(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Tractor Reccommendations

R

Ryan (IN)

New User
Looking for some opinions....I have small farm and I'm looking to replace my Ford 8N. I need to pull hay wagons, rake hay, run a 5ft tiller, pull a
2-3 bottom plow, and other general task on my farm. I really want something that is low slung, 30hp+, live hydraulics, live pto, and has power
steering. I don't have a brand preference....been around IH, John Deere, and case most of my life. Parts accessibility would be a plus. I have
been looking at Oliver 550s but just wanted to see what others use and recommend that might fit my wants/needs.
 

2/3 bottom plow around here means at least 50hp. 5 foot tiller means live PTO and about 50hp. I'd consider what dealer/mechanic support you have in your area. If they are predominantly JD and MF, for instance, then look at their offerings. If they cater to all makes, then that opens things up.
 
I believe the Oliver is supported by AGCO for OEM parts. I've had problems with them before but I believe that is the dealer not the company. Olivers were supposed to be a decent tractor. Other than that poke around on YT and see what's available here for parts.

I've been told that the IH Farmall 300U is something to avoid do to lack of parts.

Lot of variables here. Terrain, dealer support in your area and money being some of them. Above all you have to be sure that whatever you buy has a slow enough 1st gear for a tiller.

Rick
 
One thing that concerns me are the hay wagons. How big and what sort of a load and do you have hills or a barn bank to go up ? Everything else you listed you can do with a small tractor, but wagons get HEAVY and many times you need a big heavy tractor to pull them up and down hills safely.
 
While the Oliver 550 is a great tractor not many had power steering. Also I am not sure that the low gear in them would be low enough for a tiller. Additionally AGCO's parts support is not good around here. So I am slowly getting rid of anything AGCO supported. IF you have a good AGCO dealer then I would look at a MF 135 they have a low enough low gear for a tiller. The more popular Ford 3000 or 3600 would be great too. Plus parts availability is better too.
 
I second the Ford 3000 suggestion. My little Ford 2000 has power steering, live pto and 8 speeds for lots of gearing options. It can do all that you ask except the 3 bottom plow. It can handle a 2 bottom plow just fine in the soil around here. A 3000 will be slightly more horsepower. So either a 2000 or 3000 (or later 2600/3600) given the specified features will work super. Stay away from any 2000's that have the 4 speed. Will not work very well for tilling and most (all?) will not have live pto or power steering.

Parts are readily available online and at local New Holland dealers. Many parts can be bought at Napa.

I would also suggest staying with gas. Much easier to maintain and start in the winter. The little 3 banger does not use that much fuel to warrant a diesel and they are quite noisy, IMHO.

The best part is that you can buy them for around $3-4K in good condition. Handiest tractor on my little farm. I also own a JD 2550 for round baling, but I prefer to use the 2000 if it can do the job at hand. BTW, it can also run a 5ft bushhog with ease.

John
 
Check out the Massey Ferguson's. I have both a 50 and a 65, both gas. Many good MF dealers in Indiana, parts available. The 135, 150 and 165 are slightly newer. The 65 is more tractor, with more HP, but costs the same as a smaller 35. I find mine to be very agile, comfortable and easy to use. Big enough to pull a square baler and a heavy hay wagon.
 
If that's the era that you're going with,keep up the search for a 550. You'll never be sorry.
 
Parts parts parts where to get parts? Filters, clutches, pressure plates, brake seals, water pumps????
 
D17 Allis Chalmers Series 4 gas with a wide front end would work for you, might not be as low slung as you want but would sure beat any of the above recommendations. 52+ horse power, 3 point hitch, pulls a 3-4 bottom plow, good brakes, parts available almost anywhere, 2 speed power director that can be slipped all day long and not be damaged pulling the tiller. Would be just a win-win tractor for you. good luck in your search.
 
There are so many aftermarket sources of parts for those 550s that you could build a new one from scratch.
 
Lots of great suggestions. Looking in the$ 3000-5000 range but could be more if needed. Fairly flat terrain and no bank barns. Typically pulling wagon with 100-125 small squares. Locally we have John Deere and Agco dealers. Most mechanical work will be done by me. We also have IH dealer and ford/new holland dealer just 35 minutes away.
 
The later case 430/530 woupd fit that as would a few of the david browns. They are very reliable tractors in that size with a little more hp than most of the others.
 
Hi Bret, I ran a MF35 w/Perkins 3 cyl D on a 5ft
Howard rotovator no problem. I think it was 35 HP.
Ed Will. Oliver BC
 
Of course it depends upon how much you are willing to spend, but options include Ford 3000, 4000SU, or prior 4000 with S-O-S.

Parts availability for vintage Ford tractors is very good.

Dean
 
I know of a 72 ford 3000 diesel for sale. Seller claims it has rare 6x4 transmission (I know nothing about these) and strong motor with no blow
by. Needs new rear tire. Price sounds to good to be true. Seller is asking $3500. Most diesel tractors in the area are in the 5000+ range. Just
makes me wonder what else is wrong with the tractor.
 
With that criteria, a Ford 3000 4000 or MF 35 or 65 , or newer 135 150 or 165 will be hands down your best choice for versatility, ease of operation,parts, and all round handiness. Ben
 
I shied away from Massey due to gripes about Multi-power. Is that a factor on these 35-50hp class Massey tractors?

John
 
Ford 3000 or preferably a 4000 would fit the bill I think. Will be at the top of your price range for something decent tho.
I wouldn't get too excited about dealer support tho. None of them will have much in the way of parts in stock for stuff that age.... and as far as the shop goes.... that will always be a science project with a blank cheque if you put anything that age in a dealer shop. So find a tractor that suits you. Everyone that sells parts owns a phone and has access to a courier.

Rod
 
Ryan,

Check the gear ratio of the 6x4 vs the 8x2 in first gear. You want to make sure your tiller runs at the slowest speed. I never have so I cannot judge if the 6x4 is viable. 6x4 gives 6 forward and 4 reverse - mostly used on backhoes and other industrial variants.

John
 
I've been using a '72 2000, 6-speed, power steering, Std PTO. Power is adequate for the JD 1207 but it's a little light for making turns in the hilly fields and backing loads up the ramp into the barn.
 
A IH 300 or 350 utility has everything you are looking for, and for the most part you can find cheaper than Fords.
 
John,
Yes and no.
They did use the 6X4 transmissions on some
of the industrials but they also built a 6X2
- with or without LPTO on some of the later
2/3000s. It replaced the 4 speed about 1972
or so.
 
If you can swing it, a Ford 5000 would be a good choice. Small enough to be handy, but big enough so wagons won't push you around. Personally I'd go with the 8speed vs. Selecto-Speed.
Around here they can be had for 5-7K
Pete
 
Find a 2600 or 3600 Ford or similar. Don't get anything with a select-o-speed. Ok when running but otherwise- UGH. If I were in your shoes I would look for a used Kubota or similar in the 30-40 HP range. You might check with your local bank or equipment dealer and see if anyone has defaulted on their payments.
 
or a later model Case 470 or 570. same as the 430/530 just a couple years newer. last they built them

generally good for parts. they made tons of them and some parts carried over to the construction lines.

engine was used in tractors, combines, windrowers, skid loaders.
 
what part of Indiana,

here's a 550 in SW Michigan. NOT mine!

http://swmi.craigslist.org/grd/5543801307.html
 
Like some others have said...Ford 4000 or 4600su.Compact with the power your looking for.50-52 horsepower.I also like the braking system on the 4000 series tractors.

Paul
 
I'd be looking for a 1265 or 1365 Oliver,they are Fiat built almost any part can be had at a very reasonable price compared to other brands.I use my 2 1365 Olivers
all the time and I have lots of other tractors.Also they run slow enough to run a tiller and usually can be had for a reason price.The 1365 is an all around better tractor to use compared to the
550 in my opinion.A David Brown like the 770 or 990 would be a good choice too.
 
Another Ford. 801 is the next step up. Dimensions are about identical as an 8N,but about twice the HP. A 3000 or 4000 would also be a good choice.
 
Find a good tight 300 or 350 international utility. It will do what you want live pto power steering remotes can be plumbed in. If it has a torque amplifier make sure it will pull good in both high and low. Can probably be had for around 2k$
 
Can't go wrong with an Oliver Super 55 or a 550. Both basically the same, different sheetmetal. Believe the 550 has a slightly larger engine. Love my 550. Wish it had power steering though. Good luck.
 
Ruan,
Neighbor has a good size massey, diesel. He has enough hp, but his tiller sucks. Ground speed is too fast for the pto speed. Also a good tiller, like a troy-bilt has counter-rotating tines. Tiller wheels go forward, tines rotate in opposite direction the wheels turn.

After my neighbor tills, he runs a disk over his ground to break up the clumps.

I bought a used JD275 garden tractor, hydrostatic, with a 4 ft mower and 30 inch counter-rotating tiller for $1500. It goes slow enough to do a great job.

My Jubilee couldn't handle a tiller and the price for a bigger tractor with hydrostatic tranny and the price of a tiller was in the $10k + range. My small garden isn't worth that kind of money.

I'M TOO CHEAP.
GEO
 
A Case 1194 would be my pick. I have one and it is bullet proof. I think they only made them for two years. 12 forward speeds and 4 in reverse.
 
I would vote for the JD 2155 (45hp). It is slow enough to till with a 7 ft tiller , pull a mower, hay wagons, and silage wagons. Mine has plenty of weight with the loader and extra weights, by far my favorite tractor for all around use.
 

Ford 4000SU or 4600SU, 52hp, low profile, short turning radius, power steering, live pto, inboard wet brakes that have good stopping power and never give problems, will pull 3-14's and handles a 7 ft tiller, easy to get parts for.

I have a standard 4000 and a 4000SU, I use the 4000 mowing hay and baling, it sits higher and it's heavier but doesn't turn as sharp.
4000SU is used for close quarters work in our poultry barns along with tedding and raking hay, it also handles my 7' tiller with no problems. Lower profile and with 3000 style front axle it has a short turning radius.
Only down side to an SU is their a little slow on the road, 15 mph is about as fast as they will go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Red power hay making tractor?
Replies
7
Views
870
jwal10
J
Horsez2
New to Hay Baling and need advice!
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
ajl
A
B
The Best JD 2-Cylinder Tractor For My Needs?
2 3
Replies
48
Views
2K
buickanddeere
B
M
Best 4wd 45hp tractor from 1980s era
Replies
19
Views
2K
T in NE
T in NE
T
Nice classified add
Replies
8
Views
1K
showcrop
showcrop
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top