JD 2630 vs Ford 4630 - Which to choose?

I currently own a 1974-1975 JD 2630 which for many is a love it/hate it relationship. It has a JD FEL and I like the tractor and it performs well. I have the opportunity to purchase a 1992 Ford 4630 with FEL, 1800 hours for a very reasonable price. I do not need two tractors. Both have good rubber & perform well.

My understanding is that the 2630-2640 model JD have a questionable hydraulic system. I had to have a new hyd pump installed which was a $2k undertaking.

I have also heard that Ford parts are more inexpensive and that they are easier to work on. Truth or fiction, I do not know.

Of the two, which would you lean toward owning and why?

Thank you.
Stan

I'm not familiar with this JD model, and wonder which previous models it evolved from. I can say from owning a ford-new Holland 4630 with FWA, (four wheel drive) 8x8 transmission with a mechanical shuttle, deluxe remotes, it is a perfect fit for my utility types of work.
I've serviced the entire tractor, all oils, filters, coolant and greased same + minor repairs, as well as cleared snow with a nice heavy 3 point back blade, mowed field with a rotary cutter and hauled logs with a heavy 3pt mount set of forks. It performs great, easy on fuel, steering is easy, it is very stable on slopes and the terrain it can work in is incredible. I have plowed, disc'd and planted food plots with it, very good on that too. Even without FWA, well regarded, well known model that would serve anyone very well. Mine had just over 1200 hours on it when I got it and I know that to be true, you do have to suspect hour meters, this one is original and working.

JD made some great models in that size in those years. I cannot comment on them in regards to directly comparing good and bad of both. I would not hesitate to own quite a few of that era JD's, but the Ford 4630 is definitely an excellent choice. The 4000 platform reached the pinnacle with the 30 series, best of the bunch in my opinion.

Well the 4630 is about 20 years newer than the
Deere . I?ve worked on the ford and they are a good
tractor

Easier to work and cheaper parts is not true Fiat
parts are almost always more than the John Deere.
As far as easier to work on that bull any competent
mechanic can work on either tractor without much
difficulty. I?d keep what you have unless you want a
newer tractor

I dont know anything on your deere, but if that ford is in good shape i sure would jump on it. Have used a couple
different 4630s with and without fwa all had shuttle shift just a simple and great tractor. Dont remember ever having
any problems with any of the three we had round here.

The JD is about 15 more hp @ the pto.....I actually like both.

What makes you think you need a new hyd pump?

Well, the Ford if it has a lot less hours
than the Deere, will last that much longer.
They were sure pretty good tractor but the
Deere has more responsive hydraulics all
around and likely a heavier loader since it
is a good chunk bigger. You will soon tire
of the 3 cylinder noise and vibration, but
those were a good engine,easy starters and
easy on FUEL

Ben

I was employed by JD dealer when 2630's were new. I'd chose a Ford 4630 if it really had ONLY had 1800 hrs use over a JD 2630 with no reservations.

Hard to compare those 2 tractors since their so different in size.

2630 is a 70 hp tractor, 4630 is a smaller 55 hp tractor.

Friend of mine has a 2630 he bought in the 80's, it's been a good tractor. I replaced a cylinder liner not long after he got it due to a pin hole leaking coolant into the oil pan, he's had the hydraulic pump worked on but never replaced, had a new clutch put in a few years ago but this tractor was been used for round baling hay and loading hay with the FEL for many years.
Ford 4630 is a good tractor but is only 55 hp, slightly smaller with smaller tires, nothing wrong with them, I have the older 4000 version that has served me well for many years.
If you can get by with a smaller tractor the 4630 is a good choice but if you need the power and weight a Ford 6600 is closer to the 2630's size, 6610 with the larger 268 engine is a real close match.

Closer comparison to a Ford 4630 would be a JD 2155

Well.... 30 series parts are more expensive than 10 series parts by a whole bunch.... where there is not a cross fit. about twice as much but still much less than the jd pump.

and the jd has 70 pto hp vrs 56 pto hp... so if you need to a bigger tractor and hay baling, thats one thing... if you need a great medium tractor thats another thing.

your comparing apples to oranges so what do you need?? apple or orange?

What 3 cylinder noise and vibration? No different than the 4 cylinder in next larger tractor.

More cylinders = smoother running

Ben

Maby in your thoughts but not on the actuall tractors. I Ran those 3 cylinder for years as well as 4 cylinder tractors and you DO NOT notice a difference.

(quoted from post at 22:20:55 08/01/19) More cylinders = smoother running

Ben

Click to expand...

Only reason 4 cyl engine could run smoother than a comparable 3 cyl engine is due to the balancer shafts that 4 cyl engine utilize. PS: JD 3010/3020 4 cyl engine utilize balancer boxes.

2630 should have balance shafts.