Farmtrac

   / Farmtrac #1  

wisc

New member
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Apr 2, 2007
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This is only my second post. I know nothing about tractors. However, there is a Farmtrac dealer 6 miles from my house. I quickly did a search on here and didn' t find much about this brand. Does anyone have feed back on this brand? Are they reliable? I can get the farmtrac 435 for around 11,000. I need around a 30 hp for bush hogging and discing about 20 acres.
I appreciate all your help.
 
   / Farmtrac #3  
Is it just the tractor, or does it come with box blade and loader? I saw one this last week at Northern Tool, the ad said 435, but they had a 425 on display. It was about 11,500 for package. Nice looking tractor, but I don't own one.
 
   / Farmtrac #4  
BTDT said:
Is it just the tractor, or does it come with box blade and loader? I saw one this last week at Northern Tool, the ad said 435, but they had a 425 on display. It was about 11,500 for package. Nice looking tractor, but I don't own one.


Northern sells NORTAC not Farmtrac.
 
   / Farmtrac #5  
I've no idea of their reliability.
I would ask the dealer how long he has sold the brand and if he keeps spares onhand. Take a look at his service department while you're there.

Here's their web site, if you've not seen it yet.
The 435 can only be hand in 2WD. This might be a disadvantage if you're planning on getting a loader. The way I read the specs, there is no power sterring either. If you're not planning on getting a loader, now or in the future, no MFWD (4WD) or power steering may not matter.
The tasks you describe (brush cutting and discing) have been (and still are) done with 2WD, non-power steering tractors for a long time.

I did do a search on Goggle (I suggest you do too). Per my search, it appears these tractors are older Ford designs.

If I were going to go for a 2WD tractor (doing only the tasks you've described), I think I'd look at a used utility (Deere, Ford, New Holland). At least I'd know there would be parts availability.

Are you comfortable with doing reasonable maintenance on a tractor?
 
   / Farmtrac #6  
The Long Farmtracs seem to be fine, basic little tractors from what I've seen. They are based almost completely on older Ford models from the 1980s with different engines.

I would say, looking for a basic little tractor with a warranty, no harm in them. Long has been around for a while and seem rather stable so support should be fine. Even at that, you might be able to get some parts support from New Holland dealers and sellers that specialize in older Ford tractors.

Honestly, if I was in the market for a "new" tractor, these would probably be the first I looked at.

35hp and warranty for $11k sounds like a pretty safe bet to me.
 
   / Farmtrac #7  
i've looked at these tractors myself. the only thing that kept tugging at me to decide not to buy one was the old saying "you get what you pay for". i couldnt shake that thought out of my head for anything. however, if i had the money to buy several tractors and not just have to depend on one or two, id probably have one of these around my yard somewhere for something like bush hoging the few acres around the house. for my other jobs, id prefer something else.

the local boat dealership that i do business with has a FarmTrac 555 that they use to pull boats around. does the job well and runs pretty smooth. its a pretty loud diesel though, its like it doesnt have any EPA stuff on it.
 
   / Farmtrac #8  
Just bought a 270DTC a couple of days ago to replace my old IH404 gas tractor. Night and day! Love the 270. Paid $14,000 with 0 down, 0% financing over 48 months. 3 yr warranty and was really impressed with my local dealer. Plus, there are at least 7 other dealers in a 70 mile radius, so should not be any problem. Looked at Kubota, but prices and dealer attitudes sent me back to Farmtrac. I only have two hours on the tractor so far, so cannot speak to longivity.:D
 
   / Farmtrac #9  
I bought a new Farmtrac 535 last August. I looked at the 435, because I wanted to get the most tractor for the money. I decided that in the long run I wouldn't be satisfied without the power steering. I have about 140 hours on it now, and have been well pleased. I am an old farmer, and I am very comfortable with the 40 year old technology found on the Farmtracs. "You get what you pay for" is a good thing to keep in mind, but I decided that I did not really want to pay for all the things that make tractors appeal to people who have never farmed or used a tractor very much. I paid 11K for the 535, but it had been on the lot for a while, and the dealer had not sold a tractor in several weeks.

The 535 is, in my opinion, the nearest thing to the old 3000 Fords and 135 Fergusons we farmed with in the 60's and 70's. It is a basic, no frills, economical to purchase and operate, small utility tractor. It is perfectly suited for a small, say 20 acres, farm. I wouldn't be afraid to draw my 535 and the old 600 Ford on a 100 acre farm, especially if I could hire a good operator for about a month in the Spring.

I went back and got the FEL this spring, and I have been very pleasantly surprised how the tractor handles it. One thing I have discovered is that I don't have to mash the pedal that locks the differential; it automatically engages when a wheel starts to slip. My loader is for convenience and occasional use, not for loading lime all day or trying to dig a pond, etc.

I think the 535 is the biggest bang for the buck in an economical utility tractor for a small acreage. I have put some tough hours on mine, and have been well pleased.
 
   / Farmtrac #10  
Mornin Wisc,
All good advice from some tractor owners ! My only suggestion would be to go to the dealer and ask if he could give you some names of his former customers, and then ask their feelings about their tractor and dealer service ! ;)
 

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