100+ hp tractor suggestions

[D7E]

Hydro drive 40 series Deere's are scarce, and they needed to be. Not good for hard pulling, but did offer some assistance when in mud. The 50 series was the first MFWD Deere's.


Mechanical mfwd was available on 40 series i had 2140 and 3140 with it .
In the uk JD used this as a selling point with the introduction of the 50 degree castor angle ZF axles .
Hydraulic was useless.

 

[Slippy]

Well, I think the search has ended. I have found a 15 foot JD 1518 that is about 7 years old, very low hours, stored inside, looks like new.

Also found a Int 1086, new TA, clutch, and looks like new. Had it checked out by local IH dealer and dyno is great, holds great compression when run hot, and new rod bearings, mains in good shape, injectors just cleaned, new oil filters, etc. Interior looks like it is brand new, new air conditioner filter, all 3pt linkage, even has cap covers for the rear remotes, and new paint.
Did not get under my 10k target, but have done everything I can to make sure I am getting one that will run with out flaw and need of repair. Yes, found some other manufactures tractors, mostly with more hours, and not nearly as good of shape. Yes, could have taken the chance at spending less, but first repair bill would probably put me over or close to the traget anyway. Plus, this is a tractor that has to be hauled by commercial semi, and first time it needs major repair, means transport expense.

The pto registered 150 hp on the dyno. Manufacture specs is about 130, which suggests fuel screw has been turned up a bit. I had it turn back down which should reduce fuel consumption and eliminate a little smoking that it was doing, although the mechanic told me that after it ran for a while on the dyno, that stopped anyway.
Soon as I get them delivered, will post some pictures.
My thanks to all of you through out this process. This certainly has been a learning experience and getting me into a bigger line of equipment than I anticipated. The equipment though seems to be sound and in excellent shape, which should mean when I am ready to sell, resale value should be higher. I am also very safety oriented, and the feel that spending a little more to get better quality that should not have a major malfunction reduces the chance of injury. Of course I will properly maintain the equipment as always.

Yes, a lot of what I have said helps me justify spending the extra money, but again, it all appears to be excellent quality equipment that should last and provide a solid resale value.

Again, my thanks for those who have provided thoughts, concerns, insight, and educated me on some of these topics, and as always, thanks to this board that provides such an excellent forum.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd love to see pics of that mower.. sounds like a gem..

my 1517 is 9ys old.. very high hours.. and looks it.. slept outside all the time. cost 2k$ If you don't mind divulging.. what'd yours set you back?

Soundguy

 

[Oleozz]

I would also like to see pics of the 1086, they are very popular tractors in this area. My neighbor has two and he works them hard.
Sounds like you've got yourself a great setup, good luck.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Good choice with the 1086. I always liked them. Like Art said, some did not like the "lightning bolt" shift pattern and the lever's position or the direction the cab doors opened. I never ran one, but I thought that I could get over those issues. The good thing is, you purchased the 1086 at the bottom of the depreciation curve. If you take care of it, the 1086 will likely only gain in value now.

Photos will be appreciated...as well as sound clips. IH tractors sound great!

 

[Slippy]

Not sure how to do a sound clip, so you may have to enlighten me. Supposed to pick up equipment this Friday. More to follow.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I was just kidding, Slippy. However, some of the guys on the Red Power forum will add links to YouTube that they posted. The clips show the tractors doing what they do best...work.

You may want to check out the Red Power forum as a resource:
Red Power Magazine Community (Powered by Invision Power Board)

There is all kinds of International and Farmall knowledge on that site.

 

[DmansPadge]

Supposed to pick up equipment this Friday. More to follow.

Any updates Slippy?

 

[CATMAN]

Slippy, I just read most of this. When a older tractor dynos at 150 hp and the original hp was said to be 130 Hp. I doubt that the fuel screw was ever turned up. Here's what happens; As fuel goes thru the 6 little pinholes at each fuel injection nozzle, those 6 little pinholes erode ever so slightly over time and they also make the internal passages/corners/orifices a little more smoother, this allows fuel to flow just ever so slightly EASIER on each and ever fuel injection "squirt". Bottomline is that these older engines actually GAIN HP because of the amount of fuel that has gone thru the nozzle orifices/pinholes over time. If they had left the fuel pump/screw alone and installed a new set of nozzles, I bet the HP would have come down and the smoke would have cleared up. NOTE: Old nozzles don't atomize the fuel quite as well on each stroke, thus you get a little haze out the exhaust.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I agree with Catman on the horsepower issue and the injector nozzles. IH tractors of that era were notorious for being conservative with their horsepower rating. I'd guess that the pump setting is stock.

A diesel of that era will tend to smoke more when it is "cold". Work it and allow everything to get good and hot, and the smoke will clear up. I was at the Red Power Roundup national meet (IH tractor collectors) over this past weekend and a lot of the diesel tractors were blowing a bit of blue smoke.

I replaced injector nozzles in my two diesel vehicles in the past year...now I have one vehicle that smokes less and one that smokes more (it was supposed to and it goes faster, too!).

Slippy, do you have any photos of your 1086 workhorse?

 

[Slippy]

It was turned back just a little and then dynoed at 140hp.

Sorry about not posting update with pictures. Been very busy, but hope to get some done this weekend.

I did operate it some and still can't believe the tractor is about 27 yrs old. It really does run and look like it is new. When it was transported, one of the chains to hold it down scratched the front axle. I felt so bad I went to IH and bought a can on paint to touch it up. I know once I put it to work it will get dirty, but intend to clean it after every use.

Since I will be using it to cut hay/grass, I a concerned about the large holes in the radiator screen. Anyone fabracated or used some material to make a screen with smaller holes to keep the grass seed etc out of radiator? Was thinking of getting just some regular screen door material and trying to fit it behind the cross member frame that snaps on the front. Any other ideas?

Oh yea, one more thing of interest. Of course now that I am set to cut it down, I have been contacted by two people claiming to need hay in the worst way. Will see if they come through, but that would be just my luck.
Either way though, really ok.

 

[sandman2234]

I am not an expert in the field of screens, but I put a bumper on my Ford 1100 with an expanded metal grate grill in it. I figured the expanded metal would catch any limbs headed for the grill/radiator and deflect them. I also figured the expanded metal would shake the little stuff loose and give it a chance to fall before it got up against my grill. My radiator has one of those screens mounted right up against the face of the radiator and it helps, but I still get some stuff in the radiator. I figure it was worse before the bumper with the grill guard and expanded metal.
David from jax

 

[CATMAN]

One word of caution on household window screen. Those small opening don't flow as much air thru them as the original tractor screen. You may lose up to 30% of airflow IF you make the screen the exact same outside dimensions. To compensate, one would have to make a "window screen box" with 4 sides and a front to mount to the front of the radiator area. My Dad has a 1976 IHC 1066, and he mows hay, foxtail, brome grasses, winter rye, etc. and doesn't really have a problem. If you see the temp gauge a little higher than usual, he just goes to the air compressor a blow it out. Usually, with the tractor shut off, you can actually remove the majority the collected debris that is in front of the radiator fins just by lightly running your fingers down the fins. (like cleaning the dryer filter in your clothes dryer). Personally, I would leave it alone and try it in your application first. Remember, this is an agricultural farm tractor, and those engineers designed for some dusty conditions on the cooling system (little extra capacity built in). Sounds like you got a pretty nice tractor, too.

 

[Slippy]

Well, here you go. Pictures of the IH 1086 and JD 1518 batwing. My son and I cut all day today and made very good progress.

I spent about 3 hours checking all the gear boxes, grease, edge on blades, etc. Also, busted my head open on the steel arm that hold the bat wing wheel on. I was putting wd40 on the blade nuts while the wings were up and started to walk around to do the other side and ran right into the steel are that holds the batwing wheel on. Yea, pretty bloody, but will live.

Really impressed with tractor and cutter. No problems, plenty of power, air on, was a nice ride. The JD 1518 does a very nice job of cutting and is very HD.

Also, sold all my hay left over from last year as well. Was a great day except for the bump.

So, take a look at the pictures and enjoy...I am.

 

[DmansPadge]

Wow Slippy!! Thats a great looking setup. That 1086 looks like it's brand new. Enjoy... and I hope your head is feeling better!

 

[flusher]

Well, here you go. Pictures of the IH 1086 and JD 1518 batwing. My son and I cut all day today and made very good progress.

I spent about 3 hours checking all the gear boxes, grease, edge on blades, etc. Also, busted my head open on the steel arm that hold the bat wing wheel on. I was putting wd40 on the blade nuts while the wings were up and started to walk around to do the other side and ran right into the steel are that holds the batwing wheel on. Yea, pretty bloody, but will live.

Really impressed with tractor and cutter. No problems, plenty of power, air on, was a nice ride. The JD 1518 does a very nice job of cutting and is very HD.

Also, sold all my hay left over from last year as well. Was a great day except for the bump.

So, take a look at the pictures and enjoy...I am.

That's one clean tractor, especially the interior which generally tends to look used. Likewise the mower. Looks fractory fresh.

Any idea of the hours on the tractor?

Did you buy the tractor and mower privately or from a dealer?

 

[flusher]

Also, busted my head open on the steel arm that hold the bat wing wheel on. I was putting wd40 on the blade nuts while the wings were up and started to walk around to do the other side and ran right into the steel are that holds the batwing wheel on. Yea, pretty bloody, but will live.



.

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I was in Home Depot last Sep buying a few T-posts. They were stacked vertically on end and when I grabbed a 6' post, one of the 5 footers fell forward and hit me a glancing blow on the side of the head. My baseball cap prevented major damage, but scalp lacerations bleed like crazy. Freaked out some of the employees since I had blood running down the side of my face and onto my shirt. That HD store now stacks T-post horizontally.

 

[Oleozz]

I'm jealous Slippy but that beautiful unit would be overkill for my 100 acres. I've looked at a lot of 1066 and 1086's over the years and that's about as nice a tractor for the age as you will find. Good luck with it.

 

[Slippy]

Glad you guys enjoyed the pictures. The tractor may be a little more than I need for mowing, but I can tell you it really is nice to know the tractor is stout enough to control the mower. That 1518 is a heavy piece of equipment. I think the spec sheet I got from JD says its about 6000lbs. When I am on the hills and feel the mower start to slid a little the tractor handles it well keeping its ground. Don't get pushed going down the hills either. Learned a few tricks about the tractor and mower if anyone has one and is interested.

Flusher, I looked high and low, bid on two tractors on ebay and when they got to 8k I stopped. I bought the 1086 from a private owner as well as the mower. The guy I got the tractor from has a body shop and made the tractor a restore project. He did an excellent job. Before I bought it I had it checked over by IH dealer by him. Had them put new rod bearings in it, check it on dyno, filters and oil, and move the wheels out for stability on my hills. Mower came from a guy who bought it 10 years ago, used it a few times and kept it stored inside. Sold his land and now sold the mower. Had to sharpen the blades, took a lot of grease, topped off all the boxes, etc. Took about 3 hrs to maintenance everything, but it and the tractor ran all day with no problems. Tractor just turned 5500 hrs. Has new TA, clutch, etc, injectors, and now rod bearings, front tie rods...and runs great. Air in cab all day was nice. That mower though really sucks up the grass and spits it out.

Have about 175 more acres to mow. Will keep you up to date on how things work out. Again, all my thanks to those who provided imput. I really ended up with a great set up that can handle the job.

Oh yea, and head is healing. Put about a 1 1/2 inch gash in my head, but wife did not think needed stitches and shes the one who has to look at it.

 

[Slippy]

One more question. Should I run 15w 40 Rotello type oil or straight 30 weight oil in the tractor?