New 50 HP Loader Tractor

[flusher]

After working outside this morning trying to get either of my vintage tractors (Oliver 1550, Ferguson TO-20) operating to start plowing our three foot snowfall, and failing to get either moving (Fergie won't start, Ollie's brakes are frozen), I'm finally ready to buy a brand new, or at least new used tractor. I need at least 50 hp, a loader and 4wd. I need it to plow a steep 1/4 mile driveway (with a backblade), brush hog, load manure and generally maintaining my farm and goat dairy. I'll keep my two old tractors as secondary tractors, for pulling the manure spreader and other work that may not be so hard on them.

My two vintage tractors have served me very well, but I use them hard and daily, and as my farm is constantly growing, I need something more dependable that will require less of my time to maintain, and I'm not a mechanic. I want to keep the cost as low as possible, I don't need any bells and whistles, it's just more to maintain, and gear drive is just fine. In my area, the dealers that I have are John Deere, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Cat, Case International and Kubota. Is it possible to not spend over $20,000 for what I need? I like Deere the best, but it's most likely out of my price range.

Are there any models that anyone would suggest for new or new used?

Thanks!!!!

JD, 50-70HP, 4WD, FEL, $20K or less? Figure an early 1990s JD 2355 or JD 2555 with 4WD. Average retail price (dealer's price for a "clean" tractor) for these pre-owned tractors is in the $15K range without FEL. Start with your local JD dealer. He may have one on his lot. If not, maybe he knows of someone looking to sell one of these honeys. Could save $$$ buying directly from the owner.

 

[RichZ]

The Oliver 1550 was built with a 12 volt system. The Ferguson is still 6 volt. But the blizzard that we had blew snow into every part of the tractor, and despite having block heaters on them, they just wouldn't move. I'm tired of having to struggle to get my tractors working in bad weather, I'm ready for a MODERN tractor!!!

Woodbeef, unfortunately, there are no Valtra dealers anywhere near here. I love to go tractor hunting with JMIII, he was with me when I bought the Oliver. We both had a blast that day!!! But he's into a new business, and just doesn't have time for tractors right now. Hopefully, he'll eventually have time to play in the dirt again, soon.

 

[jinman]

Hey Rich, if I can find a good modern used tractor down here in Texas that meets your specs for $20k, would you give me the old Fergie TO-20 for hauling the new tractor up to you?

Sometimes we don't know how much we want to keep something until we have to give it up.

 

[DavesTractor]

The Mahindra 6000 2wd is a heavy tractor and does better than most 2wd with a loader. It has 59HP, it's simple and strong and fits nicely under your budget. I have tons of tractors at my disposal, and I generally use a 6000 2wd with a loader for doing tasks around the property. Of course we have no snow, and our property is flat. The 5500 4wd might be better for you.

A light 2wd tractor with a loader is nearly useless in many circumstances, but a heavy one will do better than most people expect.

If I'm in sloppy conditions, or pulling a FedEx truck out of the mud when he tried to turn around in an orchard after a big rain , I'll use a 7520 4x4. It's a beast, but will be about $10K over your budget with a loader.

 

[RichZ]

Are you serious, Jim??? TO-20's are very common around here.

I've got a few local prospects lined up, but if I decide to sell old Fergie, I'll let you know.

 

[vettemanwight]

I really dont think that getting a new tractor is all the best solution to the problem. If your 2 tractors have been doing the job for you and they sit outside right now, Will the new tractor sit outside also ?? If it will you may run into the same problems !! Why not spend the 20K and build a barn for the tractor ???? Get them inside then you can get a heater for the barn and have them inside with heat !!!!!!!If you still think a new tractor is the answer the spring of the year you will find many farm auctions and sometimes there is an older farmer who might be selling out that has a loader tractor that is well maintained and would go reasonible.

 

[JerryG]

Rich,
You mentioned that you have Massey dealer nearby, go check out their MF 563. It is old style with upgrades and is by far one of the most dependable and also least expensive models of that size of the market today.

 

[cmhyland]

Take a look here and see what you can ind for machine... Any Brand, New and Used...

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listing...5030HST&guid=BB7B6177AC3F4AC9B2C591185C991B0B

 

[jinman]

Are you serious, Jim??? TO-20's are very common around here.

I've got a few local prospects lined up, but if I decide to sell old Fergie, I'll let you know.

I was really meaning that I think there are a lot of tractor choices in a fairly new 50 hp tractor in your price range. I am not all that crazy about having a Fergie, but that would probably be a good exchange for a delivery from Texas. Anyhow, you will probably find exactly what you need up there and also a good buyer for the Fergie. Good luck with your search.

 

[firefighter9208]

After working outside this morning trying to get either of my vintage tractors (Oliver 1550, Ferguson TO-20) operating to start plowing our three foot snowfall, and failing to get either moving (Fergie won't start, Ollie's brakes are frozen), I'm finally ready to buy a brand new, or at least new used tractor. I need at least 50 hp, a loader and 4wd. I need it to plow a steep 1/4 mile driveway (with a backblade), brush hog, load manure and generally maintaining my farm and goat dairy. I'll keep my two old tractors as secondary tractors, for pulling the manure spreader and other work that may not be so hard on them.

My two vintage tractors have served me very well, but I use them hard and daily, and as my farm is constantly growing, I need something more dependable that will require less of my time to maintain, and I'm not a mechanic. I want to keep the cost as low as possible, I don't need any bells and whistles, it's just more to maintain, and gear drive is just fine. In my area, the dealers that I have are John Deere, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Cat, Case International and Kubota. Is it possible to not spend over $20,000 for what I need? I like Deere the best, but it's most likely out of my price range.

Are there any models that anyone would suggest for new or new used?

Thanks!!!!

You may want to talk to your tax adviser before you purchase if you have a farm. Sometimes you can't write off a piece of used equipment, but you can new. A couple years ago the IRS changed the law for farms and you could write off the entire purchase price of a piece of equipment (up to $100,000) the first year, you didn't have to depreciate over a period of time.

I have a Boer Goat farm here in Alabama and bought a Kubota M4800 w/FEL, Bushhog etc... and wrote off the entire purchase that year .

Thought you might want to check before making this purchase.

Chris