Need tractor for vegetable farm

[Egon]

Good question. We have "bottlenecks"

Lots of Tractors but non suitable for the occasion!

It would sound like "look and search" among the local available equipment till the tractor that fills yours needs will be found.

Is there a supply of used equipment in your area?

 

[Harold_J]

Good question. We have "bottlenecks" where our MF is tied up for hours at a time transplanting and it would be helpful to have a tractor that could be doing something else simultaneously. Our Ford 850 does not fit on our beds, and it cannot lift our disk, so its uses are limited. Our hope is to get a tractor that can complement the MF by doing bed prep or tine weeding while we're transplanting with the Massey; or transplanting while the Massey does something else. In other words, we need some redundancy in order to increase efficiency.

I've observed that people growing vegetables like to have multiple tractors for efficiency, doing simultaneous tasks, not hooking and unhooking implements and even a backup if one breaks down, etc, and that is OK.

Do you really have the MF set at 48"? The Ford should be able to be set down to at least 52". If you can't work with that you will always have a problem in choosing a later model tractor and will be limited to small Kubota's and CUT's, not really what you want and need. If the Ford won't lift up the same 3-pt disk as the MF, then it probably has some problem with its hydraulic system which should be fixed.

 

[Soundguy]

I think in this case, the OP is looking for something newer. A 231 will typically be about 30 years fresher than his 850. I brought up the 150 as a comparison strictly because the 231 has essentially the same power train.

Ahh. ok.. I gotcha now.

I guess if he has the money to burn, new is always nicer.

soundguy

 

[tractorman99]

Branson 3510


Branson Tractors

 

[Soundguy]

Good question. We have "bottlenecks" where our MF is tied up for hours at a time transplanting and it would be helpful to have a tractor that could be doing something else simultaneously. Our Ford 850 does not fit on our beds, and it cannot lift our disk, so its uses are limited. Our hope is to get a tractor that can complement the MF by doing bed prep or tine weeding while we're transplanting with the Massey; or transplanting while the Massey does something else. In other words, we need some redundancy in order to increase efficiency.

I'm curious... the 850 has adjustable front and rear wheel spacing.. what fit problems are you having?

as for lifting the disc... I doubt you can get a compact in the same size / weight rating that will have substantially more lifting power on the 3pt. Perhaps your 3pt lift just needs a 3$ oring and backup washer replacement? A 10$ hyd repair kit is available from CNH.. has all the orings and gaskets to pop the top cover.. if you have a helper, you can pop the cover and re-oring and be back together in a couple hours.. easy..

with my 850 I pick up 6.5' disc's with no problem ( could do 8' lift style .. borrowed one once..), and my hyds will cary round bales of hay with no squeals from the relief valve..

soundguy

 

[farmermama]

What do folks think about a narrow Ford 4630? It has lots of power but not lots of clearance; it's a 4WD diesel that could be 51inches on center (which is what our Massey is). But would we really just be re-creating the 850? or would the 4630 be more flexible?

 

[MFRED]

For a 2wd tractor, the new MF2605 tractor would do. They are right around that $12k price range. Plus it's new. But a 231, 240, 241 would do the job well to. the 2605 is just a newer version.

 

[farmermama]

I'm curious... the 850 has adjustable front and rear wheel spacing.. what fit problems are you having?

as for lifting the disc... I doubt you can get a compact in the same size / weight rating that will have substantially more lifting power on the 3pt. Perhaps your 3pt lift just needs a 3$ oring and backup washer replacement? A 10$ hyd repair kit is available from CNH.. has all the orings and gaskets to pop the top cover.. if you have a helper, you can pop the cover and re-oring and be back together in a couple hours.. easy..

with my 850 I pick up 6.5' disc's with no problem ( could do 8' lift style .. borrowed one once..), and my hyds will cary round bales of hay with no squeals from the relief valve..

soundguy

Maybe our 850 does need a hydraulic overhaul. Actually, not maybe.

 

[Harold_J]

What do folks think about a narrow Ford 4630? It has lots of power but not lots of clearance; it's a 4WD diesel that could be 51inches on center (which is what our Massey is). But would we really just be re-creating the 850? or would the 4630 be more flexible?

I'm not familiar with all the variations of a 4630, but it was basically a very good tractor with the 201 3-cyl diesel engine, probably 10 to close to 20 years old now. As long as it's not a special low-profile or industrial model it should work well in your operation. I would stay away from anything other than the standard utility or row crop versions.

Like Soundguy asked, I'm curious about the 850; can't those wheels be set to 52in? It's not an 800 series industrial model, is it?

 

[kthompson]

Farmermama, If your current Massey does all you want and is the desired tractor, I would try to find a tractor as much like it as possible. Why, so setting it up and operating is about the same. It can just make life a little easier.


Farmingwithjunk, had missed where you are located. Had to look when you mentioed tobacco. You did not raise the flue cured one did you? I only spent little time in tobacco growing up but my wife grew up on small tobacco farm. It really was a social crop before all the machines hit it and you could not talk as you worked.