Need another tractor!!!

[g42guy]

OK guy's, I curious what you would do.

I have a Kubota BX2200 for work and a '55 Cub for fun.

I own 2 separate 2.5 acres (one I live on one open) which I maintain with the BX. Works very well.

NOW, my wife and I found a great opportunity to purchase a 10 acre hobby farm that we will use as a vacation/cabin. It's about 80 miles away from where we live. I need a tractor to maintain this new property!

The specs:
500 ft. driveway (snow removal)
7 acre flat pasture (mowing)
Someday 2-3 acre garden plot (plow/disc)

The rules:
1. Want to keep the BX because it is perfect for home and other 2.5.
2. I can use the BX this year for snow removal (loader/back blade) but would like to get something before mowing season next year.
3. Needs to have 3 pt., should have live hydraulics
4. Would prefer wide front
5. Would like to stay below $5000.

So, the way I see it, I would be looking at a GOOD antique tractor in the 30 hp range ORRR a grey market tractor.

Would love to have another antique, if I could get one that would be reliable. It's hard to find nice rebuilt vintage up here in MN that you can afford. But a 600/601 series Ford or Massey 65 would sure fit the bill I would think. Maybe a JD 420/430.

Or maybe a bigger grey market that could handle a 5 ft bush-hog?

Let me know what you would do.

Guy

 

[Will_C]

Guy, I think you already know what you need; a good antique tractor or classic tractor. I think you should be able to find something in your price range. I amconsidering buying something like that for installing some food plots on land that my brother owns. I am looking at the John Deere's you mention, and also 1010 and 2010's. I am also considering Case machines, probably a 430 or 530.
Will

 

[gamble77]

I would stay away from a grey market tracter at all cost. I would look into getting either, like you mentioned, an older Ford (600,800,2000 series) or a good Massey (35,135). All those series tractors are reliable, easy to maintain, and everybody has parts for them. Plus they keep their resale value. I know for a fact that a good MF35 or 135 will not only hold its value but probably increase in value as the years go by. Just try to find something with a diesel in it, you will thanks yourself later. You have to understand that anything that old with a gas motor in it that hasn't been rebuilt yet is nothing another $2000-2500 won't fix in a year or so when the motor goes. Good luck with your search!

 

[Shadow_River]

Guy,

Here are two older tractors that I think would work well for your new acres:

MF 135 diesel about 37 HP (not the gas model) and a John Deere 2040 about 42 HP. The JD would cost a little more than the 5k but then again, it's more tractor. Are you sure you don't need a MFWD tractor for the snow removal?

azzxx

 

[frank_f15]

i don't really know what you need, but if u are looking for used, you would be well advised to take some rides out into the country areas where u live, me and the wife had occasion to travel only 50 mi from home but it was into a rural area, saw a great many tractors setting out for sale. would never see the in the classifides

 

[Bob_Young]

'65 to '75 3 cylinder Ford 2000 (36hp). Gas would be good, diesel better; except maybe in cold weather where the gas version would be easier to start. Try to get one with an eight speed transmission. The four speed is OK, but first gear isn't low enough.

These tractors are tough, have serious guts, are easy on fuel and have good parts availability. A Ford 3000 of the same vintage would do as well but might cost more. I think the 3000 came with power steering.

Other classics worthy of consideration are the JD 40, 420 and 430; also the farmall super C. All of these would be light on power compared to the Ford 2000, but are proven, extremely competent tractors.

If you can get something with a Cat I 3 point hitch, you'll be able to use commonly available implements. The Fords and John Deere number series (40, 50, 420 etc.) have this. May not find it on the Super C, letter series JDs, or other antiques.

 

[BarryinMN]

Allis Chalmers B C etc. were targeted to smal farmers & lower cost to boot. JD B is another option An original or restored Ford goes high around here. Long Prairie just had Fall auction yesterday. They hold large Spring & Fall auctions. Once you get the tractor figured out auctions are good sources for stuff to pull with it. They're all around the cities most every weekend.

midwestauctions.com gets you some of the activity, not everyone lists there.

Have fun.

 

[SPIKER]

you can also think NEW too, there are china import tractors such as the NORTRACK, FARM PRO, (Both JINMA TRACTORS) with diferent names, they can be had with many options such as live PTO 4x4 and for a 20~25 hp you can pick one up for that 5k range! yes I know most everyone will be bashing them but stop into the china forum down below and ask questions form people who use and own as well as sell them. I belive you have a northern tool store there as head quarters "scott stokke" I think is the guy who you would want to talk to there... anyhow lots of good advice about the older stuff though too.

MarkM

 

[WilliamBos]

A mf 35/135 will do the job perfectly. Just make sure they are Perkins 3cyl diesels and you are fine!!

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Will

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds like you are on the right track in your thinking.. However.. too bad your cub didn't come with a few more implements. The cub totes a 'which way' 1 bottom plow, or a disc plow, as well as a 5' sickle bar mower.. or a 44"? belly mower. They can have front snow blades as well as engine driven hyds. 3pt would have to be an add on.. but with fast hitch and onboard hyds.. you got lots of options.

I mow a couple acers of fence and right of way with my 66 cub. It has an IH belly mower and a front blade, has hyd's as well. It's an absolute pleasure to drive.

Soundguy

 

[SteveM]

A diesel MF would run more than the five grand here in Upstate NY, dont know your area. I have a mid forties Ford 2n that is a wonderful worker, though I am not recommending an N given your budget. My point is that I would disagree on looking for a diesel. It isnt hard to find a good clean Ford or MF gas that has either been rebuilt or miraculously maintained, with good compression and no smoke, and my experience has been that old gas engines are much easier and cheaper to fix than old diesels. My uncle has a late 60s Case diesel which is wonderful to run, but super expensive to fix. Also a bear to start in the winter.

Anyhow, not all Ford 3000s have power steering, and not all have the 8speed or live PTO. For real snow removal you want a live PTO and rear snowblower, dont know how deep the snow is you are dealing with. But any Ford 6xx,8xx or three digit will spin a 6' mower easily, and plow and disc with the best of 'em. So I vote Ford. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Deere prices always seem higher to me, and certainly the 'new generation' tractors will push beyond $5k in good shape. I like IH Farmall, but the lack of 3pt hitch is a hinderance, although it can be converted. Mostly around here i see row-crop Farmalls, less IH....nothing more awkward than plowing snow perched way up on a Farmall super H...

I have used my Ford 2n on and off (with extended off periods) under all weather conditions with no problems, supporting my notion that a refurbished antique is extremely reliable, once it is brought up to good condition. It is just so darn simple, that there is less to go wrong and a good chance I can fix it if it does... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Good luck and have fun with your new treasure! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[g42guy]

Thanks for all the responses.

Soundguy, I DO have the dozer (front/mid) blade for the cub. Just really don't want to rely on it to do MN snow removal on a long gravel drive. I wish I had a sickle mower for it. Although I think it would take a long time to mow 6 or 7 acres. PLUS if my wife thought I could do everything with the Cub and/or Kubota then I would not "NEED" another tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Am I making myself clear here. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I have had an 8N in the past and know what they can do. But I have since been spoiled with live hydraulics. That said, if I found a really nice one that I could afford I might go for it. People just seem to run the prices up on them around here.

I have seen a real nice JD 420 U. It has 5 speed and live. It's at the high (and then some ) end of my budget, but real good shape and rebuilt engine. I really like the look and sound of the 420's. Not sure about power, they are about the same output as a 8N are they not? Would it handle a 6ft bush hog??

Guy

 

[RedDog]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My point is that I would disagree on looking for a diesel. It isnt hard to find a good clean Ford or MF gas that has either been rebuilt or miraculously maintained, with good compression and no smoke, and my experience has been that old gas engines are much easier and cheaper to fix than old diesels. )</font>



I have also seen plenty of them (gas) that haven't been touched and run fine. Gas powered tractor would be fine for him.


RedDog

 

[g42guy]

I'm also looking into a IH 240 U. Nice little unit and less money, more power than the JD 420 U. But ****, that JD sure is nice /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Guy

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Although I think it would take a long time to mow 6 or 7 acres )</font>

I notice the manual on my IH mower 'claims' up to 2ac per hour... I think that is a tad unrealistic.. unless you mow in third gear.. which I would be a tad um.. scared to do.
A 5' sickle bar would be nice though. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( PLUS if my wife thought I could do everything with the Cub and/or Kubota then I would not "NEED" another tractor. Am I making myself clear here. )</font>
Afirmative good buddy! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Lets see.. a 420 should be about 113 ci / 2 cyl.. something like 27 db hp, and 29 pto hp. That is probably somewhere closer to a NAA on the hp.. however i have a feeling the torque on that large 2cyl will outdo an 8n that has a 4 cyl 119 ci engine.

Soundguy