what tractor to buy?

Dave___in___CT · Jul 1, 2004

( Dave in CT,
That is great advise! Once I get the ponds and driveway built, my requirements will be not be as heavy-duty. This would then allow me to down grade the tractor a little. Great advise for a budget! Thanks again!

Joey )

Thanks...

Consider all the options... choose what's best for you...

Good luck...

Dave...

rlee6 · Jul 1, 2004

( I brush hog, plow, grade, drag, etc almost daily with a $2500 9n and approximately $1000 of implements. Not that I recommend this for everyone, but I have gotten a lot of work done on a very very tight budget.
Just a different perspective /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif in case this fellow does not want a tractor payment. )
Are $2.5K and $1K practical numbers that I can repeat in today's tractor market? Thanks.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 1, 2004

Antique Fords, in servicable condition in my area start at $2000 and probably go up to $4000. Restored old Fords probably start around $3000 and go up to $6500 depending on the quality of the restoration.

The old Fords are plentiful, many are still very strong workers, they are not nearly as convenient as a modern machine, but they are $10,000 less expensive! I had an old Oliver Super 55 Diesel (very similar to the Ford N series) that had less hp than my current Kubota, but in a pulling match would probably yank the new Kubota's frame right off the wheels! Antique iron is a wonderful thing to play with, I don't like working it simply because I'd rather have all the modern conveniences, but it will still get the job done and even I can fix one!

SteveM · Jul 2, 2004

Yeah dont know about Fla, but that is what i actually paid for my tractor last year...seem to be a lot of ford 9/8N and Massey 35/135 (a little more) which are good utility tractors with ez cheap parts, lots of help on the web...

The nicest thing is that ANY mechanic can work on one of these tractors - most guys will say 'oh I had one of those once..." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rlee6 · Jul 2, 2004

( I had an old Oliver Super 55 Diesel (very similar to the Ford N series) that had less hp than my current Kubota, but in a pulling match would probably yank the new Kubota's frame right off the wheels! Antique iron is a wonderful thing to play with, I don't like working it simply because I'd rather have all the modern conveniences, but it will still get the job done and even I can fix one! )

Do you know anything about Oliver 88? Someone is selling one in my area. He said it's running but can take advantage of some valve job and clutch job. I have no idea what that means but if you can shed some light....

SteveM,

Where do I find such tractors? Local tractor dealers? Do these old tractors have 3 point hitch and pto?

Thanks.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 2, 2004

( ( I had an old Oliver Super 55 Diesel (very similar to the Ford N series) that had less hp than my current Kubota, but in a pulling match would probably yank the new Kubota's frame right off the wheels! Antique iron is a wonderful thing to play with, I don't like working it simply because I'd rather have all the modern conveniences, but it will still get the job done and even I can fix one! )

Do you know anything about Oliver 88? Someone is selling one in my area. He said it's running but can take advantage of some valve job and clutch job. I have no idea what that means but if you can shed some light....

SteveM,

Where do I find such tractors? Local tractor dealers? Do these old tractors have 3 point hitch and pto?

Thanks. )

The Oliver 88 series tractors were available in several configuration, it is a fairly large tractor and was available in gas or diesel, narrow or wide front. That model would very likely have a 3pt hitch and a rear PTO, but I'm not positive all of the 88's did come so equiped. With old tractors you have to be careful about such things. Ferguson invented the now standard 3pt, it did not become common until the mid-1950's and was most common the the Ford and Ferguson tractors. Allis Chalmers didn't adopt it until much later on. Not sure when Deere, or IH/Farmall adopted it. Oliver put it on the Super series machines in 1954, or there abouts.

A valve job might be a big project or might not.

A clutch job would require breaking the tractor in half to repair and that is a major project.

rlee6 · Jul 2, 2004

It is diesel and 2 front wheels almost touch each other (narrow front?). The owner describes it as a pulling tractor so I suppose it does not have pto? Certainly no 3ph. Must be from the era before the pto/3ph adoption. One more thing. Onwer said it has Oliver 99 engine. I guess I had better stay away from it for all the repair needs. Thanks.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 2, 2004

I would stay away from that if you intend to buy a working tractor.

Brimfield · Jul 2, 2004

Dont wanna scare you but wondering where ya live. out here in Brimfield(should be rockfield) we got alot of big boulders. When we built on our ten acre lot the contractors track hoe rocked back and forth pulling some of the boulders out. Thats a huge machine . As far as doing a foundation you really got tobe good to level it out. The drive could be tricky too, getting it dug out depending on sub soil pitch and culverts for drainage.Now as far as a good tractor a 35hp would be the min. and don't get 2wd if you are going to excavate ponds post holes ect. The Jinma is a good entry level tractor for the buck. Mine was 14,000 for a 35 hp 4wd with fel and a hoe. no syncro in it but the 2 stage clutch for a tiller and draft controll for tilling. The Chinese is the low end entry the kioti is the next folowed by the big three.

rbcsaver · Jul 2, 2004

I am new to this "tractor" thing. I currently have a 10 HP Gravely that I bought, new, 20+ years ago and it has served me well. We are moving to a 6.5 acre property, on which my wife will have her horse and barn. The seller let the turf go, so among painting and many other things, I need to get the foot high grass mowed. I will have my shop, to work on cars, metal wood, etc. As much as I would like a USA Deere, I don't think that I can afford one, I was thinking about Kubota or Kioti. Can anyone tell me about these FarmTrac tractors. Where are they made? Other references? My needs are to main/mow the 6.5 acres, move horse poop (FEL), winter plow a driveway, perhaps back hoe (there are drainage issues away from the house, and perhaps dig a dry well for roof runoff, etc. Keeping in mind that I am not experienced in such tractors and actual use, plus my wife must beable to learn to drive the thing (se "cound't/can't drive the Gravely..Hmmm?) Where do I start, keeping in mind that I need to mow the place in a few days. PLEASE HELP

Steve
rbcsaver@ptd.net
regards and thanks.

yellowsocks93 · Jul 2, 2004

You will probably want a hydro for your wife. My mom can't drive my tractor so if your wife can't drive a manual car in the first place I don't think she would want a clutch at all. Except you can't kill a tractor like a car.

MicroPilot · Jul 2, 2004

( ....The Chinese is the low end entry the kioti is the next folowed by the big three. )

Didn't you forget Zetor/Century/Branson. I would put these up there with the Kioti, of course I'm kinda biased as I bought a Century.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 3, 2004

( I am new to this "tractor" thing. I need to get the foot high grass mowed. I would like a USA Deere, I don't think that I can afford one My needs are to main/mow the 6.5 acres, move horse poop (FEL), winter plow a driveway, perhaps back hoe (there are drainage issues away from the house, and perhaps dig a dry well for roof runoff, etc. Keeping in mind that I am not experienced in such tractors and actual use, plus my wife must beable to learn to drive the thing )

Steve, you definately need to look at a machine with a hydrostatic transmission for your wife. In fact I would bet, based on your post, that if you get a gear tractor she won't ever use it.

Hydro machines that will do what you need come is pretty small sizes, but they are still fairly expensive. The Kioti CK20 HST is a small tractor, but big enough to do what you need done, and it is usually priced well below Deere/NewHolland/Kubota. Those 3 are typically the highest priced machines.

I would skip the backhoe, they are very expensive and the smaller ones can't do much real work and (in MY opinion) are not cost effective and a huge waste of money; but folks on this board typically disagree with my opinion on backhoes. If you need a back hoe, line up your jobs, rent a real unit, get the work done in 1/10th the time, pay a few hundred dollars and save $5000 or more on the cost of the purchase.

To20Chris · Jul 3, 2004

Based on the budget constraint, I would ususally recommend a gear tractor to save the $1000 over hydrostatic, but in this case that savings won't mean much if your wife won't use it. She'll definitely be able to use a gear unit, but if you don't think she'll try, then go HST. The Kioti CK20HST is a great choice, but there are others as well.

Also, while I love my backhoe, and am glad I bought it, it's a big ticket. You can rent one or get one later if you want to, it does not have to be from the same mfr that made your tractor, although it might be easier to finance. I would say to get the tractor you want, and don't let it hinge on the BH.

todd_arganti · Jul 5, 2004

Joey-

www.farmtrac.com/

is the address that comes up on the homepage?

Try that. good luck

todd_arganti · Jul 5, 2004

Farmtrac or the old landtrac our owned by LG (longagribusiness) the old luck goldsmith company. The tractors are put together in NC the diesel are installed and bolted to the frame in NC. Daedong and Mitsubishi are the enginge choices. I have the 270DTC with fel and brush hog. The synchromesh tranny and shuttle shift is just as easy as the HST tractors which Farmtrac makes in the bigger models. They are priced right and work hard, no complaints.

DavidBradley · Jul 8, 2004

Joey,

I am a newbie to tractors also, and from my other posts you will be able to see this. Maybe I shouldn't be posting a reply at all because of this but anyway..... I just bought a Farm Pro 2420, mainly just to mow a little, and do some light landscaping. From your posts, I wonder have you ever used a tractor before, by that I mean worked with one. I hadn't, and they are quite different from driving one around on a dealer lot, and actually using it. Have you ever done any of the work you mentioned doing? If not, prehaps you should go to a friend or neighbor that has a tractor and actually try doing some of these things. I have been around construction for about 30 years (electrician, not heavy equipment operator), and a lot of the chores you mentioned are going to be tough ones regardless of what type equipment you have. Watching a guy dig a trench with a big ole Case backhoe and actually doing it are two different things (Why do you think they call it construction WORK?). Maybe you could stop by somewhere that they are starting to build a house and the operator will let you use his machine for a short time while he watches you. I think from your list of things to do, you would be better off hiring most of this done and get a whatever you want kind of tractor to mantain the place afterwards. As to the farming part, evidently you have never farmed either, or you wouldn't be asking "Which tractor do I need". Maybe you should go to a friend or neighbors farm, and see if they will let you plough up a couple of acres just to see what it's like. I am not trying to talk you out of buying a tractor, just hoping you know what you're getting into. I like my little tractor, and when I learn how to use it, I may even like it better. Just an opinion.

Dave

MicroPilot · Jul 8, 2004

David, that sounds like very good advice to me. Alternately shamban could rent some equipment and use it. I think this would give him a good feel for what different features translate into in actual use. You are right about the drive around the lot not being representative of what actually using the machine will be like.