New to farm/tractors/living in country.

3RRL · Dec 26, 2005

Good advice Eric,
On another note, Geez...I just saw your profile and your member number...are the 11 cows and 11 sheep to offset that? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Dec 26, 2005

Don't get me wrong I'm not advocating getting a piece of junk that needs alot of work from the get go. A good condition 8N, Farmall, etc. is a nice little tractor to start with. VERY easy to work on, parts are plentifully available, and they were good reliable machines. No way would I recommend an older dozer, backhoe, excavator, or any other piece of construction equipment like that. I wouldn't take that kind of equipment if someone gave it to me. But a good old brand name reliable good condition tractor is not something bad to start out with. Around here you can one that has been reconditioned in top shape for $4k. A good reliable older one that has maybe some old paint and such will go for $2500-$3000. Best thing about those tractors is you won't lose a dime on them when you sell them either.

IslandTractor · Dec 26, 2005

Cowboy,

Your advice certainly makes sense for someone who can handle the maintenance/parts issues through experience but I still wonder if a newbie to tractoring wouldn't be better off choosing something with the option of dealer support. Does NH still service the Fords? Is Farmall still in business?

cowboydoc · Dec 26, 2005

I understand that Islandtractor but what are you going to buy for $4k that you aren't going to have maintenance/parts issues? Even an old Kubota or JD you aren't going to get much for $4k and you won't get what an 8N can give you.

IslandTractor · Dec 26, 2005

Point taken. I was assuming that Kubota/JD still provided parts for 10-20 year old machines. I agree that bang for the buck/horsepower it would be hard to beat the Ford 8N but for a slightly less powerful CUT, a Kobota B 100, 200 or 50 series or something of that ilk could be bought for 4K. If the Kubota dealers are not supporting those machines anymore then that certainly is a negative consideration.

cowboydoc · Dec 26, 2005

I know that JD does still supply parts. I'm sure kubota does too.

daTeacha · Dec 26, 2005

They might, but then again, who knows? Kubota's never need parts! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

The only thing I have had problems getting are the proper style oil filter for my old issue B7100. They switched to a new filter with the same number and it's a real pain to put in. I stockpiled a case of the old ones. I got a new seat a few years ago, and added a ROPS. I also replaced the splined shaft the lift arms mount to with no problems.

3RRL · Dec 26, 2005

Just came across THIS THREAD in the Chinese tractor section.

riptides · Dec 27, 2005

I have mulled over posting to this, thought about your situation a lot.

Hope that you have very good luck with your property and move.

A tractor in the country, a working tractor, is worth its weight in gold. One thing on a farm that can set you back is lost time. If your out of time, projects seem to just have a snowball down hill effect.

I'd spend the money and look for a good dealer and top-notch tractor. One with ALL the safety features. One that shall we say is "turn key and go".

In my own experience, my equipment must absolutely start and work safely EVER time a project requires them. I cannot afford the 1/2 to hours messing with stuff that just gets by.

If I had MORE time then perhaps I would think different, but all I have now is work.

Spend the money on the equipment, use the equipment to get your farm together.

IMHO.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif