If you were making a choice between one and the other, what are your thoughts. Both have loaders and will be used as the primary tractor for all aspects of the farm. Brush hogging, haying, small acreage of wheat and row crops. There is a pair of Farmall H's to help out.

Also, is there no sales tax on a used farm tractor from a dealership? I am asking because I want to know before I go talking with the salesman so I understand how to agree on a purchase price out the door. Does cash still talk? If I bring cash, does that sway them to lower the price a bit more?

Sales tax is collected by state and local governments, each locality handles it differently. Unless you can cross state lines you can't control it, so ask your dealer about it before you start any negotiating. You may have to pay the sales tax up-front and then request a refund when you file your state taxes.

As for which tractor is better, how many acres do you farm and how many hours will you put an the tractor in a year? Some people around here consider 5 acres a big farm, others in this same area consider 640 acres a small farm.

Pistons,I'm an IH guy now but years ago we had a 970 and it was our big tractor.If it is a power shift just make sure shifts fairly quick and hard from 1-2-3.They are good on fuel and will out work most 90 hp tractors of their time.They are a slower running engine with a long stroke 5".

Back when both were pretty new models I ran a 1650 Oliver and a 970 Case, both diesel. Of course in that instance, the 970 was a little bigger, 4x16" plow vs. 5x16". When new, I thought they were both fine tractors to run. Did more disking with the 970 than anything. Only complaint I had was the 970 had a hard top and the 1650 was open. The hard cover made it a LOT noisier, but I blame that on the top containing the exhaust noise and not the tractor itself.

As far as the two you mention, until you said the Oliver was gas and the Case a diesel, and the Oliver was not in as good of condition, for me it might have been a coin toss... now it's the Case diesel for sure.

"None of the Above" and keep looking.

Unless you've got animals going hungry because you have no working tractors to feed them with, you've got time to shop around for better condition tractors in better shape.

BTW, if you wanted lots of traffic and lots of experience with different brands, you should've tried the "Tractor Talk" board. Of course your thread would've probably been hijacked and turned into a political argument, complaining about thieves, or asking for prayers...

Is the 970 a power shift or the manual tranny? The power shift is fine but expensive to repair. The manual is practically indestructible.

I would take the 970 over an oilall over gas burner.

I would prefer the Oliver over the Case as I believe the Oliver would be easier/cheaper to repair. That said though, if those were my only two choices and the 970 was in better shape, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

Casey in SD

If the price was similar or same,I choose the better overall tractor.Diesel is a plus.

The Oliver is Gasoline, and the Case is Diesel. If that makes a difference. The oliver looks beat to hell. Plus, I "think" the gasoline Waukesha engine likes its fuel from what I read.

I would take the Oliver.But then,I dont care for the 70 series Case at all.

Could I learn from you what about the 70 series is a turn off in your experience?

I guess it was from a rough,underpowered 1070 I ran as a young adult.I also thought they were awkward.But in reality I suppose they as good a tractor as anyone.There are guys on here who seem to really like them.

You do realize you asked this question on a Farmall (IH) board? Personally for the two choices you mention it would come down to the condition of each tractor and the one in the best shape and most well cared for wins. I don't see an overwhelming difference in terms of features although there are some differences in specs.

Yes, I posted on the Farmall forum on purpose. As this forum is a little busier and I want a non biased opinion. I realize most people on the Farmall forum have driven and worked with all different makes and models, so I am sure there are fellas on here who have had seat time in the olivers or cases.