Looking for a good used tractor. What to choose?

First off, I am no tractor expert. Its more of a hobby farm need than anything. I am looking for a late 60's early 70's tractor. I want something with a loader to move some round bales, and maybe move a little snow in the winter. Also need it to run a haybine and round baler. Not alot of choices in my area for older stuff. I have been researching and reading as much as I can on each tractor that comes available, and have passed on a few.
Currently there are 3 or 4 in my area that I am currently considering, and am hoping I could get some recommendations from you guys on what may be my best choice.

Option are;
John Deere 4020
International 1206
International 1466
Massey 1105
Massey 1135

All things being equal, I'd pick the 4020 from that list.

Just get ready and be prepared those are all big old expensive to repair tractors. If you get lucky and get a good one great but you can get a fresh painted one that is wore out and really have nothing. If you know nothing about tractors find you someone that is trustworthy to help you in you purchase. What we would tell you from here without seeing the tractors is virtually worthless.

Question is what tractor has a good dealer near you? They are all good tractors. A tractor without a good dealership is no good

The 1206 is as good (and desirable) as any IH tractor. If you are not tilling acres, an IH Hydro 70 or larger Hydrostatic drive Farmall would be wonderful. Jim

There are more 4020's out there than the others combined. They were the best in their day. Buta newer 75 hp 4x4 with a loader and a Cab would be a better choice for what you describe. We have a newer M126 Kubota and a 50 hp 4320 compact John Deere with loader 4x4 and a cab to do the same thing. Mowing in the middle of the summer and plowing snow aren't much fun without a cab.

cab with air and FWA would be on my list! lots of difference between early and late 4020's!

4020 front ends are pretty light for loader work. Round bales are hard on loader tractor front ends. I buy the one in the best condition. As said, any of them can get real expensive to repair. Check them over closely with someone who knows something about tractors. Make sure the hydraulics work properly. Hydraulic pumps are pricey repairs.

i would go with the 1206 pretty tough old tractor. 1466 might be a little big

If you need 540 PTO, look and see if the 1206 has it, It's a row crop correct, the standard you wouldn't like for a loader The 4020 if it's a later one would be ok with me!!

You can put a 1370 case front end under a 4020,[Bolts right on ]then u got a strong front end, but i am sure that's going to get expensieve too!

I have a 4020 with a loader and does good. Oliver 1655 and 1755's are good too, and prices are good. The Massey's you mentioned are good tractors and relatively inexpensive. My 4020 is a power shift and makes a good loader tractor.

Friend had a 10 bale grapple with an extension on a 4020. It moved a lot of 1000 pound loads and never broke the front end. He did put bigger tires on it.

I would set my sights on something a little newer and a little smaller. The ones that you are looking at would tend to be more of a project than your whole hay operation is. They tend to be low priced because not many people that want something that big will consider anything that old because they need reliability. When making hay you need reliability. The 4020 and 1206 will tend to sell at a premium price because they are highly sought after classics. It will be tough to get a "value " price on either. You want to be looking for a 40 series Deere or a 10 series Ford or 94 series Case or Case IH.

Of the ones listed go with the 4020. The 1206 most likely only has 1000 pto,they shift poorly (was made much better on the 56 series) and are usually overpriced due to collectors. Way to many Massey's had hyd problems so unless you are use to them and have some history on them not a good choice. I have had loaders on 3020 and 4020 since I started farming and never broke a front end. My brother inlaw breaks up front ends without a loader. Depends on what for operater you are. If your budget allows look at maybe a 4230 or spend some more and move up to a 40 series. I recomend a cab for round baling. I spent way to many years baling with 4020 fender tractors and now have some breathing issues. The 4020's are very good tractors, we have two here now along with 4 3020's. Will have both 4020's in the field all day today. The one has over 15,000 hours on it. Just remember that with equipment you have two choices parts for older ones or payments on a newer one. Tom

I would take the John Deere 4020. I have a 4020 diesel power shift with heavy duty 4430 front end and Allied quick tach loader I will be listing soon, maybe today. They are a great tractor. I also will be selling a John Deere 6410 FWA with cab heat and air but no loader. A 6410 or similar would make a very good tractor.

Not a JD guy but I vote for the 4020 as long is its a diesel and not a gasser. If it doesn't work out they seem to be just increasing in value so no money would be lost reselling it as long as your not overpaying for it.

In my area only one for service would be the Deere and you could not give me one to use, Deere lost me as a customer when they got rid of the 2 cylimder tractors and I went with Ford. Years ago when they first came out neighbor got one of those MF and pulled a 7 bottom plow with it. This is to give you a size compairson.

Off that list I'd go for the 4020. That being said though I'd never buy one. Right now they are overpriced for what they are, especially the late models. I would look at something newer. I've seen good 4430s with cabs sell for less than 4020s. They're the in thing for collectors right now.

Thanks for all the replies so far!
Unfortunatly, the 4020 and the 1466 both sold yesterday. Old tractors seem to get bought up here very quickly.
I am going to go look at the 1206 International this morning.
I also found an International 1466, but it has no loader, and its priced higher that I want to spend, especially without a loader.

For what you want to do the only one you have on the list in the wright size for you is the 4020 next on the list is the 1206 . The 1466 is a lot of tractor for loader work and way more pony power then needed for haying , the masseys have and had lots of issues over the years and are not on the top 10 of the hit parade The 4020 is and has been way over priced for years , the 1206 is now becoming way over priced due to the I GOT TO HAVE it crowed and i don't care about the price i got to have it same goes for the 4020 . You will find out fast that hobby farming with one tractor does not get it , BTDT . My best advice is you want one tractor around 80-100 Hp as your main BIG tractor and a second one in the 65-85 hp range that way if the big one goes down the second tractor can fill the gap , you want to have equipment that can be used by either , and when you get stuck , yes the day will come when you plant one that your going to need a helping hand that you have that hand close by . Stick with a main brand and i don't care what color you pick try and pick where they share common parts and oils . also what dealer net work is close at hand . Do you have someone in you area that does good work and is proficient in one band or the other that does work on them other then the over priced dealers. when looking for this stuff take someone along with you that knows what to look for and check it out for hidden problems . Other tractors to look at are the 886-986 as most of them are cabed tractors in that Hp range along with the 4030 4230-40 series &56*56 I H's and 756 -766 when ya can find them IN DIESEL only 674-85, 784-5 I H utility's are great loader and chore tractors along with the smaller Deer Utility Your 4- 5000 fords the 7-8000 fords . The only down side i have with the Fords are the engines as they are a non sleeved engine and the block needs removed to be bored as the days of the Normal Mechanic / wrench twister does not have the equipment or knowledge to do in house in chassis boring and the days of the old school machinist dragging his portable boring bar out to the job is long gone . stay away from the off brands . Myself i have a leg up with this Hobby farming with old junk as i can pick something out of the dead row at a sale and give me a week of rainy days And it will be in the field . So these are my thoughts on this from a professional out look .

75 HP 4WD!!!!! A 2WD tractor with a loader is helpless, unless it is HUGE.

Bill

I?m thinking for hot weather haying and cold weather snow moving, a cab would be nice. Don?t be afraid of the MF 1105 or 1135. They were and are excellent tractors with a very good cab, closed center hydraulics and a thrifty Perkins engine.

(quoted from post at 14:45:17 10/18/19) 75 HP 4WD!!!!! A 2WD tractor with a loader is helpless, unless it is HUGE.

Bill

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Would a 75hp tractor run a baler? Our current baler is a Vemeer 605 Super J.

Plenty of people use 2WD drive tractors with loaders and do just fine including me guess it depends on skill levels.