Which Older Tractor - A Few Options I've Found

[Creamer]

I don't think that 148 is a QA loader. At least not in the modern sense.

301a is not as common of a tractor.

But the real reasons I didn't reccomend it is because the price and hours don't seem to jive. Hours are too high for the price or the price is too high for the hours...however you want to say it.

The 148 is not quick tach in terms of pins like today but it is 4 bolts in each rear mount and then the hydraulic hoses then drive out. Just reverse order to put it back on. With a wrench and level ground it is certainly less than 10 minutes probably less than 5.

the price may be a little high or may not depending on the condition which certainly does not look bad in the photos. the loader has not been abused which is a good sign of how the rest of the tractor was treated. 4600 hours over 40 years - I certainly wouldn't call that a lot. my nephews have a 4450 that they took to 22,000 hours before they overhauled it. If it has been taken care of I would not be scared of it at all.

The higher flow hydraulics, shuttle shift, heavier front end, loader definitely put this a notch ahead of the Massey. Diesels of that vintage were very notably much harder to start so if you are thinking that old of tractor in a cold climate such as Wisconsin I would hesitate to go diesel. I grew up in that era and envrionment - with JD 4010, 4020, 4230, Oliver 88, White 2-150, IH 66 and 86 series, Case 70 series - and the IH were pretty good starting when they were new and the rest had a hard time at 0 degrees without some type of assistance. Once it started getting below 0 then it got fun.

 

[buickanddeere]

Do you want an old tractor or a tractor with the lowest annual operating cost and most retained sale value ?

 

[buickanddeere]

The 148 is not quick tach in terms of pins like today but it is 4 bolts in each rear mount and then the hydraulic hoses then drive out. Just reverse order to put it back on. With a wrench and level ground it is certainly less than 10 minutes probably less than 5.

the price may be a little high or may not depending on the condition which certainly does not look bad in the photos. the loader has not been abused which is a good sign of how the rest of the tractor was treated. 4600 hours over 40 years - I certainly wouldn't call that a lot. my nephews have a 4450 that they took to 22,000 hours before they overhauled it. If it has been taken care of I would not be scared of it at all.

The higher flow hydraulics, shuttle shift, heavier front end, loader definitely put this a notch ahead of the Massey. Diesels of that vintage were very notably much harder to start so if you are thinking that old of tractor in a cold climate such as Wisconsin I would hesitate to go diesel. I grew up in that era and envrionment - with JD 4010, 4020, 4230, Oliver 88, White 2-150, IH 66 and 86 series, Case 70 series - and the IH were pretty good starting when they were new and the rest had a hard time at 0 degrees without some type of assistance. Once it started getting below 0 then it got fun.

It a diesel and winter . We just plug the tractor in to warm it up to start without over stressing the electrical system and causing extra engine wear.

 

[jenkinsph]

Getting back to what the OP intends to use it for - I think any of those four ag tractors are larger than needed. Somebody mentioned handling like a school bus at that size and I think that's a valid concern. You don't need a monster tractor in this application.

IMHO - for this application a loader and brush hog are essential. Plus for the garden prep, a rototiller ideally, or some less expensive old tillage implement(s). Then look for some kind of tractor that's just big enough. I would consider something newer, power steering, 4x4 if possible, and it doesn't have to be physically larger than an 8N. Stepping down under 30 hp might be a reasonable compromise of features/limited budget. Anything claimed to run a 5 ft brush hog is a decent compromise of tasks / budget.

For anything as thrashed as these four examples I would consider a $1500 fixup estimate to be an essential part of your purchase/setup price. You might gamble and not need it, but if the budget really is limited you don't want to be down for months while you accumulate funds for an expensive repair. Any of these four take for granted you can read the shop manual and do repairs yourself. The cost to trailer one into a Deere etc shop for professional-cost repairs will kill your budget.

If it were me - I would stay under 25 years old maximum, loader and power steering are essential, hopefully 4x4. You will likely break over $6,000 with implements but you will likely have a rig you can just operate rather than spend all your time tinkering with it. If you just bought that place you need reliability even if the tractor's capability is limited.


Take a look at my sig photo below. This orchard is contracted to a neighbor to disc/spray/harvest, while I maintain new trees, backhoe out stumps, and generally maintain the smaller stuff he he doesn't do with his larger equipment - the water system, perimeter mowing, etc. Plus our family gardening type tasks. I started with 24hp but now need that one only to carry around the 3-point backhoe, and occasionally for its lift capacity using the loader forks. The little 18 hp Yanmar with loader, power steering, powershift, and 4x4 (essential) does 90% of my work here, towing a watering trailer, rototilling with a $200 54" tiller, running a 4 ft brush hog. (I've read that others run a 5 ft brush hog with these). In my case I went from lightweight to really small primarily to fit under the orchard trees. Now I believe the small one would be sufficient if I only had one tractor. For your case, I don't think you are giving up much if a fixed budget limits you to the 25hp class of newer tractors.

There isn't that much difference in age between the Deere 301A and your Yanmars'. But the Yanmar has dry shoe brakes, transmission pto and very little power to run a brush mower. I can see in your case where an orchard would speak to a small compact. Your Yanmar would be a poor choice for mowing 20 acres and is not a model the OP has found on his short list.

 

[California]

Yanmar has dry shoe brakes, transmission pto and very little power to run a brush mower. I can see in your case where an orchard would speak to a small compact. Your Yanmar would be a poor choice for mowing 20 acres and is not a model the OP has found on his short list.

Agree, I wouldn't want to brushhog 20 acres of open ground. Or any sort of farming across the entire parcel. I was visualizing his goals as snow removal and mowing, gardening etc around the house, and cutting access trails into wherever he is cutting his firewood, maybe pulling his existing utility trailer to get the firewood home. Maybe mow one small pasture. Dry brakes (1 hour & $100 to overhaul) and a pto that can come up to speed before the powershift is shifted from N to forward seem to me to be advantages, not negative factors. In summary I'm suggesting 25~30 hp, any supported brand, if the tasks are as I described and his budget is fixed at $5,000 maximum.

OP, do these assumptions match your intended use?

 

[jenkinsph]

Most people new to a 20 acre tract are not sure what they will need over a five year period. But a 46 hp. tractor can get him by easily for the first few years with a large variety of used cat 1 implements available in the 6' width range. The JD 20 series mechanically engaged independent pto is the best way to go. You can engage it slowly or quickly depending on the need.

 

[California]

Are we still talking $5,000 total cost including initial setup?

 

[jenkinsph]

Are we still talking $5,000 total cost including initial setup?

I hope not but the OP did list these units, so if the $5k is a hard limit I would wonder why he included any tractors of $5000.

 

[California]

Since its his first tractor I think we need to emphasize to him that any 30+ year old used tractor for sale in his price range is going to need some 'deferred maintenance' brought up to date before putting it in use. Examples might be get the headlights or charging system working again, tires, battery, maybe rebuild the steering box, brakes, or something else. Certainly fluid changes. (Examples from my $2,500, $3,400, $3,900 tractors). In his price range you had better enjoy, and have time, for tinkering on equipment. I've had good luck, the one I bought 25 years old in 2003 hasn't needed anything since I put $400 into getting it set up initially back then. I haven't done anything but attempt repair, then replace, the dribbly hydraulic hose couplers on my most recent Yanmar.

Hopefully he finds one with no concealed defects, that can get expensive fast.

If he's in a purely ag region then an old 50 hp ag tractor may be the cheapest buy available. In contrast around here (north of San Francisco) nearly all under $7,000 tractors are not from commercial farming but rather from horsey people, 2 to 20 acres and their kid outgrew her horse (to exaggerate a little :laughing. Hobby 'farmers', like this buyer, not commercial ag. Whether the sellers here bought it new or used, their tractor was that seller's first one and they are trading up or else their hobbies have changed. There's little overlap between this category and real ag equipment that sells used for far more.

 

[GManBart]

Since its his first tractor I think we need to emphasize to him that any 30+ year old used tractor for sale in his price rang is going to need some 'deferred maintenance' brought up to date before putting it in use. Examples might be get the headlights or charging system working again, tires, battery, maybe rebuild the steering box, brakes, or something else. Certainly fluid changes. (Examples from my $2,500, $3,400, $3,900 tractors). In his price range you had better enjoy, and have time, for tinkering on equipment. I've had good luck, the one I bought 25 years old in 2003 hasn't needed anything since I put $400 into getting it set up initially back then. I haven't done anything but attempt repair, then replace, the dribbly hydraulic hose couplers on my most recent Yanmar.

Hopefully he finds one with no concealed defects, that can get expensive fast.

Covered pretty well in the first few posts.