Help deciding on tractor

[aneuploidy]

Hi. I am new to this whole tractor thing. I bought 6 acre of mostly wooded land with a 2 acre pasture. I am going to clear the brush and small saplings from the wooded area, so am going to need a brush hog. After clearing the area, I will use the tractor to mow the whole lot. May also want to use it for other things too, but just don't know what those things would be yet. The land is mildly sloped in most areas with a few steeper areas too. Would appreciate any advice on the type and size of tractor look for. I figured I would need a pretty strong brush hog to chew up the sapplings. Want to stay as low in cost as possible ($2000-4000 range), so something used and old sounds good to me.
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[DieselPower]

You might start by only posting the question once and not three times in different sections. Probably the best place to ask the question would be the Buying/Pricing/Comparisons forum instead of tractor brand specefic forums.

 

[aneuploidy]

Sorry. I posted it 3 times cause I figured that different people would be looking in the different sections (ford folks in the ford section, etc.). I'm just looking for advice on what I should start looking for, hope no one takes offense that I posted in 3 different areas. Will take your advice and find myself a different type of forum. Of course that means I'd have to post it a 4th time

Thanks

 

[LBrown59]

Sorry. I posted it 3 times cause I figured that different people would be looking in the different sections (ford folks in the ford section, etc.). I'm just looking for advice on what I should start looking for, hope no one takes offense that I posted in 3 different areas. Will take your advice and find myself a different type of forum.
*Of course that means I'd have to post it a 4th time

Thanks

*
Ya can't win around here.
Somebody's always got a Nit to Pick.

L . B .

 

[LC '92]

Howdy aneuploidy. Since your in the Massey Ferguson group, I assume that is what your interested in. For the money you mentioned, I'd look for a MF-35 or MF-135 diesel. I'd look first for the 135 as it is the newer model. Should you encounter a MF-150 strongly consider it too.

I maintain about 15 various acres with my 135 and it does a splendid job. Very reliable, easy to operate, and easy to repair. It has plenty of horsepower for any mower or pasture cutter you can put behind it.

I would (and do) prefer the diesel because of its longevity.

Welcome to this group and I hope you get the answers you want.

Jeff

 

[aneuploidy]

thank you LC92. I will add those 2 tractors to my list of ones to consider. I did find an MF50, but it had some problems. Will keep looking.
Thanks again

 

[flusher]

Hi. I am new to this whole tractor thing. I bought 6 acre of mostly wooded land with a 2 acre pasture. I am going to clear the brush and small saplings from the wooded area, so am going to need a brush hog. After clearing the area, I will use the tractor to mow the whole lot. May also want to use it for other things too, but just don't know what those things would be yet. The land is mildly sloped in most areas with a few steeper areas too. Would appreciate any advice on the type and size of tractor look for. I figured I would need a pretty strong brush hog to chew up the sapplings. Want to stay as low in cost as possible ($2000-4000 range), so something used and old sounds good to me.
Thanks in advance for the help.

I have a 1964 MF-135 diesel that I bought in July06 for $3600. It would be more than enough tractor for your 6 acres (45 hp engine, 37 hp pto). There are plenty of them on the market all the time. I use it around my 10-acre spread (flat pasture land with several dozen old almond trees).

It runs fine but was in need of a good cleaning. I ended up rewiring and repaint it.

You could pick up a used 4-ft rotary mower (brush hog) for a few hundred bucks to handle your mowing chores. The 135 has enough power to handle a larger 6-ft brush hog if you need that size mower.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Keep your eyes, ears, and options open. There are several Masseys that would fill your needs and they all show up from time to time in the price range you're looking at.

I farmed for 35 years and now maintain 45 acres with a 1971 Massey Ferguson 150 diesel/8-speed. They can be found in the $3000 to as much as $6500 range.

Other options are, TO35, MF35, F40, MH50, MF50, MF65, MF135, MF150, MF165, MF230/235/240/245/250/255. They are all very good tractors, (individual used condition not withstanding)

Excellent fuel economy, long life, ease of maintenance, simple opeation, and availability of (relatively) low priced parts are the reasons why these tractors are the most copied tractors in existance.

 

[aneuploidy]

Thanks guys. I will keep an eye out for these models. How are the Massey tractors compared to the Ford 4000 or 860?

THanks again.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks guys. I will keep an eye out for these models. How are the Massey tractors compared to the Ford 4000 or 860?

THanks again.

I've owned several Fords and several Massey Fergusons. BOTH are good tractors in general terms. The 860 and earlier (4-cylinder) 4000's are a little behind the curve compared to later model (3-cylinder, '69 to 75) 4000's. Much better tractor all around. The closest Massey Ferguson to the 4000 would be the 165 or later model 255. They're about the same performance wise, but the Masseys will do equal work on quite a bit less fuel. Both have about the same likelyhood of being in good condition at this age. Both are about equal on parts availability. Give a SLIGHT advantage to MF/AGCO on parts COST.

I'd match an 860 against the earlier MF65 (pre-1964 models. 165's came along in 1964 and stayed in production until 1975 in the US)

Keep in mind when we speak in general terms of "which is better", you have to consider the condition of each indvidual USED tractor. (ie, an 1962 MF 65 in mint condtion would probably be a beter tractor than a worn out, beat up 1975 4000 Ford, as well as a cherry 860 would probably be a better buy than a trashed 255 Massey)

Unless you're mechanically inclined, a savvy used equipment buyer, and willing to spend a lot of hours kicking tires, I'd suggest as late of a year model as you can find and/or afford, and try to find one that's in excellent condition.