Tractor HP Advice

Rod

Rod

CAT I medium to heavy duty implements will work with tractors in the 50 to 75 hp range, they're more common, cheaper in most cases. CAT II implements that fit that size tractor are fairly easy to come by also.

I farmed just under 200 acres for 35 years with a 60 hp tractor as my biggest for most of those years. I bought a 110 hp tractor and ran into the higher cost of implements when my smaller ones were just too small for that sort of power. So I sold the big tractor. I'm semi-retired now. Still have 45 acres and care for the place with a 47hp, and 40 hp tractor. (still have the 60hp tractor but I leave it at my sons place most of the time.)

60 hp will handle an 8" to 10' mower, a 3-bottom plow, 10' to 12' disc, 4 or 6 row planters, a mid-sized round baler, most mower/conditioners, a fair sized disc mower, and will generally be big enough/heavy enough to handle a loaded hay rack or round bales.

Best buys (HP per $) on tractors in that size range are Massey's, Fords, and International Harvesters from mid 1960's through late 1980's. Parts and service is easy to come by on those brands too. (IMHO)

Anything bigger is a total waste of horsepower, money and would be "unhandy" to say the least.

Additionaly, you don't have enough work for a larger tractor and lettin' 'em just "set around" is the worst thing you can do to a tractor.

Just my view,

Allan

The diesel 4020 will bring more, and there were two major variations on the 4020 where the later one (with side console and remote valve on the rear) brings a significant price premium.

There are many others nearly all made if far fewer quantities so the selection is very much smaller and so is also more collectable made by manufacturers that no longer exist which makes parts less sure and mechanics few.

The gas 4020 is not a miser on fuel, it has lots of hydraulic operated options (like steering and brakes) that take extra fuel and then there's no added ignition advance for part throttle operation that kills engine performance and efficiency.

Gerald J.

But i thing a good used IH 1066 to a 1466 will give you plenty of power and won't cost an arm an a leg.
My friend has a nice 1066 that he pulls a very big 5 bottom plow with can do 5 acres in less than an hour. Go see what your new neighbors are using an talk to those who are actually farming the plae not playing farmer.
Walt

He said 50, not 500. :>)

Allan

Something around 40-50 hp sounds about right.

Quit yankin' the guy around. You know perfectly well that a 1066 is way too big for a little 50/60 acre farm.

Allan

• Hobby farm

Some pretty good 'old' hp at cheap prices in the 105-150 hp range between Allis chalmers, Ford 8/9???'s and the big case and MF's

If looking at ford.. I'd say a good 5000 minimum.. if not a 5600 / 7600+

soundguy

Also, if you live in a colder area, you might have trouble starting some of the older diesels.

Since this is Yesterdaystractors forum, maybe you want to go with something that is older. If that is the case, I would suggest you look at tractors in the 75 to 120 HP range. The reason being, they are not usually large enough for crop production farmers to still be using and often thought to be too big for hobby farmers. Therefore they can sometimes be bought WAY cheap. Now John Deere makes and made fine equipment, not many will argue that, but in my opinion lots of people will pay way way too much for the green paint and JD logo. If you want good usuable equipment from the 1960`s, 1970`s or 1980`s I suggest you look at Allis Chalmers, Case, Ford, International, Massey, Oliver or White. Buy a brand that was popular in your area, during the time it was new and you should have no problem with any parts you may need.

I have used 30-40 HP tractors for years to put in food plots, mow, brush hog, and do little tillage jobs, then I stumbled across an 80 HP tractor that was selling dirt cheap. Wow, what a difference. Yes it will burn a gallon and a half more fuel per hour if you are working it, but it will do so much more work than the little tractors would. And the little jobs, it will do them so much easier. In my opinion, you can work hard with a little tractor or you can work smart with a little bigger tractor. The only problem I see with a 75 HP or larger tractor is that they don`t get around and under trees as well as the smaller ones, if that is an issue.