Cat 55 / JD 10t 20t

[mountfarm]

So we are looking possibly for a well used small crawler as the drill tractor. We don’t want anything heavy like the current variety of crawlers so we are looking at Cat 55 or JD 10/20 series. We don’t need any more than 250hp maximum but 200 would be fine. The current drill tractor which is on wheels also has to be involved in root crop harvest so can’t be everywhere. Budget £40,000 top end. We have used both a cat 55 and JD 8520t years ago via a third party. The cat never missed a beat where as the JD had metal bits in the rear end oil twice needing rebuilds. However the JD was the nicer to operate. No road work involved.

 

[deleted user 837354]

So we are looking possibly for a well used small crawler as the drill tractor. We don’t want anything heavy like the current variety of crawlers so we are looking at Cat 55 or JD 10/20 series. We don’t need any more than 250hp maximum but 200 would be fine. The current drill tractor which is on wheels also has to be involved in root crop harvest so can’t be everywhere. Budget £40,000 top end. We have used both a cat 55 and JD 8520t years ago via a third party. The cat never missed a beat where as the JD had metal bits in the rear end oil twice needing rebuilds. However the JD was the nicer to operate. No road work involved.

I know nothing about the used values of these machines but would it not be better to go in part ownership with a neighbour to buy a reasonable second hand one, and a munter of a drill to go behind it?

 

[nick...]

There has been a mint 55 cat on fb for sake recently.i can’t find the details of it but maybe someone else seen it.ian houlgrave has a few often for sale too
Nick...

 

[Will 1594]

Well used crawler , does not bring me much confidence ,
Better to buy another wheeled tractor , what drill are you using ,
Put the widest rubber on it ,you can ,then duall it ,will out perform a small challenger ,and no ten k gearbox fears .
When not drilling ,you can ditch duals and use it for other jobs , get set up to fit remove duals easily , can do ours with forklift safely made a lifter ,and on off regular ,and are big fffers2 m tall
Tractive compaction does the damage and weight ,
We spent big money last year on drilling tyres ,paid for them selves this year ,no wheelings any where all nice even crops that are up ,even on the heavier stuff ,

 

[Will 1594]

There has been a mint 55 cat on fb for sake recently.i can’t find the details of it but maybe someone else seen it.ian houlgrave has a few often for sale too
Nick...

Was it paul holmes cat 35/45 ,he is near york

 

[nick...]

Was it paul holmes cat 35/45 ,he is near york

Can’t remember,was cat colour and looked immaculate ,just had a look,it was him under tractors plant and machinery and sales

Nick...

 

[Deutzdx3]

Claas 55. Cat in claas clothing but maybe cheaper. Contractor locally runs 2 for drilling with a 6m vaddy and 6m co4

 

[Lowland1]

I am interested in something similar. I would like a crawler to get on when it's wet but I am worried about the complications and weight of the newer type Challengers but not so sure as to whether I really want something that is 20+ years old. Does anyone have any further thoughts.

 

[Lewis821]

I would not be looking at anything jd 10 or 20 series, both had massive reliability issues. The 8410t i drove was a bloody nightmare, complete bone shaker, 20 was as bad but with a better radio!
Reliability wise i would look at a 755/65 B/C. Not sure they would be much heavier than a 55 and theyre not that technical

https://www.farmmachinerylocator.co.uk/listings/farm-machinery/for-sale/47853847/2007-challenger-mt755b

 

[moldengineer]

Have an 8520t and yes we have had clutch packs in the gearbox but we bought it with 6000 hours on it so not unexpected. Great tractor to drive in the field, not great on the road. Better now we have new tracks fitted.