Buying Advice Cheapest option for sub compact or compact

[windy acers]

Do a search in craigslist for a ford dexta diesel, a poor mans massy Ferguson 135. All parts are available and cross over to fords and Ferguson. it has a bullet proof Perkins 35 hp engine and a 3 speed with hi and low including a creeper gear 6 speed total. made from 1958-1963 and a super dexta WITH MORE HP in 1964. Most parts are at yesterdays tractors also a discussion boards. Not many are out there because people that know about them do not want to get rid of it. many of them come out of Canada because they are a english ford. it will handle a 5or 6 foot bush hog. They go for $2000-$3500 read up on starting procedure which involves a glow plug in the intake manifold called a thermostart. I owned one for 26 years and cut 15 acres no major breakdown and very easy on fuel! Put in a new massey fergison starter and you are good to go!

 

[chim]

Mowing 3.5 acres is a First World problem.

If your lifestyle goal is to maintain a parody of the english country estate then it is going to cost you more money and take more of your time. Enjoy the process of buying and maintaining expensive equipment. You should buy a brand new SCUT with backhoe attachment. You've earned the right to spend your money and brag to your neighbours and friends on your ability to spend money on non-essentials. When that doesn't work out you can buy a brand new JD cab CUT. Make the story entertaining for your friends and neighbours with your trials and tribulations of maintaining your country estate. Remember that you are independently wealthy and can afford the lifestyle...or at least you can maintain the payments and give off the perception of wealth driving your leased SUV.

If you are trying to live the granola eating, self sustaining, live off the land, off the grid lifestyle then you should probably be plowing 4.5 acres, or fencing and getting sheep, or planting an agreement forest of 3.5 acres. Look for an old used Ford 8N or 9N. Raise lots of kids to help out on the farm. Read Mother Earth magazines.

If you can't afford the rural lifestyle or don't want to make the lifestyle changes then your cheapest option is to move to the city and live in an apartment with no property maintenance to worry about.

Remember, the choices are yours. Be happy! You will be satisfied with whatever you choose!

I guess we all have bad days.

 

[fried1765]

Do a search in craigslist for a ford dexta diesel, a poor mans massy Ferguson 135. All parts are available and cross over to fords and Ferguson. it has a bullet proof Perkins 35 hp engine and a 3 speed with hi and low including a creeper gear 6 speed total. made from 1958-1963 and a super dexta WITH MORE HP in 1964. Most parts are at yesterdays tractors also a discussion boards. Not many are out there because people that know about them do not want to get rid of it. many of them come out of Canada because they are a english ford. it will handle a 5or 6 foot bush hog. They go for $2000-$3500 read up on starting procedure which involves a glow plug in the intake manifold called a thermostart. I owned one for 26 years and cut 15 acres no major breakdown and very easy on fuel! Put in a new massey fergison starter and you are good to go!

^^^^^ VERY SOLID and SENSIBLE ADVICE !!
The old FORDS (with power steering) will do a lot of work for little cash.

 

[kthompson]

As to tilling an acre once a year, depending on what your reason for that is a heavy garden tiller can do that. I did years ago for a full garden and really has best garden I ever did. Talking about a rear tine tiller. But as has been said see if you can hire that done.

 

[Dave588]

I think you might need to measure your property slope/grade in degrees or whatever.

Then I would visit different local tractor dealers and see if they have a similar slope that you could drive different size tractors back and forth on the slope like you would be doing on your property.

This doesn't mean you need to purchase a new tractor, but you would be gaining valuable information for your goal to purchase a tractor.

Good luck, KC

This one of best responses. Slope should be biggest factor in consideration.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Its been said a few times before.

Forget new....not necessary and for budget reasons - makes no sense in this case.

I use a zero turn mower to mow.....and I use tractors for tractor work.....again, in this case that makes little sense because while thats the quickest, its not budget conscious to buy two machines when one WILL do the work.

Id find a good, solid used tractor (brand I wont get into as A...alot is personal preference and B...I dont know **** about different tractors overall).

2wd or 4wd......HP etc....figure out what you want, then go looking.

Then pick up a good used finish mower and tiller.

If you look around and shop hard....this should be fairly reasonable price wise.

Ive seen GREAT 2wd tractors around $3000......and great 4wd tractors around $5000. Finish mowers are cheap and a dime a dozen. Tillers.....seem very NOT cheap in my area.

Id wager all that equipment in good shape will run $5000 to $7000 depending.

But its going to do alot of work and can be expanded on with 3pt attachments as the need arises.

In comparison I paid $6000 for a zero turn mower, shes a bad ***** and mows like the wind.....but thats ALL it does.

I dont regret it....because its fast.....but again, budget wise - doesnt make sense.

 

[john reeder]

We have 3 acres 1/4-1/3 of which is woods. I mow with a zero turn and got a new BX23 last year to spread dirt with. We needed 12-15 loads of dirt to fill low areas in the yard with and while I've rented Kubotas to do it with before I decided to finally buy one and use it for that as well as for other things. I got an fel and box blade with it. We've been in this place seventeen years and I wish I'd got it when we first moved in; it took me all that time to talk myself into one. I mess with old cars and I'm finding all manner of uses for the thing in addition to maintaining the property. A "B" would get things done a little quicker but the BX will park underneath the 4 post lift I have so if it a better fit for me. It will do anything a larger tractor will do you just have to take smaller bites. I love this little BX!

 

[herm0016]

4x4 diesel tractor with loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale

i would go look at this. I don't think you will find much cheaper. but still have to get a mower and such.

if you think you wont need a loader, you can save a lot of money, but its difficult to add later.

Kubota BX22 Compact tractor & belly mower-4x4 - farm & garden - by...