What Older Reliable Tractor for Small Farm?

[arodrigz]

I paid $2500 for my oliver Super 55 and it has been a great tractor. Roughly 35 hp which sounds light on the HP side but it does everything I need it to do. I run a pto manure spreader, 8' grain drill, JD 290 planter, 8' lime/seed drop spreader, 6' bush hog, 6 1/2' double gang disc, and 2-14 double bottom plow and it doesn't struggle in the least with any of them. Bought all this stuff off Craigslist in the last 5 years or so and have less than 4k invested including the tractor.

I put in about 3 acres of food plots and personally for me I don't need anything larger.

That's sounds like money well spent. Thanks for the info. I'll look into some of these models. The guy with the 175 has come down to $4K but maybe waiting a month or so might not be a bad idea.

 

[Green Power]

If you do get that 175 expect to be putting tires on the back.

 

[TomSeller]

Ones that I would look at would be...... MF 135 or 235, .

The MF235s had power steering problems and were of lesser HP. The MF245s are good in my opinion and the MF135s are legendary. I always equated the 135s to the 245s, both 45 HP.

 

[super55]

The 175 at 4K isn't a bad deal but it isn't a smoking deal either. It does look a little rough and worn but I look over cosmetics. The 175 is a lot of tractor. Just looking at the specs on tractordata it's 62 hp at PTO, diesel, live pto and weight from 3-5 ton. I guessing it probably has rear hydraulic remotes and is probably cat 2 hitch.

If you are looking at going into the hay business this tractor would fit your bid. It could easily run a mower/conditioner or a 5x5 round baler. It could also easily handle a triple bottom 16 plow, 7'no till drill and some other larger implements. I you were looking at going into the hay business or plan on turning over more than 5 acres of dirt annually this might be a good fit.

If you decide to go over 48 hp I would recommend going diesel. These older gassers in the larger HPs are thirsty tractors. Plus throwing in a little ATF in with the diesel doesn't hurt either. New age diesel has a lot less of the lubricating properties than older diesel due to the refinement process used to get the sulfur content to EPA standards.

Just out of curiosity what are your plans or intentions to due with your land? More importantly how much and what type of farming are you planning on doing? You mentioned running a mulch layer are you planning on giving organic farming a shot?

 

[Soundguy]

what do you want this older 40-80 hp tractor to do?

you do realize getting into 40-80 hp with a udget of 4000$ is VERY limited.

I'm going to sugest a ford 8xx/9xx or 4 cyl prior model 4000 they are 45-48 hp so just inside the low end of your range. and generally sell in the 3xxx$ price range.

You are just a few $$ shy of getting a post 65 model 4000 / 4600 which is a bit more tractor size.. but would be hard to get one for 4000$...

Hi all, we've recently purchased 23 acres split up into fields, pond and trees. Some of the land it tillable, about 6 acres. I have a JD2320 but it is a bit underpowered for some of the things that I need to do. I'm looking for an affordable and reliable older tractor between 40 to 80 hp. The max I could spend is $4k but if it can be had for less, that would be great too.

Let me know what you think. I was looking at Massey, but not too keen on multi-power.
Thans for the info.
Alex

 

[Soundguy]

that 175 is a good tractor ( in general ). I agree with someone else. due to your price range and hp needs.. a ford or massey is deffinately going to be near the top of the running.

don't buy and diesel that needs start fluid.

on a ford 801 ( 861 or 841 whould be te 2 i'd look at ).. go for power steering.. and I'd probably still go gasser. you can do most any of the repairs and maint yourself. with a diesel.. if it's roosa pump flops.. that's a diesel service shop.. whereas you can rebuild a carb on your bench,

 

[Soundguy]

If you do get that 175 expect to be putting tires on the back.

unless they are split i wouldn't immediately repalce them. you might get 10ys on them tires. I'm rolling rubber that looks alot worse and have looked that bad for 15 ys..

 

[Soundguy]

If you decide to go over 48 hp I would recommend going diesel. These older gassers in the larger HPs are thirsty tractors.

sure enough. I wouldn't want a ford 5000+ size in gas ( unless it was a trike..and then just because i like trikes.. )

 

[birdo]

New to this forum. I like to read things--don't have much to say. This thread is so helpful to me 'cause I been thinking the same thing. I run a little old hay baler and hay rake and do some brush hogging. Mostly I operate with my "engine" of two big black horses. But I'm thinking about a bigger, older tractor with a FEL to replace my JD970 (which is a little small for the hay, etc.)

The rub is, I'm not much of a mechanic, so I'm afraid I'm going to be swearing a lot at an old machine. Thinking about a smaller CUT for the yard and garden stuff. Does this make any sense?

What about a Farmall 350? Or is that just a little too old? A JD2030 also looks about right.

 

[Soundguy]

if you need a 3pt.. make sure you get something with a 3pt. not all old tractors have them!