8920 vs 7120

interested in both so i ask the question. which one would you take? 8920 is newer and would cost more. But which one has a better overall resume? Tractor would be used to plant corn, disc chisel etc. Both are just over 150 hp stock. And dont they both have the exact same engine?

I've never owwned a 8920 but have owned a couple 7120s & a 7220 in the past. The early 71s had a 2spd reverse while the late ones & the 72/89s had 4 spd reverses. Don't know if that makes much difference to you but IMO you can only back up to something so fast. Only advantage I can see to a 4spd would be if you did a lot of work in reverse & needed a faster ggear as I think the first two speeds are the same in a 2spd & 4spd.

You're correct in that the engines are the same. My first 7120 ('87) was a horse, turned 187hp new out of the factory. The 2nd one ('91) was a dog, turned 157 hp, stock rating. Had the pump set to "high factory settings" and that brought it up to 185hp. Never had ther 7220 on a dyno but it was stouter than either of the 71s by far. Would pull the same plow deeper & a gear faster than either of the 71s.

I can't remember all the changes between the series but most were minor with a lot being cosmetic. Seems hyds were increased & I know the weight brackets were changed on the 89 series so the mfds would turn shorter. Samething can be accomplished on a 71/72 mfd by installing an 89 weight bracket.

IMO, anyone of those tractors would do the job for you. I always liked the old Magnums. Nothing wrong with having to shift gears or using the hyds using a lever instead of a toggle switch.

buy the 7120, non emision engine and will use less fuel than the 8920, When I worked for IH people traded 7120s in for 8920 and wanted to trade back as they used twice as much fuel, aslo some of the hydraulic fittings were cheaply made and broke often, but am sure that those have been replaced by now with the upgraded style, my 2 cents

Great question, and both are great tractors. I have personally used both and both models I have driven had alot of power. I realize the 89 is newer but the 7120 will suit you just fine...they have alot of grunt and run very well

We own both, we bought the 8920 because we liked our 7120 so much. We needed another and wanted FWD. Very little diference in the tractors, the 89 has better cooling, on a hot day working it hard you can get the 7120 hot. The 8920 also has vastly improve flow controls over the 7120. I like the electric PTO engagement on the 8920 although its not a big deal. And i would agree with the other post, our 7120 is a very early model but im certain under load it it has a few more ponies than the 8920. Neither have been dyno'ed to prove it. All in all, just simple great bulletproof tractors.

Have both, bought them new. Not much difference really. Just get a decent 7120 and put the rest of the money in your pocket.
bill

toggle switches break way too easily. I couldnt agree more.

thanks for all the inputs. Looks like the 7120 seems to be the better deal.