HELP! Tractor size

[jblnut]

A hydro adds ease at the expense of HP.
Hey @jblnut does "Big John" have a hydro?

Big John was factory spec’d as an air seeder tractor and thus has three hydros but none of them are used for propulsion. I had to search for a bit to find a low hour air seeder tractor with a mechanical 24 speed transmission.

Largest true hydro tractor I know of was the International Hydro 186. Great chore tractor but a horrid field tractor for tillage or anything heavy. Using fluid for propulsion creates a pile of heat which needs to be dissipated and results in a large loss of efficiency.

For what the OP is looking to do with a tractor I wouldn’t hesitate to find a machine with a shuttle shift of sorts. All brands call them something different but they will all function the same. A shuttle shift machine will have a power shift between forward and reverse which will require no clutching to change direction. The F/R lever is usually located on the dash of steering column. Some earlier Deeres had the shuttle on the right console. We have a 7210 with the high speed trans and it has a single F/R leer along with a 1-4 power shift gear selector and a clutch required A-E range selector. It’s an amazing machine and goes 28mph down the road and is a dream to operate.

 

[Only the Tony]

Big John was factory spec’d as an air seeder tractor and thus has three hydros but none of them are used for propulsion. I had to search for a bit to find a low hour air seeder tractor with a mechanical 24 speed transmission.

Largest true hydro tractor I know of was the International Hydro 186. Great chore tractor but a horrid field tractor for tillage or anything heavy. Using fluid for propulsion creates a pile of heat which needs to be dissipated and results in a large loss of efficiency.

For what the OP is looking to do with a tractor I wouldn’t hesitate to find a machine with a shuttle shift of sorts. All brands call them something different but they will all function the same. A shuttle shift machine will have a power shift between forward and reverse which will require no clutching to change direction. The F/R lever is usually located on the dash of steering column. Some earlier Deeres had the shuttle on the right console. We have a 7210 with the high speed trans and it has a single F/R leer along with a 1-4 power shift gear selector and a clutch required A-E range selector. It’s an amazing machine and goes 28mph down the road and is a dream to operate.

Takes a bit of getting used to. I still find myself reaching for the gearshift at times. But it is nice not having to clutch all the time.

 

[jblnut]

View attachment 456987
Takes a bit of getting used to. I still find myself reaching for the gearshift at times. But it is nice not having to clutch all the time.

Looks like a 5M ?

I still clutch with the 7210 even though it isn’t needed. Force of habit lol.

 

[Only the Tony]

Looks like a 5M ?

I still clutch with the 7210 even though it isn’t needed. Force of habit lol.

E series. 5075E Pockets aren't deep enough for M or R. Planning on retiring in 4 years or so and didn't want to worry about any payments. Two wheel drive and cab, mainly for feeding and haying. We are running 5400's with about the same HP range so this will be compatible with what we are used to.

 

[jblnut]

E series. 5075E Pockets aren't deep enough for M or R. Planning on retiring in 4 years or so and didn't want to worry about any payments. Two wheel drive and cab, mainly for feeding and haying. We are running 5400's with about the same HP range so this will be compatible with what we are used to.

The E series are nice machines without all the crud that comes with the higher trim levels. Things are more mechanical like they should be. I bet that makes for a really nice chore tractor !!

 

[Ryan Browne]

Big John was factory spec’d as an air seeder tractor and thus has three hydros but none of them are used for propulsion. I had to search for a bit to find a low hour air seeder tractor with a mechanical 24 speed transmission.

Largest true hydro tractor I know of was the International Hydro 186. Great chore tractor but a horrid field tractor for tillage or anything heavy. Using fluid for propulsion creates a pile of heat which needs to be dissipated and results in a large loss of efficiency.

For what the OP is looking to do with a tractor I wouldn’t hesitate to find a machine with a shuttle shift of sorts. All brands call them something different but they will all function the same. A shuttle shift machine will have a power shift between forward and reverse which will require no clutching to change direction. The F/R lever is usually located on the dash of steering column. Some earlier Deeres had the shuttle on the right console. We have a 7210 with the high speed trans and it has a single F/R leer along with a 1-4 power shift gear selector and a clutch required A-E range selector. It’s an amazing machine and goes 28mph down the road and is a dream to operate.

Since the OP may not know, shuttle transmissions don't quite all operate the same. Some require a using the clutch to shift between forward and reverse and some don't. Each type of transmission has pros and cons. But, I stand by my assertion that for new-operator safety and for loader work, a hydro is the best choice. I've never seen a skid loader with gears.

 

[Fleethirte]

Yes

father in law bought a 5000 few years ago and we swapped in the alternator.
i bought a 7000 about a year later and recently realized alternator is not working!

 

[Bill G]

Largest true hydro tractor I know of was the International Hydro 186. Great chore tractor but a horrid field tractor for tillage or anything heavy.

In the 1980's you could not hardly give away a IH 186 around here. The IH with bad TA's were about as bad. Now folks give their left nut for a 1466.......

 

[Bill G]

father in law bought a 5000 few years ago and we swapped in the alternator.
i bought a 7000 about a year later and recently realized alternator is not working!

The 5000 and 7000 are both large rubber tractors which is fine but limits some uses. I have never had one. Right now there is a 2N, 3000, 4630, 8000, 8600, and 9700 here. My brother had a TW 20 and TW 35 but they went away.

 

[Bill G]

Takes a bit of getting used to. I still find myself reaching for the gearshift at times. But it is nice not having to clutch all the time.

Years ago I never could get used to the Deere synchro on the 2510 and 4020. Now I would love to have one.

 

[earlthegoat2]

This is the advice I was given long ago when purchasing a tractor.

Figure out exactly what size you will need. Be very meticulous and study all the spec from all the different manufacturers. Figure out how heavy of loads you would be lifting or how many acres you would be cutting, etc.

Then, throw that all out the window and buy the biggest one you can afford.

I thought I could do with a 25 hp but found a 55hp at a price I couldn’t pass up and that tractor is too small for me.

I bought a 3/4 ton V10 Ford when I thought a 1/2 ton 5.3 Chevy would be OK and I have done things with that truck that would have broken the Chevy in half.

 

[Jusgunn3]

Great input all, I will be going slow and taking my time picking out the right rig. The current tractor looks good but just doesn’t want to work.

 

[hacskaroly]

Great input all, I will be going slow and taking my time picking out the right rig. The current tractor looks good but just doesn’t want to work.

My great grandfather drove a tractor with a metal seat, ended up getting a boil on his rear end, doctors popped it and apparently went too deep with the incision and accidentally gave him blood poisoning and he died at the age of 24. If you do get that tractor running, I recommend putting a cushioned seat on it!

 

[Jusgunn3]

My great grandfather drove a tractor with a metal seat, ended up getting a boil on his rear end, doctors popped it and apparently went too deep with the incision and accidentally gave him blood poisoning and he died at the age of 24. If you do get that tractor running, I recommend putting a cushioned seat on it!

Oh no that poor guy! I only pose for pictures on this one haha, It hasn’t ran in years.

 

[Fleethirte]

The 5000 and 7000 are both large rubber tractors which is fine but limits some uses. I have never had one. Right now there is a 2N, 3000, 4630, 8000, 8600, and 9700 here. My brother had a TW 20 and TW 35 but they went away.

my only complaint is that with the loader on the 7000 the front tires are to skinny and it sinks to easily in the ground….

 

[Bill G]

my only complaint is that with the loader on the 7000 the front tires are to skinny and it sinks to easily in the ground….

That was typical of many of tractors of that era no matter the flavor or brand. On the Allis Chalmers side . I have a WD, WD-45, D-17, 180, and 190. They all have the same basic 3 rib narrow tire.

On a unrelated note this was a wild one. South of me three weeks ago today this Allis 170 sold for $14,000 plus buyers premium. It had not ran in years either.