Advice on buying cheap tractor to grade driveway

[airbiscuit]

I don't like the old Gas tractors, but then an old worn out Diesel tractor can really be your worst nightmare.

Spend the money on something decent and tight, take care of it and it will never be worth a penny less than you paid for it.

EXCELLENT ADVICE !!!

Yep!!!!!

 

[airbiscuit]

I would have added the Ford 1720/1920 to the list if they could ne purchased for $3,000.

To me, the Ford 8n has a 3 speed transmission:

Too Fast
Way Too Fast
You've Got To Be Kidding!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Saw a Massey 135 some time ago at my Mechanic. Guy bought it for 3 or 4 grand and the Bill will be around 6 more. And it will still be a worn out old sloppy tractor.

I often see used Municipal Tractors. Open station, 2wd, no FEL, WIDE turf tires, low hours, well maintained. They are relatively cheap, because the market doesn't want that configuration. I would love to find a Kubota M series like that in Hydro! That hydro feature would just make the tractor so much more usefull.

 

[goeduck]

I am partial to the old Massey diesels. I have two MF 245s, they will run way longer than I will. International 444s were on my bucket list as as well, but I never came across a good one.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

A 2nd tractor is handy.

But BH comes off pretty easy.

 

[Egon]

Consider drag type attachments for road grading. There are some that would work well and do a better job than those mentioned.

[video]https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/build-yourself/181258d1286296367-homemade-pull-behind-grader-grader-3-jpg[/video]

Here is a home build using a truck mounted front blade.

 

[TBJolly]

I agree with post #4 .....except....

It just so happens that I also have an L48.
And,...... I do have all the 3pt linkage parts.

That said: I also have a Ford 1920, and a Ford 8N.
I love the old 8N, but I use it for nothing!

The Ford 1920 4x4 FEL(32HP) is my 3pt. attachment tractor.
The L48 backhoe is reasonably easy to remove, but a real nuisance to do.

Having two tractors is definitely the way to go.
You will not find any sort of Ford 1920 like mine, in your price range.
The job can be done with an 8N, but I would not recommend it.

The MF 135 or 235 would seem to make sense to me.

Dumb question...If the linkage is made of unobtanium, can it be fabricated locally for less money?

 

[TractorGuy]

I would have added the Ford 1720/1920 to the list if they could ne purchased for $3,000.

To me, the Ford 8n has a 3 speed transmission:

Too Fast
Way Too Fast
You've Got To Be Kidding!

Some of the old Fords had a Howard step down transmission. It was a two speed reduction on the back of the 3 speed trans offering 6 speeds. I don't know how rare they are. I sold an 8N that had one a while back.

I saw another thread on one that had both a Sherman step down and the Howard step down. The person writing it said you could walk on your hands faster than it would get down to.


My experience grading the road with a 24 HP 2WD tractor took me 3 times as long as it takes with a 32HP 4WD tractor. I can do in two hours what it used to take six to do.

 

[shooterdon]

The other option would be to evaluate your use of the BH. If you rarely use it, are you better off without it? If you do not use it much, or at all, can it be sold? Sometimes it makes sense to rent or have a contractor do the work...or even a neighbor who has a BH.

So far I have saved a lot of money by having BH work done by a contractor. My neighbor just got a TLB so we will wind up helping (bartering) each other. No foreseeable reason for me to have one. But we all have different needs....so YMMV.

 

[Rebeldad1]

an old 8N or Massy would do just fine
Bought one about 10 years ago..... Massy MF30 with a 5' brushog. 6000 hours on it.
Ran perfect, no problem getting parts, power steering and heavy. Perfect for a average country driveway.
Paid $1500.00 for everything.Lots of them around