best tractor engine

T

thunderbolt

Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

what is the best tractor engine ever built to date,
is there a list available?

 

M

Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Hercules GO198, used in the Cockshutt 35. Highest ratio of pounds pulled to tractor weight in the history of the Nebraska Tractor Tests. At least somebody told me that one time.

There's no list available, but by the time the guys get done here, you'll have one.

 

R

rufus80

Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

IH 400 series, 414, 436, 466.

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

You don't put a size limit on here so I'll go with the cummins in the 9270 case 4wheeler that my brother had. Produced over 300 hp and burned less than 10 gal an hour. Also the case 504 as long as they are set at about 160 hp or less is a very fuel efficient engine and is the best pulling engine I've driven in that hp range.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Perkins AD3-152 diesel. About as bullet proof and fuel efficient as you can get. Read somewhere that it was the most popular engine ever put in a tractor. That is highly possible since it was used in dozens of different models of tractors, the MF135 being the most common.

 

B

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Best for doing what ?
Sometimes an all fuel is best if the local fuel isn't suitable for a gasoline or Diesel engine.

 

R

rrlund

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

I was gonna say Perkins 6-354.

 

S

samn40

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Perkins AD 3 152. They just keep on goin!
Sam

 

D

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

For me,it's been the IH D361(806/1206) and the D310 German.For economy,the 2 cylinder JD 730 diesel.

 

S

sd pete

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

IHC 407

 

J

Justin SE IOWA

Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

wd-45

 

P

Pair-a-dice farm

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

From my experience I would have to say the Case 504 followed closely by the IH 466.

 

J

JDseller

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Well that is a real tough question???? I guess I will have to say............ Any that are running good when I need them!!!!!! LOL

 

B

Bill(Wis)

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Alice Chambers engines were some of the best but the ones found in the ETDs far exceeded all others in all respects save one......

 

J

JayinNY

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

The ford 201ci 3 cylinder diesel is a pretty good engine, haven't done a thing to mine in 20 years. Just oil, filters ect, has 3967 hours on it. I it was bought used in 1990

 

D

Dean

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Unlike the 201 CI used in the WD, the 226 CI used in the WD-45 is known for breaking crankshafts.

Dean

 

5

5020s rock

Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

john deere 404. and detroit 8v-71,yes sir.

 

G

gene bender

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Now thats a dumb question as many engines have been built over the yrs some lasted longer than others due to the care and use so there would not be a clear answer as to which was the best. Its just like what was the best engine ever used in a pickup truck or a car no clear answer.

 

R

RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Mabey you should have asked what everyone's favorite is...

Best is probably hard to pick. There were a lot of good ones. The Ford 201, 256, 256T and 268T not to mention the 401's were all good engines. Perkins 152 and 354's were good... Deere sold a pile of 404, 466's, Saran 239 and 329/359 engines.
No list would be complete without the IH DT466...
However..... my own opinion, probably the best all around engine in terms of efficiency, durability, performance and sales has got to go to the CDC (Cummins/Case) B series engines. They were installed in a lot of tractors.... and were the engine that buried the 53 Detroit in the industrial market. So if I had to pick just one... probably the 6BT (5.9).

Rod

 

A

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

Don't forget the 401 and 451 Case engines along with the 504. They all set records in their time for fuel economy and torque, at low RPMs compared to all the others of the time. Today you can"t find an engine better than CUMMINGS for tractor applicatation or over the road usage.

 

J

Justin SE IOWA

Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

I like JDsellers answer the best. The one that runs when you need it! lol

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

The ETD was the best, hands down, or up! The neutral draft carburetor and the variable valve number per cylinder, and the multiple different spark plugs meant that it could meet any obstacle, or difficulty efficiently, yet with farcical ease. The ETD is second only to external_link's magnificence,, no wait, malfeasance, in design. If only we had more tractors built to dig deep, yet ruin the economy as fundamentally as bummer, we would be leading the world in socialism!

 

S

SMHimrod

Member

• Sep 28, 2012

• #1

I would like to second this comment... I had always wondered why my Dad bought a couple of Cases in the 70's, up to that point we had JD's. I was to young at the time to care or understand. I got to spend my teenage years using a 970 and a 1175. I at one point asked, his answer was-fuel economy. The sound of either of them under a load I will never forget! SHON

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2012

• #1

The Perkins 6-354 and the 4-236 are right up there with the 152.

 

T

TGIN

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2012

• #1

Agree with Deltared , I have a old 706 with a 310 german and it is hard to top in it s class . Very good on fuel and plenty of power and loves to work .

 

J

JimB2

Well-known Member

Location

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

• Sep 29, 2012

• #1

In the 40 to 100 HP range, I vote for the IH Neuss German built Diesels. D-155,D-179,D-206,D-239,D-246, D-268,D-310,D-358. As good or better than Perkins Diesel engines.
JimB