Hobby Ranch Tractor Recomendations

[Rollochrome]

I need to get a large food plot started......cultivate an area for fruit trees.....post hole dig.....move around fire wood......improve pasture.....move round bales....and do a million other things....

I need a tractor small enough to scoot around under medium size trees and turn tight corners.....but large enough to move bales from the back and push a post hole digger into the ground without trouble....

I don't like the used market. Seems like you can spend $10k and get something used that cost $12k new.

I would like to invest in a new piece of equipment and buy the implements used.

What tractor would you suggest?

[homstdr74]

Nope, still recommend used, not new. Look at the 8N Fords, that's what they were designed for and many, if not most, are still running. Not real expensive, they handle most implements easily, they are very easy to work on and parts are available online.

[jwal10]

Move bales? How big? 8N Ford isn't very heavy. Are you wanting a loader? 8N not the best for that....James

[FarmerDavid]

If I could find a good one I'd get a 200 Allis. Maybe a 4020 Deere.

[genebo]

Weight is all-important in a tractor. The heavier the better.

I have a Kawasaki 39 PTO hp that I use to move round bales. It weighs 3800# and sometimes the hay bale controls it instead of it controlling the hay bale. Otherwise, it is great. It's smaller size and low height let me get into places I couldn't get into with a larger tractor.

I bought it with combination tires, so it doesn't mark up the lawn and gravel drive so bad, but still has pretty good traction in the field.

It's 4-wheel drive, which is priceless!

The rear wheels are reversible to provide narrow tread for small spaces or wide tread for stability. Believe me, stability is good!

With the tires set wide, a 6' wide implement, like a rototiller, will cover your tracks. Leaves a perfect seed bed behind you.

Mine has a front end loader which has never been off since 2001. The most valuable piece of equipment you can put on a tractor.

Stay away from hydrostatic drives. From a dead start, they have very little power. You need a clutch to push the loader into a pile or to dig a hole.

Category 1 3-pt hitch fits all the equipment you can work with a smaller tractor.

Add a slip-clutch to the PTO to protect the drive.

Add a roof to keep the sun off of you and deflect a few limbs here and there.

I think a new one with a loader mounted costs around $20K.

Whatever you choose, try to get a diesel engine. More power at lower RPM's and the fuel will keep from year to year. Gas goes bad if you try to store it. You can pick up an old home fuel oil tank for peanuts and have diesel fuel delivered.

The tractor keeps going year after year after year. Gives me more time to spend repairing all my other equipment.

[Rollochrome]

Good post Genebo. Thanks...

Yes! I LIKE the Ford 8N. Would love to have one.....but need the front loader and would like to move round bales easier. I bought hay from a guy that loaded it with an 8N and I thought he was going to kill himself several times. Front wheels spent more time in the air than on the ground.

[FarmerDavid]

I don't understand the comment about hydrostatic drives not having power. I've never had that problem and love a hydro.

[Allen W]

A newer tractor will have better hydraulics, 3 point, and PTO then the older tractors. I would find a newer utility tractor but not new enough to be computerized.

[kycrawler]

Depends on what dealers are close to you here in central indiana you can barely give away a allis chalmers / massey ferguson or a white no dealer support i bought a 2-105 white with a cab loader and duals for $3800 at an auction here been using it for 4 years with no problems similar shape 4020 deere here would have brought 14-15k I have an 8n for bushhog mowing and raking hay but as an only tractor i would look for something else Ford 3-4000 tractors are not much more money but are alot more tractor

[sammyd]

Anything new will cost around 20 grand, just got done pricing 40-55 HP tractors with 2WD and a loader. And what you will end up with will be low end stuff.

Leave the 8Ns right where you found em. If you are looking at Ford start with the hundred series. An 800 is a nice little machine. Or if you have the dough a 4000 would be hard to beat but get the newer style that doesn't look like the old hundred series.

You didn't say how much land you need to work, some of the tractors mentioned here may a bit of overkill for a couple of acres.

[COWS]

Forget the 8n. It will run a post hole digger and will cultivate a garden, but not the opther things you mention. What size round bales? For the common 4 x 5 bale, a 4000 Ford would be the minimum, and then it would need liquid in the rear tires and weights on the front. A 4000 with a front end loader would be fine, still need liquid filled rear tires and maybe an implement on the back for a counter weight. Other makes in equivalent size would also work, like a JD 2030.

You need live power if you are going to do PTO work.

If you are going to get a new tractor, you need one about the same weight as a 4000 Ford

COWS

[mulemom]

Three winters ago we started the same search as you after spending three months hand rolling 1000lb round bales out through mud our 770 Oliver couldn't go through. Couldn't find anything used within hauling distance that wasn't overpriced or that didn't have a history of mechanical issues that we felt we could diagnose ahead of purchase or repair afterwards. We have local dealers for virtually any make of tractor so we took our wish list and started looking. I did most of the initial contact and I don't know if it was because it was a woman looking or because they didn't think we were serious but the only dealer that seemed to want our business was the Kubota dealer. Initially we were interested in the L series but they had a shuttle shift L and a MX5100 std side by side for the same price. The M was longer and wider and seemed more the size we needed. Four WD, quick detach loader with 'bobcat' style quick detach bucket and bale spear, grill guard, extra rear remote and rear tires loaded with rim guard $27000 delivered. We put a chunk down but they had a 0% interest for five years so payments go right to principle. New Holland, Massey Ferguson, even Kioti were the same or more money without the 0% interest offer. We LOVE this tractor, can hang 1000lb bale front and rear or front or rear and it still feels stable. Three point arms have extension so if you're not exactly lined up no big deal, very nice turning radius. Visibility to the hitch is good. We've yet to find anything that we want to do that this tractor won't do. It seemed like an awful price to pay but our only regret is that we didn't do it years ago.

[Azriel]

International 574 utility, small enough to get under low hanging stuff, big enough to move my 1200# round bales, can handle a 7' brush hog, 7' snow blade, post pounder and post digger.

[Allen W]

http://www.fastline.com/, http://www.tractorhouse.com/ a couple of farm equipment search sights that might give you an idea of dealer prices in your area. They both have horse power breakdowns for searching as well as location.

[masseyandy]

I just bought an LS R4041. It is 41 hp 35 at PTO I think. 4x4, shuttle shift with FEL. I like it. I have moved 5x5 bales with no problem. I have been using the loader to knock over small trees and clear out brush. I paid 18500 new. 5 year warranty. I haven't had the chance to do anything else with it but I have liked it so far.

[Rollochrome]

Sammyd

I have 12 acres of mixed woods and pasture