Need help spending some $$$

Looking for a tractor, 75-100H.P. Use's will be to make a little hay, plowing, discing, planting, mowing. Small scale recreational farm. Color of tractor not real important, as long as it will meet my needs. Should I buy some thing older or newer? Want dependable as posible! 10-20k spending limit. Who can get me the best i-deal! thanks to all who participates!

Something mid 60s to mid 70s.Simpler,easier to workon.Steel,not plastic.Nearly every mfger had good tractors in hp range in those years.I farm with em,they,ve served me well,will continue to do so. IH/Farmall: 1967 706; 1970 826; 1967 1256 are my 'numbers'.

Draw a circle around yourself....how far can you go for parts/service? Which dealers are in that circle? Might be a good place to start. Recreational use....downtime is not the issue it is when you make your living with your iron.

JMS has it exactly; find the closest dealer, that'll be there in the long run. Think parts and service. I'd also recommend for sure get a front end loader. Cannot do without it, and can do everything with it.

Just my two cents...
10-20K is a good deal of $$ for a recreational farm...
if you can problem solve and turn a wrench...might I suggest buying two tractors?
You can easily get two decent machines for that kind of $$...perhaps one bigger - closer to the 100 hp and one smaller utility type...
as stated earlier dealer support is important...
you can get some very dependable older machines...
I would stick, as stated earlier, to a late 60's to mid 70's...good iron to bad had for not too much $$

My first suggestion is you don't need that big a tractor. And you don't want one; if you want an all-around tractor, a 100 hp tractor will be too big to do misc. finish mowing work, loader work, etc. around your buildings and such. And a front end loader should be FIRST on your list of requirements!

Six years ago I bought a brand-new JD 5303 as a 'divorce present' to myself (now, now, the divorce wasn't my idea). Open station, 2 wheel drive, front end loader, extra hydraulic remotes & horizontal exhaust: Approx. $23,000 all told tax included. Will be paid off this summer. Whoo-hoo! It's a 55 PTO hp tractor.

I could have had 4 wheel drive for an extra $4500, but I decided on more HP instead of 4WD. It has a locking differential, which helps a lot. Other than that, it's just a basic tractor, no hydro or shuttle shift, but man, is it comfortable, and the range shift and gear shift are to the side of the seat, very well laid out.

I see that JD has changed the model numbers, the HP ratings have changed somewhat, and the prices went up some, but without knowing more about your operation, a brand new 5055D (45 PTO HP) would probably do you just fine. Plenty of implements available for that size tractor, 2 bottom plow, maybe 3, discs no problem, 6 foot rotary mower, plenty of power to run most any square baler.

Why do I suggest buying new? Well, do you want to spend time using your tractor or repairing it? If you want to restore a tractor, or you enjoy tinkering, then get an older one, but if you have the money, buy new. My other tractor is Farmall 460, 1962 vintage, and yes I do enjoy tinkering on it every now and again!

And whetever you get, get a loader! A loader! A loader! A million and one uses.

for the hp and price range, i'd be looking for a 4020 deere with a syncro trans. good solid non electronic machine. the powershifts get real spendy to fix. its a non turbo, live pto in 540 and 1000.

If you had livestock,I'd say the dealer is important,but you have internet,parts are available for most everything overnight.
That said,I'm going to recommend an Oliver 1650,1655,White 2-70. Non Oliver guys who buy their first one are generally shocked at the simplicity and dependability of those tractors.

I'd tell you to look for about a small 2030 or 2040 JD, or a 2520 for a rec farm. The others that fit the bill, including the Olivers, would be a Farmall 656 or 666 or the 165-265 Massey Ferguson. They're all solid, simple tractors that have three point, a good hydraulic system and are fairly simple to work on, and above all, reliable.

i think i would get an 1850 oliver and a 1365 oliver both good tractors parts are available 1 could have a loader and you should still come in way under 20k the 1850 92hp could do your tillage and bigger tasks and the 1365 would be your utility it is sooo much nicer to have a smaller tractor to do certain things around the farm i think you would be happy with both and there are plenty of people on here well versed in both tractors to help you on your endevour good luck and don't buy a jd lol

Steve Terplak in my opinion gave you the best answer.
Two older tractors will give you the ability to fix one while the other gets the chores done.
Even brand new tractors break down and when they do warranty or not you are stuck with nothing to use.
You will have one to pull the other out when you get stuck, and yes you will get stuck sooner or later.
As well a larger one for rolling up hay etc and a smaller one preferably with 3 point will give you the ability to grow and do more as the need arises.

I also agree on the "two tractor" route and yes get a loader on the smaller utility tractor. Nothing older than 1970. Not going into brands because they all have what you need. Here is MY advice tho. Make sure you buy from either the original owner or at least the second owner. You NEED accurate history on these things to make a buying decision. There ARE some nice one/ two owner tractors out there from the '70,s / early '80,s. No they aren't going to be sitting on a dealers lot! Stay away from those places. Use word of mouth , craigslist and even forums like this and with some time you will find what you need. GET A HISTORY or walk away. Usually when no history it's for a reason. I have two right now, both with history (verifyable) one utility (no loader) and another low hr creampuff "big tractor" (80hp). This post is not to sell my stuff but just to let you know stuff is out there and not at auctions and big time dealers.Distance and shipping is going to be your biggest challenge. My e-mail is open tho. RB

Half the joy of being an old tractor enthusiast and/or
amateur/semi-pro farmer is tinkering and fixing stuff as said
above.
Also 2nd on the 1 and 2 series masseys...especially a
265...perfect size for lots of stuff.