Seeking tractor advice

[ReedRidge]

Okay, I was born a city boy in Flint Michigan. Take that to heart and if I am missing the obvious feel free to assume ignorance and provide proper direction.

I retired to 45 acres in northeastern Kentucky and need to keep about 4-6 bush hogged and to maintain .78 miles of dirt/gravel road from the nearest public road. It's hilly. Very. I have a bush hog and box blade I have learned to use with my 1965 MF135 Gas Tractor after I learned to drive it. I would not mind adding an auger later.... but... We live 27 minutes from the nearest gas station as a point of reference. I don't need it to make money, just to not have to pay others as I have a limited budget. I have put this off because of this bug thing, but with the vaxx in me, I cannot delay it any longer.

The MF135 was in the barn with the place. It needs rear tires (12.4 x 28's right now but one has fist sized holes and the other is really dry rotted) and the brakes are going. I've jury rigged the electrical and it runs (as you can see in pics). I don't have the correct tools to change the tires, and am an old soldier with some uncooperative less-than-original body parts for brute forcing it.

SO, I am left with (as far as I can tell)

- buying a trailer to transport it (which isn't great, but I could use it for other stuff) and then
shopping around to find a place to get the tires changes (after I drop a fair chunk of cash to buy tires) and having them check the brakes since I already went thru all that hassle/cost
Dealing with the fact that while it is within 4 years of my age, and while the simple is nice, it is a real bear to drive without at least 1 good knee

- Finding someone who will onsite do the tire change (and maybe following a youtube vid for the brakes myself, but we have HILLS and I would like to know what right feels like for a point of reference) and paying for tires/services

- Taking the money I would have spent on the above plus another 2k and picking up some decently maintained tractor nearby that has no current needs and is already in decent shape. Maybe selling the MF to someone who wants to play with it to get some cash back.


Any recommendations?

 

[Roadworthy]

I think you're saying the tractor is adequate other than tires and brakes. You will not find a "decently maintained" tractor for anything approaching what you'll put into tires and brakes. I would break the lugs loose on the wheels then jack the rear of the tractor, putting it on blocks with the rear wheels off the ground. Removing the tires and wheels becomes simple at that point, though they are HEAVY. Put them on a low trailer or into your pickup and take them to the dealer to have the tires replaced. They can then be reinstalled onto the tractor. While the tires are off is an excellent time to pursue the brakes. I know nothing about your clutch, engine, or anything else but for me the tires and brakes would not be a deal breaker. It should be a fine old tractor if you don't need a front loader.

 

[sea2summit]

When you buy a tractor you're pretty much buying an engine with tires, that's where the value is at so new tires are a big expense. But once you have them you'll get a lot out of them.

Have you not met any of the neighbors who could lend a hand hauling it to a shop? Or recommend someone to do the work? I can't tell you how much frustration and money I've saved just by knowing neighbors, they're all way older than me so I end up doing a lot of manual labor in return but still

 

[jeff9366]

Any (car/truck) tire dealer can order tractor tires and provide mounting service.

Tractor tires ordered from web tire dealer and are usually the cheapest price you will find, including delivery. Few web dealers charge sales tax unless located within your state.

VENDERS: internet tractor tire venders

 

[kenmbz]

Welcome to TBN! good luck with your decision.

 

[DieselBound]

As Jeff notes, check into having someone come and take care of the tires. Avoid transport headaches.

 

[ReedRidge]

I think you're saying the tractor is adequate other than tires and brakes. You will not find a "decently maintained" tractor for anything approaching what you'll put into tires and brakes. I would break the lugs loose on the wheels then jack the rear of the tractor, putting it on blocks with the rear wheels off the ground. Removing the tires and wheels becomes simple at that point, though they are HEAVY. Put them on a low trailer or into your pickup and take them to the dealer to have the tires replaced. They can then be reinstalled onto the tractor. While the tires are off is an excellent time to pursue the brakes. I know nothing about your clutch, engine, or anything else but for me the tires and brakes would not be a deal breaker. It should be a fine old tractor if you don't need a front loader.

This makes sense, I went out after I saw this and did some heavy penetrating oil on them, I may be able to apply a big enough lever to try this route. I had given them some tentative tries before I decide to make my post and they may have been on there 20-30 years! Thanks.

 

[ReedRidge]

When you buy a tractor you're pretty much buying an engine with tires, that's where the value is at so new tires are a big expense. But once you have them you'll get a lot out of them.

Have you not met any of the neighbors who could lend a hand hauling it to a shop? Or recommend someone to do the work? I can't tell you how much frustration and money I've saved just by knowing neighbors, they're all way older than me so I end up doing a lot of manual labor in return but still

I only have one neighbor within a mile and honestly, he is a good man, lived out here all his life and is solid for advice. I have already leaned on him once or twice already and hate to be that new guy in the county. Thanks!

 

[ReedRidge]

Any (car/truck) tire dealer can order tractor tires and provide mounting service.

Tractor tires ordered from web tire dealer and are usually the cheapest price you will find, including delivery. Few web dealers charge sales tax unless located within your state.

VENDERS: internet tractor tire venders

Yeah, I had wanted to find them on Marketplace or one of the local county boards or online, I see they can run 400-1200 each new. I saw some go for 100 each, used both in better shape than mine. But, you got me thinking and I need to go some direct calling around here and see if anyone does have a mounting service.

No lie, I hate talking on the phone and the area does not net search well so I had been a chicken on doing so, but I pulled a list of numbers from some different searches and am going to tighten my boots and see what I can find out.

Thanks!

 

[ReedRidge]

As Jeff notes, check into having someone come and take care of the tires. Avoid transport headaches.

Thanks for the extra prod on calling around, I got lazy in Cincinnati as a civilian, everything was net searchable and nothing between Chillicothe, OH and West Virginia, between Lexington and Charleston seems to be.

 

[ReedRidge]

Welcome to TBN! good luck with your decision.

Many thanks

 

[DieselBound]

Might invest in some tools. Impact guns are essential (though always look to help out the situation by using penetrating fluids).

 

[Williy]

if you can't break the bead try running over the tire with you pickup
or get a 2x12x6ft lay it on the tire and run your pickup on it should
break the bead. If you have to put the tires in the bed of your pickup you can use 2 ratcheting tie downs use 2 2x6s or 2x12s
place on tail gate down and start ratcheting one will not get the
tire in the bed have to change them. Sure saves the back!

blonde gets stalled in inter section cop comes over asks whats wrong
blonde says can't get this thing started cop says use your noodle use
your noodle blonde says where is it I have pushed and pulled every
gadget in this thing

willy

 

[BrokenTrack]

One thing to keep in mind is, the bigger the tire, the easier they are to change. This is true of tractor tires too.

It is hard to describe here, but I break my tires down with a jack. A floor jack works best, but other jacks do work. You just need to chain the jack down to the rim, then make your bead breakers with 2x4's.

As you jack up against the chain, it puts down pressure on the tire bead on four places via the 2x4's and blocks. That puts a lot of pressure on four points, then hit the bead with a sledge hammer. Within a whack or two, it will pop right off the rim because it has tremendous pressure all the way around the rim. It just needs a jolt to get it to go. (search Youtube for tractor tire changing and you will see what I mean).

Rims too can be repaired if they rot out by welding. A dealer quoted me $2000 for 2 rear rims and tires. I repaired the rims for $20 and got new rubber for $850 from an advertiser on this site with tubes. That is 60% less and the same result.

Most things you can fix yourself with a little thought. As an example my tractor seat was ripped, and cost was $60 for a replacement. A $3 can of spray foam, some self tapping screws and spray-rubber fixed it for $8. The way I look at it is: you can use your brain, or your wallet.

 

[Smokeydog]

Take time to drive around to farm and tractor stores and shops. Their business is helping people just like you. You’ll need them again sometime.

Brakes are important particularly in hill country. Your hills are bumps compared to ours. Most tractor dealers have ways of pickup and delivery. This is their busiest time of year so get in line.

Tires and brakes is not that complicated or hard DIY. A lot of tractors that vintage have CaCl ballast in the tires. So your rim condition is important. Only you know if you are up to it. Internet is a priceless resource I didn’t have growing up.

Those MF tractors are tuff and easy to work on. Get a manual. Brakes might just need adjustment. This education is just getting started.

Welcome to TBN. There is lots of good information and helpful advice being shared.

 

[WranglerX]

First thing would be to do is find someone to do the tire change, either a tire service that will come to you or will do it at their shop.... We now the why, but you need to know the how before you plunge in on the buy.... The "How" may make big difference on what you purchase....

At age some of these projects may be bigger then you want to handle....Its probably going to be a one time expense and tires will probably out last you.....

Dale

 

[airbiscuit]

Are your brakes grinding or otherwise wore out? If they just need adjusting, it's pretty easy.

 

[windy acers]

Thanks for the extra prod on calling around, I got lazy in Cincinnati as a civilian, everything was net searchable and nothing between Chillicothe, OH and West Virginia, between Lexington and Charleston seems to be.

look for this company

Best-One Tire and Service of Mid America​

 

[airbiscuit]

12.4-28 tires are a fairly common size, so you should be able to find them for $350 - $500 each. Ask a local feed store a good place to buy tires. They may even have a used set of takeoffs. Mounting tractor tires isn't all that hard - after - you've done it about six times If you can find a place that will sell and mount tires reasonably enough, you can take the wheels off and rent a Uhaul trailer to haul them to the shop.