New to the world of Tractors

frank_f15 · Apr 15, 2005

!st of all welcome to the forum /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif with your 7k price range not sure you are going to find any thing new, you def. need somethin in the mid 20 hp range and 4 wd is a must, with out it in my estimation something that size is not good for much except cutting grass. with my 24 hp , even the simpelest task is easier done with 4wd.

KiotiJohn · Apr 15, 2005

Morid, there is a new 2003 model Eicher tractor, made in India, here locally for $7200. Now it's a 2WD, but 35 HP and that may handle a loader, but I wouldn't put a really large bucket on it.
It has an air cooled Eicher engine (German design), position AND draft control 3pt hitch and some other goodies. Looks like a pretty good buy. The 2 cyl. engine is probably a little loud, but it would have even better torque than a 3 cyl. would.
You're not so far away that you couldn't come here to pick it up if you're able to. Here's a link to the website:
Just scroll down the PDF file to find it.
Eicher Tractor
John

GabeTX · Apr 15, 2005

( I am trying to stay under 7000 if at all possible.)
OK...

I wasn't gonna speak up until you mentioned your price range. But since it's a bit closer to my end of the "tractor buying continuum" then the "walk into a dealer with a fat checkbook" end, I'll chime in. However, I know less about tractors then pretty much everyone else that exists, so take everything I say with an enormous grain of salt.

So far, you've said you want to do mowing, post hole digging, and FEL work.

If you're on a tight budget, think really hard about the FEL bit, because that raises the price a great deal. In addition to the cost of a front end loader, you'll also need either a very big tractor or a 4WD tractor--in other words, in addition to the FEL ($$$) you'll also need a more expensive tractor ($$$).

If you drop the front end loader bit, the picture changes dramatically and the $7k figure becomes a lot more reasonable. For starters, there seem to be plenty of relatively beefy used (sometimes very used) 2WD tractors for WELL under $7k. You'd likely have enough money left over to get a brush hog, box blade, boom pole, some kind of tillage implement (although not necessarily a rotary tiller, depending on what tractor you get), AND still have enough left over to pay someone to do quite a bit of dozer/FEL work. And, depending on how much FEL you end up needing, you may very well still have enough money for an implement or two. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I was recently on a tight tractor buying budget. I had $5k to spend and ending up spending $4,125 for a 53-year old 2WD Ford farm tractor (a Jubilee, about 30 PTO horsepower), a 6' brush hog w/ chain guards, and a boom pole. I do have less land then you (4 acres), but I could easily have gotten away with less tractor. Let me reiterate that I'm pretty inexperienced too--but do have a serious think about whether owning your own FEL would be cheaper then dropping that requirement and hiring it out. I obviously don't know how much work you have to do that absolutely requires a FEL, as opposed to a less versatile implement...

Bob_Skurka · Apr 15, 2005

GabeTX . . . don't sell yourself short, your advice is dead on perfect and exactly what a lot of experienced users might recommend.

KiotiJohn · Apr 15, 2005

( I obviously don't know how much work you have to do that absolutely requires a FEL, as opposed to a less versatile implement... )
The nice thing about FELs is that they can be added later. Getting the tractor seems to be the most important first step. Loaders can be had for under $2000, so tractor first, and loader later is not uncommon.
The only reservation I have about many used tractors is that a non-mechanic can purchase one of these "bargains" and end up putting in a few thousand more to get them up to speed.
Make sure you have someone with you that knows how to buy a used tractor or you may end up needing to spend a lot more than you'd spend buying a lower end price new one.
An example would be the Kioti LB1914 which can be had for around $8500, new with warranty.
Maybe wait and save a little longer, and get a new one.
John

burnetma · Apr 15, 2005

I am in agreement with GabeTX. You can get a lot of tractor without an FEL -or- you can get a lot less tractor with a FEL. Really it is your choice, but the FEL is really a nice option.

I owned a 1957 IH 350 Utility with a front end loader and 3pt conversion for 6 years. Did everything that I NEEDED and I only paid $3500 and that included tire chains and a snow plow. One had to have time to tinker and fix, but it worked well until I got into log skidding on a weekly basis and that beat up the machine really good.

IH made a lot of 35-50 HP machines that were used for front end loader work including 300 UT, 350 UT, 460 UT, 584, etc...

While most of the Fords are a lot lighter, many of them were equiped with front end loaders including 8N, 9N, Jubillee, 601, 901, etc..

MF 35 and I think MF 135 were also available with FEL's

Stick with 2wd, lots of ballast and tire chains (as needed). You will be amazed at what can be done.

burnetma · Apr 15, 2005

One more thing! Get real familiar with FASTLINE:
http://www.fastline.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

It may not help you find your tractor directly, as most dealers will not spend money advertising small older equipment, but it will give you an indication of what dealers are around and even upcoming auctions.

I do not recommend that you buy a unit at auction, but they are very informative as to the prices people may be willing to pay for a piece of equipment and what you can expect for condition. Then again, if you go with somebody that knows equipment well and you can spend time with the units prior to the sale, you might find something worth while. If you go alone, make friends with somebody that "appears" knowledgeable and willing to give you some information. As an aside, the best auctions for buying a single older tractor are NOT the farm auctions. Actually the household/estate auctions frequently have one lone piece of equipment that will be auctioned and it may go cheap because nobody at the sale is interested in rusted iron, they are looking for things that glitter.

burnetma · Apr 15, 2005

Not sure what a tractor is:
http://tractordata.com/

GabeTX · Apr 15, 2005

( The only reservation I have about many used tractors is that a non-mechanic can purchase one of these "bargains" and end up putting in a few thousand more to get them up to speed.)
This is a good point--my used tractor buying experience would have been a lot worse if not for the benevolence and patience of jinman and Soundguy. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

burnetma gives good advice about at least finding someone knowledgable you can go to for advice if you can't get someone to go with you in person (if you go the used route). Fortunately, that shouldn't be too hard, because there seem to be a lot of people out there who both love older tractors and know what they're talking about (both here and on other forums).

(And thanks, Bob_Skurka. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

LBrown59 · Apr 16, 2005

( Hello all,

I am new to the world of tractors and needing one. I have recently purchased 6.5 acres that has one tree on it. I need to find a tractor with a mower and that is able to use other attachments ie, FEL, Post hole digger. I am building a house on the land and need a decent starter tractor. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. )

Could you finance the tractor in with the home loan?