First post, First tractor!

texlarue · Feb 27, 2008

This stuff is expensive! I bought a Ford 335 about 6 months ago. Lots of hours on tractor, but I could get into it fairly cheap. I figured small repairs here and there would be okay. Right off the bat I bought battery,seat,15 gallons of oil,trailer tires, the list goes on and on. Will I ever be able to sart and use tractor without working on it? I'm not complaining, I feel fortunate to have a tractor,always wanted one. We have 15 acres in northeast texas, this allows us to get ready to move there 3-5 years down the road.I had to rebuild steering gear, found sectors at salvage shop in Eagle Lake,Tex at a great price.then felt sting of NH dealer, 21 bucks for sector seals! Cleaned my fuel tank too good. Now having to red kote tank. Most of the posts I see on this site are fairly kind. Lots of good info shared Look forward to sharing some of my experience.

LarryD · Feb 28, 2008

texlarue,
Welcome to TBN and congrats on your tractor purchase, despite it's need for repairs. By the time it's running well you should be very familiar with her.
I bought mine new and have only needed to do routine maintenance on. My truck has been killing me though. Haven't made payments in more than two years but the last couple of months have really been expensive. Glow plugs, brakes, alternator...I just go to the parts store and tell the guy at the counter it's time for my monthly truck payment.

jinman · Feb 28, 2008

Welcome to TBN and the New Holland / Ford forum. There aren't many 335 owners here, so you may feel a little lonesome when it comes to advice. We all sure can identify with spending a lot of money on a tractor though.

I "fought" with old tractors for years and years before finally giving up and buying a new one. I just hate spending half my free time keeping an old tractor running when I could be spending all that time getting work done. Sometimes a "bargain" tractor is no bargain at all, but other times, you can get the bad stuff fixed and it really works out.

Now that I have my new tractor, I spend my money on implements. There is no tractor in the world that will not empty your pocket if you let it.

Jimmyp5 · Feb 28, 2008

I am glad the guys on the site told me to go new.... hey check out Craig's list for implements you want. I found it was a good source to find olders least expensive things you only use a few times a year.

EddieWalker · Feb 28, 2008

texlarue,

Welcome to TBN!! I have both old and new tractors and can relate to what you are going through. Yesterday, I spent several hours working on minor repairs to my backho and dumptruck before I was able to use them. I bought my CUT brand new and it's the one that I can just climb on and get to work. No dealing with things falling off or fluid leaks that I can't find. It's a pleasure to have at least one working tractor!!! Of course, I can't afford brand new for everything, so it's part of the game of owning tractors and land. Deal with what's broken and keep on working. In time, you will know that tractor inside and out!!!

Eddie

mikim · Feb 28, 2008

I drive past that tractor junk yard in Eagle Lake every time I go to the country place ...have never had a reason to stop ..and hope I never do. It does look like they'd have whatever you might need though in the way of older equip. .... Good luck with your 335 --- hope you can make it reliable without too much time & $$ ......THEN you can start spending on implements!