Farm tractor models to avoid

[foggy1111]

The early Ford 6000 tractors were all recalled with a complete campaign to rebuild them - engine, tranny, and hydraulics. To me....this model was the Edsel of the tractor business. Many of these early ones were red and grey....and were repainted to the then new blue and grey upon being rebuilt.

This model cost Ford allot of business. Although the later 6000 "Commander" models were good tractors....the word was out and many people would not touch these tractors. IMO the lack of a "big" tractor cost Ford market share around our parts as they stayed primarily in the utility biz for too long.

As was stated the SelectoSpeed trannys had their share of problems too with some people. Others had "0" problems. It was a revolutionary tranny at the time.

 

[WarrenF]

I guess I should have made it clear that you have to know what your talking about and not post something you read on the back of a bathroom urinal. IH made some really good models and so did MF not sure why you two posted what you did. I was hoping to make this a serious thread to help people and not have people who didn't know what they were talking about or were biased towards a particular brand post. Next think all green, blue, and red tractors are junk. Thanks.

You know the old saying, you can't make a silk purse from a Sow's ear....and you expected more from this forum??? Heck with all the combined ego's and self professed experts here, the results would have been a sure bet in Vegas.

 

[foggy1111]

You know the old saying, you can't make a silk purse from a Sow's ear....and you expected more from this forum??? Heck with all the combined ego's and self professed experts here, the results would have been a sure bet in Vegas.

HEY!!! I resemble that remark!.

 

[Baranx4]

You know the old saying, you can't make a silk purse from a Sow's ear....and you expected more from this forum??? Heck with all the combined ego's and self professed experts here, the results would have been a sure bet in Vegas.

Your 100% right. I should have also asked that people who have never owned or regularly run a tractor with more than 30 h.p. not reply. Back in the 90's I recall picking up parts for my 555 backhoe at the dealer with a salesman and another guy joining in talking to me about my interest in upgrading to a just returned lease. While I wasn't interested this guy is still talking to me about how much better and easier to use his new tractor was. After a few minutes of this guy still talking I asked what he owned. Turns out it was basically a lawn mower. Sometimes you have to just consider the source.

 

[WarrenF]

Your 100% right. I should have also asked that people who have never owned or regularly run a tractor with more than 30 h.p. not reply. Back in the 90's I recall picking up parts for my 555 backhoe at the dealer with a salesman and another guy joining in talking to me about my interest in upgrading to a just returned lease. While I wasn't interested this guy is still talking to me about how much better and easier to use his new tractor was. After a few minutes of this guy still talking I asked what he owned. Turns out it was basically a lawn mower. Sometimes you have to just consider the source.

You said it well!!! Now ask a question pertaining something you know about. You know ask how to do something, and then sit back and watch all of the self proclaimed experts.....those running overblown lawn mowers.....tell you how to do it. Then disagree with them just a little bit and watch even more self proclaimed experts come out of the wood works and tell you how wrong you are.

 

[CTW]

Your 100% right. I should have also asked that people who have never owned or regularly run a tractor with more than 30 h.p. not reply. Back in the 90's I recall picking up parts for my 555 backhoe at the dealer with a salesman and another guy joining in talking to me about my interest in upgrading to a just returned lease. While I wasn't interested this guy is still talking to me about how much better and easier to use his new tractor was. After a few minutes of this guy still talking I asked what he owned. Turns out it was basically a lawn mower. Sometimes you have to just consider the source.

Maybe a better approach would to decide what type of tractor you're looking for and then you might be able to narrow your hitlist on which ones to stay away from. Once you have a specific model(s), you can research the heck out of it here, google, yahoo, dogpile, local folks, etc. Best of luck.

 

[D7E]

In the 80's Massey Ferguson went from the 1100 series tractors (which by the way are great tractors) to the 2000 series. The Perkins engines in the 1100 series were great, except in the 1085 which were bad to blow head gaskets due to a lack of bolts. Once Massey switched over to those square cab 2000 series tractors they started having problems due to bad parts in the 24 speed power shift transmission. The 2000 series were still equipped with the reliable Perkins engines but had ALOT of problems with the transmissions. The seals need replacing every couple of years in the powershift transmission. From personal experience I have found that pound for pound the 135 massey ferguson is an extremely strong tractor and gives very few problems. It also has a fantastic draft control for cultivating and moldboard plowing operations.

I've never seen a powershift in a 2000 seies, We had 2640,2680,2685,2725,2745 and all were dual power or electric high/low in manual boxes. Never had a problem with any of them .We found far more trouble with the 32 speed in the 3000 series,far better with the 16 speed .

 

[Steve_Miller]

Your 100% right. I should have also asked that people who have never owned or regularly run a tractor with more than 30 h.p. not reply. Back in the 90's I recall picking up parts for my 555 backhoe at the dealer with a salesman and another guy joining in talking to me about my interest in upgrading to a just returned lease. While I wasn't interested this guy is still talking to me about how much better and easier to use his new tractor was. After a few minutes of this guy still talking I asked what he owned. Turns out it was basically a lawn mower. Sometimes you have to just consider the source.

This forum is probably made up of 60 to 70% or more of compact owners as this is one of the reasons the forum was started. As for the replies, there are always going to be posts that you will not agree with or did not intend to get from your question but you did ask for responses on an open forum that is moderated very well I might add. It does no good to offend anyone other than to get even more unwanted responses. Take them with a grain of salt and move on. This was not meant to offend in any way, just past experience on my part.


Steve

 

[Oleozz]

The older IH tractors (I have an IH 1066) were noted for having TA problems. Most need replaced and it's an expensive job to get it done. The TA is the torque amplifier, doubles the number of gears that you have. Mine went out and will probably have it repaired this spring.
ALSO cavitation problems were quite common, I have first hand experience with that, had to have a complete out of frame overhaul on the 414 engine a year ago. Again, not cheap!

 

[RickB]

The older IH tractors (I have an IH 1066) were noted for having TA problems. Most need replaced and it's an expensive job to get it done. The TA is the torque amplifier, doubles the number of gears that you have. Mine went out and will probably have it repaired this spring.
ALSO cavitation problems were quite common, I have first hand experience with that, had to have a complete out of frame overhaul on the 414 engine a year ago. Again, not cheap!

Cavitation erosion and electrolysis damage to parent bore and wet sleeved engines are maintainence problems, not engine problems. Both are preventable situations that can affect any engine of those construction types regardless of brand or paint color.