New here and wanting a tractor

[TAftw]

Hey guys, I've read around on the site and found a lot of info on tractors. I have a small yard, only about an acre, but I'm constantly using yard machines and power equipment. I've decided that a tractor would be beneficial for a lot of the work I'm looking to do, and I can also find stuff to do with it. I'm looking for a tractor that has a PTO for a mower, and if possible a bucket loader. I'd eventually like the option of having a backhoe, but a 3-point isn't totally necessary.

I'm used to International Cubs, I use them at my work. I would like a John Deere, but they obviously come with a price. What brands/models/years should I look for? I'm looking to spend around $2000. I don't want something pretty- I want it to run and get the job done. Any info would be great. Thanks a lot!

 

[dodge man]

To tell you the truth, thats a pretty limited budget. In Kubota, I was thinking a BX sized tractor. They can be had with a end loader and a backhoe. The end loader, mower deck, or backhoe alone cost more than $2000. To get a decent used one you are probably looking at $7000 or more. I'm sure that cost would be similar to other brands also.

You can get a much older used tractor for $2000, but its going to be pretty old and may not have an end loader. Its also going to be bigger and heavier than a BX sized machine, and it doesn't sound like you need a very big machine.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN.
$2000.oo not much to work with but never give up.

Try checking out equipment/farm auctions..$2000.oo would be good down payment tho.

 

[bp fick]

Spend a few hours looking at prices and equipment at:
Used Tractors at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Caterpillar.

I'm afraid that 2 Large just isn't going to get you where you wanna go.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

TAftw, I see you made it. You said you would.
Welcome to the TBN.

 

[flusher]

Hey guys, I've read around on the site and found a lot of info on tractors. I have a small yard, only about an acre, but I'm constantly using yard machines and power equipment. I've decided that a tractor would be beneficial for a lot of the work I'm looking to do, and I can also find stuff to do with it. I'm looking for a tractor that has a PTO for a mower, and if possible a bucket loader. I'd eventually like the option of having a backhoe, but a 3-point isn't totally necessary.

I'm used to International Cubs, I use them at my work. I would like a John Deere, but they obviously come with a price. What brands/models/years should I look for? I'm looking to spend around $2000. I don't want something pretty- I want it to run and get the job done. Any info would be great. Thanks a lot!

Here's a $1300 tractor set up for a mid mount mower. It's a 1951 Farmall Super A that I bought off craigslist last year. This one came with a 6-ft sicklebar mower. There is a mid-mount rotary mower available, but nice used ones may be hard to find. This particular Super A has a 3pt hitch (an option).









Don't think you'll have much luck finding a $2K tractor with a FEL. You might find a Ford 8N with a loader but my guess is that it'll cost more like $3K.

 

[TAftw]

Thanks a lot for the responses. Mark_In_NH directed me here from the garagejournal.com forums. I'm also friends with forum member Bull and we both frequent other forums as well.

On GJ, I posted a budget of $1500. I upped it to $2000 here, because everyone told me it was too little .

Flusher, what condition did you buy that tractor in? Did it require any work or parts to make it run?

Honestly, I'm not worried about getting a tractor thats too BIG. Most people would say that I don't even need a tractor for my yard, but I don't like small riding mowers. Since I'm a gearhead, wrenching on or restoring a tractor would be a fun project for me. Maybe there would be some alternatives to what I want just so I can get my feet wet?

 

[Mark_in_NH]

TAftw,
I don't know where in MA your located, but a random search of MA's Craigslist turned up these. I don't know anything about them.
The Massey Feruson looks like it could be a decent 2 wheel drive older tractor / loader with cab. At $2750 it is not to far from your new budget.
massey ferguson diesel tractor loader

This old Ferguson probably has a lot of life left in it, if someone had the time, paitence and $ to bring it back to life, but it looks pretty scary in the picture.
But it will at least show you what $900 will typically buy you.
Ferguson tractor

This ones in Western MA $2500 or BRO for a Ford 8N with loader and saw rig
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/grd/1506044754.html

This one might have potential but again it's a little more then your budgett at $2800
http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/1475865968.html

You will find something, just take your time, do your homework and ask lots of questions.

 

[flusher]

Thanks a lot for the responses. Mark_In_NH directed me here from the garagejournal.com forums. I'm also friends with forum member Bull and we both frequent other forums as well.

On GJ, I posted a budget of $1500. I upped it to $2000 here, because everyone told me it was too little .

Flusher, what condition did you buy that tractor in? Did it require any work or parts to make it run?

Honestly, I'm not worried about getting a tractor thats too BIG. Most people would say that I don't even need a tractor for my yard, but I don't like small riding mowers. Since I'm a gearhead, wrenching on or restoring a tractor would be a fun project for me. Maybe there would be some alternatives to what I want just so I can get my feet wet?

It's running now. Need to adjust one of the transmission forks to get it to shift into first gear reliably. No big deal.

I'm into tractor restoration, so I'll probably tear into that Super A soon, tune it up to factory condition and repaint the thing.

 

[bp fick]

Being a wrench is a HUGE plus.

Last summer, my neighbor, across the road, put up his family's T-30 Massey Ferguson for sale. They had owned it since new in like 1955.
Well, well cared for and gone through. He was asking $2800 and wouldn't budge. Frankly, I don't believe he should have.

That's been my best older tractor I have seen in a year of looking, out of sheer curiosity and my passion for older tractors. A good Fergie or Ford start at about that. Below that, well, let's just say, you'd have to have very deep pockets getting 'em fixed up. That's the issue. Easy to sink a grand into one of these older tractors.

So, keep your eyes open and let your friends and neighbors know you are in the market.

 

[Soundguy]

2000$ will get you into an older ford N, or a hundred series unit in average condition.. I'd go fo rhte hundred series. .. since you won't nee dthe hp of an 8XX.. a 6XX would be ok.. 640 is 4spd, 650 is 5 spd, and 660 is 5 spd with live pto / dual stage clutch.. all have live hyds. I'd chose one of those over an 8n or the older 9n/2n.. though for most small yard work.. they should do you fine..

soundguy

Hey guys, I've read around on the site and found a lot of info on tractors. I have a small yard, only about an acre, but I'm constantly using yard machines and power equipment. I've decided that a tractor would be beneficial for a lot of the work I'm looking to do, and I can also find stuff to do with it. I'm looking for a tractor that has a PTO for a mower, and if possible a bucket loader. I'd eventually like the option of having a backhoe, but a 3-point isn't totally necessary.

I'm used to International Cubs, I use them at my work. I would like a John Deere, but they obviously come with a price. What brands/models/years should I look for? I'm looking to spend around $2000. I don't want something pretty- I want it to run and get the job done. Any info would be great. Thanks a lot!

 

[TAftw]

I'm definately mechanically inclined, I'm surely not going into this knowing nothing about wrenching. I'm only 17 which is why the budget is so low, but I guess everyone has to start somewhere. I've never gone to a trade school, as much as I've wanted to, but trial and error and a lot of reading has gotten me to where I am today. I'm currently in an internship at a truck center, and I'm learning a lot from there also. I have a lot of friends in the industry who help me, so I'm not too worried about a less-than-desirable tractor.

My main concern would be getting parts- are any of them still made for these machines?

 

[Soundguy]

You can probably buy every nut and bolt for a ford N series. mostly repops.. and deffinately by salvage.. there were right around a million ford N series manufactured. The hundred sereis have just about as good parts support.. off hand I can't think of too many parts that are completely unavailable.. ie. that you couldn't buy used or new... might not be original.. but you can keep them running... if looking at the 00/01 series.. IMHO.. I'd avoid the *71 and *81 SOS models.. they have a powershift tranny that will have spotty parts support.. when you do find new parts.. they are astronomical, .. and many mechanics won't work on a SOS tranny.. stick to a plain gear model 4 or 5spd..

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would recommend a 8N. They sell every day around here for $1500-$2500

Chris

 

[dapper]

TA: congrats on being a wrench. That is the best way to learn, though often not the easiest. Hang in there, you will have a needed skill when others have none.
Like you I was looking for my first tractor, and out of need had limited budget. I invested my 2k in a 57 ford 600. Worked hard and proud for me for the next 20+years, and made me about 3K when I sold her. Admittedly in 20 years of good care, she was in at least as good of shape as she was when I bought her, but I still can find plenty of her sister 600s around here for the 1-2k market. Would be my pick into the working tractor, that you can improve on. (might even make something on the investment) if your handy. In the Mid Ohio area you can find plenty of good old iron in repairable shape if you look. From experience, the old Ford line die hard, and most still have plenty of life left in them.
Others have given good advice, and most will agree there area a lot of good brands left out there, and some are more part friendly than others, so do you home work well, and take your time and keep your eyes open and something will come along. Just let us see what you got when it happens. Good Luck, and Welcome to the board.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Well, from when I started a desire to get a tractor, i just worked really hard for 2 summers and got a nice Yanmar for $2800. It doesnt have a FEL but it did come with a brush hog. Over the past 3 years, ive bought several implements and now have all the implements, 2 compact utility tractors, and a riding lawn mower. I myself have been looking for a second project as my Simplicity is coming along better than expected and i want something to do at my moms. So since my neighbor's mancave/shop burned down, he lost his JohnDeere 4100 with a rototiller and a FEL. He is gonna give it to me to fix up and I will be a proud owner of 3 tractors. If I can do it, you can to. When I was in the market, i looked on craigslist every day until I found the Yanmar in my price range. The next week, it was on the trailer headed home. I wish you luck with your search and like when i got my Yanmar, you got to post some pictures.

 

[joes_427_vette]

2k is a tuff budget. JD won't even sell you a MMM for that. Murry, Craftsman would be more in that catagory. I never did see what the big draw in the 8N series was. If you put a loader on you couldn't steer it. It couldn't pull a plow. Looked pretty though.