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Best older farm tractor?

N

Norwichjc

Member
Hello gentlemen. New member here getting my
feet wet. I've just bought a farm and
looking for an older farm tractor in the
90-130 horse range. Its primary duties will
be hay, field and pasture maintenance. I
like old school 60s-80s vintage of enough
circulation that parts would be findable
and I can work on it. If you could start
your farm with one great old horse (john
deere 4020?, oliver 1850? Other?) What
would be your choice?
 
Any thing that does not use DEF fluid is good! I grew up on a 1100 Massey. It was a Great Tractor, we should have taken better care of it. I was the 4th owner of an 1850 ollie, I really miss the ride of both. I currently have a Massey 4243 with Cab, Love the A/C and being out of the dust, it does all that I ask of it.
 
that would put you in the 1066,1086 ih tractors, as that is what i would go for, in the 130 h.p. range, and you have some comfort.
 
JD 4430 with 125 HP (neighbor up the road has one...a real work horse) and the Sound Guard Cab fits right in there and is a tough turbo charged workhorse and the cab is comfy and fairly quiet...gotta look around the mufflers and center post on the cab but you get used to it. Popular so parts are readily available. I have seen then with over 10k hours without an overhaul. My 1979 4230, it's little brother at 100 hp (same engine, no turbo) was a real honey. It had 4k hours when purchased and hadn't had a wrench on anything of importance. I didn't change that condition as long as I had it. I sold it when I retired and bought smaller equipment.

I had a 4010 and 4020. 10 is too small for what you want and the 4230 had 11 years of improvements over the 20 plus didn't have the Sound Guard Cab.
 
You mention an 1850 Oliver, but since you brought up 70s and 80s too, as much as I like my 1850, jump up to a White 2-105. They were an Oliver 1855 with the 354 Perkins engine like the 1850s had. Better hydraulics, better brakes and a 3 speed over/under instead of a 2 speed Hydra Power. About 15 more horses too.
 
What brand of tractor has an older, established dealer somewhere near your location?
What brand of tractor is popular in your area? Those things usually go together and might be worth considering.
 
Condition trumps make-and-model on any old machine, although it's fair to also note that whatever came out of the factory as a weakling probably doesn't get better with age.
 
As I read your question a few models flitted thru my mind and yes, they all have been mentioned EXCEPT a couple of Ford models that fit your HP range....8xxx, 9xxx. Look them up. Since someone asked about dealer support in your area and NEw Holland and Kubota do not have offerings in your age and HP range, I will add John Deere 4320 to your list.
 
3020
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A case 2290 would be as cheap or cheaper than those mentioned and as much or more power and better cab than any of those. And that 504 engine at that hp sips fuel, at least as good as the Oliver/white with the Perkins and better cab. A 9/1070 would be a bit less hp but more than enough to do what you want and as good a cab as any of the others although not quite as good as the 90 series.
 
Its primary duties will
be hay, field and pasture maintenance.

If you are putting up small square bales and mowing with a sickle mower, a 90HP open station tractor will be plenty. If you are putting up larger bales or a lot of acres, a 130 HP tractor with a cab, A/C and good front end loader would be better.

Myself, I'd look for a JD 4430, IH 1068, or similar with working air conditioning.
 
3 questions, How old are you? Where are you located? How much money do you want to spend? I prefer any tractors from the 60 or early 70, 1850 would be 1st choice, 4020 2nd, 806 or 856 3rd then AC, Ford, Massey or MM. That said, lets look at reality. If you are doing this part time after work, if you are in an area that is really hot in the summer or cold in the winter, Then anything with a decent cab with heat and air conditioning. Have you got young kids that will want to ride along?? Safety in NUMBER 1!!! For 5,000 to 10,000 more money, you will have a decent newer tractor that you can use comfortably and stay cleaner while doing it. 30 series Deere, 86 series IH, etc. If money isn't an issue, I'd go a little newer. That's my 2 cents worth!! Chris
 
4020s are very popular so parts are available. They do cost some money though. For good cheap hp look at Case or White as a nice tractor can be bought for 1/2 of what a 4020 can be bought for.
 
I gotta agree with rrlund. The 2-105 is a great tractor. Theyre a bit tougher to find (in decent shape) than JD 4020s or 4430s, but will be 1/2 the price. No differential lock, no foot throttle and (often) no float position on remotes are the bad things. Great engine, 3 speed power shift, decent cab, tight turning, are the good things. We installed a twin bank of prince valves, so wed have hydraulic float and 4 remote circuits.

Look for the newest 2-105 or 110 you can find. Later red stripe models get you a nice console for most controls. Be very wary of earlier tractors being painted to look like red stripes. If I recall correctly, one way to tell the newer models is by the molded cab top, with flasher lights molded in.
 

curious that most recommend a 6 cyl tractor.. All the hay guys here have moved back to turbo 4 cyl due to fuel costs...

Also the 6 cyl parts are much higher than the 4 cyl parts in some/most cases.

We have a 1086... for easy jobs great.. any time we work it hard, we have something break... too much hp for the tranny/rearend.

a 4010,,, ate clutches ever three years...

4430... eats fuel like no tomorrow, but otherwise no problems...
 
Really appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness. Keep hearing jd 4xxx ih2086,the oliver 1850, and the white 2-105. In checking prices and availability there's an oliver 1850 w perkins, low hours at only $4k nearby. Sounds like I should jump on that.

Age 50, connecticut, farm will be new career and full time job in two years
 
My two 4020's do most of my work but I have a 4230 with a cab mainly for the cab. The ac is nice in the summer and it keeps the dust away when round baling. I also like the heater when hauling manure in the winter.Found out today my ac needs a charge.LOL If you buy a 4230 get a latter one as there were some improvements. Unless money is an issue I would get a 4040 or 4240. A 4230 is almost a better buy than a late 4020. Often a 4230 can be bought for less than a late 4020 and has a good many improvements. As far as other brands White would be worth looking at. I do not like the 86 series IH's. They have a good engine but I don't like the rest of the tractor. Tom
 
Forgot the third question: money. Looking fo value, not cheapest. Comfort would be good but I'm not sure what I'd do with comforts after years working in the weather. Sounds like i can't go wrong w oliver 1850 if it checks out at sacrifice of ac and heat. The white 2-105 looks awesome but none around here
 
Not sure what kind of weather you worked in but on cold days, sitting on a cab-less tractor, the tractor-chill is 20* colder than the air temperature. Like wind-chill but tractor-chill instead.
 
Farmer up the road has a 4020 and it is amazing. Price on the deeres 4xxxs around here start at 16k and way up from there. It's sounding like tge oliver 1850 w Perkins at only 4k is a great deal
 
Yeah it can get below zero here w brutal wind chills. I know you're right about the cab. Must be an aftermarket one that will fit tge 1850 no?
 
Yes, but aftermarket cabs are super noisy. A good carrarrt winter overall plus gloves might be cheaper and better.
The white 2-105 might be better option. They are light enough to be put on a gooseneck trailer and hauled cheap,so look wide.
The deere 4230-4040-4240 clearly needs to be avoided because they use roo much fuel.Particularly at smaller loads were they should be sipping fuel.
Ford 7700 is probably a very good haying tractor. Only drawback is their sleeveless engine, sotou shall not pay too much for one to be able to pay for rebuilding if needed. 7700 is not super fuel efficient.
Best engine for fuel efficiency is a white 2-105 or an MF 1135.
 
I bought a Ford 8600 this year for haying. Great dependable horsepower. With a New Holland dealership nearby, Ford may be worth a look at. Don't get hung up on brand or color. Buy what's dependable and fits your budget
 

Hay and pasture maintenance is mainly what I do making around 1000 rolls per year.
For my operation 70-90 hp tractors work good for me along with 45-65 hp for smaller jobs like raking and tedding.
For the larger tractor a Ford 7710 series II or John Deere 2955 would be my top choices, they have good power and nice cabs.
9000 Kabota is another good one, Case 5130 with the 5.9 Cummins is another one to look at.
Lots of older tractor out there that are good but the older cabs were not so good.
My granddad had Olivers but I agree the White 2-85 or 2-105 would be better choices
IH 86 series are real work horses if you can find one that's been treated well, TA and shift linkage issues are their only draw backs.
Can't said anything about Massy or the older Case tractors, hasn't been a dealer in this area since the early 70's
 
There are plenty of nice tractors available in that size age and affordable price range. Buy to match local dealer support, and tractor condition. A tractor with a decent cab and air is a definite plus. Sitting in the dust doing hay is something I didnt used to consider, but a body can only handle so much dust, hay isnt worth it. You might look for a 7710 Ford. Decent cab and air and syncro transmission. Transmission is a big consideration. Powershift is nice on a tractor when new, but can cost more than the tractor is worth to have repaired. Look for basic syncro tranny , being able to shift up while hauling a load is great. Something you wont get with say a 966 IH or a 1030Case
 


Ford 7710. It was one of Ford's most successful models and there are many still working everyday. It can be considered modern but is pre-electronics. It has a nice cab. The big thing is that it is the right size for a HAY TRACTOR. It is a turboed 4 cyl which gives you power (97 hp), economically, but is significantly smaller framed than the six cylinder big dumb power tractors. It will handle a 10 foot disc mower conditioner easily, yet is nimble enough for chasing windrows in odd shaped New England fields pulling a small square baler. Due to its production numbers parts are readily available. Contrary to conventional wisdom DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HAVING A DEALER NEARBY!!! Don't kid yourself. Dealers are not interested in providing good service to a hobby farmer with older equipment. There are plenty of good equipment repair guys who developed their skills and knowledge and experience working for dealers, and then went out on their own. Parts are readily available on line much faster than going to the dealer to order the part then going back three days later to pick it up.
 
Simple answer, the one that fits your needs, is close enough that you're willing to drive to see it and pay to have it hauled, is in the best condition, and is priced fairly by your own standards. In other words, go shopping, and don't let yourself get into the "A, B, or C" mindset. Always keep "D, none of the above" as an option.

Any old tractor can be a money pit. Doesn't matter if it's the best, most liked, most popular, most reliable, blah blah blah...

Who used it and maintained it plays a much larger part in how it will work for you NOW than what someone's "favorite" is.

I'd take a lightly used Hesston or Deutz, maybe even a Belarus, over a clapped out 1066 any day of the week.
 
At age 50, I'd recommend a factory cab with air and heat, for no other reason than not having to breath so much dust!!
 
They're a great tractor. I bought one in 2013 with 4200 hours on it for $9000. I got it from the dealer where I got my 2-135, AGCO dealer. They seem to get 2-105s in now and again, but when they do, they're gone in a hurry. After I wrote the check for mine and was pulling out the driveway, somebody else was in it starting it. I didn't stop and tell him it was sold, he found that out if he went inside.

A 2-85 is the same tractor, just fewer horses because it doesn't have a turbo, but a good 2-85 with a cab and working air is even harder to find than a 2-105. Just don't overlook one if you run across it.
 
I fully agree with your comment about a local dealership. For older tractors you'll be better off finding a local independent, non-branded tractor repair
shop since the mechanics there will be just as knowledgeable, if not more so, on old equipment than what you'll find at most dealerships. They'll probably
have a lower hourly shop rate as well - big-name dealerships are typically charging in excess of $100 per hour these days and (in our area at least) the
independent shops are more like $80 due to their lower overhead. For new equipment having a nearby dealership is a very beneficial thing but with old stuff
it's a different situation.
 
Comfort is good, I used to set out in the open planting with a 4020 no cab. Went to a bigger planter and a tractor with a sound gard cab I'm not going back to setting outside.
 
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