Need tractor for vegetable farm

[Farmwithjunk]

Farmermama, If your current Massey does all you want and is the desired tractor, I would try to find a tractor as much like it as possible. Why, so setting it up and operating is about the same. It can just make life a little easier.


Farmingwithjunk, had missed where you are located. Had to look when you mentioed tobacco. You did not raise the flue cured one did you? I only spent little time in tobacco growing up but my wife grew up on small tobacco farm. It really was a social crop before all the machines hit it and you could not talk as you worked.

Burley. Flue cured is grown in western Kentucky primarily. I'm in the north-central part of the state, about 25 miles south of Louisville, on the way towards Bardstown.

My wife grew up one of 11 girls with only 2 brothers. She could work tobacco with the best of 'em. Dad grew as much as 12 acres back in the 50's and early 60's. I enlisted in the Army @ 18 because I thought Vietnam couldn't be any worse than a tobacco field.

This part of Kentucky was once the hotbed of Burley growing in the state. I'm about 20 minutes from the old Bloomfield Auction House, once one of the largest in the business. Several big cigarette factories used to be located in Louisville. And just to the south of me is BOURBON COUNTRY! Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, and a host of others are almost neighbors of ours. And the horse racing industry has always been big here, along with it's betting. We paid for the state with proceeds from people's vices!

 

[farmboy12]

Ahh. ok.. I gotcha now.

I guess if he has the money to burn, new is always nicer.

soundguy

Sometimes people want old tractors...even prefer them.


Kyle

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Sometimes people want old tractors...even prefer them.


Kyle

I KNOW me and Chris (SouNdguy) fall into that grouping. I have 3 new tractors that we use in a business. I couldn't care less if I got to run them again or not. Nothing too exciting about them in my eyes. Now let me have the opportunity to spend a day on my old MF150 (!!!!!) and I'll drop whatever is pressing and climb on board. I'm MUCH more impressed with 40 or 50 year old technology than I am with 2009 Techno-tractors.

 

[WilliamBos]

I KNOW me and Chris (SouNdguy) fall into that grouping. I have 3 new tractors that we use in a business. I couldn't care less if I got to run them again or not. Nothing too exciting about them in my eyes. Now let me have the opportunity to spend a day on my old MF150 (!!!!!) and I'll drop whatever is pressing and climb on board. I'm MUCH more impressed with 40 or 50 year old technology than I am with 2009 Techno-tractors.

You can put me in that grouping too Bill. What is even more impressive is the fact that the 40 or 50 year old technology is still hard to beat today.

 

[Soundguy]

What do folks think about a narrow Ford 4630? It has lots of power but not lots of clearance; it's a 4WD diesel that could be 51inches on center (which is what our Massey is). But would we really just be re-creating the 850? or would the 4630 be more flexible?

A 4630 is a nice machine.

much newer than the 850.. better front axle design.. much heavier tractor.. also have a full 10-12 hp on the 850 plus the diesel engine.

I'd take a 4630 over an 850 with my eyes closed any day of the week.. unless I was in a parade or something. I've driven a 4630 at work.. very nice machine. I almost bought a used one from my local dealer when I was looking at a 3010S. ( also a nice machine! ). That 4630 will out muscle the 850 for the 3pt too.. plus with the extra weight and better front axle.. it will carry and lift more and be more stable doing it.

soundguy

 

[flusher]

We are looking to purchase a used tractor for our 11-acre vegetable farm. We already have a MF1540 that we love, a Ford 850 and 2 Farmall SuperAs. We'd like a tractor that can do some of the work we currently do with our MF -- rototilling, transplanting, laying plastic mulch, possibly disking or plowing,cultivating, possibly running our spader, and spraying.

We've been looking around and it's hard to find exactly what we need in our price range (about $12,000). We were hoping to find something around 35 hp with 4WD. The tractor needs to be about 48" on center, but not too small, and needs to be beefy enough to carry some implements.

We're considering a MF231 -- anyone have any experience with these? Would they be too limiting because they don't have 4WD? Do they go slowly enough to transplant (less than 1 mph)? Any other 2WD tractors people like? Or more affordable 4WD ones? Seems like JD and Kubota are a little pricey, unless we get into models with alot of hours on them. We do have dealers of JD and Kubota nearby, but I haven't had great luck getting service from them. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Since JD and Kubota are out, maybe a New Holland TC40 4WD, 2002 vintage, would fill the bill. You probably could find one that would fit your budget.

 

[Soundguy]

Maybe our 850 does need a hydraulic overhaul. Actually, not maybe.

It's real easy and cheap. Last one I did was my 660 a couple montch ago. I thru a hoise over a rafter inthe barn and used a chain and undid the 3pt knuckles and toplink rocker pin and then took the bols out of the perimeter, lifted the top off.. replaced the orings and gaskets under the cover, flipped cover over to access hyd cyl to get at it's oring and washers ( lots of em ).. thent he small cover on top has about 6 or so orings under it as well.. .. drop her back on and runt he botls down... was less than 2 hours including disassembling the 3pt and getting it back together... your 850 sounds like it needs the same 10$ fix...

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I'm not familiar with all the variations of a 4630, but it was basically a very good tractor with the 201 3-cyl diesel engine, probably 10 to close to 20 years old now. As long as it's not a special low-profile or industrial model it should work well in your operation. I would stay away from anything other than the standard utility or row crop versions.

Like Soundguy asked, I'm curious about the 850; can't those wheels be set to 52in? It's not an 800 series industrial model, is it?

yes.. for the standard ag chassie on the 6/800:

52 - 76 on the rears.. 52 - 80 on the fronts ( dished out ).. otherwise 52-76.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I KNOW me and Chris (SouNdguy) fall into that grouping. I have 3 new tractors that we use in a business. I couldn't care less if I got to run them again or not. Nothing too exciting about them in my eyes. Now let me have the opportunity to spend a day on my old MF150 (!!!!!) and I'll drop whatever is pressing and climb on board. I'm MUCH more impressed with 40 or 50 year old technology than I am with 2009 Techno-tractors.

I couldn't agree more. I actually enjoy mowing with my 75 ford 5000 more than my 2000 NH 7610s.. almost the same tractor.. but the 'feel' is different..

In a weird masochistic way i like my 2wd non powersteering ( armstrong steering ) loader tractor too.. I get a kick out of a tractor from 1955 doing tangible real work today that many other tractors in it's 'size' class would struggle with.. especially since I paid 3500$ for it..

soundguy

 

[farmermama]

I actually love the older tractors -- they're easier to work on and very versatile, and it seems like some of the old tobacco tractors might actually translate well into veggie farming these days. There's no new tractor that can do what those SuperAs do on our farm. The new MF is awesome, but it's tricky to access some of the stuff under the hood (because it's a compact; although the filters are easy to get to) and of course there are things like computers and electronic fuel pumps that are way beyond my mechanical abilities. I love the Ford, too, and I think you're right that we can bring the wheels in a couple of inches to make it more versatile for us. Saw a couple of nice 135s and 231s for sale online along with that 4630... and a barely used 2605. I haven't looked much into the New Hollands, but it seems like there are lots of them for sale, which I wonder why there are so many out there -- is there a flaw? Guess the next thing is just to make up our minds! Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I actually love the older tractors -- they're easier to work on and very versatile, and it seems like some of the old tobacco tractors might actually translate well into veggie farming these days. There's no new tractor that can do what those SuperAs do on our farm. The new MF is awesome, but it's tricky to access some of the stuff under the hood (because it's a compact; although the filters are easy to get to) and of course there are things like computers and electronic fuel pumps that are way beyond my mechanical abilities. I love the Ford, too, and I think you're right that we can bring the wheels in a couple of inches to make it more versatile for us. Saw a couple of nice 135s and 231s for sale online along with that 4630... and a barely used 2605. I haven't looked much into the New Hollands, but it seems like there are lots of them for sale, which I wonder why there are so many out there -- is there a flaw? Guess the next thing is just to make up our minds! Thanks for everyone's input.

Often you'll find disproportionate amounts of certain brands for sale in a given area, usually due to more of that brand being sold in a given area. Speaks to the dealer strength.....

During the 60's and 70's, we had a strong Ford dealer and a VERY good Massey dealer in this area. You'll find lots of Fords and Masseys from that time frame. Through the 80's and 90's, the Massey dealer was still strong, and we started to see a Case/IH dealer build his business. Lots of those tractors on the used market now. Late 90's and on into current years, Deere dealer, a Kubota dealer and that same strong Massey dealer are the big sellers. So more Deere, Kubota, and Massey late models showing up used.

From my observations, they ALL make very good products generally speaking. No brand has the distinct upper hand in all models, all sizes. Get what fits. Get what you can find a good deal on.

Just about every smaller framed utility tractor I know of will "narrow down" to 52" track width. You do need to be cautious with some compacts that have wider tires/wheels. Even with a narrow track width (center to center) they'll still have a fairly wide over-all footprint.

Also, a VERY capable tractor that sells at a very reasonable price is the Deere/Yanmar compacts. A friend has a 990 that I'm most impressed with. I do believe they even narrow to less than 52".

 

[Soundguy]

Saw a couple of nice 135s and 231s for sale online along with that 4630... .

I pretty much bleed 'blue' and fords are my favorite.. but that MF 135 you speak of is a time tested 'one of the best built' farm machines.. it will stand with the best in it's size range with other brands easilly.

I haven't looked much into the New Hollands, but it seems like there are lots of them for sale, which I wonder why there are so many out there -- is there a flaw?

There are so many out there because... there are so many out there. They survive and keep working... that's why you can hit a parts store and buy a head, manifold, starter and generator and tons of other parts for a ford N series, and it will be on the shelf because so darn many were made.. and so darn many are still running... same carries over for other large production run tractors that lived a long time.

soundguy

 

[Harold_J]

.....
Also, a VERY capable tractor that sells at a very reasonable price is the Deere/Yanmar compacts. A friend has a 990 that I'm most impressed with. I do believe they even narrow to less than 52".

Although they are a little harder to find there was a Deere/Yanmar 900HC model high clearance tractor which is a modern diesel version of your Farmall Super AV's and 140's. There is one coming up on an auction in NE Pa tomorrow along with several IH 265's and 274's. These are nice because unlike the A's they have 3-point hitch.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Although they are a little harder to find there was a Deere/Yanmar 900HC model high clearance tractor which is a modern diesel version of your Farmall Super AV's and 140's. There is one coming up on an auction in NE Pa tomorrow along with several IH 265's and 274's. These are nice because unlike the A's they have 3-point hitch.

I was going to mention them when I made the quoted post. But they're relatively hard to come by. I've only ever ran across 1. One would be IDEAL for the OP's needs.

 

[Egon]

If older is in the running then perhaps one like this could be considered.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If older is in the running then perhaps one like this could be considered.

Too wide....They will only "narrow down" to 60-something inches track width. Otherwise, their slow speed ability takes a back seat to nothing else.

And they'll probably outlast anything from the modern era............

 

[Soundguy]

Too wide....They will only "narrow down" to 60-something inches track width. Otherwise, their slow speed ability takes a back seat to nothing else.

And they'll probably outlast anything from the modern era............

spendy though.. 720's and 730's around here are one of the more/most expensive usable antiques..err.. classic tractors.. almost cheaper to buy a new base model SCUT they must grind up money to get the pigment for the green paint!

soundguy

 

[Egon]

they must grind up money to get the pigment for the green paint!

Is this a comment of value or just an expression of gross ignorance?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Is this a comment of value or just an expression of gross ignorance?

Please tell us, in to which of the two catagories does YOUR comment fit.

 

[Egon]

Mine is not a comment if you note, It is a question. There is a difference!