An IH-1066 is a good tractor for what you are wanting to do. However, I have reservations about whether you can hold down a full-time job and farm that many acres. I farm about 350 acres of corn, soybeans and a little hay {used to farm 500 acres} by myself and cannot hold a full-time off-farm job {I do work winters driving a semi, hauling propane}. And yet the 350 acres is not enough income, without off farm income. I own an IH 1066... too bad you are not closer to Illinois... {but, since it is not a "smoker," the price would be higher}. I am looking at get out of full-time farming {I've been farming for 20 years} and I have already made arrangements to rent my ground out. The 1066 will pull a IH-496 {22' wide} disc, but I bought an IH 1566 for the heavy pulling (chisel plows and 24' field cultivator). One constant problem I had with the 1066 was that the brakes would burn up if I did a lot of turning in small fields, and used the brakes a lot. The brakes are a "dry" brake and {IMO} are too small for the tractor. I got rid of a bunch of my smaller fields and solved the problem. I am fixing up an IH-986 {reupholstering the interior of the cab} to sell now. But, it is "really under-powered" compared to the IH-1066 or the IH-1566. Things to check out on the "smoker" 1066 other than the engine (which can cost $4K to $5K to fix).... *1).The IH '66 steering system is poorly designed! {The "steering cylinder capstan bushings," steering cylinder rod-end-block, and bolster bushings... all can be badly worn!} *2).Check the hydraulic filter for metal flakes and pieces of metal. {the rear-ends are not the best for constant heavy pulling field work. A rear-end rebuild can cost $5K... voice of experience!} *3).Check the spool-valve assemble located under the driver's seat {there was an update for the assembly to solve a leaking detent problem} All said... Will the "$3.5K smoker" {in the long run} be less expensive and as reliable if you have to fix all these things???
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