to do now to talk to him.
 
why is your dad being so difficult? does he not want you to farm?
is your dad having mental problems?
i know these are tough questions but there is lots more happening here than you seem to know about.
my former m-i-l sold 50 acres and the buildings off of her farm as she decided she was going to die and didn't me to have ANYTHING to do with HER FARM.
as it turned out she could not legally sell the farm without my late wife and her sister signing off on it as their
dad had set up some kind of a trust as he knew his wife the sisters mother would do something stupid like she did.
the sisters let the deal stand as mom had made such huge mess it seemed like it would be a huge court case which no one would win
 

I have a job in a tractor trailer shop, I still have room for improvement, I've been there 3 years 1 1/2 sweeping shop and then 1 1/2 working on trailers. We are the last farm in our township that milks cows. There's are a handful of farms around us and a lot more in neighboring counties.
 
I was going to mention the estate planning aspect, but supper99 beat me to it.

You mentioned something that caused me to go on alert.

You said you were the only one intested in the farm, as for farming it.

when your dad and uncle are gone, there will be plenty of cousins/siblings coming out of the wood work to get a piece of the estate.

Dont doubt me or ignore this fact. You may work your butt off for years, and you may have a "handshake" deal, but unless it is in writing, you will end up getting shafted. And shafted big time. Dont bet on others good will, or being friendly. Cousins or siblings to never lifted a finger will get their part. UNLESS there is some estate planning done.

Forget the iron, the tractors. Estate planning and and overall farm plan is the first thing you need to do. If dad and uncle are hesitant, or dont want to do this, then you may have to shock em by walking off for awhile.

Along with this, I suggest you go to your local extension office and get with someone to help you draw up a farm plan. What are your goals? What do you have to work with? Inputs? Capital? Good credit/banker, etc.

You may find you dont need some of the equipment you have, or you need more, or newer.

I worked my butt off for 40 years, my dad an I had a "deal", but when he got cancer and the drugs took over his mind, my no-farmer brother, whoes only ag interest is growing dope, stepped in and took more than half.

Dont do anymore work till you get some sort of an agreement in writing. IN WRITING!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck, Gene
 
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