best 5-ton tractor

[Hooty481]

looking for a 5-ton tractor to pull a cattle trailer and 42ft van tailer loaded with shavings. should i go with the m818 or something else. do they have enough power since they dont have a turbo? what do you all think?

 

[jwaller]

what kind of shavings? doens't matter really you will be over gross weight. get a different truck. civi would be best for the job.

 

[Hooty481]

how would i be over gross weight?
wood shavings for bedding horses

 

[armytruck63]

For mainly off road use, I would go with an M818. Highway use, look into an M915 or a civilian tractor. If you like an automatic with off road capabilities, you can substitute an M916 for the M818. Be aware that you would have to change the fifth wheel on the M916 because it comes set up for an oversized king pin.

 

[Hooty481]

i was looking toward the m818... i wanted the off road ability when pulling the cattle trailers because there are some feed lots the get pretty messy.

 

[EMD567]

If you get an 818, just be aware that top speed is 50 MPH, and with any kind of load, you will stuggle to get out of 3rd gear hirange, or about 25 mph. It will pull it however- just slowly. Also, 818's ride like a brick in a tornado. It will beat your kidneys to pieces.

 

[OldGoat]

I would like another 818, for a fun toy. As far as using it as a actual tractor, I would agree with the other posts. Third gear to fourth is a stretch. It does have power steering, which is good, but that's it. Many do not have a heater, which can be added. It's a primitive machine. A 916 would be a much better choice for your use. Power wise, I always wanted to put a turbo on the ones that I had.

 

[wreckerman893]

Having just drove a M915 from New Jersey to Neberaska(and having owned both the M915 and 916) I can tell you that it is a Caddilac compared to the M818.......for what you want the 900 series is best....and you will not pay that much more for a M915.

They do require a CDL, DOT Medical Card, ICC number and Commercial Insurance.......pay the money, it's worth it.

 

[Hooty481]

might go with the 900 series. i still like the looks of the m818 much better. how fast will the 916 run?

 

[Hooty481]

also is the only difference between the 915 and the 916 6x4 and 6x6

 

[Derrickl112]

The 5th wheel on the 916 is higher up than the 915's and you'll need to get a standard size 5th wheel.

The 916 also has a rear winch

 

[Hooty481]

are the 5th wheels plates hard to change?

 

[Derrickl112]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/5-ton-mods-hot-rodding/67219-how-m916-5th-wheel-plate-swap.html

judging by that thread, it looks like all you need is to have some bushings made for the new pins.

On the second page there is a picture of a m915 and 916 back to back showing the difference in height.

 

[wehring]

tractor

Why has no one mentioned the M932A2?

1. The 8.3 cummins is choice!
2. It runs 65mph
3. Air shift t-case
4. 6x6
5. Automatic
6. Better off road that the H-E-A-V-Y M916
7. Lower plate that the M916

I have variants of each truck discussed and the 939A2 series is really hard to beat. For hard use and heavy hauling my pushbutton M916 is a hoss but for farm use the M932 with the 8.3 cummins goes where the M916 cannot.

Just my .02

Justin Wehring
979 997 3112

 

[jwaller]

Why has no one mentioned the M932A2?

1. The 8.3 cummins is choice!
2. It runs 65mph
3. Air shift t-case
4. 6x6
5. Automatic
6. Better off road that the H-E-A-V-Y M916
7. Lower plate that the M916

I have variants of each truck discussed and the 939A2 series is really hard to beat. For hard use and heavy hauling my pushbutton M916 is a hoss but for farm use the M932 with the 8.3 cummins goes where the M916 cannot.

Just my .02

Justin Wehring
979 997 3112

excellent post. I have a 932a2 I want to sell. hahaha cheap plug for me...

 

[wreckerman893]

The 932 is still rated at a lot lower capacity than the M915......I guess it depends on what your gross weight is going to be.....if you will be hauling over 25,000 pounds you will be overloading the 5-ton (M932). The M915 is rated for highway loads on par with commercial rigs.

The M916 is geared lower than the M915 and is a lot heavier.

I noticed that the ones with the 5 speed Allison are slower than the ones with the 15 speed CAT transmission.

 

[jasonjc]

Keep in mind that there is NO 900 series.

 

[11Echo]

I used to haul livestock and am very aware of some of the load out sites and barnyards, very messy. I always had a truck with a live front axle.
That said, I like my M915A1. It is as received from Uncle Sam. It will run all day at 63 mph and holds it well when loaded. The 400 Big Cam III is a real horse. The link I provide is to a very good write up on the M932 with pics. My pics include a pic of my tractor, one from the linked site and a truck I wish I had bought from GL.

M932A2

 

[Hooty481]

Will the m818 Gain speed of it had the 1400's on it

 

[11Echo]

Will the m818 Gain speed of it had the 1400's on it

Empty/bob tailing on flat ground.

It would be a bigger dog in the hills, especially loaded.