Need to know what kind of tractor to buy

[KansasFarmgirl]

Hi! I just joined this forum as I just purchased a small acreage in December and have absolutely no experience whatsoever in rural living. I am needing to buy a tractor for $5000 or under that I would like to use for tilling, post hole digging, blading snow, moving bales of hay and other odd jobs. I found a Ford 860 (1955 or 1958) that my brother in law said would be good for what I need, but I am wondering if there are other tractors that might be comparable, as the tractor sold and now I am still looking. Thanks for any help!

[Horselover]

Well, take it from a sister of a JOHN DEERE MAN and the wife of one.

Make it a John Deere and you will never be sorry. They are the top of the line in my brother's book.

[Bearfootfarm]

There are lots of good, old , used tractors that will do what you want. Just decide how much horsepower you need, and which brands can be SERVICED near you.
Other than that it's just personal preference.

I have 2 tractors that I use a lot. One is a 1954 Ford NAA, with 23 HP, and the other is a 1973 MF 175 with 63 HP.

The Ford is worth about $2500 in the condition it's in and the MF is worth about $5000.

Strangely, the larger tractor is more economical to operate, since it's a diesel, and it has so much power that I seldom need to get much above an idle even when discing.
The Ford will use a lot more gas, but is a little better to maneuver in tight places.

Get one a little bigger than you think you'll need, and you wont be disappointed

[sammyd]

If you want to till stay away from the smaller older fords they seem to have a 1st gear that is too fast.
Something newer like the 860 or 801 may be a better choice.
With the older tractors there wasn't much consolodation of standards and some brands had their own version of the 3 pt hitch. With a new tiller that can pose a problem that will take a few bucks to overcome. 400 on up for a conversion kit for some brands cheaper on others. Ford and Massey John Deere and Oliver had 3 pt from the git go. Allis had the snap coupler, Farmall had the fast hitch and Case had the Eagle hitch.
Live PTO or independant PTO meaning you can use the transmission clutch and not affect the PTO is a plus but for most of the jobs listed not a big factor. Live or independant hydraulics is nice too. Fords such as the 8n didn't have that and the pto and hydraulics quit if you stepped on the clutch. If I was running a blade or using a mounted plow I wouldn't have a small ford for those reasons. Been there done that no fun.

Oliver made a nice small tractor in the 550. A Farmall 300 or 350 utility would work fine.
If you can find a deal, the International 444 was a dream to operate.
You can find Allis Chalmers WDs or WD 45s fairly cheap, I'd go with the WD45 if I had a choice, little newer, little more power and you can find them in diesel although that's rare.
If you aren't too mechanically inclined shopping around for a newer tractor such as the 444 would be in your interest as the older ones can get cantakerous.
A good dealer for parts and the occasional fix is something to think about as well.

[rambler]

You missed a good one, the 860 has live pto. Those Ford models with a x6x' model - the 6 in the middle - had live pto.

The Ollie 550 mentioned is also good.

--->Paul

[uncle Will in In.]

If it doesn't have a loader on it, you are only getting about half the tractor you really need.

It must have live pto, and a 3 point hitch.

All the old tractors were well made if they were treated right. The John Deeres are good but will cost double some of the other brands.

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by kframpton

Hi! I just joined this forum as I just purchased a small acreage in December and have absolutely no experience whatsoever in rural living. I am needing to buy a tractor for $5000 or under that I would like to use for tilling, post hole digging, blading snow, and other odd jobs. I found a Ford 860 (1955 or 1958) that my brother in law said would be good for what I need, but I am wondering if there are other tractors that might be comparable, as the tractor sold and now I am still looking. Thanks for any help!

I would start by looking around at what dealer support is in your area. I would stick to name brands like JD,Ford,Massey Ferguson. I like Ford but that's my opinion and it works for me. Now you have to decide gas or diesel, gas starts easier in cold weather especially on an old worn tractor, diesel has more power and usues less fuel. 5k will buy you a nice Ford 2600 which would do anything and everything you ever needed. Just remember that the tractor then needs attachments before you can do anything. The best deals can be had in a package purchase from an owner where you get tractor and all equipment in one deal.

First and foremost is safety! A tractor can be dangerous if you get sloppy around it.

[sbin]

I bought a 1975 Massey-Ferguson 135 with a perkins diesel.Great tractor very economical to operate and parts are cheap and plentiful.Spend some time looking around and spend the money to get one in good shape.Fresh paint might look nice but it won't help you work, make sure the motor doesn't smoke or knock and the clutch is strong.There are some good deals to be had and some used up machines that could be a real money pit if you can't turn a wrench.

[FordJunkie]

First off welcome to the board. People are good here and will try to help all they can.

As others have said the diesels are more economical to operate. John deere is a great machine but cost prohibitive (you have to buy the green paint) to purchase.

Some things you want to stay away from are:
The muli-power transmision Massey fergusons, unbelievable expensive to repair.
International has a hydro-static drive, the transmision costs more to replace than buying another tractor.
Ford has a selectospeed transmision, basically a manualy shifted automatic transmision.

These are tractors that i have seen break and seen the repair bills for.

I am currently working to clean 23 acres up with a 54 NAA ford. But for someone without experience I would not recomend this tractor.

A independent or live PTO power take off would suit you better the NAA rarely has this option.

For specifications on tractors you can look here: http://tractordata.com/

ROPS- roll over protection system or roll bar should be mandatory. Tractors turn over much easier than you would think.

Hope this helps,
Tony

[MelissaW]

I'm a Ford 8N girl. Easy to find, easy to drive, easy to get parts and implements for. We have an 8N and a 9N (also fine), that have been going strong for 60 years and show now signs of stopping. If your making a kitchen garden, don't forget to look for a good tiller while you're looking. A big tractor, doesn't really plow or disk fine enough for veggies.

if you are going to use it with a tiller the old ford tractors would not work well. 1st gear is to fast and they don't have live pto. at least my golden jubilee dosn't, but works well at most everything else.

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by MelissaW

I'm a Ford 8N girl. Easy to find, easy to drive, easy to get parts and implements for. We have an 8N and a 9N (also fine), that have been going strong for 60 years and show now signs of stopping. If your making a kitchen garden, don't forget to look for a good tiller while you're looking. A big tractor, doesn't really plow or disk fine enough for veggies.

8N's are incredible, I've got a 1952 8N that I've had for over 20 years. Once I bought a newer tractor, 70's Ford diesel, my 8N is now just a play pretty. I was a "you have to have an 8N" guy and then I saw what a modern higher power slower speed tractor could do. I'll never sell my 8N and I'll always use it but there is no comparison.

[m39fan]

Check eBay. We've gotten some great deals from there including a Kubota B6100 for $1200 and a rare gas Fordson Dexta for $650. If nothing else, you can get a good idea of market value looking at several similar auctions. You might also try tractorhouse.com

Some models to look for: Fordson Dexta Diesel (equivalent to an early Ford 2000), Fordson Major, Ford 800 series (we bought our 860 for $1500 w/ a 5' bush hog, so they are out there!), Ford 4000 or 5000, Massey-Ferguson 35, International W-series, smaller Olivers (stay away from the 1250 gas!). The Massey and IH W-series will be higher than the Ford/Fordson products but should be well within your budget.

You can probably buy an older 50hp tractor cheaper than you can an older 40hp. We found that to be true in the past when we really wanted a Ford 4000 (40hp). The Ford 5000's (50+ hp) were 2/3rds the price (or less). The issue is a shift in common thought. EVERYONE with over an acre seems to want Compact Utility Tractors (CUT's) or "cute" tractors like the 8N (AVOID THEM) so they drive the prices up on the under 40hp tractors. The guys still farming seem to start at 60+ HP for a utility tractor and 100+/- for a field tractor. That leaves the 50hp utilities from the 60's and '70's as orphans. This means that the deals are there!

Finally, remember that parts ARE available on the internet for virtually any tractor made. You have to decide how much local support is worth to you. If you can wrench on it yourself and can wait for mail-order parts, there are fantastic deals out there on lesser known tractors. If you want to be able to drive to town and get the part or have a dealer work on it, stick with an older American built tractor from the 60's or '70's. Also, don't buy into the hype. John Deere is a good example. I like Deere's but have never been able to afford one. That said, my Fords have often worked rings around the neighborhood green and yellow tractors of comparable size. What I'm trying to say is that John Deere makes a good product but it's not necessarily better nor worth the extra. Think of JD's as Harley-Davidson's for the tractor crowd. You're buying 10% good, solid products and 90% hype.

HTH,
Mike

[DaleK]

Depends what small acreage means to you I guess. The market for small tractors (<50 HP) is way overpriced whether you're looking at new or used. Too many small acreage owners in the market. You can get a tractor a little bigger for the same money in a lot of cases and do the same things with it. For under $5000 you should be able to get an AC 170 or 175, maybe even a 185. Or a JD 3010 or 3020. Even 4010s or 4020s sometimes although that's a bit TOO big.

[m39fan]

Ford had live PTO available starting with the hundred series. I've had 8N's and for the price you can get a nicer, newer, bigger tractor in the Ford line. You DEFINITELY don't want to move round bales often with a N-series! And I don't even want to think of doing post holes with one!!!!!

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by m39fan

Ford had live PTO available starting with the hundred series. I've had 8N's and for the price you can get a nicer, newer, bigger tractor in the Ford line. You DEFINITELY don't want to move round bales often with a N-series! And I don't even want to think of doing post holes with one!!!!!

Been there, done that. the fact that I played drums helped as you need a lot of hand-eye-foot coordination especially if you have a helper and want them to have arms.

[Scrounger]

Originally Posted by m39fan

Ford had live PTO available starting with the hundred series. I've had 8N's and for the price you can get a nicer, newer, bigger tractor in the Ford line. You DEFINITELY don't want to move round bales often with a N-series! And I don't even want to think of doing post holes with one!!!!!

??????
I've dug hundreds of post holes with my 8N! Works a whole lot easier then my IH 454. I don't waste time on round bales very much, but I HAVE moved them with my 8N. As far as tilling, the first time you open a garden or field with th tiller, it is hard to get the N to slow down enough but, after the first pass, it works fine. Lot's of people will tell you "it CAN'T be done with an 8N". I have a brother who told me that. He gave up when I proved it could. A good 8N can be bought (depending on your location) for under $2000 - some including implements.

[quietstar]

Your question can only be answered by the guy that knows the range of work he will require the tractor to do. I bought a heavy duty compact Kubota tractor and feel good about my investment. I know 4X4 was a wise choice and learned that there is a pretty big mark up on both tractor and implements. I bought almost 20% below total asking price. My only mistake was to not buy it with a front loader...Glen

[FordJunkie]

I think the N-series tractor is a wonderful old machine. I work a naa all the time here (it's all I have). I think Beeman and I are on the same thought pattern here.

A N-series tractor is not for someone who does not know how to operate a tractor. Not everyone understands what a ORC is or why they are needed. Not to mention having the PTO engaged for the lift to work on the 8,9,2n's.

Please think about safety for some one that may not have a big brother style neighbor that can show and explain these things. I am digging post holes now but there is no way i could explain this so someone having no experience with a tractor could do it safely.

Sorry just my .02
Tony

[Scrounger]

Originally Posted by FordJunkie

I think the N-series tractor is a wonderful old machine. I work a naa all the time here (it's all I have). I think Beeman and I are on the same thought pattern here.

A N-series tractor is not for someone who does not know how to operate a tractor. Not everyone understands what a ORC is or why they are needed. Not to mention having the PTO engaged for the lift to work on the 8,9,2n's.

Please think about safety for some one that may not have a big brother style neighbor that can show and explain these things. I am digging post holes now but there is no way i could explain this so someone having no experience with a tractor could do it safely.

Sorry just my .02
Tony

Ok, so what makes digging post holes so difficult with an 8N? I find it's actually EASIER without live PTO. The N series was designed to be easily operated and is a GREAT machine for a beginer.