not looking for a color war but...

I think these are just the size I am looking for, some a little bigger, some a little smaller, either way it would be an upgrade over the MF265 (which is a great tractor, don't get me wrong, has serviced our farm for 30 years). The new tractor would probably be used to operate haybine and baler, and not too much more. Located in upstate new york, not the flattest, or greatest of soil, but it serves me well.
So anyway, to continue making a short question even longer, how do these models stack up (in terms of actual use)? Should I favor one over another (besides the obvious brand war...i mean; are any of these tractors one to avoid, is any one of them a particularly weak worker, or does one have a history of breaking down etc...)
I do understand that they are all 25-35 years old, and aren't going to work the way they would out of the showroom, but we wouldn't be pushing them too hard, just a hobby farm (if any farm could be a hobby farm) that puts away 4-5000 small squares a year, but will be doubling that eventually.
thanks alot guys,
sorry for the length of this.

by the way...does anyone else get as excited at i do for auction day? I can't wait.
if anyone is in the area, it is at MacFadden & Sons in sharnon springs, NY. here is the website;

The 1066 is a heck of a tractor, probably alot more power and fuel consumption that you will ever need. If these models are like most of the newer ones the Ford will give you better economy and still have enough power to do what you want without keeping it in a strain all the time. It will have good parts support if there is a dealer nearby as will the IH's.

If you look at the Olivers the over/under shift is nice as long as it os in good working condition. If it is bad and you want it then it ia like the IH Ta, expensive to fix and just something else to go wrong. This last 1800 I bought doesn't have it and I am glad. Haha one less headache to repair:)

I will agree with the man who suggested a AC 180-190. Good reliable tractors and usually reasonably priced with good parts availability as well. I Don't know alot about the MF's so I won't say

I would consider the Oliver 1850. Of course it would depend on how good condition it is, but if its in good condition buy it!

It has a 354 Perkins engine which is troublr free, a bullet proof tranny/diff, and a nice power to wight ratio.

Make sure if you get it that it has an over- under hydra shift, so you can get up to 18 gears.

Just my opinion, but I don't think you'll be sorry.

God bless,

Pawel

Don't want any part of a war either, but for an 80-100 horse tractor, you can't get much better than a 966.

Allan

Yes Sir, I would imagine that the 986s are just fine also.

I've just never been around one and didn't want to comment on them, without knowing.

Allan

• macfaddens website

Link