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09/01/10, 02:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 6,090
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Tractor buying advice please
I'm looking to buy a tractor. What I want is an older model without all the computerized stuff. I want something that I can work on myself. I was thinking an older Ford or something along that line. I had one person tell me to make sure it was at least 12 volts or it wouldn't start in the winter. He also was telling me to watch out for a certain type of attachment that could caused the tractor to roll over, something with the 3 point hitch. I can't remember what that was. I'll have to ask him again next time we talk. Any other recommendations or warnings?
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09/01/10, 02:13 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: East-Central Ontario
Posts: 3,862
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What do you actually want to do with it?
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The internet - fueling paranoia and misinformation since 1873.
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09/01/10, 03:46 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Iuka MS
Posts: 465
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Farmmom I have a 3000 Yanmar and its a great little tractor. Id recomend diesel as well. Folks swear a gas burner is cheaper but the fuel lasts longer and theres no points or condensers and plugs to worry with or carbuerator to care for. We have a 4000 Ford at work and its also a great tractor. I bleleive its a mid seventies model.
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09/01/10, 03:50 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farmmom
I'm looking to buy a tractor. What I want is an older model without all the computerized stuff. I want something that I can work on myself. I was thinking an older Ford or something along that line. I had one person tell me to make sure it was at least 12 volts or it wouldn't start in the winter. He also was telling me to watch out for a certain type of attachment that could caused the tractor to roll over, something with the 3 point hitch. I can't remember what that was. I'll have to ask him again next time we talk. Any other recommendations or warnings?
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Id second the question.. What do you actually want to do with it?
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09/01/10, 03:59 PM
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Gimme a YAAAAY!
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NC Arkansas
Posts: 5,327
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Being a woman, I'd make sure it has power steering.
Beyond that, yes, what do you want to do with it?
That's important because if you're just bushhogging on pretty level ground or tilling a garden space, for instance, then you can get away with something with less horse/size than if you'll be loading round bales, and/or have very hilly terrain.
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09/01/10, 04:31 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EasyDay
Being a woman, I'd make sure it has power steering.
Beyond that, yes, what do you want to do with it?
That's important because if you're just bushhogging on pretty level ground or tilling a garden space, for instance, then you can get away with something with less horse/size than if you'll be loading round bales, and/or have very hilly terrain.
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As well when your talking older models, not all modern implements can be used. I use a a 60yr old Farmall... It'll mow, plow, rake, bale, and things it was intended for, but things like a front end loader or roto tiller are not things it can ever do.
And even to use most implements it need a 3pt conversion.
I love it as it works like a horse and is easy to fix, and I got it free needing $1000 to repair and convert to three point, but it has it's drawbacks.
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09/01/10, 05:34 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 12,667
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Most "old" tractors (pre 60's) are solid and simple, but lack needed features (IMO), like power steering, 3 point hitch, live PTO and robust hydraulics.
The newer subcompacts are great, but expensive little tractors, and at HP in the 20's- low 30's and small loader buckets, are limited on useful power.
The best bargains, IMO are utility tractors from the late 60's to late 70's. You can get a model with 45-60HP, loader, live PTO and remote hydraulics, for under $5000. Most of these tractors are built like tanks and may last forever with proper care.
I just let a sweet Ford 3400 with loader pass at auction, that I am still kicking myself for.
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09/01/10, 06:58 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 10,941
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Before you decide on a brand find a dealer that has parts and will work on it. There is nothing more aggravating than a tractor that you can't get parts for. Then find a brand that is easily repaired. Then go for it. Do not get one that is barley big enough. The second worst thing is to find one that will do most everything. 
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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.
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09/01/10, 08:14 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 6,090
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Ok, what I plan to do with it.
Plow my garden
Haul hay
Bush hog
Dig post holes (I'm going to have 50 or more before I get done)
Haul materials to various parts of my property.
My property is terraced, but there are areas at each end of the terraces that are passable without the threat of overturning.
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09/01/10, 09:04 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plowjockey
Most "old" tractors (pre 60's) are solid and simple, but lack needed features (IMO), like power steering, 3 point hitch, live PTO and robust hydraulics.
The newer subcompacts are great, but expensive little tractors, and at HP in the 20's- low 30's and small loader buckets, are limited on useful power.
The best bargains, IMO are utility tractors from the late 60's to late 70's. You can get a model with 45-60HP, loader, live PTO and remote hydraulics, for under $5000. Most of these tractors are built like tanks and may last forever with proper care.
I just let a sweet Ford 3400 with loader pass at auction, that I am still kicking myself for.
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A 3400 sounds about right, or comparable other brand, if she needs that much tractor.
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09/01/10, 11:54 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MN
Posts: 7,609
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You would like a tractor with wide front end - a tad more stable.
You'd want power steering - easier to drive.
You'd want live (or independent) pto - makes a bush hog much safer to use, as well as easier to use. Just generally a really nice feature to have. Baling or snow blowing or bush hogging is much harder without live pto.
A 3pt hitch will make buying compatable implements real easy, and handy to use. You want.
Having a remote hyd setup would allow many more possibilities in the future - hydraulics are used to make things move, and if you have a set of hydraulic remotes, something like a loader or lifting dealie or folding dealie can be used. You don't _need_ this, but would be a nice bonus.
A loader is often really, really handy. You probably don't know how much you actually want one, until you have it.....
Sounds like anything around 20hp to 40 hp would work for you, depending if you are thinking small & nimble, or bigger & more power.
If you ever want to bale hay, on the bigger side - over 35 hp - and live pto - are _real_ nice to have......
Gas engines are easier for the average joe to work on; but they seem to need a little work fairly often. A diesel engine takes a pro to tune up, but they run 1000's of hours between tuneups so either one is a good idea, depending on what you want.
Many of the features I mention were introduced in limited models as options in the mid 1950's.
--->Paul
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09/02/10, 12:23 AM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 9,511
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farmmom
I had one person tell me to make sure it was at least 12 volts or it wouldn't start in the winter.
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Definately urban legend material.
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09/02/10, 04:36 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: East-Central Ontario
Posts: 3,862
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Reply
Quote:
Originally Posted by clovis
Definately urban legend material.
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Can you have an "urban" legend about tractors? ;-)
__________________
The internet - fueling paranoia and misinformation since 1873.
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09/02/10, 07:18 AM
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Cactus Farmer/Cat Rancher
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 1,974
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The reason why 6 volt tractors have such a hard time starting in the winter is usually because someone put undersized battery cables for a 12 volt system on it. Six volt battery cables should be at least twice as thick as 12 volt cables.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rambler
Gas engines are easier for the average joe to work on; but they seem to need a little work fairly often. A diesel engine takes a pro to tune up, but they run 1000's of hours between tuneups so either one is a good idea, depending on what you want.
--->Paul
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The little four cylinder in my 40s era Case Vac hasn't been touched (beyond an oil change) since I bought it over a year ago, I haven't even changed a spark plug. I use it quite a bit, the tractor had sat for years not started before I bought it. It works good for my needs and was 600 bucks but the hydraulics don't work, it is narrow front, no power steering, and has no three point. I just buy old school implements so that setup works well for me but it probably won't work well for the OP.
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09/02/10, 07:54 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rambler
You would like a tractor with wide front end - a tad more stable.
You'd want power steering - easier to drive.
You'd want live (or independent) pto - makes a bush hog much safer to use, as well as easier to use. Just generally a really nice feature to have. Baling or snow blowing or bush hogging is much harder without live pto.
A 3pt hitch will make buying compatable implements real easy, and handy to use. You want.
Having a remote hyd setup would allow many more possibilities in the future - hydraulics are used to make things move, and if you have a set of hydraulic remotes, something like a loader or lifting dealie or folding dealie can be used. You don't _need_ this, but would be a nice bonus.
A loader is often really, really handy. You probably don't know how much you actually want one, until you have it.....
Sounds like anything around 20hp to 40 hp would work for you, depending if you are thinking small & nimble, or bigger & more power.
If you ever want to bale hay, on the bigger side - over 35 hp - and live pto - are _real_ nice to have......
Gas engines are easier for the average joe to work on; but they seem to need a little work fairly often. A diesel engine takes a pro to tune up, but they run 1000's of hours between tuneups so either one is a good idea, depending on what you want.
Many of the features I mention were introduced in limited models as options in the mid 1950's.
--->Paul
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Yup and those features got pretty common to most tractors in the 60's I believe.
My old late 40's farmall needs really no tinkering with engine, even starts easy from the hand crank, or easy electrically if the 6 volt battery is charged. I did put new pistons and sleeves in it and did a valve job a couple years back though.
The charging system is another story, old DC generators and regulators need maintenance, where a newer alternator needs much less. Another reason to go for a tractor newer than 1960.
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09/02/10, 08:17 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Txrider
The charging system is another story, old DC generators and regulators need maintenance, where a newer alternator needs much less. Another reason to go for a tractor newer than 1960.
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Unless restored to pristine collector condition, few people that keep 6V battery and DC generator setup. Its not very hard to convert a tractor to 12V with alternator. The original 6V starter will work fine on 12V. Usually such an old tractor will need new wiring anyway.
__________________
"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy
"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman
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09/02/10, 08:29 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HermitJohn
Unless restored to pristine collector condition, few people that keep 6V battery and DC generator setup. Its not very hard to convert a tractor to 12V with alternator. The original 6V starter will work fine on 12V. Usually such an old tractor will need new wiring anyway.
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Certainly not hard for me, but checking and changing oil is hard for many, much less making a new charging system and wiring.
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09/02/10, 08:47 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bartow County, GA
Posts: 6,778
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Love my 1984 B8200 Kubota desel tractor - 3 pt. hitch, bucket & gannon. Bought it for under $2500 a few years ago.
No power steering & that's OK. (& I'm over 65 y/o)
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Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible
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09/02/10, 08:48 AM
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Zone 7
Posts: 10,559
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A very important part of this reply depends on one major factor, what is the budget allocated for the purchase?
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Agmantoo
If they can do it,
you know you can!
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09/02/10, 10:21 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,308
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If changeing and checking the oil is a hard thing sor some to do. THEY SHOULDNT Be AROUND/USEING TRACTORS.
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