Which kind of tractor to get -- Ford 8N or old Kubota Subcompact

PorkChopsMmm · #1 09/06/12, 09:42 AM

We have 20 acres of mostly woods with a 5 acre meadow. I am looking for a tractor in the $3k price range to do the following jobs below listed by importance. I am struggling with getting a really nice 8N with a back blade (or maybe some other implement) or to try and swing a Kubota 7100D or 7200D with 4x4 without any attachments. What do you all think?

1) Snow plow a 1/2 mile dirt road –– I was planning on using a 6ft back blade
2) Pulling down trees/pulling out stumps
3) Road/land grading
3) Use the PTO for driving fence posts, drilling out holes with an auger for trees, etc.

I can see a big benefit for the Kubota being I could possibly add a loader in the future and it is 4WD. I live where we get lots of snow and this is my first winter on the property. I am itching to get a tractor before it gets too cold out and $3k is my limit. That is more than the going rate for 8N's but is low for a 7200D.

salmonslayer · #2 09/06/12, 10:10 AM

In my opinion you should expand your look to other makes and models and dont limit yourself to those two. I like both of your choices so you really need to be looking for what kind of mechanical shape they are in. 8Ns are nice little tractors in that they can get most of those jobs done and they certainly fill the eye with a pleasing look but they are often sold at a premium and will be of limited use as you expand your needs.

We bought a new small Kubota diesel with a loader when we first bought our place and it filled the need we had then, as we expanded and gained more property we found we needed a bigger tractor and we then bought a 40hp IH 424 with a couple of attachments for $2800. Our 424 is in excellent shape and we use it all the time but be aware that with any piece of machinery you will be wrenching on it, particularly if its older.

Also, depending on where you live and what type of stumps your pulling, those two tractors will be a too small and you can get frustrated quickly. Another consideration is that if your going to use a 3pt auger for fence post holes you need a live PTO and more hp IMO. I use an auger on the back of my 424 and I can dig at a slower rpm which allows me more control over the process.

Others may have differing opinions but I think most people will advise that you can have too small of a tractor but never too big.

FreeRanger · #3 09/06/12, 10:19 AM

Very difficult to make hay with the Ford 8N. I have a 1955 Ford 600 with no live PTO. Doesn't cut well and can't run haybaler well, plugs up too much in heavy grass. Not physically heavy enough for pulling hay wagons on hills. If you are really going to just drag equipent then OK. However if you ever plan to use modern tools, the old Fords just can't do it.

Don't know the Kubota models. But I tell you this, if I could do it again, I would buy at auction an old 65HP tractor or larger with live PTO and hydro take offs for that $3K. I have 24 acres.

foxtrapper · #4 09/06/12, 10:32 AM

The Kubota is much more tractor than the N is. Live pto, live hydraulics, lockable differential, etc.

Of the two, I would much rather have a Kubota. And yes, I've had both.

Post Carbon · #5 09/06/12, 10:51 AM

When I bought a tractor, I could have fixed my father's old Ford 8N for about $1500, or buy a used Kubota or JDeere. I went with a compact Kubota, and for more than twice the price. Part of it was I needed more clearance than a sub-compact could give me, because I plow for market gardening. The other was I definitely needed that FEL. The FEL has been the implement I use the most--moving earth, leveling, even raising barn walls.

Agreed that pulling stumps will be hard, unless they are small trees. My 30 HP can no way pull the stumps around here--I would flip my tractor first. Better to hire a backhoe and have him take them out for you--be safe.

Silvercreek Farmer · #6 09/06/12, 10:55 AM

Whatever you end up with, as long as you don't get swindled up front and take reasonable care of it, you can probably trade up later on without taking much of a haircut. Much of your "real" expense will probably come from repairs, maintainance, ect.

geo in mi · #7 09/06/12, 11:10 AM

Pulling stumps with a tractor--of any size--is No. 999 on the list of 1001 ways to kill yourself. Okay, though, if your wife is the beneficiary of an accidental D & D policy. And she can buy a new steering wheel and sell the tractor...... No. 1000 would be pulling down trees.....

geo

Darren · #8 09/06/12, 11:59 AM

I second not getting hung up on a brand. The money can go farther.. Larger isn't always better. I started with a 65 hp tractor and eventually went to a 30 hp. The larger tractor didn't work on the steeper slopes nor was it manuervable enough for some of the smaller areas.

Before you buy your first tractor, figure out all the impliments you'll want to use. You mentioned a loader for later. The Ford I bought first didn't have the hydraulic output to run a loader. You can get into all kinds of issues mounting equipment. If you think you may trade up later, buy something that sells well in your area.

If you see a bargain, there's probably a reason it's a bargain. Tha doesn't mean you won't get lucky. For lots of tractor and impliment info check out. TractorByNet.com | Compact Tractors | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland

Molly Mckee · #9 09/06/12, 12:00 PM

To quote my DH the 8N is a" hunk of junk" for any real work. NO live PTO, and light on the front end if you want to use a bucket. And yes we've used one. A Kubota is a much better tractor with much many more usable options.

If you shop around and you live in a farming area you may be able to find a bigger tractor than the Kubota in your price range.

Mike in Ohio · #10 09/06/12, 12:11 PM

PorkChopsMmm,

FreeRanger called it about right. 8ns aren't bad for what they are but you need to understand and accept their limitations. Snow plowing should be ok but you would need chains and possibly weights. Don't think you are going to pull trees out with an 8n. They are rated at 18 HP. You should be ok using an auger with one but I don't think they would hold up with a post pounder. Just my 2 cents.

If you have your heart set on an 8n and aren't too far from East Central Ohio (Carroll County), I have a 1952 that I am selling for a a very good price. It's been sitting in my barn (just moved it outside recently because of space constraints but have a tarp on it). It needs a new battery and a front left tire but is in basically good shape. I bought a new tractor and I don't have a need for the 8n.

Mike

FarmboyBill · #11 09/06/12, 12:20 PM

For nthat money, Id get either a JD A, or IHC M, Allis Chalmers WD 45, Oliver 70, Case DC, and I dont know what size Massey. You could get these tractors nearly restored for 3. There ALOT heavier, stronger, and yopu can put a 3pt on them for a couple hundred used.

FarmboyBill · #12 09/06/12, 12:25 PM

Of course, a Ford and likely a USED Kobota, will make a master machanic out of you, Pllus the oppertunity to remember cuss words you likely havnt used lately. I am a lousy mechanic, and dont cuss as I have never owned either

PorkChopsMmm · #13 09/06/12, 12:29 PM

geo -- thank you for the laugh. BTW I am in Michigan. I was planning on pulling the stumps out in reverse if the tractor had a front mounting point after working with the stumps a bit. Just smaller pines, less than 4" in diameter.

Looks like people are recommending a larger tractor. I will continue my search. My hardest part is I find something on Craigslist that is far away and I don't have a means of towing it back. That means either losing out on the deal or trying to pay someone to haul it for me.

sammyd · #14 09/06/12, 12:33 PM

If the Ford and the Kubota are the 2 you've narrowed it down to, get the Kubota.
It's got the modern attributes needed to do the things you've listed quickly and efficiently.
The Ford and any of the ones mentioned are old and outdated. Add on a thrown together 3 point that will be needed for most of those (since most didn't come with anything remotely resembling a modern 3 point)and you are looking at long days and lots of frustration.

If stump pulling is needed get yourself a Cat.

rambler · #15 09/06/12, 01:24 PM

Get the Kubota.

In 2 years, you will understand what you really need, and can sell it for what you bought it for, and get a more useful tractor for your needs.

Would be the ame with the Ford, but it is a bigger tractor with less features, so the smaller Kubota will fit you for now. But the N works too if that's all you can find.

For a year or 2.

--->Paul

foxtrapper · #16 09/06/12, 01:35 PM

Quote:

My 30 HP can no way pull the stumps around here--I would flip my tractor first.

Not if you hook up to it right. Tractors don't flip pulling stumps when hitched to them correctly. They only flip when it's done wrong.

Post Carbon · #17 09/06/12, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

Not if you hook up to it right. Tractors don't flip pulling stumps when hitched to them correctly. They only flip when it's done wrong.

I'm always open to finding ways to hitch things up correctly, but the tree trunks on my place are 3 to 5 feet across, and my Kubota would never budge them.

Ramblin Wreck · #18 09/06/12, 02:15 PM

Of the two you mentioned, I'd go with the Kubota, mainly because of the 4x4. I agree with some other posters above that you might consider expanding your brand preference. Set you budget tolerance and get as much tractor as you can with the $'s available. 4x4 and a FIL would be the two highest rated features I would seek.

**clovis** · #19 09/06/12, 02:17 PM

The one super nice thing about the Ford is that parts, filters and manuals are cheap.

Ever priced just the filters for a Kabota?

Molly Mckee · #20 09/06/12, 05:17 PM

A towing service that has a flat bed or someone that does repos will often haul a tractor for less than an equipment hauler.