Row Crop Tractor Advice

[Hamloc]

Looking to update my midsize row crop tractor. Looking at New Holland, Case Ih and John Deere at present. For my price range probably will have to have 4-6000 hrs. Need 250 pto hp minimum. Will be used on heavy harrows, silage cutter and grain cart. Looking for opinions and experiences with different brands. Presently have an 2004 Case Ih MX255 Magnum with 5100 hrs. Just rebuilt the transmission. Issue was supposedly caused by an internal hydraulic leak. Was a bit surprised as I thought the Magnum power shift was a strong transmission. I am curious on dependability of John Deere IVT transmissions. Anyone run a John Deere 7280R or similar size? A New Holland T8-340 or 360? My MX 255 needs a bit more power and weight for what I use it for.

[LEP]

For heavy harrows and grain cart fwa tractors aren't the best. Might be better to get 350hp 4wd with pto. Almost likely cheaper.

I have a 7830 with ivt. Love it. Use it on the roller, snow blade and topdress pulltype sprayer. I was told ivt isn't a transmission for heavy tillage, but I have had no issues with it. About 6500 hrs on it.

[Taiga]

I recently acquired a T8.410, I deleted the DEF and had it tuned to the t8.435 level. It has lots of rear weight and has front linkage so have a weight block for it, scaled it at 36,000lbs. 50kph CVT trans, front suspension, I love it. Very versatile tractor, even had it on the round baler when other tractor had a breakdown, was able to beat the rain. 540 and 1000 PTO.

Apparently 2014-2016 have liner issues and antifreeze leaking into the oil resulting in engine loss, so would avoid those years. 2020+ has the new cab.

Don’t be afraid of the grey market imports, save a lot of money.

[ajl]

Why not Fendt or MF? They have good offerings in that size class. I used to have an MF 7495. My brother has it now with over 11000 hrs on it. Has had some electronic issues but all brands have that these days.

[woodland]

Hamloc

Currently running an IVT 7230R that will roll over to 10k hours shortly. Came from a 15 speed PS and can’t imagine going back. Bought it at RB with 7700 hrs and don’t know the history of it. Just a couple electrical faults occasionally and changed the thermostats. Use it for loading and dragging the mix wagon around.

IVT would be great on a chopper………. What chopper are you running? We went from a FP240 to a 470hp Claas and the production is double easily. Might be an option and get a 4wd to pull the harrows and cart?

[Hamloc]

Presently use a Case equivalent of the FP240. Certainly agree a self propelled cutter would increase production, I only put up about a quarter of silage, tough to justify the additional cost. I do have a 895 versatile I can harrow with, usually use it for discing sloughs. Going to look at a John Deere 8320R today but it has the power shift transmission, interesting you prefer the IVT.

[Hamloc]

Why not Fendt or MF? They have good offerings in that size class. I used to have an MF 7495. My brother has it now with over 11000 hrs on it. Has had some electronic issues but all brands have that these days.

Fendts certainly nice looking tractors. Generally out of my price range.

[farmaholic]

We have a 2008 MF7480 with the CVT. Sure nice to blow snow with while using a rear mount blower. It can just crawl if you need it to. I thought the tractors switched from a hydro style drive to a mechanical drive when they encounter heavy draft loads.
The Fendts would be a nice tractor but I think they are over equipped for most things the majority of farms in Canada need them for.

[woodland]

Presently use a Case equivalent of the FP240. Certainly agree a self propelled cutter would increase production, I only put up about a quarter of silage, tough to justify the additional cost. I do have a 895 versatile I can harrow with, usually use it for discing sloughs. Going to look at a John Deere 8320R today but it has the power shift transmission, interesting you prefer the IVT.

I put 1500 hrs a year on the feeding tractor and love the IVT. Kinda browsing for a backup unit as a 4430 Deere blew an engine bearing and our 4760’s are getting to 20k hours each. Not considering a PS as loader work is so nice to run it with just the gas pedal and brakes. No clutch required. Dialing the ground speed to whatever you want independent of engine rpm is nice. Kinda like going to an automatic from a 5speed in a pickup. Guess I’m getting soft and lazy

Let me know how you make out with whatever you get as I’m kinda looking towards that 300 ponies as well

Good luck

[Grain Farmer]

Once you have ITV, never go back.
in a Deere..command Pro is 1 step up even..
But only on newer tractors.