Antique/Old Small/Compact Tractor with a Loader: Ford, Case, Economy, etc.?

[Propliner]

I am in the process of thinking out how to manage the place I would LIKE to buy. I am figuring on needing a small (notice I said small, and that means all sizes of tractors included) tractor with a loader. I don't want to get something new, and I am thinking that I would restore it so I can also take it to tractor and construction shows. I have really been looking at the Ford 1100-1900 series of tractors. I would like it to be non-hydrostatic since the place has lots of hills. Were the 1100 and 1200 the only Ford compacts that had manual transmissions? I have also heard good things about the Case garden tractors with loaders. I was just at Rough and Tumble in PA and I saw an Economy Power King with a loader and I though that would be just the right thing. Any feed back? I will be doing standard loader work, maybe getting into small job contracting, and hopefully some firewood and wood chip/mulch processing.

 

[Verticaltrx]

How old are you looking for? If you want something in the 80's there are numerous options as by that time many manufacturers were making or importing 4wd compact tractors. John Deere had the 650, 750, 850 models which were pretty small, 4wd and could have a loader (you really need 4wd with a loader on a small tractor if hills are involved.) Of course Kubota is another option, they have compact tractors in this country dating back to the 70's, a lot of then were 4wd and some had factory loaders. Lots of options really.

 

[Propliner]

Well I myself am a Ford New Holland guy, so that was what I was originally looking at, but then I saw the Economy. I figured on needing 4 wheel drive with a manual transmission. I work at a Steiner and Ventrac dealer, so I started thinking I could get an old Steiner with a loader. Now I have heard that Steiner and Ventrac loaders are terrible on hills and many people have rolled them. Maybe a PowerTrac? But then again Steiner, Ventrac, and PowerTrac are all hydrostatic so...

 

[MarkV]

I am not sure why you are against a hydrostatic tranny because of hills. Many of us here use an HST tranny because of hills. Don't confuse a riding mower hydrostatic to the ones on compact utility tractors. (CUTS) On a CUT the HST tranny will stop you and hold on a good amount of grade without any braking, clutching or shifting involved.

MarkV

 

[Code54]

That's correct, don't worry about a HST on hills, there great. In would much rather have my hydro on the hills than my gear tractor, it really gives you great control!
Good luck on your search and watch your local dealers, you can some times get a great machine at Very fair price

 

[Propliner]

Thanks for your replies! I will keep those ideas in my head. That is true, I didn't consider that there would be any difference between an HST in a LGT compared to a CUT. Again, thanks for all your help!

 

[Soundguy]

Antique? I thought you meant old.. not the jap subcuts..

when I think old ford.. I think 50-60 classic for 70's and heck.. 80's are getting into 'modern'

you want a classic good ford with a loader.. get a ford 861 gasser with power steering and a 2 post full hyd loader

you can work the snot out of it and take it to shows.

I just unloaded a trailer full of 1200# bales with my 55' 850 with PS and a 2 post superior utility loader. with a 3pt bale spear 'Chained' intot he loader bucket

soundguy