older Ford?

[ScottieM]

I was going to purchase a Kubota BX2200, but after much consideration I have decided to buy a older post 1960 Ford, JD. The new tractors are just too much money for me to justify 13,000. Can any out here recomend an older model Ford that can do the same BX2200/7500 can accomplish? I want to keep the price under $6000 and I would want atleast an FEL in that price. Or are there any websites that break down the specs on the older Fords.

 

[lblair]

Good luck on your search. In my area to find a older tractor with FEL they are mostly whooped. Old and very tired. You cant beat the new tractors with their 4wd and hydro when it somes to the loader and other attachments. I looked for used and before i knew it i bought new. I couldnt see spendin 1/2 the money on used then lettin it sit broke and buy new. In my area if you do find somthing good that is used you pay dearly for it. Just my opinion from what i see in my area..Good luck on your hunt Larry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You will be looking to spend at least $3-$4k for a good 1960's Ford or JD with out loader, then you will be spending at least $3k for a new loader to work on the old tractor. Then your other problem is wether the old tractors hydraulics work properly still if not you could be spending another $1k to fix them. So by the time your done you will have spent around $8k for a tractor with no MFWD and worth about $5k if you wanted to resell it. Most people that you see with the old tractors and I have a few, already owned them so that cuts down on their cost if they wanted to fix them up. Your only other problem with an old tractor will be maintainence. You can still get parts for them but depending on which tractor you might have to spend $100 for a hose that leads from the carb to the air cleaner. It is easier to buy a new or slightly used tractor and have something to start everytime, plus you will have a warranty so if something major happens you will be covered. You will be looking at around $2k to replace a motor in an old tractor if it should blow on you. If you want to get an old tractor still go for it I have nothing against people that like them as I still buy them to play with but do not think you will be getting a deal buy buying somethin that old, most factory mounted loaders from the sixtys were not that great. Good luck and lets us know what you decide.

 

[jinman]

Scottie, if I had an unlimited supply of good old tractors with FELs that I could sell for $6000, I'd get rich. They just don't exist in any quantity unless you get lucky. Call it "tractor lotto". Someone is going to find one like that, but it probably ain't gonna be you. It happens only rarely.

Here's my short story. I bought a 1964 Ford 4000 Industrial Tractor, 2 WD, gas, Selecto-Speed tranny, Loader, 3 pth, box blade, but no PTO, for $3000 cash. Sounds like a deal, right? ...NOT!/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif It was about as useless a rig as I've ever seen. It would start and run fine and the Selecto-speed tranny would normally only leak down to where I had to refill about every 30 hr of operation. The engine smoked like crazy, but hey, I didn't mind that too much. Guess what it would not do? The loader could not be filled even 1/3 without the rear tires losing so much traction that you could easily spin on an almost level gravel road (it had wheel weights and the wheels were loaded). This was so bad, that with an empty bucket in the air and pointing downhill, I often couldn't back up. Many times I had to put the loader buck down and "walk" the tractor backward to more level ground. The only two things I ever successfully did with this tractor was spreading some gravel on a road and box bladeing it and also it was great to put that huge 3/4 yd bucket in the air and go tearing willy-nilly into the brush. I never had to worry about tearing that thing up. It was great for clearing trails, especially if what was in front of you was slightly downhill. You might have to struggle to get back up the hill, but going down you could really clear a path. After three years, I was looking at new New Hollands (I eventually bought a TC45D) and struck up a conversation with a guy who was interested in buying my old Ford 4000. I told him I wanted to keep the box blade, but I'd take $1000 for the tractor. He came over a couple of days later with a gooseneck trailer and loaded the ole yeller tractor up, paid me, and drove away. I ran behind him and double-locked the gate /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. I didn't want to take any chance he would change his mind and return. If he had, I was going to play like I wasn't home /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Okay, I embellished a little, but probably less than you think. Here is what I suggest. If you want an older 2wd tractor for bush hogging, blading, and plowing, that is just fine. You can find good ones for $3000 to $5000. If you want a tractor with an FEL. Don't settle for anything without 4WD and power steering. To get that, you will have to pay about $10,000 minimum for something you won't spend all your time fixing. Anyone who would tell you different is "pulling your leg."

JimI

 

[RichZ]

Scottie, it will take a little work, but your idea is doable. I was in a similar situation, couldn't afford a new tractor. I bought a 1951 Ferguson TO-20. It runs great, and has been able to do everything I've needed. Getting a FEL makes it a little harder, but still doable if you are willing to shop. First you have to decide what you want the tractor to do, and what size you want. If you stick with the main old manufacturers such as Ford, International(Farmall), Massey Ferguson, John Deere, etc.I think you'll do well. These older tractors were made to last forever, and are much simpler than today's tractors. My tractor is 50 years old and runs great. The parts are very easily available for all the old main brands.
The only thing is you have to be prepared to do without some modern convienances. For example, by tractor is only 2 wheel drive, and doesn't have a live pto. But in my case, I've never owned a newer tractor, so I don't know the difference. If I drove a new one, I might not be so satisfied, but so far, I've mowed, brush hogged, landscapped raked, hauled a farm trailor and blown snow, without a problem.
I suggest you check out Yesterday'sTractors, which has forum for all the main manufacturers, and ask alot of questions. I looked at about 15 - 20 tractors before I got mine, so it takes some shopping.
Good luck, and keep us posted!

Rich