Help!

[stoichiometry]

Hello,

I am looking for the names of small/medium sized, inexpensive, and servicable tractors that would be useful for plowing snow, mowing 5+ acres, and row cultivating a small hobby garden.

I've restored old vehicles (Willy's Jeeps), so I am very comfortable with fixing, welding, and restoring older vehicles.

I guess what I'm getting at is I want are the makes/models of older (re: affordable) serviceable tractor for which parts are still available. I am new to tractors, so I don't really know where to start. [For example do ford 8n's or farmall A's fit this category?]

Kindly,
M

 

[MFRED]

The cheapest would probably be the N-series fords, the TO-fergusons, the farmalls would work as well. I would think the fords & fergusons first. The 3pt hitch wil help make it easier to find mowers and cultivator and such.

Parts are pretty easy to come by on any of those older models. They can be bought pretty cheap, even cheaper if you can and are willing to tinker with them.

 

[stoichiometry]

The cheapest would probably be the N-series fords, the TO-fergusons, the farmalls would work as well. I would think the fords & fergusons first. The 3pt hitch wil help make it easier to find mowers and cultivator and such.

Parts are pretty easy to come by on any of those older models. They can be bought pretty cheap, even cheaper if you can and are willing to tinker with them.

MFred,

I'm in Northern NY (near Canada), I've checked the local want ads and there seem to be Ford 8/9n's, Fergusen TO-s that are nearly identical (visually anyway) to the fords, several allis B/C's, and Farmall A's, H's, and cubs in my price range.

Besides the 3pt hitch on the N-series and TO-s, is there any reason to consider these over the others?

PS - I enjoy tinkering ...:thumbsup:

Kindly,
Matt

 

[DJ54]

Both will do the job, just a preference of ease of changing implements, and usage. The Farmalls had the culti-vision feature, which was great for cutlivating. You're actually looking right down on one row, to keep on track. The drawback..? Mounting the cultivators... Takes a while, and can be dangerous...

Or unless you are like a buddy of mine who has several Allis CA's. Dedicating a tractor for one job..., except the one he plow's and disks with. One for the mounted planter, and the one to cultivate with...

Ford and Fergies..?? Most implements are 3 pt. Ease of hooking up and going. Drawbacks..?? Looking back to see what you're cultivating. Probably best to not..., LOL.. At least I have a tendency to maybe turn the wheel a bit, and would probably root out some plants... So many more options for implements with the 3pt.

Parts readily available for either...

Either way you go, I would suggest models with hydraulics to raise implements... The IH Fast Hitch System is pretty handy in the hooking, and unhooking catagory, but seem to be expensive now, if you can find them.

I myself use both... Plow or disk with which ever one strikes my fancy. As far as cultivating, I use my trusty ole' Sears and Roebuck David Bradley to do the cultivating. When the sweetcorn gets too high for it, I bring out the Lodge & Shipley single wheeler.

 

[DJ54]

MFred,

I'm in Northern NY (near Canada), I've checked the local want ads and there seem to be Ford 8/9n's, Fergusen TO-s that are nearly identical (visually anyway) to the fords, several allis B/C's, and Farmall A's, H's, and cubs in my price range.

Besides the 3pt hitch on the N-series and TO-s, is there any reason to consider these over the others?

PS - I enjoy tinkering ...:thumbsup:

Kindly,
Matt

If it came down between a Ford or Ferguson, I myself would prefer the Fergie, because of the OHV engine vs. the flathead Ford.... Again, just personal preference...

 

[stoichiometry]

Both will do the job, just a preference of ease of changing implements, and usage. The Farmalls had the culti-vision feature, which was great for cutlivating. You're actually looking right down on one row, to keep on track. The drawback..? Mounting the cultivators... Takes a while, and can be dangerous...

Or unless you are like a buddy of mine who has several Allis CA's. Dedicating a tractor for one job..., except the one he plow's and disks with. One for the mounted planter, and the one to cultivate with...

Ford and Fergies..?? Most implements are 3 pt. Ease of hooking up and going. Drawbacks..?? Looking back to see what you're cultivating. Probably best to not..., LOL.. At least I have a tendency to maybe turn the wheel a bit, and would probably root out some plants... So many more options for implements with the 3pt.

Parts readily available for either...

Either way you go, I would suggest models with hydraulics to raise implements... The IH Fast Hitch System is pretty handy in the hooking, and unhooking catagory, but seem to be expensive now, if you can find them.

I myself use both... Plow or disk with which ever one strikes my fancy. As far as cultivating, I use my trusty ole' Sears and Roebuck David Bradley to do the cultivating. When the sweetcorn gets too high for it, I bring out the Lodge & Shipley single wheeler.

DJ54,

If you had just under 2k and found a fergie T0-020, Ford 8n (also a 9n), farmall A, Farmall cub, and Allis C all in your price range, which one would you look at first?

Kindly,
M

 

[DJ54]

If I were going to be using multiple, strictly 3pt. attachments, The TO-20 first, Ford second. If you're planning on a finish mower application, and using it to plow, disk, and cultivate in a garden, realistically, you're looking at changing the mower, and cultivators at least once a week, in normal growing conditions. If not, one or the other is going to get away from you.

I just always liked the little Continental OHV engines, over the flatheads. As mentioned, just personal preference.

If you were truck patching 2-3 acres, I'd have both.., 3 pt for 75% of the work, and dedicate the cultivating to something with the cultivision... But since you are not, and want a multi-use, row crop tractor, I'd choose the TO.

I worked with an older fellow that he and his brother farmed 160 acres with 2, TO-20's. Of course that was back when things were a lot more diversified on the farm. Maybe 1/3 of that acreage was divided equally, into row crops, hay, and pasture.

If that sounds like a lot for those two little tractor's, there is a family farm in the county that has been passed down through the generations. Back in the early 1900's they farmed 800-1000 acres with 22 teams of horses. That was until they bought their first new John Deere unstyled B, with 2 bottom plow to help out with the plowing... can you imagine..??

I guess no worse than busting up the Prarie with 4 or so bottoms, and not seeing the end of the field in sight..., LOL...

 

[flusher]

Hello,

I am looking for the names of small/medium sized, inexpensive, and servicable tractors that would be useful for plowing snow, mowing 5+ acres, and row cultivating a small hobby garden.

I've restored old vehicles (Willy's Jeeps), so I am very comfortable with fixing, welding, and restoring older vehicles.

I guess what I'm getting at is I want are the makes/models of older (re: affordable) serviceable tractor for which parts are still available. I am new to tractors, so I don't really know where to start. [For example do ford 8n's or farmall A's fit this category?]

Kindly,
M

Farmall Cub, Farmall A, Farmall Super A. These tractors are designed for small acreage mowing and cultivating. Used mowers and cultivators are available on eBay and craigslist. And there are a lot of them still around and running.

My Cub cost $1100 (no implements, just a pto and simple hitch)



my Super A cost $1300 including a 6-ft sicklebar mower and 3-point hitch.



Parts are readily available and these old tractors are easy to service and repair. You can get the manuals on CD and there are DVDs available to help you service and repair these old girls. Working on these simple tractors is a quick way to learn tractor repair.

 

[stoichiometry]

Farmall Cub, Farmall A, Farmall Super A. These tractors are designed for small acreage mowing and cultivating. Used mowers and cultivators are available on eBay and craigslist. And there are a lot of them still around and running.

My Cub cost $1100 (no implements, just a pto and simple hitch)

View attachment 192061View attachment 192062View attachment 192063View attachment 192064

my Super A cost $1300 including a 6-ft sicklebar mower and 3-point hitch.

View attachment 192059View attachment 192060

Parts are readily available and these old tractors are easy to service and repair. You can get the manuals on CD and there are DVDs available to help you service and repair these old girls. Working on these simple tractors is a quick way to learn tractor repair.

Flusher,

I assume you are in favor of one of the farmalls? If you had to choose b/w a farmall A, Farmall cub, and farmall H [each of these are for sale within a reasonable driving distance] for snow plowing, some gardening, and mowing [and some brush hogging], which one?

Kindly,
M

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Stay away from the Farmall H if you plan on plowing snow...that is if its a tricyle..the front tires/wheels will fill with snow very easily as they are slightly "canted" and close together...also when that happens, you won't be able to steer it hardly at all...as far as the Super A, find a Super A, 100, 130, or 140 (this was the last iteration) with a 1pt fast hitch...the 3pt on Flushers is custom and didn't come on the SA. Woods still makes their finish mowers available with the 1pt attachment for them. Personally, I've got a Super C, 230, 140 Farmalls (all with Fast Hitch and have the 3pt adapter arms for the Super C and 230. Down here in the middle Atlantic any of the above Farmalls in good shape will run you $2500 to $4000 (without any implements). If you find one with implements for those prices its not a bad deal... BobG in VA

 

[flusher]

Flusher,

I assume you are in favor of one of the farmalls? If you had to choose b/w a farmall A, Farmall cub, and farmall H [each of these are for sale within a reasonable driving distance] for snow plowing, some gardening, and mowing [and some brush hogging], which one?

Kindly,
M

I agree with Bob in VA--don't get a trike, get a Farmall with a wide front end if you plan to attach stuff up front (like a snow blade). The Cub is pretty underpowered at 10 hp or so. My Farmall Super A with the wide front end was used by CalTrans as a mowing tractor (sicklebar) along roads around Mt Lassen. And several members of my tractor club have restored Farmall H's and use them for tractor pulls. The H is more tractor than I would like to work on, so I'm partial to the Super A for the type of work you plan to do.

Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

look past the ford N series and get something like a 660, 661, 860, 861 etc. those are live pto, dual clutch.. 6xx are 34 hp or so.. and the 8xx are 45hp or so, early 4 cyl 2000/4000 are similar to the 6xx/8xx models.

not much more if any, money than a ford N.. and 1.5-2 times more hp.. and way more options.. easier to get hyd remotes.. etc..

a nice 3 cyl ford 2000 or 3000 would be ok to.. but starts getting more $$.. like 3000-4500$ whereas the 6xx/8xx/4cyl 000 are in the 1800-2800$ range all day arounf her. with N bringing 700-1200$. the NAA is inbetween the N and 6xx.. and is basically as capable as the 6xx, but has the 4spd of the 8n and rear hubs o f the 8n.. hard to get aux hyds from them as well ... stick 55-64 or 65-75 on fords and $$ will be reasonable.. and good aprts support on most of them.

your choices will be 4spd ( non live pto ), 5 spd non live and 5 spd live pto.. once you hit 65, then you can get 6 and 8spds.. with many 8spds being live pto. ( have heard rumors of rare 6 spds with live pto ).

there are 10spd SOS powershift transmissions too.. kind of a dice roll though. if they are in good working order, run hot and cold, and work in all ranges and have been maintained.. then they will probably stay that way.if they alread have problems.. it could be anything from 25 cents to 2500$ to repair them.... generally SOS tractors go for less money than a 4spd of the same tractor type... IE.. an 871 will be less money than an 841.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Kirk-NJ]

Ford 8N an up. If looking at a ferguson make sure the block isn't cracked. I like my little cub for mowing the lawn and snowplowing out to the chicken coop. They made all the attachments for the cub. The thing they forgot was to make more power.

Kirk