If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
- Thread starter Laminarman
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Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
It is hard to beat a 50-52 8n as a second tractor. For sure no other antique has better parts availability. These old machines with thier flat-head engines had better fuel economy, power/weight ratio, and more dependable hydraulics than the tractors that replaced them in the Ford lineup (this is sure to start some arguments). They were designed around a 2-bottom plow and are a joy to operate on one. Because of their popularity and dependability it is easy to find one in good condition. They are also ammoung the easiest tractors to mount/dismount which might be important to you as you get older. Your primary tractor ought to have live hydraulics, live pto, power steering, diesel engine, and fwd but there is no need for those luxuries on a second tractor, they will just make it more costly to maintain.
It is hard to beat a 50-52 8n as a second tractor. For sure no other antique has better parts availability. These old machines with thier flat-head engines had better fuel economy, power/weight ratio, and more dependable hydraulics than the tractors that replaced them in the Ford lineup (this is sure to start some arguments). They were designed around a 2-bottom plow and are a joy to operate on one. Because of their popularity and dependability it is easy to find one in good condition. They are also ammoung the easiest tractors to mount/dismount which might be important to you as you get older. Your primary tractor ought to have live hydraulics, live pto, power steering, diesel engine, and fwd but there is no need for those luxuries on a second tractor, they will just make it more costly to maintain.
nobull1
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Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
Our L4300 is the main use tractor for our needs. The 1954 Farmall Cub is the secondary and used for building rows and cultivating our small gardens. There was a time it also plowed snow,mowed hay(sickle Bar attachment), plowed garden(single plow) as well as pulling a single gang disc harrow. For small plots it is a versatile tractor of many abilities.
Our L4300 is the main use tractor for our needs. The 1954 Farmall Cub is the secondary and used for building rows and cultivating our small gardens. There was a time it also plowed snow,mowed hay(sickle Bar attachment), plowed garden(single plow) as well as pulling a single gang disc harrow. For small plots it is a versatile tractor of many abilities.
Theowegian
Gold Member
Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
I HAD an allis D14 and loved that tractor. A couple yrs ago I traded over to a new compact utility tractor.
If I got a second one, though, it would probably be a smaller 4wd kubota or Iseki, something about 16-25 hp. The Iseki TS2505 is a possibility. So is a Ford 1620. The older B series of Kubota are really nice, too...B7100 comes to mind. Probably a gear tractor....I miss those gears!
But definitely it would be another diesel. NO MORE GASOLINE tractors, if I can help it.
I HAD an allis D14 and loved that tractor. A couple yrs ago I traded over to a new compact utility tractor.
If I got a second one, though, it would probably be a smaller 4wd kubota or Iseki, something about 16-25 hp. The Iseki TS2505 is a possibility. So is a Ford 1620. The older B series of Kubota are really nice, too...B7100 comes to mind. Probably a gear tractor....I miss those gears!
But definitely it would be another diesel. NO MORE GASOLINE tractors, if I can help it.
Soundguy
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Re: If you were to buy a \"second\" tractor...
A 70's or later diesel.. and as much HP as I could buy. Ideally, I would have a small-ish.. new tractor with options.. like 4wd.. loader.. etc, and then the big old brute to do the dirty work.
I kind of hit that backwards... I own a new-ish utility/ag sized tractor, and some old antique small tractor.. etc..
Soundguy
Laminarman said:
A 70's or later diesel.. and as much HP as I could buy. Ideally, I would have a small-ish.. new tractor with options.. like 4wd.. loader.. etc, and then the big old brute to do the dirty work.
I kind of hit that backwards... I own a new-ish utility/ag sized tractor, and some old antique small tractor.. etc..
Soundguy
DavesTractor
Elite Member
Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
Flusher, I took a real clean Ford 3000 diesel in trade this morning. If I look closely at it, it appears to have your name on it.flusher said:
zjohnson
Bronze Member
Re: If you were to buy a \"second\" tractor...
Second tractor? Everyone needs at least 3! I have a 120 hp for bushhogging and heavy tillage, a 30 hp for tight work and gardening, and a 90 hp 4wd/loader/etc ( told my wife bought to replace the 1st two) utility.
Second tractor? Everyone needs at least 3! I have a 120 hp for bushhogging and heavy tillage, a 30 hp for tight work and gardening, and a 90 hp 4wd/loader/etc ( told my wife bought to replace
the 1st two) utility.Bob_Young
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Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
Laminarguy:
It's hard to beat those 'boxy blue Fords' from the mid 60's on through the 70's. I'm specifically referring to the Ford 2000/3000/4000 series with about 35/45/55HP respectively, but the newer versions built up into the '90s are just as good. Even the gas jobs from this series are solid in that the basic 3 cylinder engine was designed to take diesel stresses; but a 45 or 55 HP gasser could be expensive to feed. Just stay away from the Ford SOS hydrostatic transmission and look for the 8x2 gear transmissions.
When it comes down to it, most bush hogging and light tillage can be adequately handled by an unsophisticated 2WD tractor provided it has enough weight. There's no need to put hours on that shiny new CUT doing grunt work like plowing, discing, or bushhogging. It's all fun, of course, but overkill in some respects. HP comes relatively cheap in this class of tractor. A good Ford 4000 won't cost much more than a good 2000, maybe even less in some markets. Just be wary of the tractors with Cat II 3 pt. hitch as they're probably strong enough to wreck your Cat I implements....if you're not careful.
As you can see, my second tractors were my first tractors.
Bob
Laminarguy:
It's hard to beat those 'boxy blue Fords' from the mid 60's on through the 70's. I'm specifically referring to the Ford 2000/3000/4000 series with about 35/45/55HP respectively, but the newer versions built up into the '90s are just as good. Even the gas jobs from this series are solid in that the basic 3 cylinder engine was designed to take diesel stresses; but a 45 or 55 HP gasser could be expensive to feed. Just stay away from the Ford SOS hydrostatic transmission and look for the 8x2 gear transmissions.
When it comes down to it, most bush hogging and light tillage can be adequately handled by an unsophisticated 2WD tractor provided it has enough weight. There's no need to put hours on that shiny new CUT doing grunt work like plowing, discing, or bushhogging. It's all fun, of course, but overkill in some respects. HP comes relatively cheap in this class of tractor. A good Ford 4000 won't cost much more than a good 2000, maybe even less in some markets. Just be wary of the tractors with Cat II 3 pt. hitch as they're probably strong enough to wreck your Cat I implements....if you're not careful.
As you can see, my second tractors were my first tractors.
Bob
Soundguy
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Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
Yep.. Lotsa work hours are stored under the hood on those fords.
The Select-o-speeds did have bugs when they came out. For the most part, in-field repair corrected most of those issues.. so if you see a functional SOS today.. chances are it is ok.. as long as it operates well in all ranges.... Still.. The ominous idea of repair and fiding expensive parts is a tad bit of a deterrant.. especially since the 8x2 tranny is virtually bullet-proof by comparrison.
Soundguy
Bob_Young said:
Yep.. Lotsa work hours are stored under the hood on those fords.
The Select-o-speeds did have bugs when they came out. For the most part, in-field repair corrected most of those issues.. so if you see a functional SOS today.. chances are it is ok.. as long as it operates well in all ranges.... Still.. The ominous idea of repair and fiding expensive parts is a tad bit of a deterrant.. especially since the 8x2 tranny is virtually bullet-proof by comparrison.
Soundguy
meadowlarkponds
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Re: If you were to buy a "second" tractor...
Actually with the tax write-offs, it isn't really difficult to justify a "second" and "third" and more tractors. We have a small Kubota (23 hp) for gardening, finishing mowing etc, a larger Kubota (50 hp) with a front-end loader and back-hoe attached for all kinds of general purpose work, and a larger MF 155 (55hp) for mowing, hay handling, large tasks. My only regret is that I didn't make the largest tractor 70 to 90 hp.
Sure is nice to have options for the task at hand.
Actually with the tax write-offs, it isn't really difficult to justify a "second" and "third" and more tractors. We have a small Kubota (23 hp) for gardening, finishing mowing etc, a larger Kubota (50 hp) with a front-end loader and back-hoe attached for all kinds of general purpose work, and a larger MF 155 (55hp) for mowing, hay handling, large tasks. My only regret is that I didn't make the largest tractor 70 to 90 hp.
Sure is nice to have options for the task at hand.