new and small vs old and big

[moron88]

short and to the point questions at the bottom.

hello folks. i have 3.5-4 acres in southwest michigan and am looking for my first tractor. the annual/everyday uses will be grading my driveway, brush mowing the side yards a couple times a year and finish mowing the back acre. i wouldnt mind the ability to move snow, but i have a good shovel and a barely used snowblower (bought it in jan, used it once...) to do most of that. my mother wants a garden, but i dont know if she just wants flowers or if she wants more food plants than the grape vine i bought her. my plan was to go to lowes and get a husqvanra garden tractor with 54" deck, front scoop, utility blade and grader blade for about 6k delivered. however, i made the mistake of checking craigslist...

there i found a bunch of late 30's-60's tractors all less than 4k. one in particular that has caught my eye is a ford 2000 (unknown year) with front end loader in working condition for $2600. only problem with that deal is that i'd need a way to get it back to my house (dont currently have a truck). this is not the only listing like this. there's a '59 allis chalmers tractor with loader mounted snowplow for 3500, a few ford 9n's for ~2500 and even a couple old deeres. i like the thought of these units better than the husq for 2 reasons; 1, they are designed to do more than anything i'll likely put them through and 2, most of them run diesel (our furnace is oil fired and i've been filling the tank myself with offroad diesel for 3 years now. i have easy access to copious amounts of diesel in 5 gallon cans).

now i know the compatible attachments will cost more $, but buying used means when/if i sell i wont lose much (if any) money. plus bigger attachments mean i can get the work done quicker. my real issue is parts and maintenance. i'm new to maintaining vehicles myself (started out of financial necessity, now money isnt nearly as tight) and dont have the slightest clue where to start on a tractor. i'm a rather quick study and usually learn best by doing.

my questions:
1. where do you get parts for old tractors?
2. what should i look out for when i go see them?
3. should i skip the old tractors and stick with the garden tractor?

 

[sweettractors]

I would definitely look for something with a high low transmission. A straight 4 or 5 speed are not conducive to roto tilling the garden. Of course, you could go older and buy a plow and disc harrow to get the tillage done. Ken Sweet

 

[fried1765]

short and to the point questions at the bottom.

hello folks. i have 3.5-4 acres in southwest michigan and am looking for my first tractor. the annual/everyday uses will be grading my driveway, brush mowing the side yards a couple times a year and finish mowing the back acre. i wouldnt mind the ability to move snow, but i have a good shovel and a barely used snowblower (bought it in jan, used it once...) to do most of that. my mother wants a garden, but i dont know if she just wants flowers or if she wants more food plants than the grape vine i bought her. my plan was to go to lowes and get a husqvanra garden tractor with 54" deck, front scoop, utility blade and grader blade for about 6k delivered. however, i made the mistake of checking craigslist...

there i found a bunch of late 30's-60's tractors all less than 4k. one in particular that has caught my eye is a ford 2000 (unknown year) with front end loader in working condition for $2600. only problem with that deal is that i'd need a way to get it back to my house (dont currently have a truck). this is not the only listing like this. there's a '59 allis chalmers tractor with loader mounted snowplow for 3500, a few ford 9n's for ~2500 and even a couple old deeres. i like the thought of these units better than the husq for 2 reasons; 1, they are designed to do more than anything i'll likely put them through and 2, most of them run diesel (our furnace is oil fired and i've been filling the tank myself with offroad diesel for 3 years now. i have easy access to copious amounts of diesel in 5 gallon cans).

now i know the compatible attachments will cost more $, but buying used means when/if i sell i wont lose much (if any) money. plus bigger attachments mean i can get the work done quicker. my real issue is parts and maintenance. i'm new to maintaining vehicles myself (started out of financial necessity, now money isnt nearly as tight) and dont have the slightest clue where to start on a tractor. i'm a rather quick study and usually learn best by doing.

my questions:
1. where do you get parts for old tractors?
2. what should i look out for when i go see them?
3. should i skip the old tractors and stick with the garden tractor?

The old "N" series Fords are very basic machines, but are simple to fix as well.
The 8N's and 9N's do NOT have power steering, and fitted with a loader they are NOT pleasant to use.
I have an 8N, and it is a cute old part of tractor history. It has no loader, and I only use it occasionally for pulling a small grader blade.
Whatever you buy, if it has a loader, be SURE that it has power steering.
As Ken Sweet has pointed out, also be SURE you get something that has a low enough gear to accommodate a tiller.
I think an old tractor (in very good condition, and with PS) is the better choice.

 

[moron88]

thank you kind sirs. i hadnt even thought about power steering. i'm 23, as such the extent of manual controls i have experience with is crank windows. is there a way to add power steering? perhaps an electric motor attached to the steering column by means of sprockets and chain?

i will see what i can find with a high-low transmission although i'd be a-ok with a plow and disk harrow.

 

[Egon]

The used and old you have mentioned may not be suitable for mowing and rototiller. The manual transmissions they have make using the loader properly a pain and will be hard on the clutch. Maintenance should fairly easy but parts may not be.

Consider looking at used subcompact/compact tractors that have HST or shuttle shift.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a '63 Ford 2000 and '65 3000 both Diesels for a couple of oldies. The 2000 is a 4 speed transmission Power Take Off (PTO) and the 3000 an 8 speed (4 hi, 4 low) with a "Live PTO". Both are super reliable, easy to fix, easily obtaining parts. Personally I prefer them to the N series and prices aren't that far apart. Power steering is an asset with a FEL surely, but not an absolute must especially for a younger person. The 3000 gearing and PTO are definitely superior to the transmission PTO on both the N series and the 2000, besides having roughly 25% more HP.

I also have a couple of new "compact tractors" with loaders in the 65 and 24 hp categories, lots nicer and all but obviously more expensive.

Google "parts for a Ford 2000" for example will get you many many responses as will happen for other common brands. If you found one you think you are interested in, plug the brand and model number into a search engine and get your answer.

 

[fried1765]

I have a '63 Ford 2000 and '65 3000 both Diesels for a couple of oldies. The 2000 is a 4 speed transmission Power Take Off (PTO) and the 3000 an 8 speed (4 hi, 4 low) with a "Live PTO". Both are super reliable, easy to fix, easily obtaining parts. Personally I prefer them to the N series and prices aren't that far apart. Power steering is an asset with a FEL surely, but not an absolute must especially for a younger person. The 3000 gearing and PTO are definitely superior to the transmission PTO on both the N series and the 2000, besides having roughly 25% more HP.



I also have a couple of new "compact tractors" with loaders in the 65 and 24 hp categories, lots nicer and all but obviously more expensive.

Google "parts for a Ford 2000" for example will get you many many responses as will happen for other common brands. If you found one you think you are interested in, plug the brand and model number into a search engine and get your answer.

I have 3 older Fords
A 1951 8N....good old tractor, with no loader (will get new paint this summer)
A 1970 Ford 3400 TLB ...completely refurbished 2016 (my "yellow wheelbarrow")
A 1988 Ford 1920.... completely refurbished 2015 (my beautiful blue baby).
I use..em, but not hard!
Aftermarket parts are very available, though occasionally an item might be necessary from a tractor graveyard.

 

[silvertramp]

thank you kind sirs. i hadnt even thought about power steering. i'm 23, as such the extent of manual controls i have experience with is crank windows. is there a way to add power steering? perhaps an electric motor attached to the steering column by means of sprockets and chain?

i will see what i can find with a high-low transmission although i'd be a-ok with a plow and disk harrow.

Power steering is NOT mandatory with a loader. I am 70 years old and operate a Yanmar 276D, 4x4, with a loader. No power steering. Would PS be better? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Nope.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Somehow my dad, and us kids, managed 200 acres with an 8N, no FEL. We plowed, disced, planted corn, mowed raked and baled hay, cut timber, you name it... From 1950s into 1980s.
After my grandfather died we added his 9N to the fleet.
In 90s he bought a Ford 600, with the 8N now out of commission.
In 2005 I bought the L5030 with FEL for him. Now he says he doesn't know how he ever got along without a FEL.
At 92 he can still use a tractor without power steering, but he sure prefers the one with it and the FEL.

 

[moron88]

thanks all! i have my search narrowed down to 3, just need to get financing cleared with the bank (aka my mother). 2 are first run ford 2000s (no power steering op) and one 1990 (the listing says, anyway) ford 3910. the 3910 is $1500 with loader, one 2000 has a loader for $2300 and the other 2000 is in far better condition (upholstered seat and decent paint, barn kept) with a brush hog, back blade, disc, corn planter and single bottom plow for $4100. of course, my inner hoarder wants to try to get all 3 and while not strictly out of the question, that'll be a very hard sell. i'm ok with manual steering, i'm reasonably strong and aint afraid to sweat. thanks again!