fordson major or Farmall m

montanakid1992 · Feb 1, 2012

Hello I"m in the market for a new tractor either a farmall m or fordson major. I want to run a john deere 14t square bale. A friend of mine told me you can"t use a major with a john deere baler?
Thank you for your input

oldtanker · Feb 1, 2012

This is hard for me to say cause I really don't like the M but just in parts availibilty and ease or repairs I'd go with the M. I myself would look for something a little newer like a 300/350 or 400/450 that has better hydraulics and maybe PS.

As to what your friend told you if the Ford will run say a NH baler why would it not run a JD? I just don't know.

Rick

Fordfarmer · Feb 1, 2012

Because it's green.

Myself, I'd be looking for a 4000 or 5000 Ford. A
little more expensive than a Major or M, but WAYYY
more tractor...

730 virgil · Feb 1, 2012

get a john deere 60 that will solve all your trouble.

donjr · Feb 1, 2012

Leave the Fordson and M where they're sitting. The M doesn't have live pto and the Major will give you a fit if you need parts. A 14T is not a large baler, and can be easily run by a 3-400 Farmall or IH, which has a live pto. Or a newer 600 series Ford or larger, again with live pto. Or, if you want to stay with an older tractor, check out an old AC WD or WD-45 with a Hi-Lo bar, which willl give you a form of live pto. Or if you want to stay with the same color, look for a 50 or 60 JD or newer, again with a live pto.

Bottom line, a baler or any other pto driven machine is much easier to use and operate with a live pto type drive. Many of the really older Fords and tractors had a smaller pto shaft until they were standardized. And the live pto allows the operator to slow the ground speed while keeping the machine operating at full engine speed.

petetx · Feb 1, 2012

never of a tractor that would not run a different brand baler

montanakid1992 · Feb 1, 2012

that's what i thought but he insists on it, maybe i'll buy the major and give it the old college try.

montanakid1992 · Feb 1, 2012

i Would like to buy a 4020 but I'm not wanting to spend much, so something cheap will work for now.

donjr · Feb 1, 2012

How about a 25 or 30- 10 or 20 series, or a 2030 or 2020? Plenty enough for a 14T and keep looking for that 4020!

montanakid1992 · Feb 1, 2012

what are you talking about keep looking for that 4020.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 1, 2012

I run a Gehl 5x4 baler with my Fordson Major so you could ask your friend where he got that furphy.You don't have to run around the paddock at 30mph. Also donjr ,in Australia, I have no trouble getting parts for mine,don't know what the situation is in USA.

Eldon (WA) · Feb 1, 2012

(quoted from post at 18:12:17 02/01/12) i Would like to buy a 4020 but I'm not wanting to spend much, so something cheap will work for now.

An Allis Chalmers WD45 would fit that bill...most can be had for under $1500, live pto via the hand clutch, and are easy to get parts for. If you have $2500 to spend you can get a D17 and have the hi/lo power shift. For $4000 you can step up to a 170 diesel.

montanakid1992 · Feb 1, 2012

thank you, what model is your baler? I don't know where he got that from.

Fern(Mi) · Feb 1, 2012

An overtired WD45 with a power pack would make an excellent work horse. A 4020JD if you've got BooCoo bucks to spend. Nodody's mentioned the best tractor of all, a 1850 Oliver Perkins powered with either the standard 2sd hydra-drive or 3sd over/under drive middled transmission-ed tractor.
Half the price of a 4020, easier to fix and buy parts for.
Fernan

donjr · Feb 1, 2012

Got a neighbor with three of them. Two for parts. Nice running old tractors, but not real common around here. Harv's are all Major Diesels. Best plow size for them is 3-14's. They're heavier than the Fords, so he uses it for most everything. He's the local Ford Fanatic.

rustyplow · Feb 1, 2012

Grew up on Majors. Dad had 3 of them over the years. Baled more bales than I care to count. Had new holland and Deere balers. The Power major had live power. The straight major did not. If your only choice is the major or the M, The major wins. Burns less than half the fuel. AS others have said, there are better choices than that even. I would suggest an oliver 88. Same vintage and about the same money. OLivers live PTO works real well on a baler. 1600 or 1650 would be better yet. Just more money.

rustred · Feb 1, 2012

you said you dont want to spend too much!

oldtanker · Feb 2, 2012

LOL this is kinda funny.....I gave my advice not on what I would own but based on his question. I would not own another M and hope to replace mine soon. It just don't have the hydraulics I need so it gets used to rake hay and spread manure. I am NOT in the market for anything older than the 460/540 in IH and I'm not brand loyal. I would not even think about an Ollie/MM/AC as the dealer support in my area isn't good. I made my suggestion base on parts availability and price.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · Feb 2, 2012

The Fordson Major is a good easy starting economical tractor but its downfall is 540 P.T.O. speed is obtained at only 1200 R.P.M. so it has no P.T.O.power and no livedrive clutch. The only way a Major has more P.T.O. power is with the raised P.T.O. unit then you get 540 P.T.O. SPEED AT 1800 engine revs. I am the proud owner of a 1956 Diesel Major wich as been in the family from new. MJ

Anonymous-0 · Feb 2, 2012

(quoted from post at 19:30:11 02/01/12) thank you, what model is your baler? I don't know where he got that from.

he's not by chance the one that has the M for sale is he????

been running a baler a little bigger than the 14T with a 24hp tractor... Overrunning clutch is a lifesaver and you need to have time on your hands but it'll do it... If you can swing it, it's cheaper to upgrade on the first buy than trying to replace something you're not satisfied with later.... Just went thru that myself..

good Luck

montanakid1992 · Feb 6, 2012

what about a ford 6000 Found one for $2000 with a loader needs a engine over haul?

montanakid1992 · Feb 6, 2012

what about a ford 6000 Found one for $2000 with a loader needs a engine over haul?

oldtanker · Feb 6, 2012

Go over to the Ford forum. The 6000 wasn't one of Fords better ideas. Rebuilding that engine may be more expensive than you think.

Rick

fordson major or Farmall m

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