Tractor Sizing Need good old Tractor

[Amateur land owner]

I recently bought 40 acres in central Illinois, mostly woods with existing trails on the land. Some sandy soil, but trails are good shape with dirt. The previous owner cleared about 2-4 acres in the middle for food plots that is now just overgrown but sandy. I don't have direct access to my land and use a access road that I am required to mow, its about half mile long and grass and weeds. The land has great oaks and I have knocked down some of the dead ones to use for wood to build a cabin. I am in need of a tractor to use on the land, move logs, mow, grade the roads. The trails have a good canopy to them so i don't want a tractor with a cab as it will be too tall. I know I am asking a very generic question and have see many of the post on this site that are helpful. I am asking mostly about tractor features as well as overall unit. I have 3-5 k to spend on a tractor but wanted to know thoughts on need for power steering, 4 wheel drive, age ect. I am somewhat mechanical but anything major is going to a shop. All advice and insight is greatly appreciated. Purely an amateur at this but so excited about playing on the land and enjoying it with the family.

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome, That budget is going to be hard. I don't think you will find a 4 wheel drive and FEL for that price. Good luck.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

Unless it was a typo and you meant 30-50k you may not have the ability to get a machine with any of the options you mentioned. I would check out some sites like tractor house, machine finder, fastline, etc to get an idea of what is for sale and the pricing in your area. Pretty tough to find anything short of older tractors like a 8n (just one example) or something similar.

 

[Amateur land owner]

Thanks, Yes 3 - 5 k was what i hoped to spend. Do you think 4wheel drive is necessary for my application or power steering?

I will hit those site to check but welcome your thoughts. By narrowing options will help me pick one, I am on craigslist and see some 3-6 but not many options.

Much appreciate your help.

 

[/pine]

I doubt you will find a suitable tractor for less than $6K min...but they are out there...

For instance...look for older b series K_ubotas etc...as a general rule a loader usually adds about $2K value on compact tractors

 

[4570Man]

I think you need all three, but at that price you will likely have to compromise somewhere. Here is what a $3000 tractor looks like. I paid $16000 for the L3240 with a loader.

 

[bcp]

I am in need of a tractor to use on the land, move logs, mow, grade the roads.

Hardly any farm tractors used to have loaders, except some light duty manure loaders, and they could do those jobs. You could use a boom pole on the back for your log lifting, but probably millions of log cabins have been built without any machinery. Power steering and 4wd were equally rare.

The first things that come to mind to look for in an old used tractor for general utility work are good tires, a 3 point hitch, an independent PTO, a hydraulic system, ROPS on or available, non-tricycle front end. Other will come up with additional ideas.

Any tractor is better than no tractor.

Bruce

 

[jeff9366]

Tractor parts are more expensive than car parts.

My Kubota dealer charges $70 per hour for mechanic's time, plus transportation in/out for the tractor.

Old, old, multiple-owner tractors are a money pit.

 

[bcp]

Something I forgot to mention is to avoid the tractor in the weeds that was "running great when grandpa parked it."

Many restorations sell for far less than the costs of restoration. But you have to know enough to know if it was truly restored, or just cleaned and painted.

Bruce

 

[Amateur land owner]

locally there is an international 404 with loader and grader, 3500. No power steering, no wheel drive. Any thoughts on this type of tractor for my application. I really appreciate everyones comments.

 

[jenkinsph]

Hardly any farm tractors used to have loaders, except some light duty manure loaders, and they could do those jobs. You could use a boom pole on the back for your log lifting, but probably millions of log cabins have been built without any machinery. Power steering and 4wd were equally rare.

The first things that come to mind to look for in an old used tractor for general utility work are good tires, a 3 point hitch, an independent PTO, a hydraulic system, ROPS on or available, non-tricycle front end. Other will come up with additional ideas.

Any tractor is better than no tractor.

Bruce

I agree with bcp on this with the exception of it having to be a wide front. I surely prefer a wide front but a good tricycle tractor In good shape may be available cheaper. I would look for the best deal in an older tractor that runs well, has a good clutch, good enough tires that does not look beat up. They are out there within your budget. Older Internationals, Fords, Deeres, Massey Fergusons to name a few. Most were simple 2wd tractors and I would not worry about the brand as much as the condition.

 

[holeycow]

Many old tractors can be bought quite cheap. Smaller ag stuff will be cheaper to buy than acreage-sized stuff due to demand. Which is low for,say a 70 or 80hp old 2wd tractor.

3 pth is nice to have, but not necessary for many, many jobs. Much of the old implements are not 3pth, at least the ones that can be bought cheap.

Sometimes a tractor wrecker might have a good deal on an old tractor that they "stole" somewhere and had the parts on hand for a cheap, easy fix.

There are lots of good old machines out there. Its better to be pretty a mechanical kind-of guy when running one.

 

[newbury]

Unless it was a typo and you meant 30-50k you may not have the ability to get a machine with any of the options you mentioned. I would check out some sites like tractor house, machine finder, fastline, etc to get an idea of what is for sale and the pricing in your area. Pretty tough to find anything short of older tractors like a 8n (just one example) or something similar.

Also look at Public Surplus.
This tractor went for $2,550

Public Surplus: Auction #81419

This for $5,200

This for $1605

This for $5,100

This for $2,875

And my favorite, although out of your price limit at $11,500:






And so far I've spent about $900 in "parts", front tires, hoses, a leaky cylinder, since I bought it in January 2013.

Many of these tractors seem well maintained, just they are old, definitely no Tier 4.

At least in my neck of the woods the schools and local county governments tend to maintain their equipment, then all of a sudden they get an infusion of cash and sell stuff off.

 

[sd455dan]

I think you need all three, but at that price you will likely have to compromise somewhere. Here is what a $3000 tractor looks like. I paid $16000 for the L3240 with a loader. View attachment 476859

If the OP is willing to consider older and in some cases Much older machinery he should be able to find a candidate.

in my case-$3850 for my Ford 40 PTO hp 3000 with

Industrial 2000 lbs lift loader,
loaded 14.9 28 R1s
power steering,
independent PTO

but no 4x4

deals are out there- older

2 wheel drive tractors with loaders are doable.