Good Loader Tractor?

Anonymous-0 · May 25, 2009

What would be a good loader tractor, manure and round bales, that would also be good on a 7 or 9 ft mower conditioner and baler with thrower? Four wheel drive is optional, must be at least 60 pto hp but not over 100. Price to be less than $15000. I was thinking something with a power reverser or some kind of forward-reverse shuttle shift. I'm not sure about hydrostatic in a farm tractor, comments? Strong area dealers here are JD, IH-Case, Ford-NewHolland, Massey Ferguson. Obviously it must have a good reliability record. Thanks. Paul

JMS/.MN · May 25, 2009

3020/4020 with Power Shift with a 148 loader.

big jt · May 25, 2009

I almost agree with JMS.

I would skip the powershift though. Not a good shuttle pattern to it. Syncrorange works better for me. The shift from forward to reverse is inline and syncronized. With the powershift you have to go through a little more complicated move.

We have this setup with a 48 loader which is a little lighter weight than the 148. Would also suggest a separate valve for the loader, not using the tractor valves. The tractor valves tend to not have very precise control.

I have run 20 series deeres with powershift on a loader and still prefer my synchro to them. Definatly prefer the separate valve for the loader I have.

As to clutches we have had the loader on that 3020 since the late 70's and I put the first clutch in it since that time last summer.

big jt · May 25, 2009

Just read your post a little closer.

If you are gonna move round bales you DEFINATLY need a heavier loader than a 48. We could move bales with ours but it didn't work real well. A 148 might do better or even better yet a Westendorf with quickattach forks.

Mike M · May 25, 2009

Can't go wrong with a JD 4020. I also prefer the syncro range over the power shift as I have hills and the park on a power shift is not very safe. Also power shift gets stuck in park where the syncro range you can get it in a gear to release the pressure and the park gear. In cold weather the power shift really bogs down until warmed up.

TGIN · May 25, 2009

These guys are talking about a 4020 . Ya can get any other brand at half the age/hours for the same money .

RobMD · May 25, 2009

Yeah, a total piece of crap with nowhere to get parts for it.

a.rothermel · May 25, 2009

a 3020 or 4020 powershift would be good. Also a MF 1080 or 1085 would do it too. They are both 81 HP which is what you want. If you want a Farmall I would recomend a 806. I drive one frequently. Its more efficient than a 4020. A 706 farmall might be something you would be interested in too. thats my 2 cents

Doug in Illinois · May 25, 2009

First issue: Hydro. I would love to have one for hay and loader use. But a little expensive to fix. I used to be a C-IH parts manager. Not the easiest to find GOOD used.

My main tractor is a IH 1066. It will start when Case, JD, or Ford just puff smoke trying to start in cold weather. I have had a Case 1370, and still have a Ford 5000 diesel row crop. 1066 is more than you need, and IH has shifting issues for back and forth work like loaders.

I would consider a Ford, mine is good on fuel and easy to shift.

If you could find something with front wheel assist, it would make the loader work a lot easier in the muck. On that I wouldn't care what color paint, just check it over VERY well before you buy. DOUG

MF294-4 · May 25, 2009

My MF294-4 is a good loader tractor for me. Seperate pump for the loader, lots of hyd power. Not a shuttle shift so its a little slow. My brother had a Heston 666dt which is about the same size. It was pretty nice too but to hard to get parts for. He traded it for a Kubota which was to small,so he then got a 150 hp MF 3660 or some number like that. We are not in MF country either.

Don-Wi · May 25, 2009

I'm thinking something in the 100 or 200 series Massey. We've got a loader on a MF 165 and although it's a little smaller than you're looking for, the shift pattern is great for loader work. It will run a 9' haybine, and I did it once when our 285 was tied up.

The 285 would definately be in the range you're looking for. 85 HP, same gear shift pattern as the 165, and has better hydraulic capabilities. We run a 14' hydro-swing with ours. Sips fuel all day long with it's 4 cyl. Perkins 318. We have duals for it and we use it to haul lots of loads of manure and silage. We bale hay with it too. Overall it's a great tractor.

Donovan from Wisconsin

buickanddeere · May 26, 2009

After using loader tractors with and without 4WD. A loader tractor isn't a loader tractor without 4WD.

Mike (WA) · May 26, 2009

Does the round bale storage area (or feeding area) "mud up" in winter? If so, 4WD isn't an option, its a necessity. After struggling with 2WD tractors for manure loading and spreading for years, I got a 4WD, and an unexpected bonus- not only does it get better traction, but because of the better traction, it doesn't tear up the area nearly as much, so much less mud than before. The 4WD tractor will be in my estate sale, but that's far enough away (I hope) that you shouldn't wait to buy.

DJL · May 26, 2009

I"ve got a JD 4030 open station tractor with quad-range transmission and loader. That"s an 85HP tractor and works really well for me if doing loader work, mowing hay or baling. It"s a good balanced tractor for both weight/power and agility.

Steven f/AZ · May 26, 2009

(quoted from post at 07:58:31 05/26/09) After using loader tractors with and without 4WD. A loader tractor isn't a loader tractor without 4WD.

+1 Dad would not buy another tractor for loader use without MFWD. He tried to "help" once this winter after a blizzard with the 2wd 2590 Case with loader on it - brother spent more time pulling him out with the 4450 than anything. 2wd tractor with a loader is OK for loading bales and other light work, but once you get mud or snow forget it.

Anonymous-0 · May 26, 2009

Thanks to all of you for your comments. It is great to get perspective on multiple brands and options. Thanks again, Paul.

buickanddeere · May 27, 2009

You keep your equipment in excellent condition.

Steven f/AZ · May 27, 2009

You keep your equipment in excellent condition.

Thank you, we work really hard to be sure that our equipment lasts a long time. Unfortunately, that's a picture BEFORE the snow melted and it rained. It was slop from top to bottom in April - but as soon as it dried off we power washed it and cleaned out the cab, the mud was driving Dad nuts!

Mike (WA) · May 27, 2009

At first glance, I thought it odd that you were still using an AC Rotobaler- until I saw the rest of the bale under the tractor. LOL

Steven f/AZ · May 27, 2009

At first glance, I thought it odd that you were still using an AC Rotobaler- until I saw the rest of the bale under the tractor. LOL

Dad has told stories about running an old Rotobalter with the B Farmall - I don't think he would even allow one of those on the farm as yard art anymore! Even better was the day we sold the idiot cube machine while he was taking a nap!

Our bales that we make with the JD 567 baler are 60" tall and weigh around 1200 lbs or so. Dad bought a load of hay this winter that was 72" bales that weighed 1800 lbs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKW9WshZwL8

Good Loader Tractor?

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