Just for the sake of discussion, what (in your own opinion) is the absolute best tractor that one could put under a mounted picker? This is completely color-blind in regard to both the tractor and the picker. This could be something you have had experience running or just your own speculation as to what you think would be the best tractor/picker combination.
In my mind, the best tractor would be a JD 3020 Diesel Power Shift under a New Idea 319 Picker with the 12-roll 322 Husking Bed. Yes, this is almost the exact rig I am running now but here is my rationale:
The 3020 has enough horsepower to do most anything I would want to do with this picker. The diesel will have less heat-related problems than a gas engine will. The power shift is just, well, the cat's meow for this application! With this particular picker, the 3020 will fit under it nicely without having to put the nose extension on the picker that is needed when mounting a New Idea on a 6-cylinder tractor. This makes for a shorter, more maneuverable rig. A 4010/4020/4000 tractor under it would also be nice (more horses aren't a bad thing) and the nose extension isn't all bad, but it is hard to find these larger tractors with the 15.5 rubber that is necessary to get this picker down 36" or 38" rows. I like the New Idea picker because of parts availablility and the fact that there are so many processing units you can change on the back. With that being said, I have not run any other pickers besides New Idea and a John Deere 237.
I have run an IH 560 gas and diesel with a 234 picker, but my dream machine would be an IH 1026 with a late 234.
The 1026 sits high and forward so you can see better, and the hydro would make it like a modern day combine. The power would be limitless for either picking, or shelling into a 300bu wagon.
First off, I will admit that I have trouble being color-blind, since we have only ever run AC tractors and New Idea pickers (and other implements). We ran a couple of different New Idea mounted pickers for years on an AC D-17, though, with very good results. We ran both with a husking bed only as well as with a sheller attachment. (Yes, we still have all of it.) The D-17 is very maneuverable, and while it is a lighter tractor, fluid in the rear tires gives it the heft to work well on the terraces, hills, and curved rows on our hillside farm. It always had plenty of horsepower, but we were not trying to run 300-bushel wagons, either. The only limitation is that you could really only use a Series I or II D-17, with the one hydraulic hookup and the control lever on the steering column. I am not sure about the hydraulic configuration on the Series III, but the Series IV has two sets of hydraulics with the levers fastened right in the way between the seat and the right fender. Since you must take the fenders off, this makes it nearly impossible to use the Series IV. We switched the right and left wheel rims so that they were mounted "inside-out", so to speak, and re-mounted the tires to point the right direction. This gave us the right width for the 38" rows that we used to plant back then. As a matter of fact, Pop says that the old '63 D-17 still has the tires mounted that way. The parts are very interchangeable for the New Idea pickers. I have used parts off of our old parts mounted pickers to repair our 324s. Plus, most of the New Idea stuff was made to work with the AC line, so hooking up was usually pretty straightforward. (Notice I didn't say easy. Mounting those things by hand was never easy.) For more power, you could use a D-19 or D-21, but they were both pretty scarce around our area. We never had either model. I think the D-21 was a good tractor, but it might be too big.
That's my opinion, but I do not have experience with other tractor lines.
either a wd or d 17 preferably with powerw steering and to make it perfect if they had made a hydro tranny would have been perfect. But then i am still hoping to make a mounted 30 inch row picker for the fun of it to put on a wd. lol
Guess I forgot about an IH Hydro tractor - that would be a nice outfit under my New Idea mounted picker. What is the largest IH hydro you could put under a picker that wouldn't look goofy with 15.5 rubber?
I remeber our D-17 diesel with a #17 AC picker and a Ford 981 select-o-speed with 2 mounted Ford picker. I thought the Ford was slick setup. The D-17 had more power ,but the 6 cylinder diesel was heavier infront than the ford, we had some muddy falls then. The Ford setup was also our last , as the picker was traded on a 2 row Gleaner E in 1963. The picker next went on a D-17.
I have a wd45 i cant wait to use with a mounted dearborn picker. just nded to to get another of the big pulleys and the belt that drives the gathering units on each side.Just wish the yields on wide rows were closer so i could plabt all wide rows.
I have had only experience with two units; 2MH picker mounted on a Farmall M and the NI 319 picker mounted on a Farmall 656. Definitely an upgrade and a very good pair to pick corn with. Even with the NI 315 sheller attached, the 656 does a good job. I am beginning to stash a few dollars away for an IH 234 picker and I think that a 706 would be a good mate to it.
IH 70, 86 came with 15.5's. The 100 had 18.4's but I would think you could get by with 15.5's. Earlier tractor would be a 656 hydro with 15.5's. 826 more power but bigger tires. I have never been around a New Idea picker or looked in a parts book, but am curious to what the newest and biggest tractor you could get mountings for. I know you could put a 234 on a 1466. Just imaging that big tractor with a narrow front!
There are basically 2 sets of New Idea mounting brackets for IH tractors - one for the tractors with a square axle and another for the tractors with a hex axle. As long as the size of either of these axles didn't change from one series to another, the mounts should fit. With that being said, then you would have to evaluate each individual case as to other clearance issues (such as tire size, placement of tractor controls on the newer/larger tractors, drawbar mounts, etc.) Could you still switch front ends on an 86 Hydro (or 686) to a narrow front or single wheel? In the brochure I have it really doesn't say. I have one for a 666 and that one still lists a tricycle front end as an option.
-- Edited by jdtom on Monday 31st of January 2011 02:41:56 PM
I've done the majority of my picking with a JD 237 using either a 3010 diesel or 4020 diesel under it. Both tractors have synchro shifts which worked fine but I do agree with Tom that a power shift would be "top shelf". When I bought my IH 234 I put it on my 560 diesel which worked alright except that the 2 point hitch didn't seem to have enough power to lift the picker the way I thought it should [even with a new hydraulic pump]. Then I bought a 706 diesel to use with the 234, which seems to be a perfect match for that picker.
I am a little late on getting back in on this one ! I am normally a color coordinated person , but I would have to say if I was putting the best of the best together it would be a late mode JD 4020 diesel with a power shift and side console and then a IH 234 on it ! Lots of capacity on the picker with knife rolls to cut the stalks and plenty of power for big loads ,hills , wet spots !Great power steering ! Power shift for gear selection on the go !! Comfort for sitting and standing both !
Just to bad the don`t come both in the other GREEN COLOR !! OLIVER !!! Come on laugh! Hope Everyone is doing WELL !
Of course I am going to be color blind as well and go with the D17s series 1 through 3. The series 4s had a better hydraulic system but robbed them of power and had the hydraulic controls on the side, while these options made them a better unit in most conditions I think they would hurt them on a picker. With the earlier series you had the one hydraulic lever and the additional power. But the two true advantages would be the snappy powerful engine and the hand clutch. You cannot go wrong with the hand clutch, you can slip that thing for thousands of hours before needing repair and saves life on your engine clutch and can be operated standing upright or sitting down. I have heard many stories from older mechanics talking about farmers taking clutches out in Deeres and IHs while picking corn.
I remember checking out a D 17 with a mounted new idea super picker on it.Guy said it was dusty sitting down in there but i still would like to try it one fall. I know it wasnt the greatest because of shelling and breaking off stalks but the neatest looking outfit was the neighbors MM ZB with the N.I. and trailing husking bed.Boy do i regret not buying it and his wagons with the false endgates.
Im with you Oliver#4 The late 4020 D with the 234 is a no brainer to me power, comfort, gear selection Capacity for a sheller or husking bed whatever you wanted to do pull in and do it!!!!
I tell you pickin Nick that combo your using is the same as i used till we sold our home farm and the wd and ni#7 was a good set up. altho the 323 with its angled snapping rolls and better bearings are a corn a nd time and hand saving improvement .If it wasnt for liking the mounteds so much even tho Ive yet to use one or mine i really liked that as it was my first set up. The worst part for me was finishing picking! A bittersweet day.=)
, gotta be color blind. 
