Tractor Weights-New vs Old

I went down to the local used dealer today. Was looking at some late model used tractors. The tractors sure apprear light for the horsepower. A New Holland TB100 is an 80 HP tractor but looks like it weights less than our 656 which is 65 hp. We have a lot of hills and it takes some weight to hold a round baler back when coming down a hill. Any of you guys that have both newer and older tractors have an performance problems due to the weight of the newer tractors?

Horsepower is meaningless if you can't put it to the ground. Also, the horsepower of your 656 is measured at the PTO, and these newer tractors measure horsepower at the engine crankshaft. The transmission and power train consume a significant amount of power, which means that New Holland TB100 will probably not have 80 horsepower at the PTO. I'd guess that a 656 could probably work it into the ground.

The TB100 is 100 engine HP. It will hang with a 766/886 just fine.

If i'm not mistaken, the TB100 is based on the former TS100 platform with different styling. The TS100 used a turbo 304 engine the same as the previous model it replaced, the 7740. I think you'll find that the TB100 will DYNO about 86 PTO HP, the same as the 7740.... and a good deal more than what it's rated for on paper.
The tractor itself will probably weigh a touch over 8000 # in two wheel drive form and close to 9000 if it's a 4WD, more than enough weight to tie all it's power down.
I don't know what the 656 weighs, but I know that the 40/TS/TB series' of Ford/NH's had more weight than just about any other tractor in that power class built in the last 40 years. The 6000 series Deere is about the only modern equivelant.

Rod

I was generally impressed with the tractor. Looking back on it, I think its the little things like the sloped hood for good visability that makes it seem small and light. Sure would make a nice haying tractor. 19K is a little rough for us small time guys though...
Also looked at a TN75, but it had a rough life...It has a left hand reverser. Are those the kind you can shift without the clutch?

Dunno about shifting without a clutch. Possibly... Now that would be a light tractor. It was basically designed to replace the 30 series Fords. They simply opted to put more engine in front of them to bring the power up. Those I would suspect are in the 5-6000# range.

Rod

TN's with an orange reverser mounted on the steering column is a PowerShuttle; no clutch. F/R shifter through the floor at your left hip is a synchronized shuttle; requires clutch.

According to external_link the TB100 is 100 hp engine, 80 hp pto and weighs 6925 lb vs the 656 6625 lb and 64 hp. The New Holland is possibly more fuel efficient.

Speaking of fuel use.Anybody have any figures on how much more efficient the newer tractors are on fuel. 10% or 20%???? Thinking of it in that way I could go to a slightly larger HP tractor and still use less fuel...

If you're comparing 1960's stuff to late 90's stuff then there's probably close to 20% on some tractors, but that's not universally true. The TB100, without looking at the test would be around 18hp-hr/gal at maximum power which is right up there with the very best. Most tractors from the 60's vintage were in the 12-14 hp-hr/gal range with improvements coming incrementally over the decades.
With that said, the best fuel efficiency you'll ever get is by using the smallest possible tractor to do the job to the point that you're not spending more time because you're using a small tractor. If you can do it with 80 hp, don't use 100, or of 50 will do the job, don't use 80, etc... There isn't much point of buying mroe than you need unless you have plans in the near future that require the bigger tractor. Dragging dead weight around burns fuel.
That's also a catch with that TB100. IT has great PTO fuel efficeincy, but it's probably not so hot on drawbar efficiency, especially on light work because of the dead weight it's carrying around. It's not a light tractor, and I'm not too sure that the tractordata figures mentioned are correct...

Rod

I have found several errors in Tractordata including weights and gave them data from a Kubota tractor that I have so it depends on how accurate the data they receive is.

Hook 'em drawbar to drawbar, and see who hangs fine. Just another piece of over priced modern junk.