Gasoline Powered Tractor - Recommendations???

Bill VA · Aug 11, 2014

Thinking about buying a tractor on the order of a Ford 3000 or 135. But am tossing around the idea of getting a gas powered tractor vs a diesel. One of the chores for the tractor would be cold weather operation and while my MF50 diesel is a good starter, if it's 25 degrees, it's a chore.

Also thinking about price and I think a gas tractor would save a few $$$'s too.

Other chores would be mowing hay (sickle bar), raking and maybe if necessary some square baling.

Don't know if I'll pull the trigger on a gas tractor, but would like to get schooled on them.

What is a good gas tractor you would recommend in the 35 - 45 PTO hp range with live PTO and wide front end?

Thanks!
Bill

Mikein Ky · Aug 11, 2014

I have a 135 gas, with the 4 cyl. continental, that my Dad bought new in 1966. I am happy with it. It's dependable, not real hard on fuel. I use it to spray fence rows, on a 6 ft. bush hog, lots of small jobs. It was Dad's main tractor. He pulled a two bottom plow and a 6 ft. disc with it. It has been a good one. I had a 150 with the same engine and I liked it too. I think any of the Massey's that size, 135,150, and 165 gas also the 3000 and 4000 Fords would be good. A friend had a Ford 3600 gas and it was a good tractor too.

Mike (WA) · Aug 11, 2014

Either the Ford or Masseys mentioned would work well for you. Many say the Massey 135 is the best utility tractor ever made. And if you need a tractor that has to start in cold weather, it should be a gas. Oliver Super 55 or 550 would be another good choice- has the added advantage of independent PTO rather than the 2 stage clutch of the Massey.

LarrySTN · Aug 11, 2014

Dad bought a new MF 135 diesel in the early 70"s.
It started without aid well below 10 degrees. It is the last tractor he bought and is still on the farm. It has always been very easy on fuel, used much less diesel than the ford gases used gas. The thing with the diesel is, as soon as it starts it will run without misfiring sputtering or quitting when the load is applied unlike most gases. It never has carb icing problems like the gassers. Just start and go. It has never had injector issues and of course doesn"t have issues with ignition problems during damp wet weather.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 11, 2014

Fords thousand series tractors are good or an ih 340,460,or504

notjustair · Aug 11, 2014

If I were going IH (which I would) I would go with a 400 or 450. They are nice tractors. Some of the newer ones get a little thirsty but a 460 would be a handy tractor. I love to chore with my M - it has live hydraulics but not PTO. You could go for an SMTA but they are usually way overpriced.

I like gas for a chore capable tractor as well. I've got bigger diesels for big stuff but it is handy to have something you know is going to start if you just now decided you need it and it is five below.

RandyB(MI) · Aug 11, 2014

I would go Oliver 550 hands down. Built heavier with a separate engine cradle that doesn't use the engine casting for a frame member. Nice engine and built for easy working on as far as drive train /pto etc. Easy 40 hp , remote hyd , live/independant pto, easily serviced disc brakes and power steering. Built from '59-'75 (later ones were White made 2-44 but same tractor. All constant mesh 6 spd gear trans,simple and trouble free.

Mac AR · Aug 11, 2014

In my opinion, the thousand series Fords would fit perfectly. LPTO, Live hydro, really easy to work on (except putting points in the 3 cyl's) IH had good machines in the 3/400's and 4/560's, too. The 504, to me, is somewhat gutless however. Just me though...

Mac

Kansas4010 · Aug 11, 2014

I vote for a John Deere 2510. I use one to feed with in the winter. It"ll start on mornings cold enough that I don"t want to. I put more hours on mine doing chores than I do my bigger tractors in the field.

Dean · Aug 11, 2014

Ford 861 or 4 cylinder 4000.

Inexpensive, powerful for size, reliable and routinely needed parts are readily abailable and inexpensive.

Dean

Anonymous-0 · Aug 11, 2014

Trouble vith a diesel tractor, spark plugs are expensive.

Traditional Farmer · Aug 11, 2014

Allis Chalmers D14 or D15 tough durable tractors

tg in VA · Aug 11, 2014

Why not just invest in a block heater for your 50? I've got heaters on my 165 & 285 and with the heaters, cold weather starting is not an issue.

Kickinbull · Aug 11, 2014

Kickinbull · Aug 11, 2014

I had a 255 MF with a block heater. Plug it in for half hour in coldest of days, start right up.

oldtanker · Aug 11, 2014

Before you make a decision check dealer support in your area. I don't care how good a tractor is if you can't get parts and support without driving 100 plus miles it isn't worth much.

Rick

DeltaRed · Aug 11, 2014

I would suggest another Massey.from 165/175/180 to the 2xx series are all great tractors.But stay with another diesel.Those masseys with the perkins are graet starters,ablock heater will make it start easily even on the coldest day.A 4000/5000 Ford would also be an excelent choice.You alreadsy have a massey.keeping the same brand makes a lot of sence.Things fit better/more consistent.You are familiar with it.And there is lots more commonality in the same brand.Same reason I run ALL IH.Everything just fits better....

Anonymous-0 · Aug 11, 2014

I would guess your 50 has the indirect injection Perkins. A 135 and newer would have the direct injection engine and be a better starter. On my 135 diesel, it will start as long as I can turn it over fast enough. Don't need to plug it in until it's about 15 deg's below freezing. If you have access to plug it in, go with a diesel and the Perkins are hard to beat.

Bret4207 · Aug 12, 2014

I sat there looking at the OP for a second thinking, "25 degrees BELOW zero..." Then my brain kicked in. 25F ABOVE zero and you have problems enough to think about a different tractor?!!! Boy, to have problems like that! :lol: One answer is either the block heater others have mentioned or use an electric hot air gun in the air intake. Hot air makes them start real easy if the battery is good.

If your heart is set on a gas tractor then something like the Ollie 55/550, MF 135 or thousand series Ford will do fine. Just realize they all use a lot more fuel than a diesel doing the same work.

Bill VA · Aug 12, 2014

Everyone - thanks for your replies!

A block heater is not possible - no electricity anywhere near the diesel tractor.

A little background. One of the things I'm very keen on is owning the stuff I use. Yea - there is a second and third tractor nearby - and I can use them if I have a need, they are owned by other family members. I kind of like when something breaks, it belongs to me - that way it's all on me and no one else's problem. Also my teenage boys are at the age where they can and should run a tractor. So as we get our hay deal going, it might be handy to have two tractors on hand - one to rake or ted and the other to bale. Buying another tractor has nothing to do specific to temperature - but we like to run a bush hog in the winter - even if or a little bit, to keep the place from growing into a solid bush - from fence line to fence line.

In addition to a gasoline tractor for cold weather starting, from a hobby standpoint (and this farming we are doing is pretty much that), I think a gas tractor alongside a diesel might be cool.

My biggest concern with a gasoline tractor is parts and potential rebuild kits. How much of that is still around for the Oliver, Contentional, IH, Ford and MF gas engines. If we are talking about a Farmall H or an 8N - probably for ever. If we are talking about a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel - probably for ever. If we are talking about a 3 cylinder Perkins gas engine - or another make, not so sure. But even with that concern, somehow I think that if we wind-up buying a gas tractor - we'll find a way to keep it going and my boys long after I'm gone.

Thanks again for everyone's replies!
Bill

NNP · Aug 12, 2014

Ford 861 (or the identical 4cyl 4000)

gas powered 3000-4000-5000 Ford

Parts are everywhere and reasonable.
The earlier Fords are getting like old classic cars.
You could about build the entire tractor from available parts sources.

12 volt power what you get, if it ain't already.
25 degrees up here, ya don't even need a coat. They'll start fine.
With no AC power available, a solar battery tender will keep the battery warm and ready to go.

merlynr · Aug 12, 2014

(quoted from post at 05:39:24 08/12/14) Everyone - thanks for your replies!

A block heater is not possible - no electricity anywhere near the diesel tractor.

Someone mentioned the 400 series IH and I have a 454 gas that I wouldn't be afraid to recommend for the 40 hp range utility tractors. Live power,8 speed,integral power steering,diff lock,draft control,rear remotes. On the negative side it loves gas and with the under side muffler the drivers station is hot in the summer with low seating position.

merlynr
Bill

Dean · Aug 12, 2014

Parts for some vintage tractors are becoming difficult (or impossible) to find and expensive.

Not so, vintage Fords. Parts are readily available and reasonably priced from multiple sources.

Dean

Leroy · Aug 12, 2014

That Ford 861 or 4 cylinder 4000 would be my only choise. And gas you will never have to worry about fuel cost any more than a desiel as gas is usually cheaper and tractor will be cheaper to mantain. A MF 165 would not be a bad tractor but no parts support around here. The Ford and possibly the 165 (the 165 may only have a cat 2 hitch while your 50 would be a cat 1 hitch) should be able to use all 3 pt. equipment you would have, others not so. Oliver could be good tractor but very scarce with no local support here.

ss55 · Aug 12, 2014

The gas/diesel discussion comes up weekly on these forums, you can search through the archives if you have time. A gas will burn about 1/3 more gallons of fuel that costs 15 to 20 percent less per gallon. Almost any tractor newer than 1970 (44 years old now) will be a diesel.

How many tach hours will you put on the tractor per year? If you will use it 500 hours per year, then a diesel will have significant fuel savings. At 50 hours per year there's not enough fuel savings to pay off the normally higher price of a diesel. At low usage, which ever system you are more comfortable working on will probably be the better choice for you.

Gas requires maintenance more often, but it's simple and low cost. They are quieter and start without assistance. Diesel engines run longer between overhauls and require maintenance less often (other than starting difficulties, and bleeding the fuel system), but when maintenance and overhauls are required, it costs about twice as much as on a gas engine. Diesels are noisier. Diesel tractors have more prestige, like diesel pickups.

For a low use tractor, I would think tractor condition, price, tires, parts support and features like: power steering, 3 point hitch, live PTO, live hydraulics, speed selections, good brakes, tight turning and operator comfort are probably more important than gas vrs diesel engine.

The Nebraska Tractor Tests are one good source of technical information and specifications when you need to compare tractors. The tests do include the actual hourly fuel usage and fuel efficiency that were measured on a test track. Prices, maybe try Tractor House?

If there's no electricity handy, my own preference would be to stay with a gas tractor.

Good luck.

Bill VA · Aug 12, 2014

Good info - thanks!

I doubt the tractor would see 50 hrs per year and 100 would be a lot of hours for a 2nd tractor.

It's funny you mention hours. Around my neck of the woods, most farms are less than 150 acres and most smaller than that and of them, a good part is all pasture or woods. No one really tills/plants crops like corn or soybeans, etc., it's hay and cattle.

I've thought many times, if I bought an original owner tractor from the late 60's or 70's from my neck of the woods, unless they just let the tractor idle - the owner would be hard pressed to roll-up thousands and thousands of hours.

Thanks again,
Bill

Hay hay hay · Aug 12, 2014

I have 2 old gas Masseys, a 50 and a 65. In the winter they get all the usage, so easy to start up, hook up and go. I also have a relatively new JD Diesel 75HP that I pull balers, batwings and big wagons of hay with in the summer. But it sits in a shed most of the winter. If I was starting over, I would do exactly the same, small gas for small chores, bigger diesel for big summer jobs.

Mac AR · Aug 12, 2014

All of mine are gasoline, and I prefer that. 2000 Ford prior, 39 9n, and a 49 Cub. All good tractors. I make hay and work a little ground with them, and they are all pretty easy on fuel to me. Maintenance is simple; clean points and sediment bowl when needed, oil change twice/yr and service plugs/wires when you do, and keep 'em full of antifreeze and hydraulic oil. On the other hand, had a IH 560 gasser that was a royal witch to keep running. It ate plugs like candy, and drank gasoline like a wino drinks whisky, and I won't get into the carb/dist. problems. If you go with an old Ford, or even an old Massey, you'll be proud you did.

Good luck,

Mac

Gasoline Powered Tractor - Recommendations???

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