Opinions on a feed tractor

806man · Jan 31, 2016

I am thinking about updating my feeding tractor. I am looking for 65-80hp 4x4 with a loader. Not wanting to spend the $$ on a new one but do want a decent, dependable tractor. I know you all have different colors and opinions so I would really like to know what has proven good and what I need to stay away from. Thanks in advance!!

rrlund · Jan 31, 2016

See this post
from yesterday

in-too-deep · Jan 31, 2016

Look for an industrial. Basically, a backhoe loader without the backhoe. Much more durable than a farm tractor and lots cheaper. That's what I would like, anyway.

Bob Bancroft · Jan 31, 2016

I didn't even think of an industrial tractor like in-too-deep recommends, because I was assuming you needed a PTO. An advantage to something like that would be torque converter drive and/or power shift capability. The main thing I would try to avoid on something like a feeding tractor is the ancient dry engine clutch. That could mean potentially a lot of servicing- even transmission gears- depending on how it's been operated.

David G · Jan 31, 2016

How much do you want to spend, that will help on the selection?

notjustair · Jan 31, 2016

How much choring are we doing here? How old or new are you going? I've got a 7800 JD FWA that I use when it get sloppy. It is perfect for it but does take 40 acres to turn around and cost me $50k years back.

Kubota has really taken a large market share of what you are looking for. Bruce in Canada just bought a couple new ones and seems pleased but his are a little bigger than you are looking for. I wouldn't hesitate to go orange.

newhollandnut · Jan 31, 2016

I use a 590 case backhoe and love using it but all of the feeding it done on heavy use pads off a gravel drive. I love staying out of the mud and slop. I'm ford and new holland to the core but I would have a really hard time not SERIOUSLY looking at a kubota the worst thing I've ever used was a skid steer and that is just for fact of getting in and out but I mostly fixed that by putting as many bales as I want out up on end then i could just walk around and take all the net off then back in the skid steer to set the rings

JD Seller · Jan 31, 2016

I have a JD 6400 MFWD with a JD 640 STD loader. It has been my go to feed tractor since 1992. It has 17,500 hours on it. The only major repairs where a transmission input shaft and drive shaft at 10K hours. At around 16000 hours it blew a head casket. I redid the head and just put new gaskets on and went on. It used ZERO oil so why rebuild??? Other than these repairs just normal batteries, starters and alternators. I think two starters and 304 alternators plus 405 batteries. It has been one of the BEST buys I have ever had.

I am looking at for a JD 6410 or JD 7410 open station to take over the heavy lifting.

Stay away from any JD newer than the ten series. This is when they started having to play with the engines for Emissions standards. They are not as good of motors. Way too much electronic stuff for a feeder tractor.

INCase · Feb 1, 2016

some of those came with 3pt and PTO.

not common but those were options on some makes/models.

wouldn't go plowing with it but would have the features you might need now and then.

the industrials cabs were often (not always) set up for frequent getting in and out of the cab. again depending on make/model/year ect.

a guy around here uses both ends of a Loader/hoe tractor for moveing round bales. i think he made a bale spear to go on where the hoe bucket was.

rbhuntn · Feb 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 16:10:09 01/31/16) I am thinking about updating my feeding tractor. I am looking for 65-80hp 4x4 with a loader. Not wanting to spend the $$ on a new one but do want a decent, dependable tractor. I know you all have different colors and opinions so I would really like to know what has proven good and what I need to stay away from. Thanks in advance!!

I like my 50HP Mahindra that I bought last fall. Heavier built and lifts more than the same series Kubota.

Bought the 4550 4WD with FEL

Opinions on a feed tractor

806man

Member

rrlund

Well-known Member

in-too-deep

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

notjustair

Well-known Member

newhollandnut

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JD Seller

Well-known Member

INCase

Well-known Member

rbhuntn

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