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East of Broken Bow | If you can swing the $$$, I'd agree completely.
On our farm we have an 1896, might just be our least favorite tractor overall. For some jobs it shines, but it also has gremlins, the 3 point never worked all that well, and it is either 'tight' or 'loose', unlike the other tractors listed that you can set to be 'loose' when down, but 'tighten' when fully lifted so implements don't flop around when raised. Also, who ever came up with the top link on the 1896 should have their head examined. The Power Shift has been fairly reliable mechanically, but has had electrical gremlins and with only 12 total speeds it seems like the ideal gear to be in is in between 3rd power shift in one range, and 1st power shift in the next range up.
In addition, we have (between me and my brothers) a 986, 1066, 5130, 5088, and 7120.
The 986 is ranked higher in HP than the 1896, but the 1896 will pull about anything the 986 will due to better lugging power of the Cummins turbo engine, and it burns more fuel as well (probably due to the 986 not being turbocharged). Problem with the 986 is that it also had its share of problems. We got a last year one with the high pressure high flow hydraulics, and IH didn't have it quite figured out yet. 3 PT performance is above the 1896.
Cab is about equal for sound level, the heat is equal, the A/C is a little weaker. Cab is smaller and not as easy to get into or out of. Has a dry clutch compared to the 1896 wet clutch. The dual PTO sure beats reversing the shaft like on the 1896.
The 1066 is a better tractor with a worse cab. More power, near equal fuel efficiency (not as good on lighter loads, but will outwork the 1896 in about all respects. The 3 PT is far superior. In fact I like it better than on the 986 or 5088 because as they wear the linkages on the 986 and 5088 get a bit sloppy making it less precise. The 1066 lever works directly on the control valve, so control is much more precise when using something like a 3 PT blade. With the '10 you also move up to a CatIII. Hydraulics are not in the same class as the 1896, less pressure, less flow.
The 7120 is superior in every way. Better cab, better controls, full powershift, more power, better balance, more weight, and very nice 3 pt controls. It is electronic, and I have had to replace a sensor, but it was fairly cheap to fix. A little harder on fuel, but it is a whole different class of tractor, bigger frame and stouter all around. Probably out of your price range, but most tractor we have.
The 5130 is a little lighter than the 1896 and a little lower HP, but I think the 5140 would be about its equal. Still a little lighter overall, but a better tractor otherwise. The 3 speed power shift is upgraded to a 4 speed making shifts smoother, and the range shifting is synchronized so it doesn't grind like when shifting ranges like the 1896. The 3 pt is improved, as well. If you lack traction with the 1896, you will have the same problems with a 5140. Cab is equal to or better than the 1896, and has two entry doors. A little smaller physically, but more maneuverable. This would have the same 5.9 Cummins as your 1896.
Next would be the 5088, probably my recommendation considering your price range. You might have to shop around to find a good one $20K or less, but they are a far better tractor. Cat III 3 pt, 18 speed transmission that is a big upgrade when compared to the 66 or 86 series in that the forward gears are synchronized. Hydraulics are somewhat better than the 1896. Other pluses would be a wet clutch and dual PTO. Cab is about equal to the 86 series, still a little awkward to get in/out of, but at least it has the double doors of the 86 series. Heat and A/C are about like the 986, maybe slightly better A/C. We have 2 of them, and they have been extremely reliable for us. One has about 10,000 hours, it was gone through when we got it, not much done since. The other has about 8000 hours, we bought it with a hair over 2000, and have done almost nothing to it other than normal wear stuff like belts hoses and alternators. One word of advice I'll give for a new 5088 owner would be to change the fan bearing when you get it, and every 1000 hours after that. It has the reverse flow fan that has a short drive shaft with a carrier bearing to drive the fan instead of having it bolt to the front of the water pump like the 66/86 series. Change it every 1000 hours and it will never give a problem. Run it until it starts to growl and it can cause problems when it goes out. Overall reliability has been about on par with the 7120, but it isn't as nice to operate. | |
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Looking for upgrade options for Case IH 1896
