Farmall 1066 Turbo vs Massey Ferguson 2705

Hello all,
I am considering both tractors and must come to a decision on which one. The actual need for a tractor is as follows: Field cleanup, removing stumps, large rocks, leveling some areas, eventually doing some haying of 5 acres. And possibly 10 acres wheat. Likely no till on the wheat. The 1066 has a loader on it. No bucket, so would have to find one to fit on there. The 2705 has no loader, but is my grandfathers, so there is some sentimental aspect as far as wanting it. Could add a loader to it I suppose. But my primary use from either tractor would be loader work, brush hogging, post hole digging. I don't know much about operating either machine to make an educated choice based upon experience. So would like your opinions.

I don't know how large your stumps and rocks are but we usually use industrial equipment (backhoe or excavator) for that sort of thing. A little leveling and mowing no problem. Both these tractors might be large for 5-10 acres but if it was your grandfather's that could make all the difference.

John

The rocks take 2 men to heft. Crow bars and shovels and alot of effort to lift and put in a pickup bed. So a loader would save our backs. I know either tractor is a little over the top for 10 acres of crop, but we have used Farmall H's and M's to try and pull out saplings, small stumps, etc but the Farmalls are just too light. We want a large tractor because they are heavy enough and strong enough to tackle the heavy pulling we want to do.

the 354 perkins is a good motor and plenty strong for what your doing, so your grandpas tractor wouldnt be a bad choice.

(quoted from post at 09:03:31 11/19/12) Hello all,
I am considering both tractors and must come to a decision on which one. The actual need for a tractor is as follows: Field cleanup, removing stumps, large rocks, leveling some areas, eventually doing some haying of 5 acres. And possibly 10 acres wheat. Likely no till on the wheat. The 1066 has a loader on it. No bucket, so would have to find one to fit on there. The 2705 has no loader, but is my grandfathers, so there is some sentimental aspect as far as wanting it. Could add a loader to it I suppose. But my primary use from either tractor would be loader work, brush hogging, post hole digging. I don't know much about operating either machine to make an educated choice based upon experience. So would like your opinions.

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Go with the Massey because of sentimental reasons, and then RENT a decent sized slid-steer as needed for the clean-up work.

Row crop tractors, even equipped with loaders, just leave a lot to be desired when it comes to removing stumps and rocks.

(quoted from post at 13:22:06 11/19/12) The rocks take 2 men to heft. Crow bars and shovels and alot of effort to lift and put in a pickup bed. So a loader would save our backs. I know either tractor is a little over the top for 10 acres of crop, but we have used Farmall H's and M's to try and pull out saplings, small stumps, etc but the Farmalls are just too light. We want a large tractor because they are heavy enough and strong enough to tackle the heavy pulling we want to do.

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They better be some pretty small stumps.

I have a 1066 and a Massey 1130, which has the same engine as the 2705. Since the Massey was grandpa's I'd lean to the Massey. I can also tell you the fuel economy on the Massey is far better than the 1066. Both are good tractors though.

I would check the maintenance history of the M-F with your father-in-law. It may not be the case with all Masseys, but a friend of mine bought a new 1155 ( Perkins V-8 ) and it nickel and dimed him to death. Basic machine was fine, but it aways had leaks or electrical glitches or some little nagging thing. Not that the IH might not have problems, or the M-F would nessesarily be bad, but ask him about it.

That is straight from a guy who would know as you have one of each. Appreciate you posting and letting me know about the fuel consumption difference.

aaron M, If the Massey has that 24 speed powershift RUN AWAY fast it had a center shaft that is a weak point that is very expensive to buy and replace. I an not hating on Masseys her just an observation I have seen and recorded accordingly! The 2705 has a really good engine But, the tranny is junk. When it snaps you are Dead In the Water, no movement forward or backward.
I was asked to dispose of some Farm equipment for a neighbor 2 yrs ago He had a 2705 W/ the Powershift tranny I described above, engine ran like a well oiled clock, perfect! the tranny had a broken center shaft.....None of the Local Tractor Salvage Yards would bid on it!!! Period!
Called every major Massey dealer in West Texas to up int Colo No one would even venture an offer. I had hopes some farmer would like a parts tractor to keep theirs going,,,no such luck.
Finely got Abilene Machine up in Ks to buy it at What I thought was give away price, But I dispersed it so the family was done with it.
I would rather have the IH 1066. Buying a bucket is cheaper than a whole Loader unit.The 1066 is a great platform, still highly prized tractor, great HP, low cost to maintain, not hard to operate. Hope this helps
Later,
John A.

The 1066 is a good tractor.Both arent the handiest for a loader and sentimental value plus history make it your decision only and it will be the right one.

My 1130 was my dad's tractor which is why I have it, the 1066 I got one of those can't resist deals on it. However, reading the other posts, I would definately look into the transmission problems noted by one of the posts, I have no info on the 2705, just the Perkins 354 engine, they are great.