Comparison Ford Jubilee vs 641 - First Tractor!

[Tennsawdust]

I'd agree with all of that. And for $5000 it is going to be well used and probably has some shortcomings. Around here there are occasional decent older homeowners selling FEL tractors for that price, but they go fast.

My friend who has a Massey very similar to the 641 Ford put a rear 3pt dump bucket on it and said the main problem he had with the rear bucket was that the tractor ran so well and the rear bucketworked just good enough to keep him from justifying buying a real FEL & tractor..... which would of course be quite a bit better.
He ended up haying his 10 acres for 20 years without a loader. "Stubborn" is the word that comes to mind.

Most FELs today are quick attach/detatch (QA) type so having a FEL is no longer an impediment for mowing. More and more we are seeing buckets that are also quick attach/detach (SSQA) too, and that's even easier since the hydraulic hoses can stay plugged in.
rScotty

My father used one of those dump buckets (or pond scoop, as they used to call them) for many years. He even excavated for an addition on the main tobacco barn with it. You have to use what you have I suppose.

The OP will get good use out of his classic Ford until he decides he can afford to upgrade to something newer with a loader, etc... The Ford isn't a bad choice for something that gets the fields mowed and fits the budget. He may even decide to shine it up a bit and keep it after he buys something else.