jd 70 question

Would a JD model 70 make a good hay tractor?

As good as any.The live pto is a plus.I hay with old tractors

(quoted from post at 22:44:18 09/05/14) Would a JD model 70 make a good hay tractor?

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For what task in particular? Powering a mower-conditioner, raking, a small square baler dropping bales on the ground? Small square baler loading onto a hay rack, small square baler with a thrower? Powering a medium square baler? Hauling loads from field to hay shed? Hills or flat land? How many acres? Is you field time limited due to other obligations?

Just got in from raking with my 70 gas. Great tractor for that, I rake in 4th gear at just above idle. There"s nothing like the slow woof woof, you can hear the rake, the hay, and don"t go home with a headache. I"ve also used it on the baler, that big flywheel just keeps the baler cranking along. You"ll be please with the 70 (better if it has live PTO for the baler).

All the above. 9Ft moco , new holland 56 rake ,
new holland 268 or 315 balers. With wagon on
flat ground 10 to 16 acres of mixed hay.

I always hated a JD two banger on a baler tractor. You take the reaction of the pistons in the block and add the baler plunger you make a wagon just about impossible to load easily. It can get to be like riding a ship at sea. LOL

I ALSO HATE HAND clutches for PTO operations. You just run out of hands and feet to run everything.

Put just a little more money with what a JD 70 cost and by a new tractor to hay with or a different brand.

I owned and ran a JD "G" for years. I had to do "real" farm work with it. I HATED that hand clutch. I did not miss that tractor going down the road.

1st gear is rather fast. If the hay is heavy you will be running back and forth from the bale chute to the rear of the hay rack for the 1st and 2nd row.

I baled alot of hay with a JD 620 and 720. Both were good hay tractors. The previous models should be just as good.

I would be careful getting on and off the tractor near the pto shaft, not a fan of tractors you get on from the rear.

Well I loved that hand clutch. Never had a G but 2 B's, 2 A's and a AR And never a problem like you say baling. First A came in spring of 57 and was 19 years old and I was not strong enough to turn that flywheel. Dad had to start it. Also no live PTO. Pulled combine, picker baler and chopper for years.

We didn't miss our '48 G going down the road either. Had to give it to our nephew to get rid of it. Most troublesome tractor we ever had on the farm.

A 4 or 6 cylinder tractor will make a much better haying tractor for you - keep looking and you will find a good one.

(quoted from post at 08:38:40 09/06/14) I would be careful getting on and off the tractor near the pto shaft, not a fan of tractors you get on from the rear.

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We always keep the stationary and rotating shields in place and in good repair. Odds of Getting wrapped around the shaft were much reduced. Anyways, we disengaged the pto before dismounting the tractor.

I have 2 720's that we hay with... and they have their good and bad. One thing with the 70 is you have to use the same hand to engage the pto as you need for the clutch and throttle... Next, those big 2 cylinders don't like running square balers... I have been through the transmission side of BOTH of my 720's pto's already. Finally, if it is a gas... then she is going to like her fuel, especially running a baler. Just raking hay at lower rpms, you can run 12 gallons or better of gas in an 8 hr day.... and more running the baler. A 70 diesel however will rake the same amount of time on 5 gallons of diesel.. I was born and raised on John Deere 2 cylinder tractors and I do enjoy running them, but I have to agree with these guys to a point on this one. They are pretty good for mowing and raking, not so great on the baler, and overall, I think there are better fitting tractors out there for the same money. JMHO.

I have 70 gas that I use. Uses a lot of fuel in my opinion for a tractor that small. I used it on the baler and had problems. Probably specific to my tractor.
The plunger motion rocks the tractor, the throttle slowly works back with the rocking so that pretty soon you are idling around and the baler isn't working right at those slow rpms.
I put new throttle discs in it and it helped a bit but by no means solved the problem.
For the amount of ground you are talking about I think you'd like it.

For what you want to to do, it'd be a great choice if you're wanting a 2 cylinder Deere. My Mom has baled over 25,000 bales in one season with this outfit. Granted it's a diesel with live pto and power steering, but it's still just a 70. It is a little underpowered on that baler in heavy hay, but it'll still handle it fine. Never had problems with the baler or the tractor other than normal wear and tear.

David

Take a look at the <a href="http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/0/3/37-john-deere-70.html">John Deere 70 Power</a> information on TractorData.com.

Compare this information with the horsepower requirements for your 9ft moco and new holland 268 or 315 balers you mentioned below.

If the JD Model 70 power exceeds the implement horsepower requirements, then proceed with your decision making from there.

Working on flat ground of the stated amount of acreage will be a "plus" for any tractor you may choose.

Based on our small hay operation, our JD Model 70s have done all of the cutting and baling; sometimes even raking in an emergency.

<a href="http://youtu.be/qLO04MzQTxs?list=PLCUEeGboEbi9lZeitHoI9GA2HKYB2_Zyg">"Vernon"</a> our 56 Model 70 does all of the cutting. The power steering helps making right-hand turns.

<a href="http://youtu.be/D_7Q7vQVo34?list=PLCUEeGboEbi-pR6w2onO-9zclH9sBoDVu">"Big John"</a> our 55 Model 70 diesel does all of the Bahiagrass baling.

<a href="http://youtu.be/iDlItA8uyyM?list=UU4gFuJx6qHbiK0FRREh2lDw">"15"</a> one of our 53 Model 70s does all the Coastal Bermuda baling.

<a href="http://youtu.be/GPeMadEcPPI?list=PLCUEeGboEbi_N8yZD6l5CIS4t2dbHK28F">"1011"</a> our other 53 Model 70 has been used as a backup to both cutting and raking.

Hope this helps.