I am looking for an older Ford Tractor, I would prefer it to be a diesel, and I do want not to spend over $4500. I am not scared to work on things at all so the used factor does not bother me. I have about 5 acres that I want to be able to run a brush hog or a disc over. I would also like to run a blade for some road work as well. I do not know where to look for them and what to watch out for when buying one. I am in Arizona and do not mind a little bit of a drive to get one. Any help is appreciated.
Looking for an older Ford Diesel Tractor
- Thread starter Clelle
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dgl24087
Veteran Member
I'd start here: www.tractorhouse.com or www.ironsearch.com
flusher
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Go to the craigslist website and check the tractors offered in your area under "Farm and Garden". It's the quickest way I know to find what you're looking for locally.
Partspring
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If your not needing 4x4 or then you should be able to find a 4000 or 4600 for under $4500. Great little 3 cylinder diesel with +/- 48 HP. Dan
Partspring original New Holland parts
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Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Depending on how tractor prices run in your area, $4500 right at the low end of the price range where you can expect to find decent diesel Fords in the size range you'll probably want. Respectable 3000's diesels sell for $4500 to $5500 here. 4000's go for that much or more. (That covers the 40 to 50 hp range) Those are common, easy to find models, both more than capable of what you want to do.
You might stumble on to one cheaper, but the likelyhood is, cheaper will mean not as good of condition. With a tractor that age, good chance you'll get to test your mechanical skills to some degree, even at those prices. I know for a fact that a tractor that age can be VERY reliable, but that comes at a price. (I've got a 38 year old Massey Ferguson 150 that ran over 300 hours last summer without a single mechanical issue)
You might stumble on to one cheaper, but the likelyhood is, cheaper will mean not as good of condition. With a tractor that age, good chance you'll get to test your mechanical skills to some degree, even at those prices. I know for a fact that a tractor that age can be VERY reliable, but that comes at a price. (I've got a 38 year old Massey Ferguson 150 that ran over 300 hours last summer without a single mechanical issue)
Most of the tractors here locally are the 8n and 9n tractors, from what I have read on here there are both good little rigs, but I can not seem to find too many tractors of the diesel variety. I for sure do not need a 4X4, not too much nasty weather to worry about in the AZ 
. I am not set on a ford I know there is a lot of trustworthy iron made in many a different color, just cant seem to find anything that is not going to hit the bank hard.
. I am not set on a ford I know there is a lot of trustworthy iron made in many a different color, just cant seem to find anything that is not going to hit the bank hard.
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Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Most of the tractors here locally are the 8n and 9n tractors, from what I have read on here there are both good little rigs, but I can稚 seem to find too many of the diesel variety. I for sure do not need a 4X4, not too much nasty weather to worry about in the AZ
Well, there's a perfectly good reason why you aren't finding any "N" Fords with diesels.....They didn't make 'em! There are a few "conversions" around with small diesels replacing the original gasser, but they're more of a novelty than a practical tractor.
Ford didn't add a diesel into their US market line-up until the very late 50's.
May I suggest a Massey Ferguson 135/150? (See my avatar) Built from 1964 to 1975 (in US, 'till 1979 in England), they're VERY good tractors, and the Perkins 3-cylinder diesel is arguably the best engine of it's type ever. Downright miserly with fuel, reliable as they come, and cheap to work on when that time finally does come, the 135 is STILL in high demand to this day. The 150 (like mine) is a beefier version of the 135.
I've owned a couple 3000 Fords for a significant time, and this 150 for 38 years. I'd rate the 150 far superior over-all.
flusher
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Most of the tractors here locally are the 8n and 9n tractors, from what I have read on here there are both good little rigs, but I can稚 seem to find too many of the diesel variety. I for sure do not need a 4X4, not too much nasty weather to worry about in the AZ
My 1964 MF-135 diesel cost me $3600 when I bought it in July06. I agree with FWJ that the 135 is top notch.
I know that the 8 and 9n's do not come with diesels I just mean diesel tractors in general. I will look for some of the Masseys that you are talking about, I have heard and read good things about the Perkins motor so that would be awesome to pick something up with that engine.
kthompson
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My suggestion was going to be check with your State Dept of Agriculture as many if not most have some kind of for sale ad site. Could not find one for Arizona. You could also post want ads. Keep eye in the weekly ads papers from rural areas. My county used a lot of the 3000 Ford and the MF 135 for tobacco. Both had good records. Today will see more of the older Fords being run on working farms than the older MF. Part of that could be due to how stable the Ford dealership was while the MF dealership was not.
