Advice for first tractor please

[Farmer495]

Well, all of a sudden I have some options!
What do you think about these?
Case IH 695 and a David Brown 1290

Both are solid, the 1290 is way older and less power, non syncronized trans.

CaseIH ditched the Case based 90/94 series and kept the IH based 84/85/95 series well into the 1990s.

I still run a 495, they still hold up today and are well built and do anything a new tractor that size can do.

for UK, likely L or XL cab, bonus if XL cab.

 

[paulsharvey]

Might consider Zetor machines too. I've heard general good things, except slow parts ordering, over here. I would think parts would be readily available over there?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Hi All,
I am looking for a tractor here in Blighty (England). I am new to the world of tractors but have been looking for months so I have built up some useful knowledge about tractors in general.
I only have a small equestrian place (not commercial) with c 12 acres of grazing land. I do not expect to use it much, maybe weekly to empty the trailer onto the muck heap and to push the heap around a bit. Less frequent tasks are listed further down). Consequently, I do not see the need to spend exorbitant amounts on a tractor. Presumably an older second hand one or a cheaper new Chinese or Indian one is where I need to look.
I am trying to work out what sort of tractor I need and what will be enough for the tasks described earlier plus topping (or flail maybe), harrowing, pulling a trailer of manure, rolling, some post knocking and managing the muck heap with the FEL (I definitely need a FEL). (I am also told that I need 4WD.)
The land is divided into c 6, 4, 2 and 0.5 acres so by themselves they are not big fields. They are all ridge and furrow though.
I think the right amount of power is where to start. I was thinking 25HP but now I think that 30 is the minimum and preferably 35 t0 40 maybe.
I ought to admit that I am no motor mechanic but I used to be an engineer so I might stand a chance of fixing things.
All advice gratefully received!

Advice for a first time tractor buyer: Get a skid steer or a telehandler.

 

[Tharg]

Advice for a first time tractor buyer: Get a skid steer or a telehandler.

Why do you say that?

 

[paulsharvey]

Advice for a first time tractor buyer: Get a skid steer or a telehandler.

Not a single task he describes, nor his budget, are suited for either of those.

 

[sandman2234]

Advice for a first time tractor buyer: Get a skid steer or a telehandler.

There is absolutely nothing about what I do with my tractors that would make me even briefly consider buying a skid steer. Why in the world would anyone want to own something that tears up the yard every time you turn?
A guy up the street had me mow his back acreage a couple of times, and then bought a skid steer with a front mower, a set of forks and a grapple. He has now succeeded in tearing up the grass in the back field near the corners, and his wife has now forbidden him from bringing it into the yard for any reason, which includes taking it to the shop where he stored it. He is now having to leave it on the back property in the rain until he builds another shed to put it in. His pristine yard is now a mess.
David from jax

 

[JimRB]

I use a JD870 2wd (28 PTO HP) on our 9 acre horse farm. I have not used the chain drag harrow in 15 years. 6 horses now 8 or 10 a year ago. 4-7 turn out areas depending on how you count. If it rains we need to mow every month in the summer. 60" mower. Loader to move manure from manure pile to compost pile. I wish I had 4wd sometimes in 28 years of owning the JD. Relatively flat property, maybe 15 feet of elevation change.

 

[scootr]

My first tractor was a MF 30b. It was a great little 2wd tractor with a Perkins 3 cylinder 50 hp. I ran it for 5 yrs and sold it for $1k less than I bought it for when I moved up to 4wd.

 

[paulsharvey]

Really for our OP, his situation, needs, and location, a MF135 with a loader and Power steering would likely be about ideal.

 

[scootr]

Really for our OP, his situation, needs, and location, a MF135 with a loader and Power steering would likely be about ideal.

The Perkins 3 cylinder is a great motor.