Tractors

[Instrument 41]

I'm now looking for a mid size tractor. Min hp 0f 30 up to around 45 hp. Will also need a bush hog, small disc and box. I am looking for used because new is too expensive. Have looked a number of used tractors and have found a few "packages". Such as tractor, cutter, box....But have found a few old Ford 8N's that are really cheap and look to be in good shape. Any advice is appreciated. One other thing have found a few gas units. In a tractor, gas or diesel?

[madmmac]

How much property do you have? What do you want to do to it?

I have an old 8n---saved my a$$ and back many times over.

Like I said, it all depends on your size and needs.

[porsche4life]

Whats your budget? I would say diesel if you can swing it. Those little diesel engines hold up so much better to the type of use a tractor usually sees...

The 8ns are pretty common, a little archaic, but everyone seems to love them. We have an older Allis 30hp and a Branson 35hp. Both are great little tractors, and we use them several times a week around our place usually.

It all boils down to what do you want to spend/how much will it be used.

[unclebilly]

I have a Jd400 backhoe (based on the John Deere 2020). It was originally gas and I converted it to diesel. I would suggest a 2020. It is 50 HP but not too big. There are lots of aftermarket parts available.

I also have a unimog 406. This could be your ticket if you get or build a 3 pt hitch. These have hydraulics and 2 speed pot front and back.

My big tractor is a case 2670 which is way too big for what you want. This is set up with duals and a 12' 4 way blade. I got this for pushing snow and might pull a combine and drills if I ever decide to put an end to crop sharing my land.

I have used a little John Deere 4x4 thus summer. While powerful, it wasnt heavy enough to do any real work other than mowing.

I have considered a Porsche tractor in the past but let's face it, these are a novelty, not much else.

[Crowbob]

Tractorbynet.com is the place to go for everything tractor.

[Instrument 41]

In the process of guying a house on 10 acres with the option of purchasing 25 additional acres in a year. about 50/50 wooded to clear land. Need it to keep things cut, will be putting in a large garden and with anything else that will come about. I'm not sure I want anything smaller than 30 hp. But nothing too big, and thats mostly about cost.

[fireant911]

Instrument 41,
Take a look at Yanmar's. I picked up a nice four-wheel drive with bush hog and tiller for $5K. I just finished moving 46 cubic yard of topsoil with this (the tractor and a dirt scoop). Many John Deere's are, in fact, Yanmar's. Go Diesel, the power is amazing. My Yanmar uses about 3/4 gallon of fuel an hour - these are amazing machines. tractorbynet.com has a forum strictly for Yanmar... well, they have a forum for most brands - that would be a great place to start.

Take a look at Tullahoma tractor to get a ballpark price to compare to your area.
http://www.tullahomatractor.com/inventory.html

[oldE]

Four years ago, I picked up a (barely) used New Holland 30 hp 4wd with a front end loader. We have a hobby farm and it is used for everything: snow removal, post hole augering, tilling, ploughing, mowing, teddering and baling. When we bale, the wife drives the tractor and we pull a wagon behind so I can load off the extended chute. Since the rear tires are loaded and it has the weight of the loader, (and our land is fairly flat), it is just right.

The tractor has three ranges and three forward gears. While I miss having the maneuverability of the hydrostatic transmission at times (snow blowing and loader work), this one has the gear selector next to the steering wheel so I don't have to take my hand off the wheel to change between forward and reverse when using the loader.

So for, the only problems I have had have been tires cracking (no covered storage) and the forward drive shaft output seal failing (grass wrapped around it) The seal was about fifteen bucks and took ten minutes to replace.

Best of luck in your search.
Les

[Seahawk]

Recommending a specific tractor is like asking a chubby woman when the baby is due

So, no specific recommendations.

A 30HP diesel tractor is a lot of oomph. The largest tractor I have on my farm is an old MF that is 35HP. It runs the gamut of stuff that OldE discussed in the previous post without muss or fuss.

A few things to think about:

- Whatever you buy make sure it has up to date safety equipment (seat sensor, only start in neutral, roll bar, seat belt, etc.).

- Power rating at the PTO is critical. Size your equipment to the PTO as well as the tractor HP and weight.

- Hydrostatic transmissions are preferred to me. I have both the clutch style on the old MF and HS on the smaller tractors. HS rules.

- Try and buy the brand that is serviced locally if at all possible. I have an excellent relationship with the local MF dealer and get excellent deals on used equipment, repairs, etc. May not be an issue in your case.

- The choice of tires is important. Turf tires or ag tires make a huge difference depending on the majority of the work the tractor will see.

- See if they have "off road diesel" locally: It is much cheaper than pump diesel since it is taxed differently or farm and off-road use.

Edit: A few other things I thought about:

- Make sure the design takes into account getting equipment on and off the tractor. For instance, the front end loader on my old tractor takes about an hour to get on and off, so it stays on. On one of my newer, smaller tractors the front end load takes about 3 minutes to get on and off I only put it on when I need it.

- Belly mowers are preferred for mowing in tight spaces. Bush Hogs are essential in other tasks.

- Try and have a place to store your stuff inside.

- Use diesel additives.

Enjoy!

[Crowbob]

And don't make the mistake of thinking a 30HP tractor has a 30HP PTO. My 23HP SubCompact Utiity Tractor (SCUT) has a PTO hp of 17.7.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Some very good advice!

Ford 8N is a good tractor. How did you arrive at your HP requirements? SeaHawk has a good amount of land but his Massey is great for the work he requires to get done (low HP). I have only about 58 acres and the 60HP Case is appearing a bit too little in HP though it gets about every job done and done well. IF you get a tractor, try and get one with a front end loader. You will not believe the things you can do with a front end loader....

We have a 110HP Deere on the big farm. We hate that tractor!!!!! It is ALWAYS breaking down. But it does have an air ride seat and a cab....

What activities do you need? Just mowing and nothing else? Why a tractor? Get a zero turn mower. Work faster for less fuel, take up less storage space, better at mowing than a tractor. Lasts a long time as well. Some models can tow a small trailer. Many options.

How many hours are you going to put on it? If only 50 or so hours a year then this will not be a workhorse. Gas engine might do you very well. An old 70's Perkins Gas Engine will last many thousands of hours without issue. They can be run all day for long periods of time.

Old tractors: Massey, Case, Ford, Farmall are a bit more fuel efficient than others. Do not be sold on the color.

If you need to put in hundreds or more hours per year you likely do need a new tractor or a VERY well gone over (PPI) old tractor. You will need to spend a bit of money.

I bought my last tractor new via a reverse auction. I gave the specifications and an end date for the auction. I had more than 80 tractors provided for me to choose from. I chose a tractor that had sat on the lot for over a year with a front end loader that was three years old but never sold (read this as new). The little thing just goes and goes. Farmers in the area love my little tractor! They compliment it all the time from their green and blue ones. Mine has never had an issue from hour 2.5 on. Cannot say the same for the tractors around me. I also got a $40K tractor for less than $25K out the door. Remember, it had sat on the lot for a long time!


I forgot, for a new modern tractor also look at LS. They make a huge amount of tractors for other brands. The LS XXX might be the exact same tractor as a green/blue/white/red/etc.