Buying Advice Never owned a tractor

[jjlanotte]

Hey all,

Im buying a 4 acre cash crop farm and im looking at buying my first ever tractor. Ive fallen in love with all the old fords but my problem is I need something that will till. Additional attachments id like to be able to run is a finish mower, post hole digger, scraper, and maybe a loader. I understand that the fords land speeds are to fast to till but is there one that still has that classic look with a suitable transmission? Ive looked at all the Ns and hundred series and cant seem to locate anything. Please help guide me.

 

[jjlanotte]

Just a side note, ive been looking at ford 2000 8speeds. Thoughts? Is it slow and powerful enough to run say a 5' tiller

 

[jeff9366]

Your best transmissions for slow speeds over the ground are HST transmissions.

They have max torque at low speeds.

 

[Carl_NH]

The Ford 2000 with 8 speeds and 3000 Lb tractor and 31 PTO HP should handle a 5' Tiller. I don't know the lowest speed for the 2000 but I would think it's fine selection if you have mechanical ability to maintain and repair a unit of this age.

I would recommend though you look at something newer for your needs with diesel, 4WD, front end loader, and around 25-30 HP - these can be found for $6-10K range depending on condition, and as Jeff stated the hydro is great, but at the same time gear will do.

There are many good vintage machines, Kubota, John Deere, and Ford with 25-30 HP 4WD machines, with loaders - the list of models is very long...

CB

 

[nybirdman]

You need to be carefull with the old Fords and make sure they have a "live" pto or a two stage clutch.I am sure Soundguy will pipe in and tell you the models(old fords ect) that are capable for your uses.

 

[jjlanotte]

The transmission for the 2000 says it runs at 1.6mph on the 8spd unit. Is that too fast to till? Also looking at a 681 with SOS transmission. It rates it down to 1mph in first gear. And to answer the other question about maintenance, I guess I would say ive never touched a tractor but I do have an A&P cert. To work on aircraft and I usually do all the mechanics on my car. So im maybe naively assuming I have what it takes to work on tractors. I just dont want to spend a whole lot and I really love the look of the old fords. Thing is I must be able to till with it.

 

[Cherokee140]

Nothing says you can't have an N series down the road. They make great lawn mowers and are actually not too bad on gas as well. I would think you are going to want something with a HST transmission just so you can very easy alter the speed with just little adjustments of your foot. I have a few tractors, one brand new that is just so handy I can't think I would ever get rid of it, then the 8N, that is just....something. And I just don't want to get rid of that as well....the others are just machines.

For some reason (well I know the reason) but if you can find an 8N that is still 6V those seem to go for a little less money. Don't let the 6V scare you off....a properly working 6V system is all that tractor needs......even in the winter....Mine starts right up and it is still 6V with points....part of the draw to the old machines is they are old machines....I don't want 12V or points-less, or whatever....I want it as it left the factory....with a little patina.

 

[cartod]

If I were you I would keep the nostalgic thought but get out of the 50's and into the late 60's/ early 70's. Think diesel.

 

[GManBart]

The transmission for the 2000 says it runs at 1.6mph on the 8spd unit. Is that too fast to till? Also looking at a 681 with SOS transmission. It rates it down to 1mph in first gear. And to answer the other question about maintenance, I guess I would say ive never touched a tractor but I do have an A&P cert. To work on aircraft and I usually do all the mechanics on my car. So im maybe naively assuming I have what it takes to work on tractors. I just dont want to spend a whole lot and I really love the look of the old fords. Thing is I must be able to till with it.

You don't want a 681 with the SOS transmission; they have a history of breaking, and can be extremely difficult to repair (sometimes impossible). You'll find many have been converted to the more common 4 or 5 speed tranny....for a reason!

Is the 2000 a 4 cylinder, or 3 cylinder? The 3 cylinder models started in 1965, but was a completely new design.

 

[jjlanotte]

Lets try this then. My priorities 1) must roto-til effectively w/ 5 ft tiller. 2) must be able to use 2 plow. 3) cost: I really dont want to go over 4500. 4) least important (more of a want than need) nostalgic ford. I feel like that ford idea is slipping away and when it comes down to it I really just be reliable and do the aformentioned work. I seem to be gathering knowledge quickly but I know very little about brands, reliability, and a good deal if I see one. With that said is kioti a good brand? Looking at a used lk3054 right now.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[GManBart]

That was super helpful :confused2:

 

[jaydee325]

When you say, "cash crop farm," I'm assuming you have an expectation of profitability vice "this is a hobby".

I'll suggest that nostalgia driving a decision concerning what tractor (tool) to purchase to achieve profitability is not the correct path to go.

Do you have the skills, tools, and facility to maintain your own equipment?

I'll suggest that you should be considering newer equipment. Maybe new with 0% financing?

4 acres does not leave a lot of wiggle room to absorb repairs and subsequent delays in getting the field tilled and or planted.

Bob

 

[Carl_NH]

Do you have the skills, tools, and facility to maintain your own equipment?

I'll suggest that you should be considering newer equipment. Maybe new with 0% financing?

4 acres does not leave a lot of wiggle room to absorb repairs and subsequent delays in getting the field tilled and or planted.

Bob

He did state

"And to answer the other question about maintenance, I guess I would say ive never touched a tractor but I do have an A&P cert. To work on aircraft and I usually do all the mechanics on my car. So im maybe naively assuming I have what it takes to work on tractors"

So aircraft mechanic - tractors are probably simpler, but I think you point partially was that if you need to "get the crop in" you need reliable machines.

to the OP - the Kioti 3054 @ 30hp should be no problem with a 2 bottom plow or a 5' rototiller, and does it have a FEL (Loader)? How many hours?

 

[jjlanotte]

That was super helpful :confused2:

LOL sorry, im new to all this. Im learning quick tho! Its looking more and more that the more "nostalgia" type machines do not go slow enough to till. That makes me sad lol but im moving past it. Im focusing more on ford 3000's and a kiot 3054. The Kioti i feel is going to bid well past my price range but a lot of the 3000s seem to be capable of doing the job i want.

 

[GManBart]

LOL sorry, im new to all this. Im learning quick tho! Its looking more and more that the more "nostalgia" type machines do not go slow enough to till. That makes me sad lol but im moving past it. Im focusing more on ford 3000's and a kiot 3054. The Kioti i feel is going to bid well past my price range but a lot of the 3000s seem to be capable of doing the job i want.

Sorry, my reply wasn't to your post about priorities....my fault that it wasn't clear. For some weird reason a few folks here rarely offer advice, or try to help answer questions, but post in seemingly every thread.

The Ford 3000 series, or 2000 series of the same vintage, are certainly worth looking at....lots still out there, and good parts support. A very popular competitor from the same timeframe would be a Massey 135, or slightly newer models like the 230/235/231.

 

[Cherokee140]

Lets try this then. My priorities 1) must roto-til effectively w/ 5 ft tiller. 2) must be able to use 2 plow. 3) cost: I really dont want to go over 4500. 4) least important (more of a want than need) nostalgic ford. I feel like that ford idea is slipping away and when it comes down to it I really just be reliable and do the aformentioned work. I seem to be gathering knowledge quickly but I know very little about brands, reliability, and a good deal if I see one. With that said is kioti a good brand? Looking at a used lk3054 right now.

Keeping the costs under 4500 I think is going to be pretty hard. I am reading between the lines here and get the idea from you saying that you are new at this, that you are also not very experienced at turning wrenches. If that is correct I think that you really are going to need to re-look at things. I also think that for a learning curve a HST tractor is a little less steep. There are lots of little adjustments you have to make for that tiller to do its job the best, that plow to do what it needs to do....move the top link in or out and it will make what happens behind you very different....it could make you not move at all. Toss that on top of a gear tractor, that is just one more thing to keep on top of. Now I also think with your price point you are going to be looking at a machine that is going to need a little TLC...if that price includes a tiller and a plow....you have your work cut out for you. I really think you need to be looking at the best possible machine, and might even save up. As to the Kioti I would make sure you have good dealer support. Right now I think I would be safe calling that machine an up and comer.....Dealers are not everywhere like for Deere or other brands along those lines. If you have an issue with the machine you might need dealer support.

 

[Cherokee140]

Sorry, my reply wasn't to your post about priorities....my fault that it wasn't clear. For some weird reason a few folks here rarely offer advice, or try to help answer questions, but post in seemingly every thread.

They sure do don't they. Some also seem to know everything about everything, real know it all's. Makes you wonder if they are just an "internet expert" that lives in their mom's basement.

 

[jjlanotte]

Sorry, my reply wasn't to your post about priorities....my fault that it wasn't clear. For some weird reason a few folks here rarely offer advice, or try to help answer questions, but post in seemingly every thread.

The Ford 3000 series, or 2000 series of the same vintage, are certainly worth looking at....lots still out there, and good parts support. A very popular competitor from the same timeframe would be a Massey 135, or slightly newer models like the 230/235/231.

No worries, ill check into those models as well. Its just hard finding something that is slow in that first gear!! I figure, and correct me if im wrong, that I may be able to cope with 1.5mph or under as far as tilling goes.

 

[jjlanotte]

Keeping the costs under 4500 I think is going to be pretty hard. I am reading between the lines here and get the idea from you saying that you are new at this, that you are also not very experienced at turning wrenches. If that is correct I think that you really are going to need to re-look at things. I also think that for a learning curve a HST tractor is a little less steep. There are lots of little adjustments you have to make for that tiller to do its job the best, that plow to do what it needs to do....move the top link in or out and it will make what happens behind you very different....it could make you not move at all. Toss that on top of a gear tractor, that is just one more thing to keep on top of. Now I also think with your price point you are going to be looking at a machine that is going to need a little TLC...if that price includes a tiller and a plow....you have your work cut out for you. I really think you need to be looking at the best possible machine, and might even save up. As to the Kioti I would make sure you have good dealer support. Right now I think I would be safe calling that machine an up and comer.....Dealers are not everywhere like for Deere or other brands along those lines. If you have an issue with the machine you might need dealer support.

Im experienced with turning wrenches just not on tractors. I really enjoy doing preventative maintenance and repairs. Im just trying to find something that has a slow first gear for tilling and hopefully something with decent access to parts so that I can repair if ever the need arises.