Hello from England

sniper1312 · Mar 12, 2015

Hi all, I've just moved to a little equestrian dream in the countryside or a nightmare "do it up" opportunity depending on whether you ask my wife or I

I am looking around for a tractor to tame the paddocks (neglected for a while like everything else) and deal with the muckheap. I thought it would be a good idea to get on the forum and try to pick up some knowledge to assist me in my search

Avondale · Mar 12, 2015

Welcome, from Canada. What part of England is your dream/nightmare located?

sniper1312 · Mar 12, 2015

Hi Avondale,

I'm on the Norfolk/Suffolk border I've got about 12 acres which have been neglected for a few years so have gone to tussock grass. I have let a neighbour graze sheep on the bottom 8 acres which has helped but our horses are on the top 4 acres. Its all a bit of a project, we are looking at putting up some steel framed buildings first, a small barn for stable stalls and a small garage/workshop to store the tractor and tools. I've been looking around for a smallish tractor with a loader, compacts sell for unreasonably high prices here as do MF135/165 so I was thinking older Fords / Case IH JD etc. I have seen a Case IH 585 that I like the look of as well as a Ford 2120. I also visited a large dealer further north and they had a lot of older tractors that had obviously been re-sprayed and tarted up but I was warned off of them by several people who said that the machine may look good but would probably be a money pit. I obviously have a fair bit to learn before I think about parting with my cash:confused2:

vtsnowedin · Mar 12, 2015

:welcome: From Vermont.
A lot of tractor owners with smaller acreage buy a nice tractor for themselves when they are close to retirement. Ten years later or so they move on or at least let someone else do the grounds keeping. This supplies a good number of tenish year old machines that often have 500 hours on the clock or less. I'd be on the lookout for one of those if you have the time.

tjcarguy · Mar 12, 2015

Hello ! I was in the same boat looking at small tractors , I rented a few times and decided for the cost may as well buy larger used ---Trevor

Avondale · Mar 12, 2015

Hi, As an amateur, I bought land and then realized that this required machinery. I bought a new Kioti DK 35 TLB, which I have found to be quite reliable and forgiving. Then, I bought an old C/IH 574, seems to be bullet proof despite a previous owner being a bit of a Tinkerman with the Lucas electrics but it still starts and runs good. Now, I rarely miss a farm auction. Found lots of good "stuff" and think most farmers look after their machines and are proud to discuss them at the sales. Good luck.

Ridgewalker · Mar 12, 2015

Greetings from Missouri! My daughter and future son in law live in Bristol.
We love GB.

deerseeker001 · Mar 12, 2015

Welcome from wisconsin

mddorange · Mar 12, 2015

:welcome:
To TBn from Alabama. I am in a similar situation as I bought on old horse farm, 11.5 acres, with a large barn with 8 stables and work area including hay loft. I went looking for a SCUT-Sub-Compact Utility Tractor and was talked into a CUT. I am sure glad I listened as it is hard to go too big. It was great for cleaning out the barn, had plenty of horse manure still, but the best part was scrapping up the dirt floor and putting down a better one. It also aloud for a bigger cutter and other attachments.

Wagtail · Mar 12, 2015

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

Definitely talk to your neighbours and listen to 'the word in the Pub' regarding the best tractor/dealership for you. And that includes the right type of tyres for your area. Get, at least, a Compact Utility Tractor (CUT) that's a wee bit more horsepower than you think that you need for all of the (many and unexpected) future jobs around the property.