Your favorite utility tractor?

Mopower · Feb 12, 2009

Hey fellas. MM guy here that thinks the Jet Star was the best thing since sliced bread. Most power for the buck. I'm a 335 owner as well. Ford cornered the market on utility style tractors. 300 Utility was popular. What's your favorite? Why?

-Ethan

Shetland Sheepdog · Feb 12, 2009

(quoted from post at 17:18:13 02/12/09) Hey fellas. MM guy here that thinks the Jet Star was the best thing since sliced bread. Most power for the buck. I'm a 335 owner as well. Ford cornered the market on utility style tractors. 300 Utility was popular. What's your favorite? Why?

-Ethan

My favorite?? My Ford 3910!! It's more modern! It has a syncro transmission, power steering, live hydraulics with the 2 pump option, IPTO, diff lock, and it's NIMBLE! Also easy to get on and off, and at my age, that's important!

If it doesn't have enough power to "get the job done" I use my 5610 which many would also call a "utility" tractor :shock: :lol: :roll: If you want "old", then I would go with either a Ford NAA or IH 350-U because of the memories! :wink:
Dave 8)

tractorsam · Feb 12, 2009

I have to stick my vote in here for the MF-35/135 tractors. Nimble, powerful, lots of parts availability, and great on fuel (the diesels anyway). On the other hand the brakes were often poor. I don't know that anyone made a perfect tractor but I think these came pretty close. The IH 454 rates pretty highly in my book as well although slightly higher specced. Sam

rrlund · Feb 12, 2009

Oliver 550. SO far ahead of anything else for their time,most took another 15 years to catch up if they EVER did.

onefarmer · Feb 12, 2009

MF 265 good brakes, pedals at a better angle, hyr steering, faster more modern hyd, turns on a dime, small compact, and lots of power.

I also have a MF175, MF85 and did have a MF65. Would like a MF235.

MurrayE · Feb 12, 2009

Hi Sam, How are making out in this cold weather?
What shift are you working this week? Cheers, Murray

thurlow · Feb 12, 2009

The utility version of the ETD, admittedly scarcer than hen's teeth........thought I met one going down the interstate about 5 years ago on a trailer with a load of scrap; time I got turned around to try to chase him down, he was gone.

tractorsam · Feb 12, 2009

Cold weather is great. The freeze/thaw is a pain in the backside. My driveway is a sheet of ice and it's all my 35 can do to rip it up (on the other hand my landlord was up with his 100hp NewHolland and didn't even do as well

. On Tuesday I got stuck in Andrew's driveway, fortunately the Super C I sold him was more than up to the task! Then yesterday I got my truck stuck sideways in the drive while I was on my way to work (can anyone say Fergie to the rescue) and today it took me an hour to cover what normally takes 3 minutes as they'd not graded the gravel road into work. Dayshift this week and afternoon shift next. Sam

Clodbuster · Feb 12, 2009

JD 2440 Diesel utility. Heck, that's old enough to be here anymore.........

Clodbuster · Feb 12, 2009

JD 2440 Diesel utility. Heck, that's old enough to be here anymore.........

billonthefarm · Feb 12, 2009

These arent what alot of people would call utility tractors but they pile up over 300 hours a year doing odd jobs around the farm and never do a day of field work. So if your definition of utility is usefullness then these two are the top of my list.
bill

The 1971 3020 gas

The 1979 1086

kruser · Feb 12, 2009

More nice pictures - Is that how you and Travis process the "racoons"? Internets been done for a while so I'll go looking for more info.

Mike (WA) · Feb 12, 2009

Probably encountered a rift in the space-time continuum, and disappeared up its own tail pipe. They were bad that way.

Mike (WA) · Feb 12, 2009

If your 1086 is a utility, then my Oliver 550 is a lawn tractor, and I had always hoped it could be something more. . .

wolfman · Feb 12, 2009

I have a dandy MF 240 for sale in western Pa. Where you from?

onefarmer · Feb 12, 2009

St Johns Mi unfortunately I've been living on unemployment and a very meager farm income for the last year.

kruser · Feb 12, 2009

Have to agree with you Mike - All my Olivers are hibernating this time of the year but the little JD 4200 with loader and blade does get to come out from time to time. Just hope it's not many more times before I switch over to the mower deck!

Anonymous-0 · Feb 12, 2009

Massey Ferguson 150 diesel/8-speed. This one has been the most reliable thing I've ever owned. (1971 model) It got a sprucing up 3 years ago (when picture was taken) and has gone back to being an everyday worker again. It has all the attributes of the 135 but with better steering, heavier front axle, more cooling capacity, bigger fuel tank, and longer wheelbase that makes it handle a heavy load on the hitch better.

The Perkins AD3-152 diesel sips fuel. The "DX" (100) series Masseys are extremely simple to maintain. The basic design is STILL used today with the smaller 500 series Masseys.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 12, 2009

The 3910 Forsd: Is that a Fiat in blue clothes?

Anonymous-0 · Feb 12, 2009

Why a 235? A 245 is a better tractor with much better steering. Dave

Anonymous-0 · Feb 12, 2009

I don't seem to recall that Oliver invented the 3 pt. hitch? 100 series Masseys were hugely popular and derivitives of them are still being made today. Perkins diesels set fuel economy records for the 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder models of tractors and the advanced Ferguson system is superior to any other 3 pt. Without a 3 pt. hitch, other tractors wouldn't even be in the running. Dave

jwal10 · Feb 12, 2009

I have had a gas 454 IHC since 1976, great little tractor, low easy to get on and off of, quick easy steering, great brakes, fuel tank in the rear, short wheel base 45 hp, awsome cat. 2-3 pt. keep the shifting linkage lubed and no problems. Open and clear between the running boards, no gear shift to tangle your feet. left hand shifting right hand hydr's, steer with either hand. Excellent seat suspension....James

Rickey H · Feb 12, 2009

The MF 150 gets my vote, still kicking my a$$ for getting rid of the one I had,,, I still have a MF 285, 200 Allis and a 445 long,,, Rickey (Ky)

Shetland Sheepdog · Feb 12, 2009

(quoted from post at 21:13:50 02/12/09) The 3910 Forsd: Is that a Fiat in blue clothes?

NO WAY!!!, it's a 1984, long before Fiat came into the picture!

:shock: :roll: Oh yeah, the 5610 is a 1982! :lol: So they're both 25 years old.

That makes them antiques don't it? :? Another favorite is the Ford 4000-SU.

I used a '75 for years. It had more power than the 3910, but was the same physical size. :shock:

Dave 8)

Joe Pro · Feb 12, 2009

Jet star 3 MM

rrlund · Feb 12, 2009

So being built by a company that is a derivative of another company that invented something makes their product the best? I'm sure there's a flaw in that logic somewhere along the way.

olgentdc · Feb 12, 2009

The 430 -530 -630 Cases Deserve Honorable mention,,for that matter their predecessors ..300-400-500 CASE , best all around ....Of course that is my opinion..lol

RodinNS · Feb 12, 2009

Ford 3930. For pure ability in it's power class I seriously doubt that anything will match it.
8x8 full mechanical shuttle transmission, fairly fast hydraulics and FWD... and it's still fairly nimble. It's had it's share of problems, but also spent it's life doing the work of an 80 hp tractor.
I also like the later 4000's but they don't have the options or ability of the 3930.
The 5610 would probably be second on my list. That was one tough, nimble tractor too.

Rod

flying belgian · Feb 12, 2009

I'm going along with the 2440

Jeff B. · Feb 12, 2009

What makes a utility tractor different than a regular farm tractor? I have an IHC 350U and a Case 311. Both seem to be about the same size & power. Both were built about the same year. If anything the IHC probably weighs a little more, but just wondering what the main differecnes were between a regular and a utility version of any tractor.

acb1950 · Feb 12, 2009

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</a> This does it for me!!!

BLinWMI · Feb 12, 2009

Sorry but the masseys of that era beat the off color green hands down.

Bill(Wis) · Feb 13, 2009

Hmmmm. I didn't know they had made a utility version. Now you have me really interested! I will re-double my ephorts to phind one. Thanx. (;>))

buickanddeere · Feb 13, 2009

Something modern with power steering, live pto, live hydraulics, high volume/high pressure hydraulics, remote hydraulics/scv, rops, hydraulic brakes, diff lock, factory 12V, sealed beam work lights, a real drawbar, cat II three point hitch, M4WD. Hydrostat if used for loader, backhoe or lawn/field clipping.

The old stuff that Dad and GrandDad used has it's nostelgic charm and memories. However there are some jobs better served with later/better featured equipment.

Going back to old equipment sometimes makes as much sense as abandoning indoor plumbing. For the simple,cheap, reliable, low tech two holer in the back yard.

Your favorite utility tractor?

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