Looking for older tractor purchase advice

[Bigbertha72]

Thanks for all the replies. Gave me some more info to go with.

I been watching cl to see what things are going for around here. I have seen some decent deals pop up with tractors with fel. Saw an old ford 2000 with a fel that worked and ran for 3500, and an old kubota for 4k. A nice looking Bolen for 6k with a fel and schredder. But on average closer to the 8-12k.

When I was looking up the live pto vs non live I stumbled across tractors using the rear dirt scoop. While I would love to have a fel, I'm starting to think that's more of a want than need.

I can get alot nicer tractor if I'm not looking for one with a fel. I think I would be content with using a rear dirt scoop setup for what I actually need. I'm open to opions on that. But I think I would be able to accomplish everything with a rear dirt scoop, rear forklift setup, a 3pt mower, box blade, and a 3pt tiller.

 

[ch1ch2]

Thanks for all the replies. Gave me some more info to go with.

I been watching cl to see what things are going for around here. I have seen some decent deals pop up with tractors with fel. Saw an old ford 2000 with a fel that worked and ran for 3500, and an old kubota for 4k. A nice looking Bolen for 6k with a fel and schredder. But on average closer to the 8-12k.

When I was looking up the live pto vs non live I stumbled across tractors using the rear dirt scoop. While I would love to have a fel, I'm starting to think that's more of a want than need.

I can get alot nicer tractor if I'm not looking for one with a fel. I think I would be content with using a rear dirt scoop setup for what I actually need. I'm open to opions on that. But I think I would be able to accomplish everything with a rear dirt scoop, rear forklift setup, a 3pt mower, box blade, and a 3pt tiller.

I personally think a FEL is a must if you only have one tractor.
It is something that is the reason a lot of people trade. Just my thoughts. Once I added a grapple, I was in tractor heaven.

 

[newbury]

Thanks for all the replies. Gave me some more info to go with.

I been watching cl to see what things are going for around here. I have seen some decent deals pop up with tractors with fel. Saw an old ford 2000 with a fel that worked and ran for 3500, and an old kubota for 4k. A nice looking Bolen for 6k with a fel and schredder. But on average closer to the 8-12k.

When I was looking up the live pto vs non live I stumbled across tractors using the rear dirt scoop. While I would love to have a fel, I'm starting to think that's more of a want than need.

I can get alot nicer tractor if I'm not looking for one with a fel. I think I would be content with using a rear dirt scoop setup for what I actually need. I'm open to opions on that. But I think I would be able to accomplish everything with a rear dirt scoop, rear forklift setup, a 3pt mower, box blade, and a 3pt tiller.

First of all THANK YOU for using paragraphs.

Don't let the FEL slip away so quickly.

First of all FEL is Front End Loader, not a "bucket" on the front. One can attach a number of different implements to a FEL. Even if you get the common FEL w/ bucket set up it's often one attaches pallet forks or a trailer receiver hitch to the bucket.

And if you plan on getting older the FEL w/ bucket greatly helps in lifting almost anything, saving a lot of back pain. I've moved freezers and furniture with mine, besides dirt, gravel, etc.

Another place to look is surplus small government sales. I've followed public surplus.com for years and have seen many tractors come up for sale. Some are scrap and beat to death but some agencies have rules about keeping equipment to old and routinely cycle out barely used equipment.

You also usually "can get a lot nicer tractor" if you go with 2WD but unless you have very flat terrain I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Al 2]

Never used a rear scoop but I think it would have a very limited use. Can't lift very high for sure. Go with a loader. Do you need 4 wheel drive ? Probably not but almost needed when using the loader. What are you cutting ? Field and or lawn with a brush hog? May need turf tires. A MF 135 would be a good choice for a less expensive option.
Al

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

One thing to note on the FEL idea: Pay attention to how the bucket is mounted, a quick attach is almost a requirement if you plan to swap the bucket for an endless amount of FEL attachments.

SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) is what a lot of tractors use, JD uses a proprietary quick attach which limits attachment availability some.

My preferred set up is my 42in pallet forks on the FEL with a rear blade behind, I can do 99% of my chores with this set up.

Pallet forks make a FEL for me, I use them so much and so often that I would add a FEL to a tractor just for forks.

I use mine for driveway maintenance (250 ft) and feeding and raising livestock (cattle and chickens)

If you have a tractor with R4s your gonna want 4x4, if you have a tractor with AG (R1, R1w or R2) tires, you can get away with 2wd but may have to pull it out a few times a year.

I personally think a FEL is a must have for a tractor, I would hate to just have 3pt attachments, sure they could do most of work but your extremely limited, you don't have the reach a FEL provides. In my opinion a FEL is like a scalpel and a 3pt scoop is a mini non serrated plastic knife.

You can move material with a scoop but you can't stack/ pile it very high, it would be almost impossible to spread the material out without changing implements all the time ext.

 

[boggen]

TractorHouse.com | Used Tractors For Sale: John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, Kubota.
SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more = search mutli craig list cities
craiglist has a better setup, and making sure you enter... "tractor" to search for, then enter your zip code and miles away from you. seems to be including nice range of cities within given distance.

check your local newspapers. ya some of them are pretty much useless but some times there might be a listing.

check your local auctions as well. though in recent years auctions around here. pretty much a wash and folks paying more at auction than other.

=========
checkout Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer = good spot for newbies to check out various attachments for tractors, with text and videos of how to setup stuff up and use the attachments/implements for tractors. then hit TBN and youtube to see what folks have done as well. so you get an idea of usage and how folks have done things before.

=========
old tractors, there really is no brand thing or what to stay away from. it is what is mechanical running = good.

the only way you are going to get any experience let alone find out what is available. is get out there and begin test driving different used tractors so you can see what is really bad and you want to run away from, and fair deals, to the always rare awesome deal.

buying used = making sure you get the FEL with tractor and it is connected and running. it tends to be way to expensive to add a third party FEL after you bought a used tractor or even adding a FEL after you bought a new tractor. the exception might be if you are a welder and have the various tools already and somehow manage to find a used loader that will fit your tractor.

the 3pt hitch, make sure parts are there and nothing is completely bent up, torn up, cracked on rear end of tractor. when test driving after it is warmed up make sure you hook something up and put weight on the 3pt hitch to make sure it raises and lowers with weight on it. check chains, sway bar/chains most likely beneficial for you if not they cost some.

you do not need a quick attach FEL or 3pt hitch. granted telescopic lower lift arms, or pats easy hitch or quick attach can be rather nice. it is not necessary.

==========
beyond tractor in good running mechanical condition (could be a rust bucket and still be better than nicely painted shiny things) would be tire tread. tractor tires can be rather costly. if they are cracking to 50% tread left. be prepared to get a new set of tires.

does not matter if tractor is gas or diesel. when getting used. ya there is a difference. but used and in budget for yourself. hold for good running tractor vs tossing out a tractor based on fuel it runs on.

make sure all the gears and rages work for the transmission.

good chance brakes barely work. due to many times brakes are wet brakes and inside everything, it can be a rather big job for a DIY to replace them. assuming they can not be adjusted any more.

make sure you test drive them. and let them warm up and run 15 minutes or so. and test drive again and then check for hydrualic leaks to engine leaks or like.

good chance non of the lights will work. or they been broken off. lights are fairly easiy to fix within reason.

old 2WD tractors can be good enough, you do not need 4WD / MFWD tractor.

CAT 1 3pt hitch. you do not need a CAT II 3pt hitch tractor. 30HP most likely max HP. and 20HP roughly for MIN HP.

=========
rear blade, box blade, rotatory cutter, finishing mower, 3pt hitch backhoe with subframe, post hole digger, plow, disc, tiller, drag harrow / chain harrow, weight box, filled rear tires with a fluid, tire weights. might be worth check prices on for new vs used. so if someone has something for sale you can jump on deal possibly.

small size tractor going to have issue with digging and a tooth bar for FEL generaly duty bucket most likely wanted.

 

[tcreeley]

My 2003 30 hp NH TC30 does everything I want- 4wheel drive, FEL. Gravel, tilling, bushhog, hiller, snow plowing, tipping trees over,etc..
I think 30 hp is plenty with 4x4. The FEL is very useful.
Bought it used on Craigslist in Maine.
Just keep looking. Unless it has a warranty, you are paying dealer markup and I wonder if it is worth it.
Good luck looking.

 

[CalG]

Never used a rear scoop but I think it would have a very limited use. Can't lift very high for sure. Go with a loader. Do you need 4 wheel drive ? Probably not but almost needed when using the loader. What are you cutting ? Field and or lawn with a brush hog? May need turf tires. A MF 135 would be a good choice for a less expensive option.
Al

I made do with the rear scoop and drag bucket on the Fordson E27n for many years. It's handi for moving firewood, and really a power tool for clearing out a dry pond bottom or trenching for surface drainage.

I use it in favor of the FEL for dirt work, but the FEL excels as a lifting boom and for turning the compost or stacking snow. ;-)

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My 2003 30 hp NH TC30 does everything I want- 4wheel drive, FEL. Gravel, tilling, bushhog, hiller, snow plowing, tipping trees over,etc..
I think 30 hp is plenty with 4x4. The FEL is very useful.
Bought it used on Craigslist in Maine.
Just keep looking. Unless it has a warranty, you are paying dealer markup and I wonder if it is worth it.
Good luck looking.

It's more of a maintenance issue, guys who take care of there stuff sell it like it's gold, guys who don't sell cheap but usually it's a problematic piece of equipment.

Rarely is there one in between but it does happen, that's the reason I was gonna buy new until I found a used JD I was willing to throw the dice on, 25h of time on the machine later and so far so good. Knock on wood

 

[Texasmark]

It's a crap shoot. Over the years I have probably bought and sold 15 used tractors and have had 2 lemons, both engine overhauls that I failed to recognize at the time of purchase. One I sold and covered my expenses plus time I used it and the other I still have; a 1965 Ford 3000 I overhauled when I bought it some 15 or so years ago.