Tractor Opinions, need help with a decision

Curtis B · #1 01/26/11, 11:25 AM

I may have found a tractor to buy. Suddenly today a couple are listed on CL, and I would like some opinions.

Right at my price, but gas
http://http://wichita.craigslist.org/grd/2180824035.html

I would need to pull a bit from savings, but diesel, and more power, and looks more used.
http://http://wichita.craigslist.org/grd/2180832501.html

There was also an international with FEL, but w/o pto or 3pt, and they say they can be added. I know of adding a 3pt, but have never heard of adding a PTO.

fantasymaker · #2 01/26/11, 12:22 PM

Both are good tractors.

Adding a PTO isnt usually a big deal just expencive.

agmantoo · #3 01/26/11, 12:26 PM

Curtis B

For the price they look rough to me. The first tractor has a tremendous amount of weight on the rear for such a light tractor. These tractors have a dry clutch and for a heavily used front end loader with all the weight is has to handle that would turn me off. Also, this tractor must have been extensively used as a loader tractor as they have the rear tires reversed in an attempt to get rear traction.

As for tractor #3. It just looks poorly cared for and abused. For the prices quoted here I would expect to find a machine that appeared shed kept and mechanically sound.

Remember that for a tractor with a FEL power steering is essential. Look closely at the front ends on tractors as some of them were not intended to be used frequently with heavily loaded FELs. A gas burner in the HP range of the tractors will consume a lot of gas if used to do real work.

Johnny Dolittle · #4 01/26/11, 12:28 PM

What model is the international? Adding PTO will not be cheap but could be possible. Adding 3ph is also expensive and even worse if there is not a rock shaft.

Deciding between the Fords might be difficult. The 4000 gas will be a guzzler. The 5000 diesel is among the best models Ford made.

How are the tires on the 4000? The 5000 appears to have good tires. Have you priced tires lately .... they are fairly dear also.

How much power do you need and how many hours will you use it per year?

If you are seriously farming look close at the 5000. Otherwise the 4000

Molly Mckee · #5 01/26/11, 12:31 PM

My SIL has a 5000 diesel. He bought it at auction without a loader for about 5000.00 several yrs ago. He knew the owners and has had no trouble with it.

Johnny Dolittle · #6 01/26/11, 12:32 PM

I agree with agmantoo..... prices are high for condition

Johnny Dolittle · #7 01/26/11, 12:33 PM

Avoid selecto-o-matic transmissions when considering Fords

Curtis B · #8 01/26/11, 12:40 PM

I don't plan really needing a whole lot of HP over the next few years, other than moving a vast amount of limestone boulders, and fencing either post hole or driver, and possibly digging out the pond a bit since it is dry. The rest will be normal farm usage, and possibly some food plots and pasture rejuvination. In the future I may do some haying of my own land and possibly relatives when I buy more land. I did check the price of a PTO for an intenational, $1600, and didn't even price the 3pt after that. Someone also just replied from an add I placed about a D17 with loader, need to talk to them. Agman, the price is about right for around here for that HP and a FEL. For some reason here in KS if you need less than 90HP you will pay a premimum I have seen folks paying close to 3K-4K for an 8N with a FEL, and it is usually a trip bucket. Johnny it is a 300.

agmantoo · #9 01/26/11, 12:58 PM

Curtis

Just make a comparison with this tractor.
http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings...x?OHID=6061857

Notice the FEL is a quick attach so you do not have to always have it mounted. The bucket has a decent cutting edge. Even the grill is intact, rare with a machine that has a FEL. The are no visible breaks or welds. The tractor is standing nice and square. It is a gas and will use a lot of gas (that is why the price is what it is) and the hours are OK. The muffler is standing straight indicating the user is careful. The tires are uniform and the rear are good. A set of rear tires for this tractor is $1700+. The tractor has a 3pt and PTO. It has power steering. I see no leaks, there could be some. This tractor has a lot more beef and weight than a Ford. I have had both! There is not a lot of difference in the dollars but there IMO is a lot of difference in the machines. PS...in the future you could pull the FEL from this tractor and put it on an upgraded machine if need be. The tractor minus the FEL would have more value than you may realize and the FEL would be worth more than $3500 IMO

Curtis B · #10 01/26/11, 01:06 PM

Agman, don't get me wrong, but notice where the tractor is. I check tractorhouse as well, every other add I can, and even the few auctions I find. I don't quite know why it is so hard to find something in the HP range I am looking round here, but shipping from 2 and 3 states away isn't much of an option. Recheck tractorhouse and put KS in for the location to see somewhat local(within 200 miles is what I tend to look at) options. Course knowing my luck you will find something.

Johnny Dolittle · #11 01/26/11, 01:08 PM

Oops agmantoo that 574 is a gas (hog) not diesel

The 300 probably does not have power steering .... most did not

agmantoo · #12 01/26/11, 01:13 PM

Johnny Dolittle
A typing effort. Meant to state isn't diesel. I fixed the mistake as you were typing. Sorry!

jwal10 · #13 01/26/11, 01:15 PM

That is an early 4000, front pump (which is good) heavy loader. Check pto, is it independent? to use for haying later. Tires are ???? I would rather have a gas tractor for light work, gas is cheaper, engine work is cheaper and easier starting. The 5000 is a lot bigger (longer, wider, taller tractor, great farm tractor. seems a little high but .... Hours? Check Ebay give you an idea in your area....James

Curtis B · #14 01/26/11, 01:17 PM

See, I may be proved wrong already. I just talked to a person that has a D17 with FEL for 3500 that is sending me pics, course it would be 150 miles away. Could a 3/4 ton ford pull a trailer with a D17?

agmantoo · #15 01/26/11, 01:18 PM

Curtis B
I bought a tractor from Canada. Shipping may not be as much as you expect. My neighbor just brought a huge combine in from the mid west. I just brought a Cat 312 in from eastern Virginia. Shop around on Craigslist for transport. Make certain they have insurance.

Curtis B · #16 01/26/11, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Curtis B
I bought a tractor from Canada. Shipping may not be as much as you expect. My neighbor just brought a huge combine in from the mid west. I just brought a Cat 312 in from eastern Virginia. Shop around on Craigslist for transport. Make certain they have insurance.

Have you ever been burned. I am hesitant to buy anything that I can't get my hands on/hear run/drive. I know you can see alot from pictures, but that would make me very nervous, kinda sight unseen so to speak.

Johnny Dolittle · #17 01/26/11, 02:10 PM

Be patient

Be patient and persistent in your search

..... or otherwise .... oh what a feeling you get....

..... when you buy something and the next day find a much better deal!!!

(been there done that)

springvalley · #18 01/26/11, 03:17 PM

The price on the Ford tractors is not bad, The IH 574 is a better tractor and easier to use without the loader. but your the one that has to run it, not us. The ford tractors are going to give your left leg a workout with using the clutch. I much prefer a skid loader for loader work but if you want to do field work that aien`t going to work for ya. I think the 5000 ford is the better deal, see if they would take less for it. > Thanks Marc

agmantoo · #19 01/26/11, 05:04 PM

If I cannot travel to see the machine I hire a mechanic to look at it.

salmonslayer · #20 01/26/11, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Could a 3/4 ton ford pull a trailer with a D17?

I hauled my 1948 AC-WC from Minnesota to the southern Ozarks last summer behind a 1987 Ford F-250 with a 6.9 diesel and no AC...how bad do you want the tractor? You should have no problem with the proper trailer set up.