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Old utility tractor input

R

Randalshmandle

New User
Hello to all! I'm new to site and what brings me her is my need for a new old tractor as my needs have changed from my AC CA. I'm looking for a smaller frame utility that can handle a adequate front loader for bucket work of gravel, mulch, pushing over small trees, light digging work. It also needs a good 3point pto system for flail mower or brushhog as this will be the brunt of my work along with snow plowing large area. Tractor should be under 82 inch wheelbase because of trailer. I live in NW Wisconsin so it gets pretty cold so a notorious hard starting tractor might not work. So far what I have learned is MF 135 tractor is fantastic but front end not the best for loader and MF 245 good for loader but now am getting out of that low profile that is attracting me. Love the thought on Perkins Diesel. I am open to all makes within size criteria. Also if anyone has something for sale I would travel a few hundred miles to get the right unit. Thanks for reading my post.
 
Case 430 industrial comes to mind as a solid candidate. Stout, smallish and tough. Many available. Parts are not difficult
to find. Be sure torun any you look at to be convinced that it has been treated well. External looks are 2nd to
function/leaks. Jim
 
Okay I'm going to look into this model as well as the case 530 as from what I have read it's the same machine with a little more horsepower. I'd also like to add for anyone listening, since no tractor is perfect if you name a model let me know what the look for if I go look at one. Thanks
 
Whatever you buy if you plan on using it in the winter you should have and enclosed shed with power so you can preheat the engine.
Some start better than others but it's much easier on everything if they're inside and warm.
 
our skidsteer with 4.108 perkins needs preheat anything below 50 degrees; if you are doing any serious loader work i would strongly recommend 4wd;from our experience ford diesels start very well in cold weather.
 
Hansen and Young Auction
Mondovi
International 330 with loader
Road hard, put away wet
Should go cheap
Good tires, just needs more air
 
the work you want to do is not for a small tractor of the demsions you list. Pushing trees of most any size needs more than you list. Snow in N WI can be deep that takes power and weight to push it even if it is light dry snow. Pushing gravel, and dirt work take power and weight. Mulch is about the only thing your criteria will fit. I'd go for a bit bigger.
3020 Deere
706/756 Ih
4000 Ford,
Similar size Massey and a few others about that size. With a loader I would move on up to a MFWD on the tractor for maneuverability and go ability with wet ground or deep snow. Never had a tractor to big and plenty of them to small. Then consider what you have for parts support around. I would skip the Cheap foreign tractors parts are the big issue for them with little to no dealer support.
 
The Case diesel does start easy when cold.
Bought my 580 the day after Christmas at
14, no preheat and only about 3 seconds of
crank before it fired.
 
We had a 1520 on the farm. It was a bit underpowered, but was up to the tasks we gave it. The neighbor had one as well with a 148 loader. He still has it today doing exactly what you are looking to do. Our old one is semi retired doing the same.
 
The trees I would like to push with the tractor are 2 inch at the most. An Old timer told me to slowly push the tree about one foot up at the most and that will bring the roots up hopefully that way I don't have a bunch of stumps if I cut them.
 
We have a 4320 JD Compact tractor. 48
Engine Hp. 4x4. AG tires. Hydro Cab etc.
Had it 12 yrs. I use it to blade small
ditches in where we are going to no-till.
Also push trees and limbs that have fallen
in fields. Use it more than any other
tractor. Be sure and get 4x4. Plus hydro.
cvphoto91393.jpg
 
We have a 4320 JD Compact tractor. 48
Engine Hp. 4x4. AG tires. Hydro Cab etc.
Had it 12 yrs. I use it to blade small
ditches in where we are going to no-till.
Also push trees and limbs that have fallen
in fields. Use it more than any other
tractor. Be sure and get 4x4. Plus hydro.
cvphoto91393.jpg


cvphoto91394.jpg
 
If you're going that new, a 1020 or 2020 Deere would be the best choice. Nothing wrong with the Massey, but an Oliver 550 shouldn't
be overlooked either if you can find one with power steering. Don't confuse a 1020 and 2020 with a 1010 or 2010 though. Totally
different tractors. Opposite ends of the best and worst ever spectrum.
 
My brother has a 530 ag tractor and loves it. It has not got the heavier axle of the industrial, and bigger tires. 530 is great. Regulr ag tractors are really not in the same ball park as industrial construction tractors. Case has dominated that field for years. Jim
 
I'm not normally big on IH but I traded for an IH 464 industrial gasoline tractor about the same as the farm series but is has much improved hyrastatic steering,hydraulicly engaging LPTO,shuttle shift.Very handy little tractor.Would make a great loader tractor.
 
Frankly you're asking the wrong question.

All these models people are spouting off are all well and good, but it's not like you can just go to Walmart on a whim and throw one in the shopping cart. The chance of any of these models being for sale, in your area, in acceptable condition, at a price you are agreeable with, is slim to none.

Rather you should be looking to see what's available in your area for sale in acceptable condition at a price you can agree with, and THEN ask if it is a suitable tractor for your needs.
 
Just a few weeks ago, I bought an IH340. Price was reasonable, and the tractor is in good condition. The 340's are about 35hp IIRC, this particular one is shuttle shift with fast hitch. It is also a gas, so should start decently in the cold. Something like this would likely suit your needs well. Just make sure that it has working PS if it has a loader; otherwise, they're hard to steer when you've got a load in the bucket.

Having said all that, a good 4000 Ford or similar would do what you need just as well. And may be easier to find in your area. The biggest factor here, as Barnyard said, is what is in your area.

Mac
 
Gasoline tractor production died out around 1975, so you will be looking at tractors over 45 years old. At that age, condition could be much more important for reliability than the model or brand name.

The trailer restriction will severely limit the size of tractors in your search. Driving a tractor 50 miles is not a problem. For less than 20 miles you might save time to just drive it rather than load and unload it from a trailer.

You may want to at least look at the new tractors available before you determine your budget. Modern features like 4WD, cab, and better hydraulics will be more expensive, but they can be more productive and more comfortable to operate.
 
I would never say that a MF 245 is good for a loader, I have one over 5000 hours, one broken front bolster and my Dad has one 1500 hours, both bought new; neither has had or will have a loader. A 255/165 or larger would be more of a decent loader tractor, much stronger front axle, better hydraulics, better brakes. Your mileage may vary, good luck in your search.
 
Thanks for all your posts so far. What a great resource this site is. I'm going to look at a Massey Ferguson 165 diesel with a loader tomorrow. The gentleman is asking $7,000 or best offer. Would anyone like the chime in on this model and their knowledge of it? Anything I should be watching out for? Randal
 
MF 165 is a good farm tractor, and fair util tractor. No 4x4, no hydro(dry disk 6 or 8 gears), Most have power steering, but with a loader it may be questionable on action.

You're gonna have trouble doing some jobs with 2WD. The thing is, just about any tractor you buy can do the jobs you want. The smaller the tractor, the slower the job. I use a vintage Ford 860 with PS for all my util work. I should, and could have a bigger unit, with 4WD, and better PS, and more HP, and, and, and. Fact is, I get by with what my tractor will do.

I have a 12,000Lb roller. I would like to pull it down the runway in spring. I can barely move it with the 860, and would get stuck somewhere if I tried to use it. I use a trick. I put the 8N in front of the 860, hook with a chain, put the roller behind the 860, and drag with a tractor-train. If I had a stiff bar under the front of the 860, I could do the job without steering the 860 at all.

You see, everything can be done with smaller, lighter, less functional tractors. It's just a matter of time, and how much gas you spend.
 
So if I am keeping my tractor In a lean to with a canvas tarp over it should i be buying a diesel with the cold Winters here? Would I be better off with gas seeing am not farming with it heavy hours? If gas better suits my needs What Model is best? If say a tractor model is noted for being great with a diesel could same tractor model be bad because it's gas?? So just to recap should I have a diesel or should I have gas??? Thanks
 

I'd prefer a gas over diesel in the winter. However a lot depends upon your mechanic skills and what you can work on. Diesel injectors and injection pumps usually need to be taken some where to get fixed and read all the posts about gelled up diesel and having to drain and bleed off everything. Points, plugs, wires, dist. cap, etc. with a gas can be an easy tune up.

Don't overlook something new at the dealers. John Deere and the others offer financing packages to part time farmers with their country estates and then you end up avoiding a lot of problems with old tractors and something your wife and kids can start and run easy. Can be about like buying a car.

You never know when the old tractor may need a new hydraulic pump or overhaul or need some hard to find parts. Plenty of guys here are DIY mechanics who aren't bothered by that but sometimes those old tractors can be a Fix or Repair Daily that nickel and dime's you to death.
 
I have had a John Deere 401 for over 25 years and it is as handy as a shirt pocket.

About 60 HP diesel
Heavy duty loader
Cab and heater
3 point hitch
PTO
Shuttle shift
According to Tractor data 79.4 inch wheelbase
Plugged in it starts just fine in -40
 
A gas tractor has less costs and effort getting started when it is -40. Though both might require a block heater to fire,
the gas will be much easier. At zero, the gas (assuming tuned well) will fire up easily. In this HP range the fuel costs
will be similar in that diesel costs more than gasoline, but is more efficient in producing work. Many tractors can be found
with both fuel types. I would go with gasoline. Tractor Data .com has information on all of them for comparison between
diesel and gas, or between models/brands. Jim
 
Thanks Janich. Can I assume any t diesel tractor thats historically considered really good will also be really good if gas. Are there any known gasser lemons?
 
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