opinions(all welcome)on bigger(newer) but still old tractors

Ok, as I said I am gonna sell the 1206,806, case 870, and the olli 1750. I want to replace them (4) with 2 newer tractors with nice cabs, heat, air, maybe even queit and a radio. I would like the smallest to be 100-115 hp which will do the lighter tillage and planting as well as maybe a round baler and hauling grain duty. The bigger to be 120-170 hp. Closest dealers are IH, JD, and an agco dealer 30 mlews away. Not looking at spending too much more than the 4 are worth. The 1206 will be pretty much mechanically and cosmetically done. 806 is tight tractor with new engine just before I got it last summer, but is a t/a delete. Oliver has higher hours on tractor but has about 500-1000 on new engine and hasnew 18.4x38's. 870 is a gas, having some carb issues but will get the resolved and has a power shift. I really visually like the "88" style IH's but worry about all the tranny issues I hear about. Dont know what JD's are god, I like the Allis 7045-7020-7060 styles tracotr, but smae thing do not know much about them. I am starting to look now, so I am set with them by fall. I can buy now, and sell the older ones with in the next year, but really do not want to spend much over $7-$10,000 over the value of the 4, if I were to spend the $10,000 more, one will have to be pretty nice. Reason I am selling is I have more acres to cover in less time, I have limited shed space, and I just want to farm in a little comfert. I work darn hard, so I think I can treat myself to some of the fruits of my labor.

JD 4230 should fill the "small" hp bill. And hard to find but a nice comfort cab IH886 would work in there too. REALLY nice ones go for about 13K.

Boy this is a tough one,but here is my take on your situation and yes you do deserve some comfort "but". I don"t believe the receipts from the sale of your present fleet will any where come close to cover the new purchases you desire. I surveyed tractor house and picked a Agco/Allis 1993,9650 series Diesel power.It will adapt to most 3pt and drawn equipment you have at present I think,and is for sale in Kansas with 155 HP and MFWD.Nice clean tractor ,Used condition,nice cab and I hope AC/Heat/ammenities .Price is $39,500.00 before tax if any and moving it to Mn.expense.I don"t know if this is the route you wish to take ,but is an illistration of what is available in your sort of preferred brand.

Case 2090, 2290.

55 series JD are hard to beat and are available in both HP ranges you indicated, and also available with MFWD. Check Machinefinder or TractorHouse.

(quoted from post at 09:01:57 06/29/11) Boy this is a tough one,but here is my take on your situation and yes you do deserve some comfort "but". I don"t believe the receipts from the sale of your present fleet will any where come close to cover the new purchases you desire. I surveyed tractor house and picked a Agco/Allis 1993,9650 series Diesel power.It will adapt to most 3pt and drawn equipment you have at present I think,and is for sale in Kansas with 155 HP and MFWD.Nice clean tractor ,Used condition,nice cab and I hope AC/Heat/ammenities .Price is $39,500.00 before tax if any and moving it to Mn.expense.I don"t know if this is the route you wish to take ,but is an illistration of what is available in your sort of preferred brand.

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And, as a bonus, you would have one of the best looking tractors ever made! Another tractor to consider would be a 160 white with the cummins in them, they're bulletproof and decently cheap too.

The timing is good to unload your old tractors as people are willing to pay stupid money for those compared to what they were going for a couple of years ago. The bad news is you will have to overpay compared to few years ago to get what you want.
The last time you brought this up I mentioned going with a Deere 30 or 40 series articulate or a White articulate (preferably 4-175 or 4-210). I would consider a Case 70 or 90 series Crab Steer 4 wheel drive also. You have to be careful as not to buying any of the previously mentioned tractors with the history unknown as they could turn into money pits. It's good that you are making your move as you stand a better chance to find one with a good history behind it. None of the tractors while powerful are meant to run lugging for hour after hour making heavy black smoke. Find a gear that works that you can pretty much stay in 90 percent of the time and the tach only budges 50 to 100 RPM in a heavy spot. The guys that pushed those models for all they were worth usually wound up with a hole in the crankcase or a spun bearing.
For the smaller I would look at a 986 or 1086 IH and they can be bought right nowadays. A lot of guys have 66 series fever and they were fine tractors but I would rather spend several hours at a time in an 86 series cab plus like the IH dealer said years ago there is less time in an 86 series split for shop work like a TA. Still a good supply of parts for 66 and 86 series tractors. 7010 and 7020 Chalmers' were alright but my understanding is Power Director parts for the transmission are getting difficult to find. A White 2-105 would be a good choice based on performance and durability. My preference if money was not to be an issue would be something like a JD 4240 with Sound Gard cab and Quad Range transmission. I'm thinking they will be at least 20,000 after seeing good 4230's bringing 13,000 to 20,000 this spring at auction.

I vote for a White 145. Cummins engine, absolutly bulletproof transmission, good cab, great fuel economy.

I really don't think you are moving up enough to justify the money you are about to spend. You are talking about moving up from tractors you know from the 1960s to buying tractors you don't know from the 1970s. The upside on added comfort is minimal while the downside in buying equipment that old leaves you open to some pretty big repair bills. I'd look at tractors from the late 1980s or mid 1990s (these are still 20 some years old) if you are truly wanting to step up in comfort HP and versitility.


While a 7045 is a pretty good tractor it's too easy to buy someone else's problem and keeping 30+ year old Air Conditioning and electrical systems working will be as much or more work than you face with your current equipment. My DIL has two of them, they keep running and getting the crap worked out of them but there's a reason he finally broke down and bought a 4455 JD to do most of his field work - it doesn't need an hour hour of tinkering for every 8 hours of operation.

I mentioned in my previous response on this but not above that talking to the salesman and shop person for each make where the product is an unknown to you is a plus and a way to save frustration latter on. Most places want to bring in new customers on a positive note and part of that is disclosing pitfalls on models their manufacturer built. Definitely want to go looking at any of the larger models loaded with info.
The Deere's (articulate 30 and 40 series) I would prefer would have 50 series engine in them and axle bearings known to be in good condition among other things. Get out there and talk around.

I like the 55 series (and 50 series) tractors a lot. I don't see something like a 4455 fitting the budget he has laid out. I don't think a person could find a good 4455 for under 40,000 dollars. He has maybe 20,000 worth of old tractors (maybe a little more on a good day) and wants to kick in a maximum of 10,000 dollars cash more.

Two wheel drive CIH 5140-95hp or a two wheel drive CIH 7210- at 150 hp are nice tractors, but will cost alittle more than what you might get for your old units. They are in the $25-$30,000 range. 4x4 cost at least $10,000 more. Both of these two tractors are well proven and strong , with good power shift. Also new enough that parts are no problem. Quiet cabs, but whatch out for parking break, they are big$$ to fix.

I would get one bigger / newer tractor and keep one of yours for utility use. You will have more money to spend on that tractor and can get a newer one, which should be in better shape.

Thats a tall order... You might want to look at whites since you had the oliver. Some deals do come up, I passed on a versitile 855 in good shape for 3500$ this spring.

I'd like to do about the same, but. Tough ecconomy to do that in, good used tractrors are in tight demand.

Looking at $45,000 for a good used over 150hp tractor worth bothering your 'move up'.

--->Paul

Any Steigers or Versatiles in your area? Around eastern Washington, they're about the cheapest horsepower out there. I ran a Steiger for a wheat farmer I went to college with- like sitting in an armchair- can't see how it could get much more comfortable. They're running in the $15,000 range, and simple enough that you're not going to have a bunch of worn-out electronic stuff to fight.

And a bonus, if you're not a big operator- You can get your fieldwork done in one day, and be home in time for supper!

Dave, If you are buying New this will be a tall order to fill, buying Newer well that is a different matter. There are many newer JD 50/55 series, and CIH tractors that can be gotten in the 20k to 35K range just get a "Fastline" for your area or other areas too and start looking. There is surely a tractor or 2 to fit your liking and pocketbook! Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.

I helped a friend of mne put his crops in this spring and ran his agco 9455,I think and it is a NICE unit ran it ten hours a day or more good cab air ride seat lots of power

Don't have a lot to offer for advice, but just wanted to mention that my neighbor has been talking about purchasing a 706 or 806, and he wanted a TA delete tractor. If you decide to sell, I can let him know any information that you'd have on your 806.