HorseLady looking for 1st tractor to buy...

kphorses · Nov 9, 2009

Hi, I've been looking at tractors now for about a month. I have a small horse stable and a huge pile of manure that I give away to people with gardens, only they want me to load it into the backs of their pickups. Also, my corrals (30 of them) get really muddy in the rain (i'm on dead flat land) and I've been putting materials into them (like roadbase, sand, etc) to firm them up. My stall doors are 4' wide, and corral fences 6' wide. I also have two arenas that need to be levelled out every now and then and softenend up. I am looking for a small tractor with a front loader and a box scraper. I want a 4x4 and diesel, with pto, 3 point hitch, and enough hp to get me through my jobs.

I am currently looking at 2 tractors: a Ford 1700 (1981) and a Ford 1100 (1982). I read the thread on the 1700 but want to know if anybody has an 1100 and what they can tell me about it? How hard is it to find parts for this model? Thanks.

Treemonkey1000 · Nov 9, 2009

Have you checked for any local dealers in your area? They might have trade ins which would help with servicing when you need it. I bought my tractor about 7 miles down the road at a Kubota dealer. It was traded in from a Local landscaping place. It was delivered free all I had to pay for was two hats and they threw in the Kubota L3750

I am not familiar with the tractors that you are looking at. The big thing is go sit on a tractor at a dealer and take it for a spin. What you are saying for requirements sounds correct though.
Good luck and welcome to TBN.

ultrarunner · Nov 9, 2009

I don't think you can go wrong with a BX series Kubota...

Lots of them around stables in my area...

brin · Nov 9, 2009

I've gotta say you Kubota folks really carry your enthusiasim to an extreme ! It is like you can't accept the fact there are other good tractors out there. I mean, she asked for information on a ford - I can't help her except to say I own a New Holland TC -29 with a FEL and it is a fine tractor but so are the ones she mentioned..I also own a JD..but I don't expect everyone to buy either of them - nor am I going to be a cheerleader of them..What do some of you guys drink only orange juice and sleep in orange bedrooms..? Just too funny !

She should take the best deal she can find on the best tractor she can find that will do what she wants it to do whether it is a JD, NH, Case etc...nothing wrong with either of the ford models she mentioned. IMO

Treemonkey1000 · Nov 9, 2009

I wasn't trying to push Kubota on her at all. Just tossing out there to check any local dealers. The tractors she is looking at are fine machines I am sure. My machine is about 1989 vintage. For fear of getting rattled by the Moderators I would ask the same question on the Ford Specific forum.

ultrarunner · Nov 9, 2009

brin said:
I've gotta say you Kubota folks really carry your enthusiasim to an extreme ! It is like you can't accept the fact there are other good tractors out there. I mean, she asked for information on a ford - I can't help her except to say I own a New Holland TC -29 with a FEL and it is a fine tractor but so are the ones she mentioned..I also own a JD..but I don't expect everyone to buy either of them - nor am I going to be a cheerleader of them..What do some of you guys drink only orange juice and sleep in orange bedrooms..? Just too funny !

She should take the best deal she can find on the best tractor she can find that will do what she wants it to do whether it is a JD, NH, Case etc...nothing wrong with either of the ford models she mentioned. IMO

In my area parts are not available... there are no more Ford or NH dealers... even the big one that has been here since the 1950's is gone... they now sell only Kubota... When I was shopping SCUT's they had maybe 35 to 50 Ford/NH in Stock... now they dropped the line... she asked about parts availability for 28 year old tractor... right?

Of course parts are always available for anything... I restore Horseless Carriage Automobiles and early Fords... mostly Model T's and A's... there are some parts that took the better part of a year to find...

I only own one Kubota... It is no where near the tractor that my Caterpillars are... not even close... I also had on old Ford without 4 WD.

I've had zero problem getting anything for my Caterpillars and likewise for Kubota... She mentioned having 4' doors and unless the tractor can get through a 4' door... it's not going to work for her...

You are right about my Kubota enthusiasm... I continue to be impressed with what it can do every time a project comes up... compact, reliable, easy on fuel, fits places many can't and I don't have to worry for now about forced obsolescence because it meets all current CA emmision requirements... another thing to think about no matter if you buy new or used.

At 54" width your TC 29 won't work for her either...

Diamondpilot · Nov 9, 2009

Parts are no problems for any tractor if you can use the internet. I bought a Chinese tractor after having a Ford and both are easy to find parts for from dealers across the country. I call by noon and have the parts in 2 days, quicker if I want to pay more.

Chris

tlbuser · Nov 9, 2009

kphorses said:
I am currently looking at 2 tractors: a Ford 1700 (1981) and a Ford 1100 (1982). I read the thread on the 1700 but want to know if anybody has an 1100 and what they can tell me about it? How hard is it to find parts for this model? Thanks.

The 1100 is too small (hp wise) to be a valuable asset for you. Parts are not plentiful for either one either. Do you really need to get into the stall with the tractor? 4' doors are not uncommon, but how wide are the aisles (turning radius)?
HST, power steering, independent pto are nice to have things not available on most older tractors all of which would be nice for your chores.

Kioti ck20/30, john deere 770/790, nh 1320/1520, L series kubota, bobcat, etc. would probably be a better fit and make your tasks. more enjoyable. I wouldn't rule out a small skidsteer either.

MikeInEburg · Nov 9, 2009

For "in-barn" operations, you can't beat a subcompact such as Kubota BX series. John Deere makes a similar model, as do others.

Cheers!
Mike

kenstrac · Nov 9, 2009

I can't say on the 1100 did some work on a 1200. I had bought my wife a Bolens (ISKI) and I could get it in the stalls but it was a chore no P/S I found the Bolens to have more power than the Ford .As far as the 1700 again I only worked on a 1710 that was a 3cyl I think that you would be better off with the 1700 larger tires higher lift on the loader you could do everything you are looking to do except clean the stalls.
They are good dependable and rugged tractors.