First Tractor Purchase - Looking for advice

[5030]

First time buyers will always by the tractor they think they need within their abilities, and I bet 99.5% of the time that's not the optimal tractor for them. Sometimes it's what you don't know, sometimes it's a new task, sometimes it's local dealers, ability to transport it with their current vehicle/trailer combo, weight, hp, attachments....But I bet the most common is budget.

Like I always say, 'ain't no romance in the finance'...lol

 

[rScotty]

Besides front end shimmy, diesel flowing out of injection pump and the right rear wheel locking up if the right brake was tapped it was Okay for a $5000 tractor.

Apply that same reasoning to a car, a piece of land, repair a house, and fix a tractor.... & it explains how some previous generatons did just fine before today's financing wasn't available.

Then add in all the interest not paid out...and maybe that's why they ended up rich!

 

[rScotty]

I have a Case 580 CK backhoe/loader from the mid 70s. Even though it was beat up when I bought it I have used it for tons of stuff. One great feature is the Shuttle Shift. This allows going from forward to reverse and back again without using the clutch. I cannot stress enough how useful this feature is. I also have a Yanmar YM2310. It has the Power Shift feature which is similar to the Shuttle Shift in that it doesn't require using the clutch to go from forward to reverse and back again. It also allows shifting to 3 forward speeds without clutching. The main 5 speed tranny feeds the Power Shift, so there are 15 forward speeds and 5 reverse speeds. Any tractor you get should have some sort of way to go from forward to reverse and back without stepping on the clutch.
Eric

So what can the OP expect to pay to get a similar 580 Case? And will it handle a 1600 lb 12 foot log?
Not much doubt it will move firewood, mulch, and do construction projects. Shuttle shift is fine, but what about a PTO to run the woodchipper?

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Think of it like this, if you where going to be pulling 10,000 pounds 5 days a week would you want a F-150 that has the max tow rating of 10,000 pounds or step up to the F-250 Super Duty that is designed for that purpose (just guessing at towing numbers here). These specs are MAX specs they are putting in these brochures. Keep that in mind. It is there to get your attention.

That's a good point. However, the opposite could be true also. The manufacturers could be under rating the lift capacities to keep from getting sued. I don't know the answer to this but if anyone does I would like to hear their experience with it.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Budget now for sure , Tractor prices here are as much as 5to7 thousand more than two yrs ago, My buddy and i have same Hp tractors of similar size but his will lift and move way more weight than mine .We have tested them side by side on several projects and i was very surprised at what his could do.If you can afford it buy bigger,

What make and model tractor does your buddy have?

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Apply that same reasoning to a car, a piece of land, repair a house, and fix a tractor.... & it explains how some previous generatons did just fine before today's financing wasn't available.

Then add in all the interest not paid out...and maybe that's why they ended up rich!

I did not grow up in a wealthy family so I do not really know what you're talking about. My Dad paid the interest for everything that he bought as a farmer.

 

[etpm]

So what can the OP expect to pay to get a similar 580 Case? And will it handle a 1600 lb 12 foot log?
Not much doubt it will move firewood, mulch, and do construction projects. Shuttle shift is fine, but what about a PTO to run the woodchipper?

I was just commenting on the Shuttle Shift. Though a PTO is available on the 580 CK I do not know what a 580 CK costs these days and how easy it would be to remove the backhoe. I mentioned that two of my tractors had shifting without clutching and that was my point. I guess I shoulda made that clear. In any case (or yanmar) it is now. I also have a Ford 9N. It needs to be stopped before shifting. I guess I could double clutch it but I'm not good at that. Besides, it will move from a standstill in every gear. In my opinion not needing to use a clutch to go from forward to reverse is a huge advantage. I only know of 3 ways to do this, HST, Shuttle Shift, and Power Shift. I own 2 tractors that employ the last two methods and I find this feature very helpful, convenient, and time saving. If I ever buy another tractor it will not be one that requires clutching when changing direction.
Eric

 

[3gunr]

What make and model tractor does your buddy have?

AN LS xr 4140

 

[rScotty]

Apply that same reasoning to a car, a piece of land, repair a house, and fix a tractor.... & it explains how some previous generatons did just fine before today's financing wasn't available.

Then add in all the interest not paid out...and maybe that's why they ended up rich!

I did not grow up in a wealthy family so I do not really know what you're talking about. My Dad paid the interest for everything that he bought as a farmer.

Gale, I am talking about taking something that is used but can be made serviceable with some work, and then putting the required work into fixing it up It's just a different technique for coping with an unfavorable economy. Judging by the machinery you have listed you do it yourself.

I am just making the general comment that rebuilding something is less popular today than financing a new purchase, but that doesn't mean it is any less valuable.

And if things go the way some expect, fixing things up will again be how a generation copes with a financial downturn.
I am kind of surprised that we haven't seen it yet.

rScotty

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Gale, I am talking about taking something that is used but can be made serviceable with some work, and then putting the required work into fixing it up It's just a different technique for coping with an unfavorable economy. Judging by the machinery you have listed you do it yourself.

I am just making the general comment that rebuilding something is less popular today than financing a new purchase, but that doesn't mean it is any less valuable.

And if things go the way some expect, fixing things up will again be how a generation copes with a financial downturn.
I am kind of surprised that we haven't seen it yet.

rScotty

I have about decided rehabbing old iron is a suckers game most of the time. My shop does a lot getting old tractors back out in the field. They are quite common for pulling the big round balers so the tractor gets very little use but it has the white and the power to keep the wheel spinning in the bells falling out.

Other than the points mentioned above my problem with old iron is the lack of front-wheel drive and a tractor with a front end loader without front wheel drive is limited where it can go around our country especially in Winter and wet.

People that borrow money to buy hobby tractors maybe sad puppies the way things are currently going if they're not financially independent. Especially if they're retired.

 

[daltonhawk]

I have about decided rehabbing old iron is a suckers game most of the time. My shop does a lot getting old tractors back out in the field. They are quite common for pulling the big round balers so the tractor gets very little use but it has the white and the power to keep the wheel spinning in the bells falling out.

Other than the points mentioned above my problem with old iron is the lack of front-wheel drive and a tractor with a front end loader without front wheel drive is limited where it can go around our country especially in Winter and wet.

People that borrow money to buy hobby tractors maybe sad puppies the way things are currently going if they're not financially independent. Especially if they're retired.

I have about decided rehabbing old iron is a suckers game most of the time. My shop does a lot getting old tractors back out in the field. They are quite common for pulling the big round balers so the tractor gets very little use but it has the white and the power to keep the wheel spinning in the bells falling out.

Other than the points mentioned above my problem with old iron is the lack of front-wheel drive and a tractor with a front end loader without front wheel drive is limited where it can go around our country especially in Winter and wet.

People that borrow money to buy hobby tractors maybe sad puppies the way things are currently going if they're not financially independent. Especially if they're retired.

I’m an ok mechanic and I like working on old machines but I feel like I have too many projects already so I should be careful to only buy a machine that’s going to save me a lot more time than what I spend working on it.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I’m an ok mechanic and I like working on old machines but I feel like I have too many projects already so I should be careful to only buy a machine that’s going to save me a lot more time than what I spend working on it.

Both our 3000 and 3600 Ford's came with oiled brake shoes due inter and outer oil seals failure and after 50 years the bearings need replacing. This kind of task requires specific knowledge,;skills, tools and parts if one wants dry brake shoes 50 years down the road.

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My diesel mechanic uses Bootheel to repair or remanufacture a tractor's OEM injector pump. To remanufacture the MF was $900+, the Ford 3600 was $1000 and for JD it is around $1400 based on his experience. I am thinking about going ahead and get the 3000 injector pump remanufactured based on what it did for the power on the 3600.

 

[Tony H]

Looking around, I saw your barn project and that you had the LS so thanks for adding your thoughts. Even though the LS website states that the MT225-235 come with the LL3301 loader, the machines I've seen for sale locally have the LL3302 loader which adds about 500Lbs capacity, not sure if that's something the local dealers are choosing or something LS is doing to keep up with Branson and just haven't gotten around to updating the website. It seems like if you're happy with the size and capability and just wish for a little more loader capacity, this might be a good option for me. It's hard to spot a difference between the loaders so I'm not sure what they're doing to increase the capacity, maybe the cylinders are just slightly larger.

Buying/building a log arch is on my wish list but I built a shed over my mill and it's stationary so I probably won't be able to use it for loading.

As someone else mentioned... 2wd or 4wd, lifting and driving Max loads is very tough on the Ag. Tractors.

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

I’m looking to make my first tractor purchase and I could use a little advice. We have 10 acres which is about half trees, half garden and field, somewhat hilly. Here’s what I’m looking to do with the tractor:

-loading logs on the sawmill
-moving cut beams, lumber stacks etc.
-running a woodchipper (bought a used bearcat 70554 already, requires 25HP PTO
-maintaining 0.25mile driveway, needs grading and some more gravel
-construction projects
-Cutting 2 acre field that’s too rough for lawn mower.
-Skidding logs
-moving firewood
-moving woodchips, mulch, compost etc.

I started thinking that for all the loader work I should look for something with HST but looking at used tractors there’s really nothing that makes sense, all the used HST tractors are almost as much a new and many of them have very weak loaders that won’t pickup much of a log. Then I started looking at a new Kioti CK3510H which has a respectable 1800Lb loader capacity and noticed the same dealer also has a LS MT235E HST with an LL3302 loader rated for 2150Lbs. Next I started looking at the Branson 3015H which has a 2200Lb loader capacity. I probably would have bought the Branson already but nobody near me has one in stock which sent me back to looking at used again and I noticed a low hour MF 135 with an MF 34 loader that’s rated for a whopping 5000Lbs and also a MF 235 with a big loader nearby.

So I’m wondering if one of these old Massy Ferguson machines would be good for my situation or if the 2WD and clutch would be too irritating with all the loader/forklift work I’d like to do (plus no quick attach.) I also don’t have time for another project so whatever I buy needs to spend a lot more time working than being worked on. The compact tractors might get a little tippy with long logs on them but I don’t need to lift them very high so worst cast I’d probably just bump one end of the log against the ground right?

I’d like to spend about 10K cash or 25K financed so I can keep more money in the bank for some building projects. What machine makes the most sense for my situation?

My Massey 1760 is both an HST with Lift Capacity to Full Height @ Pivot Pin: 2,570 lb, unfortunately I doubt you'd find one at less than $25K. Be interesting to see what you end up with.

 

[JWR]

A few comments:
1) Old is relative. Great value exists in tractors with less than 1000 hrs that have not been beaten to death. The OP says he has some mech ability and with his budget that is where he needs to go. HOWEVER, it is going to be tough to find a decent tractor of the size he needs in that budget range...
2) 4WD is a necessity as many have said and that leaves out the old 9Ns and MF 65 etc. You just do not have good loaders on those OLD machines.
3) But he is only on 10 acres ... his log moving job is really the main challenge. He should have a grapple on a FEL rated for a ton or so.
... and lookout for long logs as they will tip your rig unless well balanced ... and of course keep the load as low as possible.
4) Look for something used and close enough to you that you can go play with it and test drive it.

 

[allenron]

I’m looking to make my first tractor purchase and I could use a little advice. We have 10 acres which is about half trees, half garden and field, somewhat hilly. Here’s what I’m looking to do with the tractor:

-loading logs on the sawmill
-moving cut beams, lumber stacks etc.
-running a woodchipper (bought a used bearcat 70554 already, requires 25HP PTO
-maintaining 0.25mile driveway, needs grading and some more gravel
-construction projects
-Cutting 2 acre field that’s too rough for lawn mower.
-Skidding logs
-moving firewood
-moving woodchips, mulch, compost etc.

I started thinking that for all the loader work I should look for something with HST but looking at used tractors there’s really nothing that makes sense, all the used HST tractors are almost as much a new and many of them have very weak loaders that won’t pickup much of a log. Then I started looking at a new Kioti CK3510H which has a respectable 1800Lb loader capacity and noticed the same dealer also has a LS MT235E HST with an LL3302 loader rated for 2150Lbs. Next I started looking at the Branson 3015H which has a 2200Lb loader capacity. I probably would have bought the Branson already but nobody near me has one in stock which sent me back to looking at used again and I noticed a low hour MF 135 with an MF 34 loader that’s rated for a whopping 5000Lbs and also a MF 235 with a big loader nearby.

So I’m wondering if one of these old Massy Ferguson machines would be good for my situation or if the 2WD and clutch would be too irritating with all the loader/forklift work I’d like to do (plus no quick attach.) I also don’t have time for another project so whatever I buy needs to spend a lot more time working than being worked on. The compact tractors might get a little tippy with long logs on them but I don’t need to lift them very high so worst cast I’d probably just bump one end of the log against the ground right?

I’d like to spend about 10K cash or 25K financed so I can keep more money in the bank for some building projects. What machine makes the most sense for my situation?

Hi Dalton: Our needs were similar to yours when we were looking for a tractor. We have 32 acres of rough woods, with ponderosa and sugar pine trees and good solid manzanita brush. We needed to carry logs up to 18" diameter, maybe 24 inches, and around 12 feed long. We had large brush, too. We studied everything we could find and asked the timber management people we knew for advice. They said, "Figure out what maximum HP you need for the engine, the weight you're going to lift with the FEL, and the GPM rating for the hydraulic pump. Then, get the next higher rated tractor."

We wound up buying a new (there weren't any used equivalents! at almost any run hours!) Massey-Ferguson 2706E with the HST, a backhoe, and a grapple on the bucket. We are able to transfer those soft pine logs with bucket forks fairly easily, and you can even use the grapple if you are very, very careful to balance them. The grapple is essential for brush transfers, we have found. The backhoe works well in our rocky soil, but it is slow compared to other machines, because you have to get off, get on the other seat, and move with the trench you're digging.

We did not like the front end of the smaller tractors we looked at. These had the tie rods sticking out in front of the axle housing. We were worried about running into stumps and damaging the front end. The steering mechanism of the 2706 is behind the front axle housing, which was a real positive point for us. If you're doing a lot of forestry work, the the HST is almost essential. You are going forward, stopping, backing up, turning around, almost all the time.

This machine also had simple pollution control devices. All in all, it was the simplest, most powerful tractor/backhoe we could find. The local salesman was good to work with--a seemingly minor point, but we had others that did not call us back. When we serviced it for first fluid changes, the mechanic said that it was an ideal choice for the application we had in mind.

Hope this helps. Good luck! --Ron

 

[Grumpycat]

In my situation I have many acres of hardwoods I would like to extract fallen or stricken trees just to see what I can do with them. Better than letting it rot in place. Am guessing a relatively small tractor to fit between trees to pull the trunk out. No need for fancy grapple, drag it out. Winch, long cables.

Then the remaining 200 acres needs something comfortable with a heated and air conditioned cab to mow.

 

[ford2110]

I have a 25 acre farm and all I can say is go bigger with the loader than minimum. I move logs, mow fields and run a chipper and cord wood saw. I maintain a 1000' foot road regularly moving recycled process and load/ move horse manure . I had a used Ford 2110 that did this work for 18 years. I went shopping about 10 years ago for a new machine and found a lightly used repo'd John Deere 5055e. I am used to and have no problems with the manual trans. My first advice is to buy a machine that you can get parts for easily. I was looking at Mahindra at the time and the dealer that sold them as a sideline closed up a year after i bought my JD. I liked my Ford/NH but it was a PIA to get parts for. The local dealer charged a special order fee if the order missed the Monday stock order deadline. The other brands were a hour or more away. JD's cost a premium, but I save in downtime and time spent chasing parts. Get to know the local dealers of the brand you're considering and ask around about their parts/support. In my area many of the smaller brands are sold by places like tack stores, lawn and garden stores, and a car repair shop. I'd avoid buying a machine that is sold/supported by places like this.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

After just scanning the world news finding deals on about anything may be just around the corner if panic set in.

I remember in the 80's there was some major farm equipment sales as inflation and interest rates shot up. It could be another good time to be sitting on a wad of cash.

 

[Hay Dude]

As someone else mentioned... 2wd or 4wd, lifting and driving Max loads is very tough on the Ag. Tractors.

Why? We do it all the time. As long as you don’t exceed max loads (which unfortunately we sometimes do) it shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s when you see someone lifting beyond the capacity of the loader, then driving it over rough terrain that the problems occur. Then they come onto equipment websites and complain their tractor broke. Don’t buy a bucket bigger than your tractor is speced-out for.

Its the same with anything else, right? Drive an overloaded truck over rough terrain and you‘ll be fixing bearings, springs or worse-broken axles.

Don’t overload your loader. If you do lift a lot, drive slowly for your own safety and the life of your front axle bearings.