Compact tractoring on the cheap!?

[cowboydoc]

If you read when I originally answered I did answer the question. I said that in my opinion an older tractor would be a better choice. I'm not disagreeing with you about an older tractor or about a grey tractor if that's what he wants.

It wasn't until knucklehead asked me about the bigger utility tractors in a separate post that I replyed to his question referencing JD being like a Harley.

 

[slowrev]

Steve,
If you are looking for a garden tractor sized sub-compact. I might recommend a used Gravely or the like. If you are looking for a tractor The older american tractors are nice as I mentioned about the IH 424 and 444 series. They are about like the larger CUT's around 3-4,000 lbs in weight and good sturdy gearbox transmissions. You might also want to consider the MF 35/135, Ford 4000 series, and some of the smaller Case tractors. The 8n's and 600 series ford tractors are nice but no live PTO. Watch out on some of the older ones for non standard 3 point hitch setup's, ie the old Farmall letter series tractors. If you look a while you will be able to find something solid in your price range. Take a look at the adds on Yesterdaystractors.com, you might find something on there and get some ideas.
Old iron is great.

 

[fivestring]

Poor Steve....
He has lots of info now....
Reminds me of when I was looking to buy....

 

[Woodbeef]

For general use and all around bang for your buck,I'd say get an ag-utility tractor of the 35-45 pto hp size. Probably the most overlooked brand in this category is the David Brown 770,780,880,885,then the Oliver 550,Case 430-530. All of these and the others mentioned like IH,Ford,etc will work out well for what you need.

 

[Soundguy]

There are benefits to old iron.. one is parts availability, and knowledgeable people that have used them.

Abother consideration, is middle aged ag tractors... for instance.. you can pick up a ford 8000 or similar in the 4000 - 5000 range... same price for a compact tractor... ( just hope you don't have to repair it.... )

I've also had experience with the grey market tractors.. but was unhappy with lack of support. ( parts were fine...).. just no body works on the rice tractors much around here..

I will say that I am also tempted to get one of those inexpensive chineese tractors.. hard to beat at that price.. but also wonder down the line, how they will hold up....

For instance, in 1939, a brand new 9n sold for 500$... sells 3, 4, 5, times that or more now....

i wonder how many of these jinmas will be running in 2050...
Not bashing.. just trying to imagine the future.

All that said, I've got an 1952 8n, a 1954 NAA, and of course the ?79 ym1700.. and the 1997 NH 1920.

i thin I gotta get rid of one if I want another one.. and I've been eyeing a nice 2n in the next city for a while......

Soundguy

 

[Egon]

$500.00 in 1939 is how many $ in 2003?

Egon

 

[slowrev]

Yeah Egon,
Someone told me how much money thay had made selling their fathers 8N for 5 times as much money as was paid for it new.
I shortly convinced him that he had gotten less "real" money than it sold for new.

 

[Slamfire]

I grew up on an 8N and think they are a fine tractor, but my experience with gray market seems to be a little better than most. I got a Mitsubishi D 1800 and a tiller for $4600, along with everything necessary to change from 2 point to 3 point hitch. Except for the narrow rear tread, I think the Mitsu is a better tractor than the 8N was. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[SteveM]

This has been a very good string, the biggest I have ever initiated for sure /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

To give some background (which I intentionally avoided in my post) I am currently on my second older name brand CUT; but I am looking sell my current 4wd MF and buy something cheaper. I will use the money left over for some much-needed implements (tiller and post-hole digger).

I appreciate all of your opinions, as I am really torn with the decision of which way to go. My only reservation with the 'Older American Iron' is the condition and hours that I usually find. If you search through Agdealer or Ironsearch you will see what I mean /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I dont know if I am comfortable buying a rough looking 5000 hour Ford over a shiny, alleged 1000 hour Yanmar with warranty..... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Anyhow, thank you for your comments so far, and anymore to come. BTW - I have no intention of getting a loader or hydro.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think the Mitsu is a better tractor than the 8N was. )</font>

So... your comparing a 50+ year old tractor to a current one.. and trying to make an unbiased comparison?.. ....

Soundguy