Favorite Pre-1975 Loader Tractor?

StrikeForce · Aug 22, 2018

I would really like to have an older skid steer around the garage to help move engines, wood, dirt, ect, but most are still pretty proud of them and the pricing shows it. I have a small mini loader for my garden tractor that serves its purpose for what I ask it to do. I have long since debated getting a smaller old tractor/loader combo (or TLB) and recently saw a few JD 1010 Industrials gasser models come up for sale at a very reasonable price (I know why).

As this is a convenience purchase mostly, trying to keep costs under $4,000 and I have seen some old Ford or MF loaders for sale in that range. A couple of the older Case series as well. So I ask, what older loader tractors do you have? I have a very "green" household but I also know Industrial tractors wasn't always JD strong suit and others are just as capable. The reason I say pre-1975 is that it seems after that time period, these loaders got a lot heavier and bigger than I want to use for driving around the yard and hauling if needed.

SodBuster87 · Aug 22, 2018

How much weight are you looking to lift at one time? And how many tight quarters are you going to be working in? Around here I see alot of those old skid loaders run around $5k. Not going to lift that much with them but can't be beat in tight quarters. Tractor will lift alot but not that great in tight quarters. That being said. Dad had a Farmall SH with a loader for a long time. Got the job done. Around here anyway $4k isn't going to buy much of a tractor and loader. For that price your going to be looking at 1950s. If it was my money and my choice I'd look for a smaller skid loader. Even if I had to put a little extra $$ with the $4k.

Sod Buster

IanC · Aug 22, 2018

If you take into account AFTERMARKET parts availability the three cylinder Fords from 1965 through 1975 are head and shoulders above the rest (after 34 years behind a parts counter, with the last 11 being at "all makes" parts dealers). Other than the main castings you could build a whole tractor including hoods, grille, fuel tanks, as well as the usual suspects like fenders. The Ford built loaders are well built as well, and you don't see the goober'd on gusset plates as much on them like on some of the other brands.

StrikeForce · Aug 22, 2018

I figure something that can lift in the 1000-1500# range would do me ok. I have some old engines on skids in the 800-1000# range and taking flywheels off can be a bear. I have a lot of heavy cast iron projects in general that I usually need to move by hand right now. I had my eyes set on early 1990's JD or NH skid steers but they're still asking $5,500+ for beat up ones. Newer skid steers scare me in the used market because they are usually beat hard and sold off.

Craigslist has a variety in the $3,500 - 4,000 range but especially the TLB, they look like rough piles of heavy metal that would end up breaking in the worst location of the yard. I have a wooded lot that I can drive my JD 70 around when I am dragging trees but would like something nimble and lower to the ground. A Case 530CK has been on my list to find as well but havent found one that I wanted to spend money on yet.

allisfan · Aug 22, 2018

A D-17 Series 4 with a good loader is hard to beat depending on what size etc you want.

Traditional Farmer · Aug 22, 2018

Loader tractors I have Oliver 1365,IH 464 Industrial w/reverser,AC I600 with reverser,AC 185. All are pretty good probably like to operate the 1365 and the 464 the best.

tomstractorsandtoys · Aug 22, 2018

If you like Deere look at the 300,301 or 302. There ag counterparts are 1020 and 1520. Tom

StrikeForce · Aug 22, 2018

Excellent point I forgot to mention. Given the close quarters, the power reverser was something I think would be very handy. I had looked at the IH464 and would consider if I see one. Thanks.

CaseChev · Aug 22, 2018

I am in love with my 1968 Case 530 with power steering, 3pt., pto, factory loader. Does everything I ask of it. A 430 would also work well.

hd6gtom · Aug 22, 2018

I agree with the D17 series 4 gas tractor. Great tractor, darn good loader too. Good brakes, an easy tractor
to operate.

Case e · Aug 22, 2018

How about a good old 560 with a McCormick 52 loader.
Sturdy little outfit with plenty of parts available.

formerly ny bill · Aug 22, 2018

I vote for 656 hydro. I have 2 with IH 2250 loaders.

Case Nutty 1660 · Aug 22, 2018

If you want a stout loader tractor and not just a light duty farm tractor front axle go with a industrial unit,, they are Made to work farm loaders can do a lot but are not built to be overused and abused,, neither are the older front axles,, I bought this 71 580CK with just over 3000 hrs on it,, I now have over 6000 on it and have done almost zero repairs,, other than fluid changes,, it gets used as much or any machine on my farm,, my customers are amazed at how fast and smooth it loads hay or any other job i use it for, one my biggest hay buyer (150-300 ton every year) liked it so much he bought one for himself, here it was being used to load my grain drills,, I can drive up tot he truck bed and fill the bucket in less than minute, and fill a drill in 30 seconds thats just one of a hundred jobs it works so wel, mine has 3pt pto and one remote hyd for
cnt

Phil in Pa · Aug 22, 2018

The company had a 580B a lot like yours, very handy for light duty stuff around jobsites. Naturally, they sold it without telling me or I might have picked that one up. They're pretty nimble for as old as they are.

caterpillar guy · Aug 23, 2018

Nothing against most of what has been listed. Also most of what has been listed, I think would be long geared and clumsy for loader work in tight locations. The Allis models the 560/460 and such. The Case 430-530 the english IH's (454,574) and such are pretty nimble tight location tractors. Though the IH's would need lots of rear weight to hold them down on the back. To hold them into the size weights on the inside of the wheels, with some on the outside and fluid in the tires will add up to close to a ton. With little external size change. Dad has the 574 with loaded tires, then 2 sets of weights in flush with the tire, and an old case weight on the inside that clears the axle housing. I figure there is close to 800 per wheel in iron then the chloride in each 18.4-28 tire probably another 500 or so each. So close to 2600 total. If we need more there is an old press gear he puts on the rear. He has pulled my loaded semi in off the last bit of the road when stuck in the snow at night so it was completely in the drive for the night with it.

StrikeForce · Aug 23, 2018

(quoted from post at 07:38:04 08/23/18) Nothing against most of what has been listed. Also most of what has been listed, I think would be long geared and clumsy for loader work in tight locations.

Yes, this comment here has probably been my biggest hesitation when moving forward with buying a loader (this is where a skid steer shines). This is also why most gravitate to the newer sub compact with the hydro fwd/rev abilities. While not for use in a barn, I consider my usage similar to that of someone using a loader to muck out a barn and fill a spreader. Lots of direction changes 180 degree turns which is why I've been getting by with my little loader thus far.

fixerupper · Aug 23, 2018

Another thing to look for is ease of operation. I don’t consider a tractor handy when you have to be an acrobat to get on and off it. Do you feet get tangled up in levers when you get on and off the tractor? Do you have to raise your foot way up to get over the transmission when mounting and dismounting? Can you swivel your body and feet easily when you want to turn around to look behind you? My neighbor has a loader on an IH 656 utility. It’s about as easy to get on and off as they come. Downfall is it needs lights of weight added to the rear.

fixerupper · Aug 23, 2018

That’s LOTS of weight, not lights of weights. Cursed auto correct!

ss55 · Aug 23, 2018

Under $4,000 for a tractor and loader as handy as a skid steer is a very tall order. Most farm tractors will be clumsy in comparison. A good all hydraulic loader will cost $1,000 or more. That leaves $3,000 or less for the tractor, probably 1965 or older if you need one that does not need a lot of work. I'm guessing you don't need to remove the loader, so industrial tractors may be the only way to go. Typical construction tires don't have a lot of traction compared to ag. tires, get tire chains and learn to use the loader bucket to inch it out of trouble or have another tractor ready to tow it out of any mud puddles and snow banks.

Traditional Farmer · Aug 24, 2018

Try feeding cattle in the Winter with a skid steer out in the field when you have to go thru a foot of snow or 8" of mud when you go thru the gate to the field or have to travel a couple miles pulling a wagon,then load the hay and haul it back.

Favorite Pre-1975 Loader Tractor?

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