Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I have a hunting cabin on a 40 acre plot of land. Im looking for an inexpensive tractor to use for cutting grass and brush, post hole digging, driveway plowing / grading and maybe some hauling work. I will not be farming as I don't live close to this property. Im a complete noob to tractors, someone else has been keeping up the property, my turn now.

I have always liked the looks of the old Ford tractors, but im not sure they are practical for my needs. Im really looking at 10K max. What should I be looking for.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I have a similar situation. I use a 1975 Ford 4600. About 55 hp. Gas burner. Think blue Ford tractor.

Gas vs Diesel. Each have their trade offs. Gas for cold weather starting. Diesel fuel typically will stay good much longer than gas ( assuming you can avoid the algae issues). Diesels give more hours of service, if properly maintained. I find rebuilding gas models easier. Diesels cost a little more work on.

Ford dealer support is hit/miss. Some have to travel a long way to get to the dealer. Seems like there is good parts availability on the secondary markets.

Older Ford models (before 1960) are very good but much slower, under powered. IMO the 45-95 hp range would be good for the 40A. Live hydraulics and pto are almost a must. The 600 series and newer have power steering, modern hydraulics, good 3 points and lifting ability.

Take care, Bruce

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

4wd and front end loader....those are my 2 must haves....

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I agree. If the budget were larger, it would be fwa, loader, cab (with heat + AC), reverser, etc. But with 10k budget, finding a good sized tractor with fwa and loader is going to be a unicorn hunt.

Certainly things can vary by regions in the USA.

Kubota is gaining more and more respect in my area. They are much easier to find with fwa. Deere and case/ih are the standards. But I am turned off more and more by their greed and most lately their un willingness or inability to support past models. Lost of obsolete parts at the dealer for even 40 and 50 series Deeres these days.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Look here, they are quite popular around here

http://lstractorusa.com/

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

A 4020 John Deere or a 3020 would be a nice tractor.After 1969 they were factory 12 volts before that they were 24 volts although a lot of them have been changed over to 12 which means a lot less starting problems.A diesel would be much easier on fuel than the gas and they start good in the cold weather with a engine heater.You should be able to find one in that price range .

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Lots of good info thanks. 4x4 is a must and a cab is a good idea, Im not 25 anymore.

I did a quick search and I really like this one but damn.
https://up.craigslist.org/grd/d/jd-5...700686307.html
Its close to camp so I wouldn't need a trailer.

Just like car and truck shopping I always like the pricy ones. This will be a fun search. Thanks for the ideas

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

my folks farmed with an IH 706 and 886, JD model 60 and a couple smaller machines..

around the years I was in high school my mom started a commercial lawn cutting business for apartment complexes.. they ran Kubota 6200 and 8200 series tractors that performed very well with little maintenance.. well built durable little machines that rarely break down if used properly..

your specific requirements will help you sort fuel type, cab, attachments, etc..

they ran a couple of zero turn mowers as well, no complaints with kubotas after owning 5-6 of them over last 30 years..

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/z3oe9iekadg...0turn.jpg?dl=0

I overhauled this 60" belly deck for about $700 in parts after it blew a miter box, not sure how old or how many years on it but not anywhere near new.. runs like swiss watch again..

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/yacm7q16tjm...90915.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ovy96my37o0...90817.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/hhnwbud4dcu...90738.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/9s5x0za93np...71744.jpg?dl=0

whatever you choose, good luck!

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Nice tractor in the CL ad. Overpriced. Stay away from turf tire for Ag use. Good luck.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

You can get a used little big tractor within that budget, like the 45-55hp tractors suggested. I ran a Case IH 485 with ez-mount bucket for the uses you mentioned and it worked quite well. It's duties were bush hogging fields, post holes/post removal, firewood splitting/loading/transport, hoisting whatever, snow clearing w/back blade, grading, and driveway/farm lane maintenance. Tough little work horse from +/- 1990. 4wd would be nice, but surely not a must. That's what chains are for. How do you think farmers survived all the years before 4wd came about? With good operating skills you can do quite well without. I never stuck this tractor. Cab? Better have A/C and heat/defrost. How many hours at a time will you spend on it in the winter? These diesels have block heaters. Never had an issue with starting. It had a provision for push button ether starting but I never put a can in it. Never needed it, even in single digit weather. Didn't normally keep it plugged in. This one was bought for $8,500 w/bush hog that was a size up for it, but it ran it just fine.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

With a $10,000.00 budget you can buy a nice early 90's John Deere 855 or a 955 with around 2,000 hrs on it 4x4, diesel, loader, hydro drive with either a bush hog or under belly mower . These were famous for there heavy frame and built to work . The 855 are 24 hp and the 955 are 30 hp . My 855 has foam filled front tires and the rears are filled with beet juice for traction and stability . How you plan on using it and the type of terrain makes a big difference on what to buy, In your words "being a noob to tractors" there is a lot to learn about safe handling any tractor with a loader ,ALWAYS wear a seat belt , Don't buy anything without ROPS (roll over protection) Hydro drive is much easier to run than a standard trans . With tractors SIZE MATTERS , You have to consider how your going to move it from one place to another and sooner or later it will get stuck and you'll want one that can be unstuck with a 4x4 pick up rather than a bigger tractor . I wouldn't buy a large 2 wheel drive tractor for plowing snow But that's just my opinion . Tractors with loaders and bush hogs are dangerous and learning how to drive one is a big deal.Anyone can but there are plenty of youtube video's on how NOT to run one . If I were you I'd check with the local landscape contractors on their opinions for your area they may even lead you to a good deal ? Another thought is to take that $10 K and buy a 67-72 4x4 with a plow and a decent zero turn mower ? :chevy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCElLpaww4Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMBHenOTbZI

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

The 955's were used a lot by the highway dept's for mowing the interstates.:chevy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ZEfKDVLnA

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I don't know much about tractors.
I bought one in a land deal years ago and still have it.
It's a 1971 Deutz 3006,31 hp,air cooled,2 cylinder diesel.There are no hydraulic hoses on it!All steel lines only.
It pulls 6' attachments.Always starts in any weather.No glow plugs.If I run it out of fuel,it's ready to start right after I put more in-no priming,etc.
It can be fitted with a front loader,but I don't need it.
Grandson driving it,pulling the dump trailer---

http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...cket/020_1.jpg

Mike.:chevy:

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Is that a rebranded Fotol Lovol tractor from China? Looks similar to the Nortrac sold through Northern Tool.


edit: I just looked them up and it appears LS Tractors are South Korean. Same motor though?

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I agree with Grumpy. Those little tractors need 4wd. That's how they came about being so popular. The first Kubota , Yanmar, etc 2wd drive baby tractors were useless. Antique tractors kickass and run run run without 4wd. Used to be cheap because people were selling them to get the little Japanese 4wds. But now they aren't so cheap. Not sure why a bush hog and loader are dangerous. I figure I'd know the answer after all the time I've spent on such a machine. But I have no idea.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Bush hogs are dangerous when running without safety shields in place ,Many injuries and deaths have occurred from becoming caught in a turning pto shaft same thing for other attachments that use a pto shaft to operate tillers, hay bailers, manure spreaders ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bufSQZ0Bqzc

. Loader accidents happen all the time when the user is trying to carry a loaded bucket in a high position or across a grade and the machine will tumble, That's one of the reasons I have foam filled front tires a sharp turn with a loaded bucket can roll the tire off the rim , Also Beet juice in the rear tires helps with stability and adds considerable weight for traction (and it doesn't freeze like water would also less expensive than anti freeze and won't rot out the rim like the Calcium chloride the farmers used to use,) Rops are on tractors for a reason , They can flip over and your best situation is to be belted into the machine ,It happens fast and you won't be able to "jump out of the way"

https://farmsafety.mo.gov/farm-equip...ractor-safety/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnBkGBOFtRc

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

On a side note low hr large tractors from the early 90's have tripled in value making them a investment grade machine better appreciation than just about any muscle car .Machines bought new for $70,000.00 are selling with low hours for $180,000.00 + at auction .:smoke:

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Sorry, I have no Idea. We have a dealer here in town and people that live out in the country use them to maintain their properties. I have a John Deere 4440 with a bucket and mower attachment and I really like it but, like somebody said, I hate going to the dealer for parts and get the "JD-dealer attitude"!! There are several JD dealers around (farm country), but they're all the same. Guys at the parts counter don't even look up when you walk in and when they do it's like: " Make it quick, I've got better things to do!"

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Oh ok. I took your post to mean the loader and bush hog were a dangerous combination. I know how to safely operate a tractor on a farm. I grew up on a farm running Jubilee/8N/9Ns and 2cyl JDs. In the late-70s I lived with a girlfriend who ran a horse farm and they had a little big JD w/loader and the guy who did the hay, who I helped out with had a big ole Oliver just before they merged with White. That thing had an over/under trans and was scary fast. I have friend up home with a farm I often throw a hand in with. Strictly old IH... Ms and Hs.

That Case IH has foamed front tires and never messed with the rears. Not sure what they were filled with. That place was really hilly, though. If you weren't careful clearing snow on the lane to the house the tractor could run away. It happened to the guy who did the bush hogging. He also rolled the old tractor before this one. I wish I could have gotten that one when the lady passed on, but they wanted to include it in the sale of the farm. I wish I could have bought the farm!

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Lots of good advice on here. I bought this from my dad this year- grandpa bought it new in 1960

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Sharp looking tractor and loader. I like your Heat Hauser.They were awful nice on a winter day.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

We have a 1974 Massey Ferguson 135 that always cranks and runs when we turn the key. Very little trouble out of this tractor throughout its lifetime. It doesn't have a front end loader, though, but I wanted to chime in on how dependable our tractor has been.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Can't beat the old ones. So over-built. If rings go bad in one cylinder, just replace the bad ones and back to work. They can't hurt themselves. Nice Farmall for sure there, Tigger. She's a beaut!

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Tigger ...nice one... with a tricycle and a front end loader.....I bet thats a dangerous handful to drive

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Anyone have a good friendly tractor forum that you like?
Preferably one that is similar to this forum where people like to learn how to fix things themselves.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I'm going to do some reading on these. My wife might just be fine with it if I spend less than $8000
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing...john-deere-855

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

My brother in law is on a tractor forum he likes and has stuck with like I've stuck with this site.

I was at a friend's today who owns a nice clean '64 JD mid-size he said he wants to sell for $3,500. I'm not sure of the model

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Do you know the name of the forum?

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

You might want to tryYesterday Tractors.Some good information on older tractors.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I meant to say I'll have to ask him. I think supr's suggestion might be one of them. But he also goes on contemporary tractor sites.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Tractorbynet is another.

From what I have been seeing stay away from kioti tractors. Spelling could be off. The tractors are decent for cheap but the dealer network is dismal.

I have a 2wd tractor and wish it was 4x4 every time i use the old Ford. It does very good for what it is but I get tired of standing on the diff lock almost constantly. I do live in rough terrain though.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Although I haven't been on it for a while, Tractor By Net was my go to for many years when I had the B7300 Kubota. Good little FEL and 3PH box blade and fork lift. Went to an 06 BX25 years ago with the FEL, Tiller, Sprayer and BH. That was '09. Just used it on 4th of July weekend out at the cabin.

Been a great little Sub Compact. Though it does seem like it might be on the small side for your spread..

ROPS and the belt... use them both. I went over on the BX a few yers back. Blinked and was on my side. Thank God wearing the belt otherwise would have likely been under the side.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Fun thread to read, I grew up around a 50'S IH with front end bucket. that Tractor plowed our 1/4 mile long driveway in winter, pulled a drag with me sitting on drag as a little kid to smooth driveway ruts in summer, Tractor pulled tree stumps, hoisted engines out of cars, etc. But my Dad was very '' Seasoned'' around that Tractor. I am so sure he said '' Stand Back '' a lot when we helped him or watched him. :lol:. if you are new to tractors I would suggest renting something first, to see if you like it and want to buy it. then on way to your property you can think about the work you want to get done, instead of hoping your old tractor starts. .ps. if you have a 17yr old son he may siphon the gas out of
your tractor for his GTO. just sayin.:lol:

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

My inclination is towards an older, heavier tractor with a lot of horsepower over one of these smaller ones with 4wd. I've used a couple of neighbors' Kubotas and while they are easy to operate, they are relatively lightweight and will bounce if you're trying to grade a road or level ground. Usually if I get too big of a bite and the rear wheels spin, then shifting to 4wd just spins all four wheels.

Trouble is that not too long ago you could buy an older production tractor pretty cheap (as opposed to these cute little homestead tractors) but now with all the new ones having complex electronics and proprietary software, the old working size tractors are in high demand.

People ask me why? I would want a 75-100 hp tractor but when you're grading a road it's nice to have the power and weight to drag some dirt. I'm not sure that I even need a front loader anymore as you can do a lot of stuff with a 3 point grading blade.

Not sure that I'll ever get my old Case VAI & Wagner loader going again. There's nothing much wrong with it except the wheels and gas tank rusted out.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

well there certainly is a wide spectrum of tractors out there all suited for different tasks.. plow tractors, utility tractors, yard tractors, etc.. really depends on the the individual needs as to which type is best suited for them..

plow tractors are designed to be put in a particular gear and operated steady for extended periods of time under moderate to heavy load.. they're not designed for construction work or or tasks requiring frequent gear changes or constant back and forth movement.. they do perform well with certain loader attachments used occasionally for moving hay bales or clearing barn lots, etc. but not the ideal use for them.. grader boxes and blades like we use to groom the driveway and barn floors work ok but those tasks are awkward with plow tractors..

hydrostats like the smaller yard machines used in mowers and light utility tractors are better suited for that type of work on a small scale.. biggest issue I see with hobby farmers is over tasking small machines that lack weight, stability, traction and horsepower then they're disappointed with the results..

or simply buy the proper type of construction machine and don't expect an ag tractor to work out of its design element ;)

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ua2cvow9xfp..._1088.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/80skpxjm207...36193.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/m1wnis14w00...21575.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/7d33q0n6ars..._2478.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/wce6hp97p7c...12375.jpg?dl=0

we've had a couple of these handy little yard machines, this older 8200 is the only one we have now and a couple of zero turn mowers..

it's great from small chores, I even chained a couple of small tree/bush root balls out with it and other things in the yard where I try not to rut the ground too bad but it really lacks the grunt of a real tractor..

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/r0p1zunmqd0...28975.jpg?dl=0

got this old harvester running this month after about 10 years of sitting, tires even held air :D

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/kal67u1cpgc...10857.jpg?dl=0

some older pictures of my dad :)

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/p3l9x7pctas...87.sm.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ieg78craxuo...2902a.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/g4k4kzr6erd...an.sm.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ktzrujzl0zl...0008a.jpg?dl=0

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

^ pictures 3 and 4 of the Farmall with the 3pt grader blade is about what I'm looking for, except I think it could pull a bigger blade than that?

I mainly need to grade the driveways and plow snow. Agree that farm tractor loaders don't work very well except loose material, which is why I think I might as well do without one. If I need to excavate dirt, then I will rent/hire a skidsteer or a backhoe, etc.

But mostly we just pack down the snow by driving the entire width of our driveway instead of just two ruts. Once you start plowing, then it starts drifting full every night :(

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I've only been reading up on tractors and choices maybe a couple weeks.
I'm pretty settled on buying used.
Something the size of Kubota l2501 if I was going to buy new.
What range of years is possibly the sweet spot between too old to find parts and too new? ( if there is such a thing).
Would a 1975 ford, JD, Kubota, be too old?
Would a 2000 be too new?
Just looking for thoughts.
Nostalgia would have me in an early 70's ford because my dad worked for ford tractor for years through late 60's to late 70's.

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

I don't know about tractor parts around here but in mo I found a factory cap n rotor for that 64 model E Allis at a local dealer in higginsville and factory start switch for that 6? 706 in holden.. I replaced the fan belt and starter relay in that 57 641 workmaster Ford, parts in stock local napa..

that 8200 kubota is late 80s and factory maint parts readily available at local dealer..

couple years ago I rebuilt the deck on mom's favorite zero turn about 15-20 years old I believe and local dealer had everything on hand, bearings, gears, seals, shafts to rebuild the miter boxes..

center drive gears were stripped but we don't baby our machines :lol:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ovy96my37o0...90817.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/yacm7q16tjm...90915.jpg?dl=0

I rebuilt the entire deck with extra maint items, belt, filters, etc. for less $ than they wanted for a single complete assembled miter box..

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/hhnwbud4dcu...90738.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/9s5x0za93np...71744.jpg?dl=0

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

that driveway grading was last year, rained 6" on 4th of July :eek:

had to pull a LOT of gravel back up the hill, that rut was 6-12" deep towards the top of the hill..

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ym9lwjt4gta...58840.jpg?dl=0

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/svgt5s4o76v...7_593.jpg?dl=0

Re: Any farmers / tractor people here?
 

Nice looking piece of ground you got there,, how far are you from the ocean ,,and is that the reason such a down pour 6 inches last 4th?