Tractor Sizing Need good old Tractor

[jenkinsph]

Hardly any farm tractors used to have loaders, except some light duty manure loaders, and they could do those jobs. You could use a boom pole on the back for your log lifting, but probably millions of log cabins have been built without any machinery. Power steering and 4wd were equally rare.

The first things that come to mind to look for in an old used tractor for general utility work are good tires, a 3 point hitch, an independent PTO, a hydraulic system, ROPS on or available, non-tricycle front end. Other will come up with additional ideas.

Any tractor is better than no tractor.

Bruce

I agree with bcp on this with the exception of it having to be a wide front. I surely prefer a wide front but a good tricycle tractor In good shape may be available cheaper. I would look for the best deal in an older tractor that runs well, has a good clutch, good enough tires that does not look beat up. They are out there within your budget. Older Internationals, Fords, Deeres, Massey Fergusons to name a few. Most were simple 2wd tractors and I would not worry about the brand as much as the condition.

 

[holeycow]

Many old tractors can be bought quite cheap. Smaller ag stuff will be cheaper to buy than acreage-sized stuff due to demand. Which is low for,say a 70 or 80hp old 2wd tractor.

3 pth is nice to have, but not necessary for many, many jobs. Much of the old implements are not 3pth, at least the ones that can be bought cheap.

Sometimes a tractor wrecker might have a good deal on an old tractor that they "stole" somewhere and had the parts on hand for a cheap, easy fix.

There are lots of good old machines out there. Its better to be pretty a mechanical kind-of guy when running one.

 

[newbury]

Unless it was a typo and you meant 30-50k you may not have the ability to get a machine with any of the options you mentioned. I would check out some sites like tractor house, machine finder, fastline, etc to get an idea of what is for sale and the pricing in your area. Pretty tough to find anything short of older tractors like a 8n (just one example) or something similar.

Also look at Public Surplus.
This tractor went for $2,550

Public Surplus: Auction #81419

This for $5,200

This for $1605

This for $5,100

This for $2,875

And my favorite, although out of your price limit at $11,500:






And so far I've spent about $900 in "parts", front tires, hoses, a leaky cylinder, since I bought it in January 2013.

Many of these tractors seem well maintained, just they are old, definitely no Tier 4.

At least in my neck of the woods the schools and local county governments tend to maintain their equipment, then all of a sudden they get an infusion of cash and sell stuff off.

 

[sd455dan]

I think you need all three, but at that price you will likely have to compromise somewhere. Here is what a $3000 tractor looks like. I paid $16000 for the L3240 with a loader. View attachment 476859

If the OP is willing to consider older and in some cases Much older machinery he should be able to find a candidate.

in my case-$3850 for my Ford 40 PTO hp 3000 with

Industrial 2000 lbs lift loader,
loaded 14.9 28 R1s
power steering,
independent PTO

but no 4x4

deals are out there- older

2 wheel drive tractors with loaders are doable.