tractors

Photo-bug · #1 04/12/07, 09:13 PM

HI,

I just wanted to do some research on tractors. I really have no clue what I am looking for just looking for some insight on what to look for, manufacturer, price, etc. How about going with a used tractor any negatives on this? Anybody know of any sites that sell tractors is there a such thing as tractor trader?

Possible tasks

Pasture cutting
Internal Road improvements/ grading
Clearing
Tilling
Digging holes

agmantoo · #2 04/12/07, 09:42 PM

http://www.fastline.com/CategorySearch.aspx?c=6

Fire-Man · #3 04/12/07, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo-bug

HI,

I just wanted to do some research on tractors. I really have no clue what I am looking for just looking for some insight on what to look for, manufacturer, price, etc. How about going with a used tractor any negatives on this? Anybody know of any sites that sell tractors is there a such thing as tractor trader?

Possible tasks

Pasture cutting
Internal Road improvements/ grading
Clearing
Tilling
Digging holes

THere is Something like as Tractor Trader sold at some of the Conv. Store's And There is E-bay. Here is SC--There is a Farm equipment auction about every saturday-----A Lot of used tractors. Look for this in your area. Nothing Wrong with a "Good" Used Tractor. Randy

Rockin'B · #4 04/12/07, 10:04 PM

Do you have a budget in mind?

There are a lot of tractors that will fit this description. You'll need to determine how heavy the work will be.
For example, does pasture cutting mean putting up hay or pulling a shredder or mower? How much acreage? etc.etc.

Photo-bug · #5 04/12/07, 11:03 PM

I just put in an offer for 130 acres mixed between pasture and wooded, terrain is rolling a little rocky. There are some roads cut it but they need graded. I would be using to fix roads, grading for homesites barns etc, mowing, Dont think I will be putting up hay, Leveling out hilly areas, would also like to dig holes for storm cellar, root cellar, bat cave, etc. Budget hmm I think I would like to keep it around 15,000. I would hate to spend 30K on a new one but would also hate to have to spend a lot of money in repirs.

Thanks

Bearfootfarm · #6 04/12/07, 11:38 PM

http://www.traderonline.com/

This can give you an idea on prices in different areas

sammyd · #7 04/13/07, 12:20 AM

I like tractor house
http://www.tractorhouse.com

Up North · #8 04/13/07, 12:35 AM

A mini-excavator on tracks with an underbelly dozer blade would be more appropriate for the tasks you have described. Let livestock do the mowing.

Ramblin Wreck · #9 04/13/07, 07:59 AM

This site has lots of good discussions about tractors too:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/

Good luck in your search.

michiganfarmer · #10 04/13/07, 08:10 AM

This John Deere 720 diesel has 20,000 hours on it, and has never been rebuilt. It runs great, and starts even in zero degree temps. It was 60 horse power when dad bought it with 4,000 hours on it back in 1974. Im sure it's getting tired. It will work all day on its 10 gallon fuel tank.

fantasymaker · #11 04/13/07, 08:15 AM

are you developing or homesteading?

you might want to give some concideration to a backhoe

**fordson major** · #12 04/13/07, 08:28 AM

i'll throw in skid steer, you can get bush hogs that fit them too plus a wide variety of attachments.

unioncreek · #13 04/13/07, 08:50 AM

I'd look for one in the 60 to 70 hp range, they are usually cheaper than the smaller utility types. You may want to look at a Ford or Massey as they usually cost less since most everyone wants a JD or IH.

Bobg

Rockin'B · #14 04/13/07, 09:02 AM

Seems to me that digging holes as you described will require a backhoe attachment. I'd not want to go less than 50 hp diesel and really would look for something a bit bigger.

I have a 1974 Ford 4000 SU that's rated at 50 hp, but unless I had oodles of time I think it would be a bit small. My tractor is gas and I'd definitely recommend diesel.

veggrower · #15 04/13/07, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo-bug

I just put in an offer for 130 acres mixed between pasture and wooded, terrain is rolling a little rocky. There are some roads cut it but they need graded. I would be using to fix roads, grading for homesites barns etc, mowing, Dont think I will be putting up hay, Leveling out hilly areas, would also like to dig holes for storm cellar, root cellar, bat cave, etc. Budget hmm I think I would like to keep it around 15,000. I would hate to spend 30K on a new one but would also hate to have to spend a lot of money in repirs.

Thanks

I always tell people to rent machinery for a year first. That way you can try several different makes from different rental places and get a feel for what suits you the best.

The folks posting above are right--get at least 60hp and 4WD. I have no qualms about buying a used tractor. Look for low hours and look at how it was used. If you buy right, then just regular maintenance will keep it going a long time. Oil change, new filters, a little additive to the diesel to keep the injectors clean and lubed, grease, check the hydraulic fluid regularly, keep the radiator screen free of debris.

Look at the different websites and 'traders' to get an idea of the market while you are renting and using different equipment. Talk to a lot of people. Gather as much info as possible.

I watched the market for over a year before I bought my tractor. I rented and borrowed tractors for 2 years before buying. I found a tractor salesman I could trust, gave him my list of "must haves" and "nice to haves" and let him search for me. It took him 4 months but he found a great tractor for me:

10 years old, 2000 hrs of light duty (orchard tractor), beefy 2300lb loader, 62hp 4WD for $15k, I bundled it with some implements and financed it through JD Credit. I'm very happy with the tractor.

fantasymaker · #16 04/13/07, 09:11 AM

another thing is you might want to shop at farm sales ,the kind where he is retireing.
You can see how he has taken care of his equipment.
and he isnt selling it cause he cant keep it running.

rambler · #17 04/13/07, 02:02 PM

For older tractor questions, www.ytmag.com is great.

For newer compact type tractors & ideas on backhe, mower, grading implements, this place is great: www.tractorbynet.com

www.tractorhouse.com is great for pricing used tractors - as well as the others mentioned.

Starting in the late 1950's, tractors came out with the good features 3pt hitch, live pto, live hydraulics, power steering, more than 4 speed tranny, and so forth. As well diesel started about then.

In the late 1970-80s most tractors under 100 hp are imports, and have varrying levels of parts support & complexelectrinics. As well with the farm $$ crash of the 1980s, far fewer tractors were sold per year, and so there are just less of each model for support, parts, & so on.

So, the sweet spot for good rugid used tractors is 1960-1978 or so. Good feaures, simple to work on, solid, a zillion around so parts suppliers will continue to make parts available.

Individual models have their good and 'lemon' models, things to avoid. The Ford SoS tranny, assume an IHC TA tranny is shot when you buy it, Allis Chamers got some engine parts that are impossible to find on some lines, etc.

Sounds like you want more industrial grounds keeping that farm tractor use, so looking at the industrial versions with backhoe or o might be up your alley?

Buy used, figure out what you really want/ need as you learn, resell it for what you paid, and then buy new if that strikes your fancy. Learn, and it won't cost you.

Buying new right now would be a big mistake, in my opinion, as you would lose the new sticker value as soon as you drive off the lot, and may be buying something that doesn't fit you.

Te 50-70 hp or a bit more sounds good to me from the others.

--->Paul