what tractor do I need

Ok here is the deal, I have 50 acres of crp and woods that I need to Take care. I also would like to plant food plots and in the future possible bale the crp acres when the contract is up. Now for the details. I live 2 hrs from the land, and have a place to store the tractor at my home. I have a F250 and 20 foot flat bed bumper pull with a 14k gvw. I am looking for a tractor that has live pto, power steering, hyd remotes, wide front and diesel engine. I would like to stay with IH as my uncle is a retired IH mechanic. Just wanting opions on what model would be able to pull a 10 foot disk, 4 row planter, and still be able to be towed on the setup I have. Not sure if a 560 is to big for that or if there are other options to look at. Sorry for rambling and thanks for any advice.

For every option you describe, you are a looking at a Super MTA diesel as the oldest IH tractor to have all those things available (probably looking at near $10,000 for a good one).

A 560 diesel will fit your trailer weight wise, I don't know about the width of your trailer, though. You may have to narrow it up a bit to fit on there.

Beyond the 560 diesel you would be looking at a 504 diesel, 544 diesel, maybe a 656, 666, or 686 diesel.

For the best bang for the buck, I would personally go with a nice 560 diesel. You should be able to get a good one for around $5000 or so.

Just my thoughts...

We used to have a 460 utility, remembering how that one performed, another great utility size tractor 560 must be more HP, little heavier ? Could be a match, 50-60HP utility size tractor with the accessories you are looking for ought to be good, still heavy to lug around, if your towing rig is in good condition, brakes and so on, should be good, know nothing of the weight of those, but am a big fan of higher HP utility size tractors, good to store it at home the way people are today, don't like leaving anything out myself.

I've always been a dyed-in-the-wool IH guy, but I've never cared for the 460-560 tractors and the like. I'd suggest getting a little Massey. We have a 245 Massey with a Perkins diesel, and its a dandy machine. Use it for everything from plowing with a small disk or chisel around the orchard, to mowing and grading.

thanks for all the input, to answer some questions. The tow rig is in good shape, 2003 f250 powerstrok, trailer has brakes on both axles. I am wanting to stay away from the newer utility models. Like the looks of the older IH stuff, just not sure what i can get by with/ also what my truck would be able to safely haul down the road with a bumper pull setup. A gooseneck is just not an option right now. Also looking to spend around 5k, not sure if i can get what i am looking for in that price range.

A good Farmall 450 gas is one of the best tractors ever made. Plenty of power, hydraulics, live power take off, reliable, with classic Farmall good looks!

is your bumper pull a deck over ? sounds like it with the 14000 lb limit on it,, have you pulled much with it on your 250?

The reason I ask is I had one for a FEW DAYS!!

I thought it would do everything I wanted, until I needed to haul my backhoe, [granted its 12,000 lbs-- but my now gooseneck hauls it fine]
I put the back hoe on it fit nicely but with all the weight on the bumper man did she sag,,front of trailer went down back of the truck went down, well I was only going 6 miles to the job so I tried it,, NO way,, 2 miles down the road the trailer wheels were rubbing I parked her,[the bumper pull was the same weight axles and configuration as my goosneck] took the back hoe off, called abuddy with a gooseneck put it on his truck gmc 2500 , and away we went,,

that changed my mind in a hurry about the trailer that would do everything I wanted,, the next day went down and traded it in on a new goosenck, I only lost 150.00,,

but I will never turn back , with hauling a heavy tractor on a bumper pull trailer,, I am now in the market for a 16" equipment trailer like 7000 lb weight for the smaller tarctors, the gooseneck is overkill for those ..

but when you go to a bigger tractor and have the weight on it along with an implement, be careful,, you may want the weigh over the axle like a gooseneck,,]] you will know the first time its hauled-- granted I know the weight of a smaller utilty isnt a back hoe,, but if you get into a 560 and bigger you are getting up in weight,

I know you didnt ask about a trailer,, but I wanted to touch base on another dillema you may come up with , especially going the 2 hrs,, good luck stay safe,, pat
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560 is a good tractor, and are really good on fuel.

maplehillfrm,

That is the info I am looking for. Never have done it so not sure if puling somethign like a 560 would be doable. Have hauled a smaller kubota, disk, 2k pounds of seed, fertilizer and lime and 2 fout wheelers and that squatted the truck. Bought the bumper hitch thinking it was the best allround trailer. May have to look into the gooseneck, and just get a smaller utility trailer for the quads. Want to get the biggest/ most capable tractor that is safe to haul on my trailer now. It isn't a deckover so i will probaly have to move the wheels in to get some larger stuff to fit. I have hauled a bobcat with no issues so maybe i am not totaly screwed with what i have.

Hum ? only 6 miles from site and 4 left to go I'd just drove the backhoe instead of waiting on the other trailer and reloading and chaining it all down again.

well it was raining, I didnt have to do the job with the backhoe that day,, I still had gravel to get, and I still would have had to find someone to bring me home. all in all it worked out that day,, it was actually a few days later I traded the trailer, hahah

hey blind mouse, cross that bridge when you get to it, but it is something to keep in mind, with it not being a deck over you may be limited in the search for a tractor that will fit on that trailer,, you sure arent going to want to be moving them wheels everytime you wnat to use it,,
do you know anyone with teh size tractor you are looking for- at least in the ball park size and weight? if you did you caould always make sure your trailer was enough prior to buying?? just a thought, good luck,pat

As far as your towing vehicle goes, you should be alright with your bumper hitch with a 560 on the trailer. I used to antique tractor pull and pulled a bumper hitch with an "M" (95 HP)Farmall with 24 weights - 10-98 pounders, 14-74 pounders on a 1994 extended cab Silverado 1500. I pulled that rig for about 10 years. Still got the pickup... Just info... Your choice...JB

An MF with a Perkins diesel would be a good choice. Maybe a 165, 175 or newer model 255, 265 would give a little more power than the 3 cylinder. All are good though. Masseys have the best 3 pt. hitch control other than that it can creep when you shut the tractor off. Pretty bullit proof tractors and easy to get parts for. Dave