Best 1960's utility tractor 50-90 PTO hp

sodly · Jan 9, 2019

Looking for advice. I would like to add an "orphan brand" tractor from the 60s or early 70s in the 50-90 PTO hp range to my collection (AC, Oliver, MM). But it needs to be something with an live independent PTO that I could use to do general light chores including bush-hogging (lots of forward/reversing) or running a 3 pt snowblower (where a diff lock is handy-- but rare). Would prefer a diesel unless a gas model is more known for reliability.

Some that I've considered are:

Oliver 1500/1555/1600/1655
Allis Chalmers D15/D17/170/180/190 (others?)
Minneapolis Moline M670/Jetstar3/U302.

Many of these were "big" tractors in their day but are considered "chore" tractors nowadays. But which ones were the best of their era? I have no experience with any of them. I currently use a console model 3020 diesel for a hobby/collector tractor and it does everything nicely (even has a diff lock). I also have an MF 65 gas for bush-hogging and it gets the job done ok. But I've always kinda wanted an orphan brand tractor too.

I'd love to hear feedback from those that are familiar with these various makes and models (or maybe a different model I'm not thinking of) about how well they work for these purposes. Which were the best? Which ones were problematic? For example, I've read that a D17 with it's Power Director is not a good choice for bush-hogging where you need to change from forward to reverse frequently while keeping the mower engaged. Also heard they were prone to popping out of gear. That's the kind of feedback I'd like to learn about. Just honest opinion, not trying to start a color war. I like them all.

Thanks for your input guys.

caterpillar guy · Jan 9, 2019

If you want an orphan tractor talk to TNfarm girl. I think she could fix you right up with that Belarus she has. Would probably be fairly cheap right about now.

Dopp Creek · Jan 9, 2019

Ford 5000 should be on your list to consider. Big enough to work and small enough to maneuver.

Traditional Farmer · Jan 9, 2019

My IH Industrial 464 would fit your requirements has a reverser on the steering column 8 forward speeds,8 reverse speeds,Power steering,differential lock,hydraulically engaged LPTO ,3pt.
My Oliver 1365 4WD early 70's,8 speeds forward 2 reverse,LPTO,PS,3pt,differential lock,slow enough in reverse to use a snowblower,starts easy in Winter for a diesel,easy on fuel.
Long/Landini R9500 Special 354 Perkins diesel,98 HP LPTO 540/1000,3pt,12 forward 4 reverse gears,super slow creeper gears,PS,differential lock
Oliver 1465 70HP,3pt,power steering,LPTO,differential lock,7 speeds forward 2 reverse,

centash · Jan 9, 2019

Cockshutt 1350...only about 350 made. Similar to the Jetstar 3.
Ben

sodly · Jan 9, 2019

Thanks guys. Kinda keeping my search to Agco brands since those names don't exist in the marketplace anymore. (Case) IH is still around and Ford still makes cars and trucks.

Hoping for a "farm" tractor, not so much a "utility" tractor that was never really intended for row cropping. I realize a utility tractor probably makes more sense but I don't find them as collectible or interesting as old farm tractors.

sodly · Jan 9, 2019

Oh, also want to stay with US-built models.

sodly · Jan 9, 2019

Cool! Had never seen one of those. Thought Cockshutt only used Oliver tractors for badge-engineering!

centash · Jan 9, 2019

Well, it was a bit of a mixed bag for a few years with Oliver, Cockshutt and MM
being rolled into White. Rrlund has the best knowledge on this subject that I know
of.
Ben

Part Time Pete · Jan 10, 2019

I love my Allis and Olivers, but my vote is for a Ford 5000 also. Best all around tractor ever built, in my opinion.
Pete

sodly · Jan 10, 2019

I hear a lot of good things about Fords and I have used them quite a bit in the past. But here in the Midwest NOBODY farmed with Fords so the nostalgia factor is not there for me.

rustyfarmall · Jan 10, 2019

(quoted from post at 18:04:05 01/09/19) Ford 5000 should be on your list to consider. Big enough to work and small enough to maneuver.

I will second the motion for the Ford 5000. I've never owned one, but I have used one and was very impressed with the performance. And yes, any Ford tractor is now an orphan. Bought out by New Holland, owned by Fiat.

hd6gtom · Jan 10, 2019

Best one made back then, series 4 Allis D17 gas, wide front, 3 point. Best starting back then, good
brakes, good 3 point and usually 3-400.00 cheaper than any other brand. + there used to be an AC dealer in
every town.

modirt · Jan 11, 2019

(quoted from post at 19:07:54 01/09/19) Thanks guys. Kinda keeping my search to Agco brands since those names don't exist in the marketplace anymore. (Case) IH is still around and Ford still makes cars and trucks.

Hoping for a [b:5ef9e26533]"farm" tractor, not so much a "utility"[/b:5ef9e26533] tractor that was never really intended for row cropping. I realize a utility tractor probably makes more sense but I don't find them as collectible or interesting as old farm tractors.

This comment might be the source of some of the confusion. Thread title says "utility", as does the way you have described your intended use. Row crop tractors of the day could be used to some extent for this use, but that was not what they were built for. Case in point would be my recent attempt to use a neighbor's Massey 1100 as a loader tractor. It has a loader on it, but it didn't work well for the way I was using it, which was a lot of forward and back movement in tight quarters. It was made to hook on to a piece of tillage equipment, point it to the horizon, open the throttle and let it eat.

I think you will find you already have one of the best made in the form of that 3020. In the battle of tradeoffs and features, it will win out most of the time against most other models of the era.

But since you asked, and want to stick with row crops and AGCO orphans, I'll also suggest you add an Oliver 1650 or 1655 or White 2-70 (same tractor, different color paint) and Minny Moline M-670 to your list. Or a Ford 6700, of which very few were built, but was the close twin to the legendary Ford 7700, being almost identical in every way, except lacking the turbo charger.

None of these are going to be as handy as the 3020 but were contemporaries of the time.

BTW, on your comment about Fords being popular in the Midwest, I would tend to agree with you. Except back then, nearly 100% of the tractors used by the highway dept. to groom road banks were Fords. I grew up in a farming community and we had nearly all the major brands. Probably had 5 or 6 brands to choose from including what we were told was one of, if not THE biggest Massey dealer in the US, as measured by sales volume. Today......only 2 remain. JD and NH, which in a former life was Ford, and which I now remember has been in the same location for as long as I've been alive, and I was born in the 50's.

sodly · Jan 11, 2019

(quoted from post at 06:44:37 01/11/19)

(quoted from post at 19:07:54 01/09/19) Thanks guys. Kinda keeping my search to Agco brands since those names don't exist in the marketplace anymore. (Case) IH is still around and Ford still makes cars and trucks.

Hoping for a [b:a8db2b424c]"farm" tractor, not so much a "utility"[/b:a8db2b424c] tractor that was never really intended for row cropping. I realize a utility tractor probably makes more sense but I don't find them as collectible or interesting as old farm tractors.

Click to expand...

This comment might be the source of some of the confusion. Thread title says "utility", as does the way you have described your intended use. Row crop tractors of the day could be used to some extent for this use, but that was not what they were built for. Case in point would be my recent attempt to use a neighbor's Massey 1100 as a loader tractor. It has a loader on it, but it didn't work well for the way I was using it, which was a lot of forward and back movement in tight quarters. It was made to hook on to a piece of tillage equipment, point it to the horizon, open the throttle and let it eat.

I think you will find you already have one of the best made in the form of that 3020. In the battle of tradeoffs and features, it will win out most of the time against most other models of the era.

But since you asked, and want to stick with row crops and AGCO orphans, I'll also suggest you add an Oliver 1650 or 1655 or White 2-70 (same tractor, different color paint) and Minny Moline M-670 to your list. Or a Ford 6700, of which very few were built, but was the close twin to the legendary Ford 7700, being almost identical in every way, except lacking the turbo charger.

None of these are going to be as handy as the 3020 but were contemporaries of the time.

BTW, on your comment about Fords being popular in the Midwest, I would tend to agree with you. Except back then, nearly 100% of the tractors used by the highway dept. to groom road banks were Fords. I grew up in a farming community and we had nearly all the major brands. Probably had 5 or 6 brands to choose from including what we were told was one of, if not THE biggest Massey dealer in the US, as measured by sales volume. Today......only 2 remain. JD and NH, which in a former life was Ford, and which I now remember has been in the same location for as long as I've been alive, and I was born in the 50's.

Ooops... you got me. Yes I did create confusion with the word "utility" in the title. What I meant to say was I'm looking for the best row crop tractor that can be used for non-row-crop chores, lol. In other words, I'd like a row crop tractor that would also work well enough for bush-hogging or other uses where there is somewhat frequent changing of direction from forward to reverse.

So I guess what I'm really asking is which tractors had an independent PTO that will allow you you push the clutch (i.e. change direction) without stopping power to the PTO. That's the big problem I see with many of the AC models and their Power Director transmission. You push the (foot) clutch and the PTO stops. Not ideal for back and forth mowing.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, an Oliver 15xx or 16xx seems to be a good fit. Did MM tractors have an independent PTO?

buickanddeere · Jan 11, 2019

. Cockshutt/Oliver 1950 with the 4-53 Detroit .

sodly · Jan 11, 2019

(quoted from post at 09:33:54 01/11/19) . Cockshutt/Oliver 1950 with the 4-53 Detroit .

Love those big, Detroit-powered Olivers. But that's too big and awkward for me. Bumping pretty hard against my 90 HP limit too. Hoping to stay a little smaller. Cool tractors, though.

Stoneman44 · Jan 11, 2019

I know I'm in the minority here, but on the small end of the range, I'd throw my hat in the ring w/ the David Brown 990 Selectamatic, We've had one on the farm for over 40 years. Starts on the first turn and never quits pulling. Never has let us down and it's done everything. No fancy gadgets. Just a simple to use, reliable work horse. You're probably not going to pull a large round baler w/ it, but I can't think of anything else it couldn't do.

Rex Simpkins · Jan 11, 2019

International 656 utility hydro

sodly · Jan 11, 2019

(quoted from post at 15:56:14 01/11/19) International 656 utility hydro

That's pretty cool. Had never seen a "utility" version of that tractor-- esp. a hydro! Quite unusual, I'm sure. I know Oliver (1550) and Deere (3020) made "utility" versions of their row crop tractors but didn't know IH did too. It's about the size I'm looking for and a 6 cylinder diesel. The hydro would be great for snowblowing. I presume the PTO is independent. The hydro scares me a bit, though. We had a smaller IH industrial (2400) hydro back in the day. Great tractor to operate. But a tough tractor to find anyone capable of fixing when something goes wrong! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Best 1960's utility tractor 50-90 PTO hp

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