Buying Advice Old Ford or fresh and new.

[tractorman38]

Real new to the site, but I wanted to pick everyone's brain and get some advice. I own 6 acres and will be increasing to 13 total in the future I am in the market for a tractor. I have an oppurtunity to buy a 74,75 ford 3000 diesel very resonnably and in great shape. My concerns are this will I regret no bucket and 4x4. I will be maintaining driveway , mowing , and your usual stump removal and all around tractor duties. I have been quoted a really good package deal on a 28 up mahindra with trailer, bushhog, disc hare and scrap blade. I want to make sure I'm an educated consumer. I really like a Massey 2615 or Kubota mx5100 but these could be to much tractor.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think you would be better off with a tractor that has a removable loader (fel) and 30 to 40 hp as a minimum. Just about every manufacturer makes has a couple of models in this range. Some are more feature laden than others. Nothing wrong with either the Massey or Kubota models either and I don't think they are too much tractor. All tractors seem to shrink when you get them home. I use and like the Deere 4520 60 hp tractor with ehydro and don't think that would be too large, just depends on what projects you have to do now and in the future.

 

[Larro Darro]

Welcome from NW Florida. Look at these prices, http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?manu=FORD&mdltxt=3000, and see how the deal you have stacks up. I have a 3930 and have got by without 4WD or a bucket. You just have to know what you can and can't do with it. New is always good, but you are paying a high price for the pleasure. For me, it is never worth the extra $$. There are too many slightly used tractors on the market.

 

[Soundguy]

how much diff in the mahindra package to the ford?

do you need the trailer ?

if yes tot he trailer.. and the mahindra pack has allt he stuff you need. it may simply be the logical choice.

word of caution.

'stumping' is a hard , and potentially dangerous game.


real way to remove a stump is either to dig beside it and then knock it out, or grind it. tipping out with a loader has lead to many bent booms, rams and bowed cutting edges that look mor elike soup spoons.. especially on small equipment.

stump pulling with a chain from the rear has led to many flat people for 2 reasons... 1, many people pull from an incorrect location and flip the machine, 2, pulling a fixed object like a stump is a hard task and abuses the machine. easy way to break things.

i'm all for old fords.. but if you can get all you need as a package, new, warranty, and it is an attractive price... that may be something to look at.

 

[grm61]

I don't think you should get anything without a FEL.

 

[tractorman38]

Ford is around 2500 and mahindra is 17000.

 

[grm61]

Real new to the site, but I wanted to pick everyone's brain and get some advice. I own 6 acres and will be increasing to 13 total in the future I am in the market for a tractor. I have an oppurtunity to buy a 74,75 ford 3000 diesel very resonnably and in great shape. My concerns are this will I regret no bucket and 4x4. I will be maintaining driveway , mowing , and your usual stump removal and all around tractor duties. I have been quoted a really good package deal on a 28 up mahindra with trailer, bushhog, disc hare and scrap blade. I want to make sure I'm an educated consumer. I really like a Massey 2615 or Kubota mx5100 but these could be to much tractor.

Yes I believe you will regret buying a tractor without a FEL no matter what you pay for it.

 

[tractorman38]

What are yall's opinion on mahindra . I prefer American made buy, but nothing is these days anymore. Deere is nice but green paint is not worth the price diff.for me.

 

[grm61]

None of the compact tractors are made in the USA, John Deere included, my Dads 97 970 is a Yanmar with green paint.

 

[tractorman38]

That's exactly what I'm referring to so it shouldn't matter.

 

[flusher]

Hmm-a 40-year old 47 hp (engine) diesel tractor without FEL for $2500. If I were you, I'd grab it if it checks out OK. That's real cheap horsepower. Then get yourself a new/newer 30-35 hp (engine) tractor with FEL. Problem solved.

Good luck.

 

[LD1]

None of the tasks you describe require a loader. And the stumping, if they are larger, or many of them, you'd be best served renting a mini-ex for a day or a stump grinder. Like soundguy said, stumping is hard on improper equipment.

I'm all for a FEL too. THey are indeed handy. But mine never gets used of mowing or driveway grading. Now if you have alot of dirt to move, or other jobs that you need a FEL fo, by all means get one. But that old iron for 2500 is a good deal if it checks out.

I dont like the package deals. You end up with a lot of new implements. And I dont like new implements. Far too many good used ones out there for me to want to spend the $$$

 

[tractorman38]

So LD1 if u order a load of gravel for ur driveway you don't use ur fel to spread it?

 

[GPintheMitten]

What would it cost to add a loader to the Ford?

 

[TomSeller]

Hmm-a 40-year old 47 hp (engine) diesel tractor without FEL for $2500. If I were you, I'd grab it if it checks out OK. That's real cheap horsepower. Then get yourself a new/newer 30-35 hp (engine) tractor with FEL. Problem solved.

Good luck.

I agree,$2500 is cheap if it is in good condition. I never want a loader on when grading driveways, brush hogging, pulling a trailer, etc. It really restricts the maneuverability. I'd get the Ford and figure out and take time to get a good buy on an FEL machine if in fact you need it. They make 3 pt booms if you just need to lift an occasional heavy load.

The older tractor keeps your hours down and the paint in better condition on your newer tractor too. If ever selling, two main items that help sell are low hours and good paint.

 

[Soundguy]

wow! that's a cheap ford. a 3000 is usually 4500$ here!

 

[jenkinsph]

For 2500 and in decent condition I would buy it at least to use for awhile.

 

[RBORGES66]

I have a 58 ford 800 Power Master I got with my property and 8 acre field. It looks like petty coat junction but parts are available and cheap.

I have used my grader blade - 100 dollars, pond scoop 100 dollars, hawse 5 ft bush hog - 650 dollars, ABO-22 8ft adjustable disc 400 has round and chopper discs, post hole digger 250 with 12" auger and ford 3 row plow 250 to do everything I could do with a loader/4x4 and minus a payment of 3 or 400 dollars.

If you can pay cash or handle payment easy - the new is great, just minus ac/heat/cab?

If no payment, working with what you got and knowing your capabilities of tractor and equipment works for you and you are reasonable - the ford is fine. You may have to do more steps or more trips, wait for it to dry up so you don't get stuck?

If you're a high roller and impatient and do not have the time to wait - I highly recommend the newer

It took a couple of years watching, listening, estate sales and yard sales to find everything for decent price and all good equipment minus a few pins and parts.

 

[Larro Darro]

All it takes is lots of time, hard work and luck to get good deals on older equipment. They are out there, you just have to find them. I would go ahead and buy the Ford. You can be using it while looking for a newer used tractor. My 39 HP is the biggest tractor I have ever owned, so a 47 HP would be a dream tractor for me. At that price, anyway.

 

[TomSeller]

I have a 58 ford 800 Power Master I got with my property and 8 acre field. It looks like petty coat junction but parts are available and cheap. I have used my grader blade - 100 dollars, pond scoop 100 dollars, hawse 5 ft bush hog - 650 dollars, ABO-22 8ft adjustable disc 400 has round and chopper discs, post hole digger 250 with 12" auger and ford 3 row plow 250 to do everything I could do with a loader/4x4 and minus a payment of 3 or 400 dollars.
If you can pay cash or handle payment easy - the new is great, just minus ac/heat/cab?
If no payment, working with what you got and knowing your capabilities of tractor and equipment works for you and you are reasonable - the ford is fine. You may have to do more steps or more trips, wait for it to dry up so you don't get stuck?
If you're a high roller and impatient and do not have the time to wait - I highly recommend the newer
It took a couple of years watching, listening, estate sales and yard sales to find everything for decent price and all good equipment minus a few pins and parts.

Bravo, keep the old iron in use and save a ton. I have a mix of old and new, but would never be without the deals I could not pass up.