Which Tractor for me? ( Or search function help )

Hi Folks,

A new member here. I'm in search of a new to me older tractor. I tried to use the search function as I'm sure this topic has been covered but could not find anything.

I'm looking something in the 50-6o HP range to use for mowing.

I've been looking around and there seems to be a good number of machines from the 60's around the $5K mark but I don't really know which direction to go. Any suggestions for something that will be reliable and not cost too much on maintenance?

I think I know the basics on looking at one once identified the candidate but I don't know where to start.

If this has been covered, can you share the link. Thanks much!

LB

When you say mowing, are you mowing hay, bush
hogging or mowing grass ? Some tractors are larger,
and maybe less nimble for cutting grass or bush
hogging around trees, particularly trees with low
limbs.

Mowing hay on the other hand leaves the field wide
open. I like the 30 series Case tractors from the 60s.
they came in both gas or diesel. A 730 Case tractor is
right at 56 hp. These tractors can often be purchased
from 3-5,000 dollars.

The 165 MF tractors are also a good pick coming in at
52hp , in both gas and diesel handy tractors with great
parts availability, often run from 4-6,500 dollars .

There are numerous good tractors made in the '60's. I would say very few lemons.

I would search for features or options that fit the tasks you need it for. The '60's time frame is sort of a transition to live P.T.O. and makers started offering their version of shift on the go. Neither option is exactly alike on the different brands. These options are where you need to do some research as to the good from the bad.

In general, I guess it is wise to look at the volume of tractors still being used in your area that are ones you are considering. There is a reason the more popular models did not meet a fate in the scrap yard.

The Ford 4000/5000 series are a good choice.

There are numerous good tractors made in the '60's. I would say very few lemons.

I can't say that about my dad's first generation Ford 6000.
Because of the 6000 I stay away from any SOS, Select-o-speeds.
They may have worked the bugs out of the SOS, but who can repair them and aren't the parts costly?

I would recommend buying a tractor you can get parts and dealer support in case you need it repaired.

My neighbor has a 1950's case tractor. Great tractor, runs good. He claims he can't get parts from the dealer to repair the leaking power steering.. It costs him a quart of PS fluid a day to rake hay with the tractor.

I may be SOL finding special parts after terramite went out of business.

You have a choice of buying old and cheap or spending more and buying something a local dealer can repair or get parts for..
Your choice..
All tractors are made by humans and humans make mistakes building parts.
I had a water pump go out of a new car with 5000 miles on it.
Parts and dealer support is the most important thing to consider.

This is like asking us who you should marry when you haven't even met a girl yet. Find a tractor, then before you buy it, ask about
it's merits.

Look for a factory three point hitch, live hydraulics and independent PTO. Other than that, Other than that, something popular back in the day will have a much better chance at new parts from the dealer or more likely to have aftermarket
parts available or used parts.

I second the Ford 4000 or 5000. I would want diesel but that's just me. Stay away from the SOS transmission.

For just plain power 730 case560,706 IH 1500or 1550 Oliver. For more better choices for options like power steering Live hydraulics,Live PTO then most any of them will work. If you want the better hydraulics then the Deere 3010 3020 also more nimble than some of them. The Ford and Massey tractors are a lighter weight tractor than most of them for the size compared to some of the others. Allis,Oliver had some kind of strange programs in them With the snap coupler and that goofy transmission shifting on the Oliver. Neither one was bad just something you had to like sort of like beer. Why limit your self to 50-60 hores some times you can buy a good tractor a bit bigger for less money.

Thank you all for the feedback. I need to mow a 16 acre field and then two 1-1.5 acre fields. I also have some bush hogging to do.

In some cases, trees will be a factor.

I was thinking diesel based on past research but I see some aren't so committed to diesel.

I'll check back in.

I live 1 mile from a Case-IH dealer. Whenever I need parts for my FARMALL H not only do they have the parts, the old guy
behind the counter used to work on them, the guys in the shop know them very well, they can advise me on anything about the
tractor. Find your nearest quality dealer, go from there.

(quoted from post at 12:22:25 10/15/22)
Thank you all for the feedback. I need to mow a 16 acre field and then two 1-1.5 acre fields. I also have some bush hogging to do.

In some cases, trees will be a factor.

I was thinking diesel based on past research but I see some aren't so committed to diesel.

I'll check back in.

Click to expand...

This response to "what kind of mowing?" kind of muddies the water. "Also have some brush hogging to do" tells me that in addition to brush hogging you will be mowing hay. If it is a 10 foot disc moco you will need up around 90HP. Don't worry about dealer support. Very few dealers anymore have an old guy around. Sure they will take you tractor in but they will inflate the bill tremendously to discourage you from coming back. Bringing anything old into the shop is nearly a guarantee that they will lose a bay for four days.

An EXCELLENT suggestion. 544 available both as a utility tractor, lo profile, wide front end and 28 inch rear
tires, AND a row crop, 38 inch rear rubber, wide frt end or tricycle frt end, hydrostatic or 5-speed manual
Trans with Torque-Ampifier. Available with 4 cyl 200 Cid gasoline engine, 2/3rds of the 806 gasoline engine,
or the 239 Cid 4 cyl Nuess German diesel engine. They are great on fuel. All are available with 3 pt hitch.
The live pto is bullet-proof.
If you want a little more horsepower a 656, 666, 686, Hydro 70 series is around 65 hp. Similar options and
models as the 544, more of them built, you could run a bigger mower.
I chopped 120 acres of corn stalks in fall with a 6 ft Brillion rotary cutter (bushhog) behind my Super H,
ran 3td gear, 5 mph, same tractor and mower used to mow hay, 20 acres 3 cuttings a year for several years. I
was horsepower limited, a wider cut would have been nice, like 10-12 ft, Bush-Hog makes a nice looking 10 ft
baby Bush-Hog that would be a really nice weed & pasture mower. LOOK UP Tractor Time with TIM on Facebook
he's taken lots of video of his mowing, ignor his green tractors.

We could all agree on the perfect tractor for him, but if there isn't one within 500 miles of him for sale, what good would it do?
He'll have to find some available tractors then ask for advice on which of those would best fit his needs.

Cat guy why would you recommend a 560? Do you not like this person? The rest of your list is good but not a 560. Just getting on and off should discourage anyone from owning one. Adding a 656 would be good. Tom

I really appreciate the feedback on this thread.

I know I'm a little vague but that's because I didn't know where to start. I now have some target machines and features to look at.

I'll check back in once I find a potential candidate.

LB