Best 70 hp. tractor.

I need some opinions/ideas. I own 160 acres of dryland farm and raise, mostly, wheat and alfalfa. I live in northeastern Colorado and I'm looking for some ideas about a good tractor for my property.

I'm looking for the most reliable, best built tractor I can get my hands on. All price ranges are open for consideration soooo give me your picks on used tractors.

Thanks.....

I'll mention what I am familiar with.

Ford 5200 or a 7700 is a little smaller or little bigger, and have very nice features.

I think the JD 3020 is very, very well thought of.

These are getting to be older tractors, but if you find one in good shape, they still have parts, gear options, and the frills one needs to be happy with.

If you are looking for newer stuff, you might not be in the right place.

--->Paul

Try a:
1) Oliver 1650 or 1655. I have a diesel 1974 model and it has been very relable. unfortunately Oliver went out of buisness in 1974 when White bought them.
2) Good news is White continued to make that tractor with different sheet metal and called it the 2-70.

Since you didn't specify price or age here are some used ones no older than 20 years.

Case IH

CX90
MX90C
C90
4230
895

NH

6635
TL 90

Deere

6200
6210


Everything above can be had with fwa, shuttle trans and loader easy enough.

Case 830 comfort king.

There are used deals out there. And there are the tractors that are starting to give trouble and are traded before the large $$$ repair bill.
Figure the used price allowing for one major $$$ surprise bill.
Often enough that puts the price of used within the range of a new tractor with factory sales incentives.
Are you a flat lander on irrigated sand/loam? Or on clay hills dealing with mud and snow while using a loader?
Need a cab for winter show protection?
This tractor isn't shabby for the price.
5075E Utility Tractor (75 hp)




MANUFACTURER
MODEL John Deere
5075E

Official Test

Nebraska Test Number Factory Observed Results

Engine

Manufacturer John Deere PowerTech 3029

Aspiration Turbocharged

Cylinders/Displacement, cu. in. (liters) 3/179 (2.9)

Cylinder Liners Wet Sleeved

Fuel Tank Cap., US Gal. (L) (Open; Cab) ---

Standard 18.0 (68.0)

Optional ---

Underhood muffler Yes

Performance

Advertised PTO HP (kW) @ Rated RPM 61 (44.9) @ 2400 per SAE

Official PTO HP (kW) @ Rated RPM ---

@ Standard PTO @ Eng RPM ---

Maximum @ Eng RPM ---

Advertised Engine HP (kW) @ Rated Speed 75 (55.0) @ 2400 per ISO 97/68/EC

Max Unballast Drwbr HP (kW) @ Eng RPM ---

Maximum Torque (PTO) @ RPM, lb-ft (Nm) ---

Max Torque Rise (80% Rtd Spd) @ Eng RPM ---

Maximum Torque Rise % (PTO) @ Eng RPM ---

Fuel Use, U.S. gal./hr. & HP hr./gal. at:

PTO @ Rated Eng RPM ---

Standard PTO Speed @ Eng Speed ---

Maximum PTO Power @ Eng RPM ---

Maximum Engine Power @ Eng RPM ---

Max Unballasted Drawbar Power @ Eng RPM ---

75% Load, Full Engine RPM (Unballasted) ---

75% Load @ Reduced RPM (Unballasted) ---

Transmission

Std. Transmission; Forward/Reverse 9F/3R

Opt. Transmission; Forward/Reverse 9F/3R SyncShuttle

Reverser No

On-the-Go Shifting (Yes/No/Partial) Partial

Clutch; Wet/Dry Dry

Creeper ---

Power Take-Off (PTO)

Standard Independent 540

Optional ---

PTO Speeds @ Engine RPM 540 @ 2400

PTO Actuation Mechanical (lever)

Hydraulics

Type Open Center

Pump Rated Output, GPM (L/min.) ---

Standard 18.2 (68.9)

Optional ---

Rated Flow @ One SCV, GPM (L/min.) 11.4 (43.1)

Max Output @ SCV Couplers, GPM (L/min.) ---

Maximum Operating Pressure, PSI (kPa) ---

Maximum Hydraulic Power, HP (kW) ---

Hitch Draft Control Load Sense Type Mechanical

Remote Control Valves Available 1 (2 opt.)

Hitch Category (SAE Designation) 2 ; convertible to 1

Hitch Lift Cap. lb. (kg) @24"Bhnd Lift Pt. ---

OECD ---

Standard ---

Optional ---

Hitch Lift Cap. lb. (kg) @24"Bhnd Lift Pt. (SAE) ---

Standard 3192 (1447)

Optional ---

Hitch Lift Cap. lb. (kg) @24"Bhnd Lift Pt. (ASAE) ---

Standard ---

Optional ---

Sensing Type Top Link

Joystick SCV Control Optional

Final Drive

Type Planetary

Differential Controls Mechanical (Pedal)

Availability ---

Front No

Front & Rear No

Engage On-the-Go Rear Differential Lock Yes

Axle Type Flanged

Brakes, Type and Control Hydraulic Wet Disc

Operator Station

Rollover Protective Structure, OOS ---

Rigid - Foldable - Telescopic Foldable, 2-Post

Platform - Flat/Straddle Straddle

Gearshift Location - Console/Floor Floor

Cab ---

Doors ---

Platform - Flat/Straddle ---

dB(A) Rating ---

Seat Suspension System ---

2WD Dimensions

Wheelbase, in. (mm) 80.7 (2,050)

Front Tread Range, in. (mm) 56.9 - 81.9 (1,447 - 2,082)

Rear Tread Range, in. (mm) 55.8 - 71.7 (1,417 - 1,821)

Minimum Rear Tread Setting, in. (mm) 55.8 (1,417)

Front Axle Clearance, in. (mm) 18.0 (457)

Turning Radius w/Brakes, ft. (m) 10.6 (3.18)

Turning Radius w/o Brakes, ft. (m) 11.6 (3.50)

Unballasted Operating Weight, lb. (kg) ---

Approx. Ship Wgt, lb. (kg) Open; Cab 4,634 (2,102); ---

MFWD Dimensions

Wheelbase, in. (mm) 80.7 (2,050)

Front Tread Range, in. (mm) ---

Front Axle Clearance, in. (mm) ---

Turning Radius w/Brakes, ft. (m) 11.6 (2.94)

Turning Radius w/o Brakes, ft. (m) 14.3 (3.63)

Limited Slip Differential ---

Unballasted Operating Weight, lb. (kg) ---

Approx. Ship Wgt, lb. (kg) Open; Cab 5070 (2300)

4WD Dimensions

Wheelbase, in. (mm) ---

Wheel Tread, Min. to Max. in. (mm) ---

Turning Radius w/o Brakes, ft. (m) ---

Nebraska Test Unballasted w/Duals, lb.(kg) ---

Unballasted Weight, lb. (kg) ---

Standard Tires

2WD ---

Front 7.5 - 16

Rear 16.8 - 28

MFWD ---

Front 9.5 - 24

Rear 16.9 - 28

4WD ---

Track Widths ---

Miscellaneous

Country of Manufacture Pune, India

Ballasting Restrictions, lb. (kg) ---

*Notes Updated: 06/08/2009

Oliver 1650,1655 or White 2-70

With any tractor this old, maintenance and the previous owner play a huge role. But I second the 1650/1655. I have a 1655 diesel, and it has been outstanding. Extremely reliable, comfortable, and I have used it a ton.
Josh

If you get a little more specific about what you are going to use it for, and what features are important then you will get a much better response. Cab or open station? Pull sq baler? Pull round baler? Soil type? Kind of tillage? Will you also have a small utility tractor? Front loader bucket? Road maintenance? Snow removal?
I have a MF Model 690, 1983, 2WD, 67 PTO HP, C-H-A, Perkins 4-248 engine no turbo. Also, New Holland Model 1630 Hydrostatic 3-range, 4 WD, 27 PTO HP, open station, FEL bucket. These 2 tractors seem to fit all my needs. Tom

Jon,

Are ya sure that 70 horse is gonna be enough?

Allan

I'd look at:

Case 770 or 870 (830 maybe)
White 2-70
Oliver 1655
Allis Chalmers 185
IH 686 (and the other 600's)
Ford 6000 thru 6600

newer stuff I'm not sure what I'd look at.
CaseIH probably

Low hour AC 190XTD series 3.With Cab and AC or heat.

I would agree with going with a newer tractor.

A 70 hp tractor will take care of 160 acres of hay pretty easy, but you don't want to be sitting on the turn row tinking when its time to be in the field working.

Maybe,my neighbor has 2 newer Deere's and they have lots more shop time on them in the last 5 years than my Oliver 1650D and AC 180

John Deere 3020--- side console if you can find one.

youre joking, right?

It's 94hp, but a JD4020 with powershift makes a great all-a-round tractor. Had one for over 35 years and it has been bullet proof.

He very well may be however, I would not sell my 830 for twice the $3500 or so that its "worth"
It has been doing everything we have ever asked of it for 40 yrs.

Thats where you can easily run into a problem. You own your 1650 and your 180 and probably have for years and you know their history and maintenance.

Buying one that old and hoping its as reliable is something else. Unless the owner died or got out of farming altogather who sells a good reliable tractor they are happy with and have owned for decades?

The Ford 5000 ('68-75). 67 PTO HP.
This is the best tractor ever made in that size class. There were others 'pert near as good, but none were better.

I have a 1650 cockshutt and wouldn't dream of using it alone for my 160 acreas (I have steep hills)for field work it is fine until you go up hill then you need a little more power and traction.I use it for haying and loader work and a 2470 for field work.Both of these tractors cost me $2500 each.I will say if you don't want expensive repairs and you can do your own mechanics buy somthing not to new.My dad has a VALTRA and the joystick went at 1 month past warrenty that little electric switch cost him $1250.00 he was steamin.

That's why there aren't too many 1650/1655's on the market.
When I got mine the motor had spun a bearing with a temporary repair. Rebuild the motor works great since.

I personally would go with something a bit bigger for that much land, but it's definitally doable. I think you would be very happy with an Oliver 1650/1655 or white 2-70.

Go with a tractor that has a good dealer close to you. Funny how some think you might need more horses. Neighbor uses to farm 900 acres with 2 930 Cases, Dad farmed 240 acres with an 8N ford and IH 300.

the older iron was made to last longer than the new plastic tractors. Personally id go with an oliver 1650, 1755, or your best choice would be a 1655 or a white 2-70. Plenty of power with all the features you need, yet simple enough for you to work on.

If you dont want an oliver id get a JD 3020 or a 4020. 4020 is bigger than what you need but they handle good and make a good haying tractor. They drive like a 70 hp tractor in other words.

I would stay away from the ford 6000. a thread on this forum the other day was about the worst ever designed tractor and i think about 10 ppl put the ford 6000.

Where at in NE Colorado?

What are your plans? Small or large or round bales for the alfalfa? Irrigated? No till? Half wheat (40 of wheat per year) and 80 alfalfa? Cutting your own?

Deere 4020 would be good, White or Oliver is good. It really depends on what you want to do.

I'd jump up on the Hp a little and maybe look at a White 2-105, AC 7000 or 7010. Something with little electronics and plastic.

A little shy, but a MF 175 at around 63 hp is my vote, make sure it has remotes for the balers

This is a strong 76 hp, but a 756 International is far and away the most tractor for the buck in the 70 + hp range. Heavy, powerful, nimble, features, the best 3-pt ever made. A distant 2nd choice would be a JD 3020 side consol.

There are a lot of Case 930 diesels in that area, they are usually inexpensive, alot of HP for the money.

Exactly

I all so like 930;s and 870's-970;s/ you cant beat them.