Case 1030 or international 966

I am shopping for tractors about 100 hp. I currently own a mf65 and it is too small for what I am doing. I own about 80 acres that I put up in hay. I usually get about 300 round bales off the first cutting and then about 3000 squares off the 2nd cutting.

I will also be doing some dirt work. Pulling a plow, 7ft cutting blade, etc...

In the winter, I hook up to a 7ft. snow blower.

I am looking at an IH966 for $6000 or I found a 1030 case for $3600. Both tractors are in good running shape. They both need a cab kit, but I figure that is just cosmetic stuff that I can fix as I want. I do not have experience with either tractors and I am looking for advice. I know the 966 is 10 years newer, but the 1030 is the same size and 1/2 the price. Any advice, experience would be helpful.

Is there something I should know about either one that would help my decision.

thank you in advance.

They are both excellent tractors, but the 966 will be a whole bunch easier and quicker to find parts for when the need arises.

1030 can be a hard starter in cold weather. I have one and really like it for round bales . i have the 23 in tires so not a lot of room inside It has a lot of power for the fuel it uses

I have owned and farmed with a 1030 for the past 12 years. They are simple to work on, but have a couple drawbacks. They have no differential lock or torque amplifier. Most times I do not need either as they will power thru the tough spots. T/A's are expensive to repair/replace. The only thing I don't like on my 1030 is the power steering is a bit week. They use a power assist type of steering but on the bright side one year I was hauling corn to town and the power steering went out and I could still drive it. Same thing with the 966 and it's hydraulic brakes, you loose hydraulics you loose brakes. I rebuilt the power steering system on my 1030 and it works okay, does squeal from time to time with a full set of weights on the front. The 1030 STOCK will out pull a STOCK 966 any day, do it all the time at pulls and in the fields. 1030's do not like much ether, and either tractor is a cold blooded SOB. I would go with the 1030 just because they are cheap power, easier to repair with a minimum of tools and they made enough of them parts are around. If you do buy the 1030 make sure to ask if the guy feeds it a ton of ether, ask when the last time the heads had any service work done and find out anything wrong with it. I paid $2000 for mine, and it needed brakes, belts, hoses, alternator, batteries, fuel lines, fuel sending unit, temp gauge, and the front end was sloppy. I think I have about $4000 in it now and it runs and works very good, used it yesterday pulling 5-16's in 4th gear plowing up the old oat field.

Thankyou for the replies. These are great considerations.

Other considerations are the fuel economy and the ease of fitting a loader. Of course, after using a gas guzzling mf65, anything else will seem cheap.

I have also heard that the 1030"s have had a problem with overheating. Is there any truth to this?

I am leaning in the direction of the 1030 but don"t want to get nickel and dimed.

Based on your description and needs, I'd go with the Case. I have an 830, and it is a very dependable tractor.

(quoted from post at 11:08:03 08/30/10) Thankyou for the replies. These are great considerations.

Other considerations are the fuel economy and the ease of fitting a loader. Of course, after using a gas guzzling mf65, anything else will seem cheap.

I have also heard that the 1030"s have had a problem with overheating. Is there any truth to this?

I am leaning in the direction of the 1030 but don"t want to get nickel and dimed.

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You'll have much better luck finding a loader to fit the 966, and there's a lot more 966s in the salvage yards to pick parts from. If you need used parts for the Case, you will have to find a salvage yard that specializes in just Case.

Who is going to admit they used a lot of ether on a tractor they're trying to sell? That's a ridiculous question. Dave

the starting problems can be fixed just pull the starter of and have it redone with high output windings and it will be a new tractor. everyone i get in with poor starting gets fixed. have a starter repair guy in Redgranite WI. that is a god with case starters. lots of case around here 730 to 1030

I have owned Case and IH (766 1568) in the past and have a 930 now, and of the two I would have to go with the Case. My Case dose not have a block heater on it so I got a magnetic block heater and winter starting is not a problem. I think the Case is very easy to work on and get parts for. Horse power per dollar the Case will win every time. Not much difference between a 930 and 1030 the only time my old 1030 would start to heat up was when it was being run at almost full throttle. Bandit

Both are good tractors, I had a 1030 several years ago and it was a pulling beast and fairly easy on fuel for the HP. The weak points are the steering and brakes. They are easy to work on but in my area parts would be a problem. I've never owned a 966 but have driven one quite a lot, I think the 1030 would out pull the 966 but not by much. The 966 handles better and is easier to maneuver imo
All that being said, I would rather have the IH because of parts and dealer support. It being newer would also be a plus.

Yea, the case would be hard starting being indirect injection. Id go with the IH 966 or a JD 4010/4020 but if you dont have to rely on the tractor, the case may be the way to go. With all of the salvage yards and aftermarket parts suppliers these days, almost anything can be bought to fix a tractor, just depends on how much money you want to spend. With the case being that cheap you could afford to work on it a little, but if alot of things fail, then you may have $10,000 rapped up in a tractor only worth 3-4 grand. If you give premium price for an IH, you may have to install a new torque amplifier. If you buy a jd, it may need a clutch or pto work. You have to remember the 966 would be the newest of these tractors, the JD"s I mentioned are 47-50 years old, and the 30 series case 50-55 years old. Depends on how much you will rely on tractor and inital price vs. condition.

i am going to be honest and say i am very surprised that you all sided towards the 1030. In my opinion the 966 wins hands down. its newer and will have a better cab and better hydraulics. Ive been told the 966 was the best 100 hp tractor made in its time?? ive drove a 1066 and it is a beast with lots of power. It doesnt sound like you need extra torque which is the only advantage the 1030 would have right??

i am going to be honest and say i am very surprised that you all sided towards the 1030. In my opinion the 966 wins hands down. its newer and will have a better cab and better hydraulics. Ive been told the 966 was the best 100 hp tractor made in its time?? ive drove a 1066 and it is a beast with lots of power. It doesnt sound like you need extra torque which is the only advantage the 1030 would have right??

(quoted from post at 18:31:44 08/30/10)
i am going to be honest and say i am very surprised that you all sided towards the 1030. In my opinion the 966 wins hands down. its newer and will have a better cab and better hydraulics. Ive been told the 966 was the best 100 hp tractor made in its time?? ive drove a 1066 and it is a beast with lots of power. It doesnt sound like you need extra torque which is the only advantage the 1030 would have right??

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That is correct. I will not need the extra torque. I am just looking for the best tractor for the money. Is the IH worth the extra 3 grand?

For power , Case hands down. Take that extra $2400 and put into the Case and their simply ain't no comparison then. $6000 buys you an IH that has "needs" or the Case field ready. No brainer!

The 1030 was painted a pretty color.

I have a 966, and a case 930. Both are excellent tractors, but as others have stated, 966 power steering and brakes are better than on the Case. And my 966 will cold start at well below freezing with out being plugged in. The 966 also is a thirsty tractor , my 930 will do same kind of work on a lot less fuel. So it really comes down to what you need, I like them both!

(quoted from post at 13:21:00 08/30/10) Who is going to admit they used a lot of ether on a tractor they're trying to sell? That's a ridiculous question. Dave

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Dave, why is that a ridiculous question? What idiot buys a tractor without knowing the service or use of the tractor? Would you buy one that needs an ether IV to start?? Or blows head gaskets every other year? I have seen some of these mechanical nightmares on auction, 2 or 3 empty cans of ether in the cab, all the heads mismatched paint, oil everywhere and the radiator so clogged off with gunk it's a wonder it even ran! As far as the overheating part, I have asked that question on the CASE board as to why people keep telling me 1030's overheated cracked heads and popped radiators because mine has never done this but it doesn't drink ether because my manifold heater works, I wash it once a year and don't shut it off hot. Plowing and disking mine will run at 210*, planting and making hay it doesn't break 190*. I spent a lot of hours on a 1066 and I don't know which one was more cold blooded, either one needed assistance to start cold at any temperature.

966 /Better Check the Engine oil,{ at the DRAIN PLUG],On the IH To See HOW MUCH ANTI*Freeze is Hiding there.IH Motor are Known For It Getting Down There.IH'66 and Newer Motor are Known For this ,And allso there Truck Motors Doing the Same.IH JUNK.

966 /Better Check the Engine oil,{ at the DRAIN PLUG],On the IH To See HOW MUCH ANTI*Freeze is Hiding there.IH Motor are Known For It Getting Down There.IH'66 and Newer Motor are Known For this ,And allso there Truck Motors Doing the Same.IH JUNK.