Under 5k tractor possible?

[tommu56]

They are tractors not approved for the US market.

Approved is not an issue
They are built for sale in a country other than the us and are not supported over here for parts and service.

tom

 

[archerm3]

I'm not gonna cut the jinma down.. but.. do you think you will be able to hit tractor supply in 50 years and buy parts for it? Parts availability down the line is a big part of tractor lifespan...


soundguy

well that's true with just about anything at TSC, except for basic tuneup parts for 8N's, isn't it?

 

[Foton404]

They are around. I bought a '63 Ford 4000 (similar to 961) at a farm equipment sale for $2600 that was in very good shape. Motor is strong..no smoke... good oil pressure..new rear tires...new alternator (converted to 12v). There was surface rust on the hood and fender tops that I repainted, which is incredibly easy to do.

It was true luck since I did not go to the sale to buy this tractor. Farm sales or equipment sales are a good bet. Deals can be had, depending on the buyer audience. At this particular sale, small tractors were not hot items. All of the 7 or 8 tractors brought less than $4500. None of these units were junk. The next sale might be a pricier.

I think nothing of driving 150 miles to a sale which include listings of interest. Watch for local listings or postings. This holds true for attachments or other equipment as well.

There are other web sites: inronsearch.com and tractorhouse.com are interesting to get ideas.

 

[Soundguy]

well that's true with just about anything at TSC, except for basic tuneup parts for 8N's, isn't it?

N parts that I can remember off the top of my head that they carry:

carb, manifold, manifold gaskets, fan belt, radiator, pan seat, water pump, starter, starter drive gear, generator, steering wheel, fuel tap, radiator felt pad.. radiator cap, spark plugs, points, cap, wires, condensor, wire harnes old and new model, breather cap, sump drain with screen, thermostat, gauges, key switch, ignition resistor, lugnuts and studs, front and rear, pto cap front and rear rims, axle seals for the 9n/2n models, petcock for engine, fuel line elbow with screen, trans shifter handle ball, engine and trans oil dipstick, oil filter element, rear mount drawbar bracket using pto and shroud holes, front grill, carb rebuild kits.

Naw.. not many parts..


soundguy

 

[Steve C]

I think that with more than 2 billion people to feed, the chinese arent going to stop making these cheap little tractors any time soon. Most of the replacement parts I have been buying for my ford escort and GMC trucks are made in China. I would expect that in 50 years if you want a part for a ford 8N it will be manufactured somewhere other than in the good old USA. I don't like it but "world wide" Corporate leaders strive to keep the stock holders happy at any cost. And since they are usually very large stock holders themselves they do whatever it takes to make the largest profit. If that means buying a refinery and shutting it down to reduce capacity to drive up prices they will do it. If they can get your tractor parts sand cast on some beach in the Indian ocean by guys without shirts or shoes, they will do it.

 

[Soundguy]

I don't doubt chinese tractors will still be being made in 50 ys.. what i doubt is the parts yo need for a 50 yr old one will still be made. Heck.. in the last 10 ys didn't they already discontinue a 2 cyl engine?

soundguy

 

[MESSMAKER]

I don't doubt chinese tractors will still be being made in 50 ys.. what i doubt is the parts yo need for a 50 yr old one will still be made. Heck.. in the last 10 ys didn't they already discontinue a 2 cyl engine?

soundguy

A MF 135-145 or a Ford 2000-3000 can be had for that. I don't know if they are any tougher than an 8N but they are more comfortable and modern. You can do a lot of work with one.

 

[jas67]

I'm not gonna cut the jinma down.. but.. do you think you will be able to hit tractor supply in 50 years and buy parts for it? Parts availability down the line is a big part of tractor lifespan...


soundguy

Soundguy -- can you buy parts for your New Holland at Tractor Supply? I know that with the exception of very basic 3PH parts like pins a top links, I can't buy parts for my Kubota there.

They do have some parts for olrder gas-powered tractors like the Ford 8N's, but that is about it. There are just too many different tractors out there for them to carry parts for all of them. For that matter, even Messick's has had to order many of the parts that I have needed for my Kubotas.

My point, and the point of other posters, is that parts availability at TSC is probably isn't a good benchmark. The benchmark should be, will parts be readily available at a local dealer, or some online source.

For example, Hoye Tractor (and I'm sure others) is a great source for parts for Yanmar tractors that are 20-30 years old, both officially imported, and grey-market.

Personally, I'd be more concerned about the quality of anything coming out of China, vs. Japan or Korea. I would certainly stick with one of the more major manufactures, vs. a Jimna, or any of the other Chinese-built units.

I know that from my research into some of the Chinese-made clones of the single-cylinder air-cooled Yanmar diesel engines, many reviewers stated that they needed to disassemble the engines, and clean sand our of them, and some even had to touch-up on the machining work, before they had an engine that would run well, and not destroy itself prematurely (due to the sand). They also commented on loose/improperly torqued fastens, such as head bolts

Brands that I would consider, based on my research of this and other forums, and also word-of-mouth (in no particular order):
Kubota
John Deere
Ford/New Holland
Case/IH
Allis Chalmers
Massey Ferguson
Yanmar

IMHO, I think your money is much better spent on a good-condition used tractor of one of the above brands (I'm sure there are several other's I have omitted) vs. a Chinese tractor.

That said, if you do go Chinese, the Jimna seem to be better known, and you'll probably find more help on this and other forums than with some of the others.

 

[cowboy357]

Seems to me everybodys worried about the availability of parts for the grey market tractors except the ones that own them . For the Money I have in My Isekis & the lil yanmar I just got. I,ll take my chances .

If something is not repairable & I have to scrap them for parts , I will still get My money back in good parts alone . But after 10 years or so of dailly use , several hours a day , at least 300 out of 365 days a year . I haven,t bought or needed a part yet that I couldn,t find or repair .

There aint no intrest when You pay cash either . 5 or 6 k is a heck of a lot better then the 20 to 40 k some spend just for a play toy. I use Mine . .

Most Posts in the Iseki forum , are people thats thinking about buying a used one , Only to be scared off by the ones that say You cant get parts for them. Unlike the High dollar tractor forums That are constantly talking about talking about their stuff breaking down .

Just an observation from a Cheapskates point of view . If I cant pay cash I dont buy it . I,m only talking about the ones that need a decent tractor for personall use .

You Folks that make a living using them , Its understandable You need a good dealer/parts supplier , as well as a warranty & name brand , Thats Your bread & butter . But to advice someone to go into debt , Just because of zero intrest deals is just bad advice IMHO . Thats one reason the economy is the way it is . Bob

 

[KennyV]

Bob ...
I have seen it stated in other ways, but I do believe you have clearly stated what should be obvious.
On this you are absolutely right. KennyV.