Buying Advice Looking to buy older...but what tractor?

Neb · Jun 5, 2012

Hello,
I'm brand new here and to tractors. I am wanting an older tractor to mostly brush hog my 8 acres and to grade my driveway from time to time. I've look at several tractors via the OKC craigslist and think I may have a few possibilities. Was wondering what your opinions are and what you may suggest. I have around $3000-$4000 to spend.

1952 Ford Jubilee, 3 pt. slip, w/5' brush hog & blade. $3700 obo.
Ford 801 Powermaster. 2wd, 44hp gas 4 cyl. engine. w/blade & brush hog. $3150.
1963 John Deere 1010. 38hp gas 4 cyl. engine. w/5' brush hog. $3800.
Long tractor. 38hp, power steering. $2650.
Allis-Chalmers model 160. 40hp diesel. very good cond. w/6'brush hog. $3800.

Like I mentioned, I need it to brush hog my land. 5 to 6 acres two to three time a month. We like it to look nice, but it is all just weeds. It's very level, but pretty rough due to kids, dogs, gophers, moles, etc. I want reliable and durable. I'm pretty handy and have a bunch of tools to work on things. Kind of thinking older tractors as they seem more affordable, rugged, and easier to work on. Just wondering how hard any parts may be to get. Thank you and I'm sorry if this post is too long, but I wanted to get as much info to you guys as I can.
Regards,
Ben

chim · Jun 5, 2012

I always liked the MF 135's with the Perkins diesels. There's something about them that really appeals to me. I came close to buying one about 6 weeks ago. We went to see it and took a trailer and cashier's check to bring it home. Unfortunately it didn't look as nice in person as it did in the cell phone pics.

hitts427 · Jun 5, 2012

Really can't beat a diesel tractor

whitedogone · Jun 5, 2012

All things being equal, diesel over gas anyday.

LD1 · Jun 5, 2012

Id do your research on ALL of them.

IF you want a bushhogging tractor, IMO, live hydraulics and live PTO are VERY important. And on the NAA(jubilee), 801 series, and 1010 deere, they were all options. So I would start by ruling out any of those that dont have it.

Dont know anything about the long. They arent that popular and parts may be scarce. The AC160 is about a decade or two newer than the rest. And it has the live hydraulics/pto standard. And thats probabally not too bad of a deal.

And if you plan on cutting it 2-3 times a month, you may want to consider bushogging it just this once (maybe hire it done) and then rent a zero turn mower. Because if you try to use a rotary cutter THAT often, you will pretty much end up with a lawn.

Neb · Jun 5, 2012

Thank you for the advice. I will look into the live hyd. & pto. I actually have a ZTR, but it just can't seem to handle all of what I have to "mow" or brush hog, depending on how high it grows. The ZTR always gives me fits, but it is a smaller one and is not really designed for what I put it through. I really can't blame it. Bigger ZRT's cost $$$...so I figured a tractor would be my best bet. If things get out of hand, it's got power + the grading option + quicker mowing or brush hogging. It gets real out of control around here quick with rain and a busted mower!! Also, I kinda want it to look like a "lawn". Our home sits right in the middle of all the land, so looking like a lawn would be really cool! Sort of looks like Jed Clampett"s before he got rich right now. Sure sounds like most favor diesel...I understand, but if a good gas tractor is taken care of it should fit my needs I would think. I ain't gonna use it anywhere near what a farmer or rancher would. Opinions on this?
Thanks for getting back so quickly and helping me. I need all the help I can get!

Ben

hoseguy · Jun 9, 2012

Hi there,

Out of that lot I'd probably go with the Allis 160.

IIRC it has the same engine as the MF135 and may also have a synchro 'box and power steering. Don't know that for sure though.
Synchro box is a nice thing to have as is power steering.

Spares for the Perkins engine are widely available (and not too expensive). As long as it's not a big smoker and the oil in the trans is good you should be fine.

Just don't do anything hasty.

No shortage of old tractors out there.

Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware)

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2012

ford powernaster for sure. it's near 2x the tracfor of the jubilee.. and has better hyds and rear axle and hub design. easier to use external hyds.. etc.

good 172ci red tiger engine.. 48hp or so. beefy machine.

if it is a 4 or 5spd get it. if it is the sos.. avoid it.. IE.. 841, 851, 861 ok.. 871,881, run away..

soundguy

IndyIan · Jun 9, 2012

My buddy got a Ferguson TEA-20, gas, and it seems to do the job for him. He brush hogs maybe 2 acres several times a summer and cuts alot of his lawn with it, plows in the winter, and even does some plowing with a 2 forough plow.
His is converted to 12V too, which makes winter starts less troublesome.
I think a MF 135 is a much more capable machine but they probably are priced that way too. It leaks alot of oil but he parks it on the gravel driveway so it keeps the weeds down:laughing: