Tractor Sizing modern replacement for 60 year old D4 & D2 Cat

[hhydro]

I am operating about 160 acres of dryland wheat in SE Idaho. This was my great-grandfather's land adjacent to his 1900 homestead. In 1955 he bought a Cat 5U series D2, and his neighbor (who we eventually bought out) had a 1952 7U series D4. In the early 70s we bought a Cat D4D SA. Much of the land we farmed then was very steep, but that is now in the CRP. After 25 years in the CRP the flatter 160 ac piece came out and I started farming it. We lost the D4D to a cracked oil pan that went un-noticed while doing some dozer work, so now we only have the 60 year old machines. These have no PTO, no hydraulics, no cab, no three point hitch, only a drawbar. They are good solid machines that still run great, but we need to modernize and maybe speed up the operation a bit. I'm looking at some 1970s vintage D4D machines with hydraulics, one even has a PTO for $15k - $16k. I'm wondering if there are better values in a 4WD tractor of comparable power.

The D4 is about 12,500lb, with 10,000 lb drawbar pull in 1st and about half that in the more common tillage 3rd & 4th gears. Any suggestions for some newer models to consider that would work with the same implements and be in that $15k price range. I know nothing about wheel tractors. We have a Ford 4600 for some utility work, but as far as crop production we only use it to pull the urea spreader cart. I figure I'd need a 4WD machine with dual rear tires for stability. I probably will put about 100 hrs per year on the machine.

The old D4 was rated about 52 hp drawbar and 62 hp PTO at sea level, but we're over 5000' and a bit underpowered so something a bit bigger would be good.

Anyway, suggestions on some good models to look at for this acreage and of a power range compatible with existing implements would be appreciated.



Thanks

 

[Wolfy]

Rubber tires would be the greatest way to speed things up. Nothing will outpull crawler tracks, but they are slow and expensive to work on. But either tractor or crawler, at your elevation esp, you really need a turbocharged diesel engine.

 

[Green Power]

Seeing the size of your disc i would like for a 75+ engine hp tractor.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Being use to a track machine it would be hard to replace with a rubber tire machine if you don't have to transport look at D5 with 6 way blade with powershift.

 

[hhydro]

Being use to a track machine it would be hard to replace with a rubber tire machine if you don't have to transport look at D5 with 6 way blade with powershift.

You are right, it would take some getting used to. I'm still leaning to a turbo'd D4D or D4E, but I want to take a critical look at my bias. A D5 is too big for my implements, and you'll see in the photo in the original post I have a D6 with a hydraulic tilt.

Thanks, Joe

 

[hhydro]

Rubber tires would be the greatest way to speed things up. Nothing will outpull crawler tracks, but they are slow and expensive to work on. But either tractor or crawler, at your elevation esp, you really need a turbocharged diesel engine.

Agreed on all points, thought I think any tractor is expensive to work on. Tires aren't cheap. Neither are tracks, but we've got 60 years on these sets of tracks. The reliability of the old cats is hard to beat. The starting engine system takes some getting used to and you need a ritual to reliably start the pony motor. It is old school, definitely not instant gratification. The tracks are noisy. They give a surprisingly smooth ride over furrows, but they are very slow for sure.

Thanks

 

[hhydro]

So what are some classic 4wd makes and models in the 75-95 hp range with legendary solid reliablility, fuel economy, and with good slope stability?
I'm targeting the ~$15k range, so I expect it will be a decades old machine, but I'm hoping to move from the '50s to at least the '80s or '90s.

Thanks, Joe

 

[Green Power]

So what are some classic 4wd makes and models in the 75-95 hp range with legendary solid reliablility, fuel economy, and with good slope stability?
I'm targeting the ~$15k range, so I expect it will be a decades old machine, but I'm hoping to move from the '50s to at least the '80s or '90s.

Thanks, Joe

Based on that look for a JD 4X(3,4,5, or 6)0 tractor with front wheel drive. For example a JD 4230 with FWD.

 

[Rock knocker]

Is that you in the middle of the photograph?
View attachment 396477

 

[hhydro]

Is that you in the middle of the photograph?
View attachment 396477

:laughing:
On the left are two of my nephews. The one in the middle puts in the most hours by far, a very hard worker once he gets going. On the far right is my father who passed away a couple of months ago. I'm nearly as old as the D2. My great grandfather made the last payment on it about the time I was born.

 

[Rock knocker]

Sorry about your father, mine passed in December.

I was just making a little joke, I really don't judge young people by tats, hair or clothing ( although the but hanging out-pants hanging down thing really grates on me ). My hair looked much like your nephew carrot top when I was his age.

Oh, and the Goth thing irritates me to.

 

[hhydro]

Sorry about your father, mine passed in December.

I was just making a little joke, I really don't judge young people by tats, hair or clothing ( although the but hanging out-pants hanging down thing really grates on me ). My hair looked much like your nephew carrot top when I was his age.

Oh, and the Goth thing irritates me to.

You made me laugh. That wild 'fro is funny and he knows it. When he's on the Cat it's pulled back tight ninja style.

Sorry for your loss as well. Even though I'm a grandfather it's still hard to loose my father. It's like the training wheels have finally come off running the farm and I'm not ready for it.

 

[dieselcrawler]

That wild 'fro is funny and he knows it.

I thought it was a straw hat he was wearin untill I looked closer!

Can't judge a book by its cover... or a kid by their hair. If he's helpin out on the farm he's got one up on most youngins these days in my book. Past two weeks our local paper had kids (under 25) on the front page busted for meth labs or heroin. Sorry to derail the OP thread... nice old iron too!

 

[Verticaltrx]

Something with about 100-120 pto hp, 4wd and duals would do quite well. With a powershift transmission and all that extra hp you'll be amazed at how much faster they are than the old crawlers for field work. Deere, International/Case-IH, Ford/New Holland, Allis Chalmers and others all made some good models that fit that description in the '80s. The 50 and 55 series Deere's were some of the best tractors Deere ever made, we have some from that vintage and they are rock solid despite being 25-30yrs old. (you'd want a 3150, 4050, 4250 size). I also have a good bit of experience with the 8000 series Allis Chalmers, (8010, 8030, 8050, 8070) they were good tractors as well. My uncle farmed with a fleet of them until he retired just a few years ago.

 

[Green Power]

Something with about 100-120 pto hp, 4wd and duals would do quite well. With a powershift transmission and all that extra hp you'll be amazed at how much faster they are than the old crawlers for field work. Deere, International/Case-IH, Ford/New Holland, Allis Chalmers and others all made some good models that fit that description in the '80s. The 50 and 55 series Deere's were some of the best tractors Deere ever made, we have some from that vintage and they are rock solid despite being 25-30yrs old. (you'd want a 3150, 4050, 4250 size). I also have a good bit of experience with the 8000 series Allis Chalmers, (8010, 8030, 8050, 8070) they were good tractors as well. My uncle farmed with a fleet of them until he retired just a few years ago.

I agree the 50 series are great tractors. One of our 4850s has 22,XXX hours on it.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Something with about 100-120 pto hp, 4wd and duals would do quite well. With a powershift transmission and all that extra hp you'll be amazed at how much faster they are than the old crawlers for field work. Deere, International/Case-IH, Ford/New Holland, Allis Chalmers and others all made some good models that fit that description in the '80s. The 50 and 55 series Deere's were some of the best tractors Deere ever made, we have some from that vintage and they are rock solid despite being 25-30yrs old. (you'd want a 3150, 4050, 4250 size). I also have a good bit of experience with the 8000 series Allis Chalmers, (8010, 8030, 8050, 8070) they were good tractors as well. My uncle farmed with a fleet of them until he retired just a few years ago.

I would agree with everything said here. My dad sold Allis Chalmers for over 30 years. We have a very nice 8050 in the shed now that is a great tractor. I will add that White in the 2-105 is a really good unit also. They made a bunch of them and they are good rugged tractors that can be had for pennies on the dollar. We have one local here in NC that is IMHO a good buy. Not much demand here in the Piedmont for that much tractor. They can be had for really good prices.

white tractor 2-105