Best tractor around 120hp

Toplink · 18-10-2020 07:26PM #1

Debating about a new tractor or newish second hand more than likely. We don't spread our own slurry, tractor mainly needed for throwing out round bales with a front loader.

Whats the best yoke around the 120hp mark?

Fine Day · 18-10-2020 07:53PM

Toplink wrote: »

Debating about a new tractor or newish second hand more than likely. We don't spread our own slurry, tractor mainly needed for throwing out round bales with a front loader.

Whats the best yoke around the 120hp mark?

I think you need to have a budget and go from there as I am sure you know there is huge difference in costs out there.

Grueller · 18-10-2020 07:59PM

Theheff wrote: »

I think you need to have a budget and go from there as I am sure you know there is huge difference in costs out there.

And specs. New holland T5.120 is 120 hp. So is the T6.125s. Two totally different animals though.
Same for a Massey 5712 vs a 6712.

Fine Day · 18-10-2020 08:07PM

Grueller wrote: »

And specs. New holland T5.120 is 120 hp. So is the T6.125s. Two totally different animals though.
Same for a Massey 5712 vs a 6712.

Very true. If I was in going out to buy a tractor in the morning id be going with a ten year old tractor with low hours. No adblue or any of that craic.

Grueller · 18-10-2020 08:11PM

Theheff wrote: »

Very true. If I was in going out to buy a tractor in the morning id be going with a ten year old tractor with low hours. No adblue or any of that craic.

You and everyone else Heff. That is the problem. 10 year old low hour tractor is €50k, if you can trust the hours!!!!

Fine Day · 18-10-2020 08:28PM

Grueller wrote: »

You and everyone else Heff. That is the problem. 10 year old low hour tractor is €50k, if you can trust the hours!!!!

New yokes are lovely but you want to be trading them in every few years.

bogman_bass · 18-10-2020 08:39PM

Toplink wrote: »

Debating about a new tractor or newish second hand more than likely. We don't spread our own slurry, tractor mainly needed for throwing out round bales with a front loader.

Whats the best yoke around the 120hp mark?

Do you need 120 horses would be my first question

salamiii · 18-10-2020 09:28PM

what about this used one

https://touch.adverts.ie/farm-machinery/massey-ferguson-178/21769261

hopeso · 18-10-2020 11:16PM

bogman_bass wrote: »

Do you need 120 horses would be my first question

My thoughts too... 120hp is overkill for handling a few bales...

Grueller · 19-10-2020 06:40AM

hopeso wrote: »

My thoughts too... 120hp is overkill for handling a few bales...

I would think that depends. I do my own slurry, mow, shake, rake and draw my bales. Top, spread fert and cut my own hedges.
None of these jobs on the face of it need 120hp but I am in the market for a tractor that size too. Implements are getting bigger all the time and time is getting scarcer.
Here is the big reason though. I have an 80 acre outfarm 8 miles away so spend a good bit of time on the road. The extra size, weight and comfort is essential to me for drawing back home silage bales during the summer. I carry 17 at a time so that is 14 tonne or so behind you. I would draw up to 300 of these on my own. Why not get a contractor and have a smaller tractor? I am on a one tractor plan and there is little differ in the price of 90hp and 120 hp to buy.
The 120 hp will allow me to buy a 3tonne spinner and load bulk fert at the merchants when passing on the way to the outfarm, spread and home with no messing, load again on the way home and a lot of work is done in a short space of time.
The extra weight on the hedgecutter would be a big help too.
I am also on the high tax bracket on every euro the farm earns due to off farm income, have a good occupational pension plan and like doing my own work.

hopeso · 19-10-2020 09:49AM

Grueller wrote: »

I would think that depends. I do my own slurry, mow, shake, rake and draw my bales. Top, spread fert and cut my own hedges.
None of these jobs on the face of it need 120hp but I am in the market for a tractor that size too. Implements are getting bigger all the time and time is getting scarcer.
Here is the big reason though. I have an 80 acre outfarm 8 miles away so spend a good bit of time on the road. The extra size, weight and comfort is essential to me for drawing back home silage bales during the summer. I carry 17 at a time so that is 14 tonne or so behind you. I would draw up to 300 of these on my own. Why not get a contractor and have a smaller tractor? I am on a one tractor plan and there is little differ in the price of 90hp and 120 hp to buy.
The 120 hp will allow me to buy a 3tonne spinner and load bulk fert at the merchants when passing on the way to the outfarm, spread and home with no messing, load again on the way home and a lot of work is done in a short space of time.
The extra weight on the hedgecutter would be a big help too.
I am also on the high tax bracket on every euro the farm earns due to off farm income, have a good occupational pension plan and like doing my own work.

Yes, your workload totally justifies a 120hp tractor. But the OP stated that his tractor will be mainly used to throw out a few bales, hence my reply....

Grueller · 19-10-2020 09:56AM

hopeso wrote: »

Yes, your workload totally justifies a 120hp tractor. But the OP stated that his tractor will be mainly used to throw out a few bales, hence my reply....

And I agree 100%. If you asked the boss here he would say our tractor really only does a bit of feeding. Until you actually analyse it.

davidk1394 · 19-10-2020 10:26AM

If it was me personally. I'd buy a massey 5713, if you are doing a nice bit of loader work. Their a good all round machine that is easy to operate.

Donald Trump · 19-10-2020 10:49AM

davidk1394 wrote: »

If it was me personally. I'd buy a massey 5713, if you are doing a nice bit of loader work. Their a good all round machine that is easy to operate.

I think the 5712 (or 5612) is 120hp.

The smaller ones in those series are 3 cylinder and I think they escape the adblue requirements

Bass Reeves · 19-10-2020 10:56AM

hopeso wrote: »

Yes, your workload totally justifies a 120hp tractor. But the OP stated that his tractor will be mainly used to throw out a few bales, hence my reply....

I agree, You would actually get two tractors for around or a bit with half the price of a 120 hp tractor less than ten years old.

I am doing more or less similar to you OP. I have 60-70 acres and I finish 60 cattle . I make about 200-250 bales and draw them in, stack them and feed them. Spread fertilizer and a bit of land maintenance.

I have a 2002 CX90 4wd with loader and a CX 80 2wd. The two tractors were purchased about 3 years apart and cost abouts 27-28K.

If there is a second person with me bringing in bales we can bring in about 25 bales an hour.

19-10-2020 11:23AM

bogman_bass wrote: »

Do you need 120 horses would be my first question

hopeso wrote: »

My thoughts too... 120hp is overkill for handling a few bales...

Would disagree on that. Went from a 75hp to 120hp and also having the use of a 90hp tractor at times I would never go under 115/120hp again. The comfort you have even from the extra weight of the tractors is well worth it. Could we manage the 200 bales or so we do, cleaning out sheds, muck/slurry, fert, cutting silage, tedding etc with less? Of course but there is a lot to be said for comfort and having a very capable machine well able for everything rather than struggling. Its much safer too imo especially for handling bales.

Also when we have work going on we can pull a dump trailer with comfort or do other heavy jobs that might be rare but still great to be able to do them yourself when needed.

I see so many people struggling with tractors too small we are much happier to have one that is a little big instead.

You didn't give a budget op and you asked for the best so my suggestion would be a Fendt 312.

GrasstoMilk · 19-10-2020 11:59AM

Donald Trump wrote: »

I think the 5712 (or 5612) is 120hp.

The smaller ones in those series are 3 cylinder and I think they escape the adblue requirements

Have a 2018 5712
Very nice tractor to do a days work in
Have a 5ft 6 shear grab on her no problem

Plan on keeping her till she is 10 year old
Putting up 1000hours a year on it

Donald Trump · 19-10-2020 12:14PM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Have a 2018 5712
Very nice tractor to do a days work in
Have a 5ft 6 shear grab on her no problem

Plan on keeping her till she is 10 year old
Putting up 1000hours a year on it

Do you have the factory fitted loader/joystick?

trabpc · 19-10-2020 12:17PM

Arely Chubby Mimicry wrote: »

Would disagree on that. Went from a 75hp to 120hp and also having the use of a 90hp tractor at times I would never go under 115/120hp again. The comfort you have even from the extra weight of the tractors is well worth it. Could we manage the 200 bales or so we do, cleaning out sheds, muck/slurry, fert, cutting silage, tedding etc with less? Of course but there is a lot to be said for comfort and having a very capable machine well able for everything rather than struggling. Its much safer too imo especially for handling bales.

Also when we have work going on we can pull a dump trailer with comfort or do other heavy jobs that might be rare but still great to be able to do them yourself when needed.

I see so many people struggling with tractors too small we are much happier to have one that is a little big instead.

You didn't give a budget op and you asked for the best so my suggestion would be a Fendt 312.

Agree with this 100% went from a 4 cyl 90hp to 6cy 120hp. Mainly because of the silly asking prices for 15/20yr old 4 cyl loader tractors. Got the bigger one for alot less money than the equivalent yr in the 4cy. I can pull 2500 gallon tanker. And hired in dump trailer with no issues. 2 wet bales on back no issues. Do all own silage. I see lads paying ridiculous money For jd 6210 etc. And than handicap themselves from doing heavier work and relying on contractors as thier own not capable of the work.

GrasstoMilk · 19-10-2020 12:33PM

Donald Trump wrote: »

Do you have the factory fitted loader/joystick?

Yes, a gift
Wouldnt go back to a cable joystick again

Bazzer007 · 19-10-2020 01:46PM

The only negative of buying 6 cyclinder tractor is higher fuel costs and it's that bit more difficult to get around small tight yards with a loader. 120bhp tractors are more comfortable and it's always nice to have that extra power if you need it. I'd rather buy a 120bhp if I had the choice.

19-10-2020 02:55PM

Ours is 120hp 4 cylinder so don't have the increased fuel costs.

Jd310 · 19-10-2020 05:02PM

Infairness a big tractor doing a job at her ease will burn much the same as a lighter tractor on her knees struggling all the time, I have both and wouldnt find much difference in diesel useage

K.G. · 19-10-2020 05:32PM

Toplink wrote: »

Debating about a new tractor or newish second hand more than likely. We don't spread our own slurry, tractor mainly needed for throwing out round bales with a front loader.

Whats the best yoke around the 120hp mark?

When all is said and done there is nt alot of difference in the common makes bar every make having the odd turkey.it really comes down to what you d like ,local good dealer and price.eg i have a buddy that likes the range command in nh whereas i prefer the way dynashift in a mf is set up

Bass Reeves · 19-10-2020 07:20PM

The question is how do you justify the spend of 50k on a piece of machinery that is only doing 2-300 hours work at half pace. While every farm needs a tractor you have to factor in the what it's doing and what costs are involved.
It hard to justify a 50k tractor on drystock farms of sub 100/ acres. The thing about picking up a decent tractor is the time it takes. Some lads think that you should be able to rock up and get the tractor you require at the price by looking around for a week or two. Last tractor I bought took about 6 months to buy and as well another 2-3 months looking at options whether I could manage without a 4wd. It was the necessity of s loader that caught me. The options of putting it on the 2wd was not justified by the cost.

Donald Trump · 19-10-2020 08:26PM

Bass Reeves wrote: »

The question is how do you justify the spend of 50k on a piece of machinery that is only doing 2-300 hours work at half pace. While every farm needs a tractor you have to factor in the what it's doing and what costs are involved.
It hard to justify a 50k tractor on drystock farms of sub 100/ acres. The thing about picking up a decent tractor is the time it takes. Some lads think that you should be able to rock up and get the tractor you require at the price by looking around for a week or two. Last tractor I bought took about 6 months to buy and as well another 2-3 months looking at options whether I could manage without a 4wd. It was the necessity of s loader that caught me. The options of putting it on the 2wd was not justified by the cost.

50k on a tractor with low hours work might be justified for the fella with the off-farm job who needs to rely on being able to do the jobs when they have to be done.

We bought a yoke along the lines of what the OP seems to be looking for. It was over 5 years old and just over 1250 hours. We'd be looking at putting up a min of 800 hours a year on it, and possibly more depending on how much of the work it is used for. But to me, it seems mental that someone bought a brand new yoke and used it so little. Salesman said the fella has a well-paid off-farm job and only really does it as a hobby. Probably writes the losses off his salary taxes....he traded it in for a new one!

Gillespy · 19-10-2020 08:54PM

Bass Reeves wrote: »

The question is how do you justify the spend of 50k on a piece of machinery that is only doing 2-300 hours work at half pace. While every farm needs a tractor you have to factor in the what it's doing and what costs are involved.
It hard to justify a 50k tractor on drystock farms of sub 100/ acres. The thing about picking up a decent tractor is the time it takes. Some lads think that you should be able to rock up and get the tractor you require at the price by looking around for a week or two. Last tractor I bought took about 6 months to buy and as well another 2-3 months looking at options whether I could manage without a 4wd. It was the necessity of s loader that caught me. The options of putting it on the 2wd was not justified by the cost.

Well, no, the question was what 120hp tractor to buy. Just assume they have the money and let the thread run as it was intended, at least for a few days. Tractor talk is interesting, trying to justify them isn't.

Iloverain · 20-10-2020 12:53AM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Yes, a gift
Wouldnt go back to a cable joystick again

What’s the difference between the factory fitted and other ones?

salamiii · 20-10-2020 01:06AM

new tractors out

https://www.fwi.co.uk/machinery/tractors/ultimate-guide-to-buying-a-tractor-2020

GrasstoMilk · 20-10-2020 09:14AM

Iloverain wrote: »

What’s the difference between the factory fitted and other ones?

Its integrated into the armrest and its electronic
The arm rest has throttle, lifts, T bar for gears

On the joystick itself you have the plus and minus buttons for gears aswell as the 3rd service for the loader that can turn on and off 4wd aswell if you're at a job like loading muck where you need that extra bit of push

It was an extra at a cost of 2k but the tractor itself will be worth that but more at trade in I'd hope

Timmaay · 20-10-2020 11:23AM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Its integrated into the armrest and its electronic
The arm rest has throttle, lifts, T bar for gears

On the joystick itself you have the plus and minus buttons for gears aswell as the 3rd service for the loader that can turn on and off 4wd aswell if you're at a job like loading muck where you need that extra bit of push

It was an extra at a cost of 2k but the tractor itself will be worth that but more at trade in I'd hope

The alternative is the poor man's massey that I got, which was a 5711 global, basically a stockman version of the 5712s. Mine came with a quickie loader, cable joystick and nothing on the armrest. The dealer selling me my tractor told me there was something like 13k in the difference between both, but he was probably trying to scare me into closing the deal on mine lol. I agree that if I went all out I'd probably never want to go back to a cable joystick lol, however this tractor is still a huge step up on anything I have had previously, it has a boost pump for the loader which I definitely wouldnt be without in any future loaders.

Donald Trump · 20-10-2020 11:44AM

Timmaay wrote: »

The alternative is the poor man's massey that I got, which was a 5711 global, basically a stockman version of the 5712s. Mine came with a quickie loader, cable joystick and nothing on the armrest. The dealer selling me my tractor told me there was something like 13k in the difference between both, but he was probably trying to scare me into closing the deal on mine lol. I agree that if I went all out I'd probably never want to go back to a cable joystick lol, however this tractor is still a huge step up on anything I have had previously, it has a boost pump for the loader which I definitely wouldnt be without in any future loaders.

The MF loaders are (or at least used to be) painted red Quickie (as in you could still have the Quickie model number on a plate/sticker as well as the MF number which was branded on it).

A lot of the 5600 or 5700 range that you see being sold with loaders seem to have the black Quickie ones so there must be a decent differential between buying the MF painted one.

The 5600 series didn't have the fancy armrest but they have the the joystick with the inbuilt shuttle/gear change (for factory fitted). That probably wasn't available for the "black" Quickie loaders fitted afterwards. I don't know for certain though.

GrasstoMilk · 20-10-2020 01:22PM

Donald Trump wrote: »

The MF loaders are (or at least used to be) painted red Quickie (as in you could still have the Quickie model number on a plate/sticker as well as the MF number which was branded on it).

A lot of the 5600 or 5700 range that you see being sold with loaders seem to have the black Quickie ones so there must be a decent differential between buying the MF painted one.

The 5600 series didn't have the fancy armrest but they have the the joystick with the inbuilt shuttle/gear change (for factory fitted). That probably wasn't available for the "black" Quickie loaders fitted afterwards. I don't know for certain though.

Ours has the black quicke
Wouldnt put anything else on a tractor tbh

Grueller · 20-10-2020 03:30PM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Ours has the black quicke
Wouldnt put anything else on a tractor tbh

Quicke in the colours to match the marque of tractor would be my preference.

Bazzer007 · 20-10-2020 03:34PM

I ran both a 399 and 6410 feeding cattle for a few years. The 399 was very heavy on the juice but it's an older tractor. I used the 399 for back up and just sold it recently. I wouldn't sell the 6410 though.

Damo810 · 20-10-2020 06:08PM

If you're in the market for a new tractor JD 6M's are worth a look, even the 90HP model with a loader will be well over 6.5T in weight when most others will be either side of 5T. 80 or 114L hydraulic pumps (Which actually put out that output unlike many other makes!) are good for loader work.

Dozer1 · 20-10-2020 06:57PM

Would deutz or valmet come into play for anyone. Valmet quite popular here with contractors. Always liked the look of the Deutz but just don't see many about. The way it's gone dealer location is probably key in any choice

Dunedin · 20-10-2020 07:56PM

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Ours has the black quicke
Wouldnt put anything else on a tractor tbh

I bought new case in 2015. Wanted the quicke loader but went with the case loader due the factory fit.

Factory fit much tidier job inside but last tractor had quicke loader and no comparison between quicke and case loader - quicke all day long.

hopeso · 20-10-2020 07:56PM

Damo810 wrote: »

If you're in the market for a new tractor JD 6M's are worth a look, even the 90HP model with a loader will be well over 6.5T in weight when most others will be either side of 5T. 80 or 114L hydraulic pumps (Which actually put out that output unlike many other makes!) are good for loader work.

Absolutely....They're a fine tractor. Plus, the added bonus of no EGR or DPF on the engine.

kevthegaff · 20-10-2020 08:11PM

Their was a lad unloading straw for me before with a 16 new holland and a little joystick, it was a cool job

older by the day · 20-10-2020 08:13PM

Best tractor, is the one you can get someone to fix it. If your are getting good service try and buy from that guy.

Gillespy · 21-10-2020 10:35AM

Dozer1 wrote: »

Would deutz or valmet come into play for anyone. Valmet quite popular here with contractors. Always liked the look of the Deutz but just don't see many about. The way it's gone dealer location is probably key in any choice

That's exactly why there are a lot of both those two brands around here and both would be high on my shopping list too. Really good looking stylish tractors too I think.

joe35 · 19-11-2020 02:07PM

Anyone got any knowledge of the Armatrac tractors. Was looking at a new calfing gate and yard nextdoor had 1 for sale. 115 hp for 30,000 along with our 06 McCormick 105. I wouldn't be that pushed on it but wonder what people's thoughts are??

Grueller · 19-11-2020 02:32PM

joe35 wrote: »

Anyone got any knowledge of the Armatrac tractors. Was looking at a new calfing gate and yard nextdoor had 1 for sale. 115 hp for 30,000 along with our 06 McCormick 105. I wouldn't be that pushed on it but wonder what people's thoughts are??

A new McCormick or Landini might not be a million miles dearer and would be easier shifted later if you wanted.
30k plus your own is a €50-€55k budget.

lakill Farm · 19-11-2020 04:00PM

Grueller wrote: »

A new McCormick or Landini might not be a million miles dearer and would be easier shifted later if you wanted.
30k plus your own is a €50-€55k budget.

yes your right . I would have €25/27.5K value in my mind for my own cx105 with mx loader and 4400hours

20silkcut · 19-11-2020 04:30PM

Grueller wrote: »

And specs. New holland T5.120 is 120 hp. So is the T6.125s. Two totally different animals though.
Same for a Massey 5712 vs a 6712.

Could you give us the finer points on why they are two different animals. Just wondering know nothing about either .

joe35 · 19-11-2020 05:56PM

To go up in hp is costing a fair bit. We wouldn't do any heavy work with the tractor but we could do with the extra hp for land we have that's fairly hilly.

Just needed for drawing bales and the like

bogman_bass · 19-11-2020 06:05PM

lakill Farm wrote: »

yes your right . I would have €25/27.5K value in my mind for my own cx105 with mx loader and 4400hours

Would you get that much for trade in?

I would expect a dealer would be selling it at that price

Grueller · 19-11-2020 11:07PM

20silkcut wrote: »

Could you give us the finer points on why they are two different animals. Just wondering know nothing about either .

The 6 series new Holland are a longer wheel base tractor than the 5 series. They also have a far more spacious cab, heavier back end, ca suspension as standard. The 5 series is a stock man tractor. The 6 series is a mixed farmers tractor really. Will carry a lot if tillage operations,good on the road and still nimble enough for most stockman operations.

Castlekeeper · 20-11-2020 12:19AM

Anyone know why Claas tractors seem to be good value. I see a lot of fresh Axos selling for under 40k in DD.
Also came across this
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/lindner-ep-104/25126716
Seems to be a high spec Alpine tractor? I didn't know they were in this country.

bogman_bass · 20-11-2020 08:46AM

Castlekeeper wrote: »

Anyone know why Claas tractors seem to be good value. I see a lot of fresh Axos selling for under 40k in DD.
Also came across this
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/lindner-ep-104/25126716
Seems to be a high spec Alpine tractor? I didn't know they were in this country.

That guy and another crowd in north Dublin started importing them a few years ago.
Last of the independent family owned European tractor tractor brands.

They make an alpine tractor but that isn’t it.

Best tractor around 120hp

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