Advice for buying a used tractor

nepa · Jul 17, 2016

I am looking at three tractors to mow about 60 acres with a brush hog. A Ford 4610 3.3 liter diesel with 1800 hours for $4800, a Deere 1250 2.3 liter diesel with 5500 hours for $4000, or a International 464 with 2.9 liter gas and 1300 hours for $3000. All have gear transmissions. I am leaning towards the Ford because of the power, roll bar that the IH does not have, better shock absorbing seat, and low hours. I would appreciate opinions, especially on how much life I should get on the engines. Thanks.

beenthere · Jul 17, 2016

In that price range, don't expect too much... Deere will hold higher used value than Ford or IH.. a reason for that..
But not an easy decision to make, and you will gain experience from whatever your choice is in the end. Wish you luck...

Looks like you have a stable of tractors, a couple of which would run a brush hog. Or not?

buickanddeere · Jul 17, 2016

Price the same tractor new. Then figure in 10 years what the new tractor will have cost and what it will be worth. Also figure what the old tractor will cost over the next 10 years and what it will be worth.
There comes a point when more costs less.

sd455dan · Jul 18, 2016

The Ford...
Not unusual to see 5000+ hours on the Ford diesels with no major problems. If the 4610 has been taken care of 1800 hours is nothing- my Ford 3000 diesels hour meter quit in the 1970s at about 4000 hours and is still running strong with no rebuild.

Zebrafive · Jul 19, 2016

For the amount you mow, I would rule out the gas tractor. I would lean towards the Ford unless it shows abuse. or does not seem to run right.

Turbys_1700 · Jul 19, 2016

I purchased a 4610 SU last summer with 2900 hours. It was a two owner tractor that was well maintained and in very good condition. The last owner used it to mainly rake hay. I consider those Ford diesels good for 8K-10K engine hours if maintained. Those models were considered by many some of the best Ford tractors ever built. They resell exceptionally well. I plan on keeping mine until I die.

Tx Jim · Jul 19, 2016

sd455dan said:
The Ford...
Not unusual to see 5000+ hours on the Ford diesels with no major problems. If the 4610 has been taken care of 1800 hours is nothing- my Ford 3000 diesels hour meter quit in the 1970s at about 4000 hours and is still running strong with no rebuild.

Ditto on the Ford in lieu of the Yanmar built JD. Ford 4610's are generally very good tractors