Help Choosing Multi Use tractor....

[GE222]

150 acres sounds like a nice place to play.

A couple of comments.

A post was made about using a disc versus tilling a track. A tiller will do a nice job, but after the time spent, you may be searching for an alternative. Tillers are also pricey. A decent heavy disc around 1000# would be a whole lot faster, and still accomplish I believe what you are trying to do.

A skid loader would be a nice addition, and can do a lot of brute chores, but can limit what you can do. Attachments can get really pricey also.

A tractor won't dig as well as a skid loader, but it also is usually easier on turf, and attachments are less costly, equating to more attachments. It can also pull wagons and trailers around the property.

I own both. I often do odd tasks around my property and find that I always seem to need items and tools where I am working so I have a work trailer that I pull around.

The 3000 & 4000 series Deeres or equivalent sound like a good size match. A hydrostatic trans is also the way to go. It will make it easy for anyone to drive it. Using a clutch with a loader gets old, and the wrong person can tear one up. There is no right size, as almost everyone wants their machine to perform new and challenging tasks.

Having a close dealer is a plus unless you have a brand preference.

 

[dave1949]

Sorry for not posting since last night. I would definitely put a value on keeping the old Case and maybe outfit it with some attachments.

The compact tractors are great, but they are no match for the long term durability of older, heavier equipment. If you read the own/operate by brand on TBN, then you know folks are having a fair amount of breakdowns with all brands of CUT's. When I read those, I start to feel lucky.

I have a 2003 NH TC40 with backhoe, FEL and 6' bush hog. It is getting beat to death on my 140 acres of Maine rocks and trees. Wish I had a real construction TLB or excavator.

 

[e.myers]

Everyone. This has been a huge help. Starting to look like bigger might be better for my application, which is taking me into the more money than I had thought realm. Kind of thinking now that IF I can get my old tractor running with a front end loader attached somehow, it might be worth it.

It's an older Case (David Brown?) Anyone know if Front end loaders can be retrofitted onto older tractors and how much it could cost?

New is not out of the realm of possibilities, just need to consider this option a little more.

Thanks!

 

[kenstrac]

Don't forget there is a lot of used larger tractors out there at a good price and also implements to go with them I mean real farm stuff that's heavy, also at a good price something that will last. IMO in the past 10 years everything is geared to CUT and Cat 1 and is built like Cat 0 yuppie stuff.

 

[e.myers]

Thanks.
Looked around a little and the tractor I have is a Case David Brown 1410
TractorData.com J.I. Case 1410 tractor information.

Anyone know if it would be worth restoring? It's MUCH more tractor than I've been looking at...
Claimed 81 HP PTO
Claimed 66 HP Drawbar
Engine unknown
Weighs a LOT relative to the CT's I've been looking at..... even the largest.

Any thoughts as to whether it could make sense to restore?
Was able to find an aftermarket loader for it, but not sure what kind of quality OR the price.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I saw an old David Brown similar to yours get sold for less than $2000 at an auction. You have to really look at the rest of the machine, get real estimates and tally up what all needs to be fixed. I don't think I'd put a bunch of money in an old machine that may or may not be worth it in the long run. Of course, somebody got use out of it. They wore out the tires and who knows what else. Do you know the history of the machine? Were you the one who wore it down to its current condition? Only you can make the decision of whether or not to spend the money depending on its condition.

A Front End Loader (FEL) on a 2WD machine doesn't work nearly as well as on a 4WD machine. They work decent on 2WD the heavier the tractor.

However, This would make an excellent plow, disk, or 7-8' tiller machine.

 

[jenkinsph]

e.myers,
That Case 1410 in decent operating condition should be a very good tractor for your ground engagement tasks. My father had Deere and Case tractors and we always had a hard time deciding which was best. The 1410 falls between a 4020 and 3020 sized tractor and should be a great choice for your heavy duty jobs.

If it were me I would add something like a Deere 4320 to 4720 for the lighter work requiring more manueverability or even a 110 tlb.


Steve