Indiana Farmall Posted June 22 Posted June 22 Looking at a few tractors for the farm and trying to decide what is best for us. We have a couple magnums for field work but I want something just for in the summer hay work, mowing/baling hay, bush hog and a loader. Not a big budget maybe $25k max in it but less the better but I am 40 years old and would have to live with whatever I get for a long time. Thinking in the cheap end a 1066 with cab, I know not the most comfortable but ok sort of for a loader certainly better than a 86 series far as where the controls are. Or I could step up in price a little to a 3688 or 5088, 5088 scares me because from what I understand they had differential issues and parts are not being made. 3688 I think is same as a 986? Both I think would be better than a 66 series far as shifting for loader work but a little more money. Or I could go to a jd 4440. There’s been a couple in the family I have ran and am familiar with them but I have always been a IH guy so idk and probably would be the most expensive of the options I’m looking at. Hydros I think would be great but I have heard of longevity issues with hydros with some people and others say they get tons of hours out of them but the rebuild cost of if it went out scares me. Most likely will be looking to purchase this fall/winter definitely before next spring but just looking at options now. Any thoughts, thanks. Quote
766 Man Posted June 22 Posted June 22 5 minutes ago, Indiana Farmall said: Looking at a few tractors for the farm and trying to decide what is best for us. We have a couple magnums for field work but I want something just for in the summer hay work, mowing/baling hay, bush hog and a loader. Not a big budget maybe $25k max in it but less the better but I am 40 years old and would have to live with whatever I get for a long time. Thinking in the cheap end a 1066 with cab, I know not the most comfortable but ok sort of for a loader certainly better than a 86 series far as where the controls are. Or I could step up in price a little to a 3688 or 5088, 5088 scares me because from what I understand they had differential issues and parts are not being made. 3688 I think is same as a 986? Both I think would be better than a 66 series far as shifting for loader work but a little more money. Or I could go to a jd 4440. There’s been a couple in the family I have ran and am familiar with them but I have always been a IH guy so idk and probably would be the most expensive of the options I’m looking at. Hydros I think would be great but I have heard of longevity issues with hydros with some people and others say they get tons of hours out of them but the rebuild cost of if it went out scares me. Most likely will be looking to purchase this fall/winter definitely before next spring but just looking at options now. Any thoughts, thanks. If it needs to be Case IH or IH 25,000 dollars should get you into a 7110 2 WD. Not off of Tractorhouse but carefully shopping auctions. With inflation the hours will not be extremely low but possible to get one that has 5,000-6,000 hours on it. John Deere 4250 with power shift would be another possibility. 86 series is best for field work requiring minimal speed change and not the best choice for loader work. 88 series carry a price premium due to popularity with collectors. Quote
acem Posted June 22 Posted June 22 Hydros are great. They are reliable but at their age anything can happen. Rebuild cost is similar to the same as a powershift I expect. I prefer the 86 series for loader work. Right hand is on remote levers mostly but on throttle occasionally. Left hand is on steering wheel and shifter. Don't usually need to steer while you're shifting gears. How is a 5088 on a loader? I'm a red man but the 4440 is a good tractor too. Quote
Gearclash Posted June 22 Posted June 22 3 hours ago, cjf711 said: maxxum 5140/50 or 5240/50 This. So much handier than the older IH tractors for the applications listed. 2 Quote
whweldit Posted June 22 Posted June 22 Depending on size wanted. I have a caseih cx90. Not a large frame like a 86 or such series. Depending on your needs might work fine. Quote
cobfly Posted June 22 Posted June 22 I myself, prefer 88 controls for loader work. Syncro range helps a lot. Right hand for controls, left hand steering and beer. Quote
Indiana Farmall Posted June 22 Author Posted June 22 I love the Magnums but are kinda clumsy for what I am wanting (not sharp turning, etc.) I would like to go with a maxxum but in my price range they are pretty well used/abused. nothing against a 40 or 50 series deer just prefer red and I know the deers use more fuel doing the same work. Definitely am considering this route. I know a hydro would be great but should the longevity of the hydro be something I should be worried about or ? 88 series I think would work for what I am wanting to do with it, and Ive seen them kinda all over in price though. 5088’s can be had for in the low teens and 3688’s although is a lot smaller of a tractor can be had closer to $10k. The price along with being red is attractive to me. But I question the parts availability/final drive issues on the 5088 and the fact that there isn’t very many 3688’s out there I just don’t know. Quote
766 Man Posted June 22 Posted June 22 22 minutes ago, Indiana Farmall said: I love the Magnums but are kinda clumsy for what I am wanting (not sharp turning, etc.) I would like to go with a maxxum but in my price range they are pretty well used/abused. nothing against a 40 or 50 series deer just prefer red and I know the deers use more fuel doing the same work. Definitely am considering this route. I know a hydro would be great but should the longevity of the hydro be something I should be worried about or ? 88 series I think would work for what I am wanting to do with it, and Ive seen them kinda all over in price though. 5088’s can be had for in the low teens and 3688’s although is a lot smaller of a tractor can be had closer to $10k. The price along with being red is attractive to me. But I question the parts availability/final drive issues on the 5088 and the fact that there isn’t very many 3688’s out there I just don’t know. Anything 40, 50, or more years old is going to be a crap shoot in terms of internal components. Especially a hydro. Has a given tractor been run low on oil while operating? Has the service been kept up including filter changes? The last owner may not have worked it hard but what about the owner(s) before that person? Quote
Indiana Farmall Posted June 22 Author Posted June 22 4 hours ago, 766 Man said: Anything 40, 50, or more years old is going to be a crap shoot in terms of internal components. Especially a hydro. Has a given tractor been run low on oil while operating? Has the service been kept up including filter changes? The last owner may not have worked it hard but what about the owner(s) before that person? Yeah I understand what you’re saying there for sure, even new stuff breaks down. Quote
2+2love Posted June 23 Posted June 23 8 hours ago, 766 Man said: Anything 40, 50, or more years old is going to be a crap shoot in terms of internal components. Especially a hydro. Has a given tractor been run low on oil while operating? Has the service been kept up including filter changes? The last owner may not have worked it hard but what about the owner(s) before that person? I got my 3488 out of canada 4-5 years ago. It shows 9,000 hours and the hydro is solid and I don't think anyone has ever rebuilt it. I did have an engine failure but I had a dt 466 to put in it. I'm currently looking for another 3488. 1 Quote
Lars (midessa) Posted June 23 Posted June 23 Tell us what your expectations are for your ‘hay side’ of your operation. How many acres? What are you wanting, round bales, large square, small square? Do you want a haybine, discbine? What’s your topography, flat, gently rolling, rolling, hillside? 1 Quote
Farmall1066 Posted June 23 Posted June 23 I guess I’ve not heard of or known 5088’s to have differential problems?! We’ve had 2 50’s over the years, both good tractors, the last one was just a terrible starting tractor, always ate batteries, and starters. @88seriesrestorer will have many answers to your questions on the 5x88 series. 1 Quote
from H to 80 Posted June 23 Posted June 23 Unless you are doing some serious lifting i recommend a smaller frame tractor for loader work, over the years i have had loaders on everything from a 560 to a 1586. The smaller frame tractors are just so much more agile,a 51or 52 series Maxxum or even a foreign branded tractor is better suites in my opinion. We have a ,dare i say it , Kubota with a loader now,shuttle shift, foot throttle and a nice cab. Quote
Indiana Farmall Posted June 23 Author Posted June 23 We’re not new to hay been doing it most of my life but less hay acres now than we once did but with a great uncle retiring a few years ago and selling equipment we once shared I have access to fewer tractors than I once did, would be less than 100 of hay ground including some pasture we bale off and it’s pretty flat, have a Case IH 8312 discbine and a Deere 568 round baler, just want to have a dedicated tractor for the hay/bush hogging road sides and loader work to keep our two main field tractors a 7120 and 7240 free to use for tillage/planting/side dressing/spraying. Current loader tractor is a JD 4010 gas with a I believe 148? loader. It’s ok but on the small side and not a fan of gas or a narrow front on a loader. Wanting something in the 125-140hp range. I’ve heard that the 5088 had weaker components in the rear end and differential than the 5288 or 5488 maybe I have been misinformed on that?, and parts are no longer available. I want one though lol, just not sure if it is the “safe” buy. But I think it would make a good choice for what I am wanting that or a 40-50 series Deere but I would rather be red but it isn’t a must. Quote
Lazy WP Posted June 23 Posted June 23 While I am not a fan of the Maxxum series,(owner errors), they are a tremendous loader/hay tractor. The 1 I was around had a left hand reverser. If you want cheap horse power and decent agility, I would look at a 7000 or 8000 series Allis with a Power Director transmission. Reverse and forward just by moving the shifter straight back and forth. I would not recommend a true power shift for loader work. You just have to bump the transmission through too many gears. The 86 series isn’t as bad as it appears, once you get used to it. I like my 90 series Case, but HATE the loader that is on it. Again, easy shifting for loader work. Quote
WisIHCFarmer Posted June 23 Posted June 23 1 hour ago, Indiana Farmall said: We’re not new to hay been doing it most of my life but less hay acres now than we once did but with a great uncle retiring a few years ago and selling equipment we once shared I have access to fewer tractors than I once did, would be less than 100 of hay ground including some pasture we bale off and it’s pretty flat, have a Case IH 8312 discbine and a Deere 568 round baler, just want to have a dedicated tractor for the hay/bush hogging road sides and loader work to keep our two main field tractors a 7120 and 7240 free to use for tillage/planting/side dressing/spraying. Current loader tractor is a JD 4010 gas with a I believe 148? loader. It’s ok but on the small side and not a fan of gas or a narrow front on a loader. Wanting something in the 125-140hp range. I’ve heard that the 5088 had weaker components in the rear end and differential than the 5288 or 5488 maybe I have been misinformed on that?, and parts are no longer available. I want one though lol, just not sure if it is the “safe” buy. But I think it would make a good choice for what I am wanting that or a 40-50 series Deere but I would rather be red but it isn’t a must. I think triple R has any and all parts needed to keep the 88s going. I think nla parts are a thing of the past, at least for now. 1 1 Quote
766 Man Posted June 23 Posted June 23 2 hours ago, Indiana Farmall said: We’re not new to hay been doing it most of my life but less hay acres now than we once did but with a great uncle retiring a few years ago and selling equipment we once shared I have access to fewer tractors than I once did, would be less than 100 of hay ground including some pasture we bale off and it’s pretty flat, have a Case IH 8312 discbine and a Deere 568 round baler, just want to have a dedicated tractor for the hay/bush hogging road sides and loader work to keep our two main field tractors a 7120 and 7240 free to use for tillage/planting/side dressing/spraying. Current loader tractor is a JD 4010 gas with a I believe 148? loader. It’s ok but on the small side and not a fan of gas or a narrow front on a loader. Wanting something in the 125-140hp range. I’ve heard that the 5088 had weaker components in the rear end and differential than the 5288 or 5488 maybe I have been misinformed on that?, and parts are no longer available. I want one though lol, just not sure if it is the “safe” buy. But I think it would make a good choice for what I am wanting that or a 40-50 series Deere but I would rather be red but it isn’t a must. I can understand wanting to upgrade from the 4010 but putting a 30 series WFE and a 6620 combine engine into it will do wonders for it. That is unless you want a tractor from front to back that is 130-150 PTO HP. Also, it is nice to have a climate controlled cab. I guess my thought is the 4010 is a known quantity versus buying something hundreds or even thousands of miles from home. I also think the shifting from forward to reverse is fairly good when things are in tolerance and adjustment. Quote
iowaboy1965 Posted June 24 Posted June 24 12 hours ago, Indiana Farmall said: We’re not new to hay been doing it most of my life but less hay acres now than we once did but with a great uncle retiring a few years ago and selling equipment we once shared I have access to fewer tractors than I once did, would be less than 100 of hay ground including some pasture we bale off and it’s pretty flat, have a Case IH 8312 discbine and a Deere 568 round baler, just want to have a dedicated tractor for the hay/bush hogging road sides and loader work to keep our two main field tractors a 7120 and 7240 free to use for tillage/planting/side dressing/spraying. Current loader tractor is a JD 4010 gas with a I believe 148? loader. It’s ok but on the small side and not a fan of gas or a narrow front on a loader. Wanting something in the 125-140hp range. I’ve heard that the 5088 had weaker components in the rear end and differential than the 5288 or 5488 maybe I have been misinformed on that?, and parts are no longer available. I want one though lol, just not sure if it is the “safe” buy. But I think it would make a good choice for what I am wanting that or a 40-50 series Deere but I would rather be red but it isn’t a must. From what I recall, the 50s had thrust washers instead of bearings on the pinion gears and did not like it if you used the brakes a lot on turn around at the end of the field . The 52s and 54s had bearings. I may not have used the exact correct terminology and there may be other issues I'm not aware of. Perhaps someone else will chime in on that. I think a hydro that has been taken care of is as likely to be a good tractor as any other 50 plus year old tractor as someone else said, they are all a crap shoot at this point. Condition, condition, condition is the thing to look for. 2 Quote
Jacka Posted June 24 Posted June 24 Large frame Hydro. From your description of what you want to do no way would I do it with a 66 series gear drive instead of a IH Hydro. From a 1026 to the 88 series Hydro I would take them over a 1066 any day of the weak and I love the 1066’s. Quote
Indiana Farmall Posted June 24 Author Posted June 24 Thanks for everyone’s inputs, at least it gives me some things to think about. Condition will be important and I’m hoping to shop around and maybe find something that fits my needs. I like several ideas, not against a hydro providing it seems good I just question longevity maybe I am overthinking it? But I agree for hay and loader work a hydro would be the best. 5088 I think would work well also along with a 40/50 series deere. I will keep my options open as I am shopping for something along those lines that is or at least appears to be in solid condition. Quote
IHandJDman Posted June 24 Posted June 24 1 hour ago, Indiana Farmall said: Thanks for everyone’s inputs, at least it gives me some things to think about. Condition will be important and I’m hoping to shop around and maybe find something that fits my needs. I like several ideas, not against a hydro providing it seems good I just question longevity maybe I am overthinking it? But I agree for hay and loader work a hydro would be the best. 5088 I think would work well also along with a 40/50 series deere. I will keep my options open as I am shopping for something along those lines that is or at least appears to be in solid condition. The large frame hydros have good parts https://herrshydro.com/. Keep your oil cooler clean, use good oil and the hydro will be fine. 5088s can have pinion issues but I believe can be rebuilt to 5288 or 5488 or even magnun specs. I think 7110s used the same pinion bushings. 1 Quote
lotsaIHCs Posted June 24 Posted June 24 I'll say that my 1066 is twice the tractor that my Hydro 70 is. I will also say that my Hydro 70 is twice the loader tractor that my 1066 is. I wish I had bought the Hydro 186 that I looked at before I bought my 1066. But there were a few things that swayed me from the 186. I see now there is a Hydro 100 for sale on the local FSBO site. If I could I'd sell or trade my 1066 for the Hydro 100. Quote
Lazy WP Posted June 24 Posted June 24 This one is not too far from me https://www.facebook.com/share/1FtuqoCofz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Quote
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