New tractor or used?

[Soundguy]

My advice is to come to a firm decision onthe hay equipment you will get.. then buy the tractor that will power it size/height/hp wise. No sense in pieceing together a hodge podge of equipment that is missmatched in power and needs.

I'd also loose about 1.75ac of that lawn and make it more horse turn out area... less to finish mow.. more for the horses to eat and enjoy..

Also.. haying works great with 2 tractors.... If you can get the Allis running with a new battery.. that gives you one for pretty cheap...

soundguy

Okay newbie here, with questions. I have a 13ac lot, and we currently own 6 horses with about 2.5 ac pasture, mostly for day turnout, 2ac lawn, and about 8-9ac we try and do our own hay, between job, weather, and horses in training.

I currently own a 40' AC WC45, and a 47' MM U. A NH 66 Baler, and an Oliver Rake. This equipment is getting old and it seems everytime I go to use it something else is wrong. The MM is currently out of commission due to a rear flat and steering gear has sheared a key? The AC just had a rear tire replaced and now the battery is shot. The baler works about half, as it will tie good for a while, then start giving me fits on tying. The rake needs a little TLC also.

Here is the question, I was looking at first getting a replacement for the old tractors, but don't know whether I should look at used ie: Ford 4000 or similar, or get something new, and not have any issues with the upkeep, that the older models take. I would also like to get a small haybine, and newer baler, ie NH 273 or similar, spreader, and box/scraper blade, and eventually may need a loader? I know short list huh?

I ahve discussed the pluses and minuses with the wife of having someone doing our baling for us and just getting a smaller tractor for maintenance around the property, but she sees that s throwing money out the window, and having to rely on someone else's schedule to get the hay done, shich we have missed opportunities in the past doing this, and missing a cutting.

I don't knwo if this will be a two three year purchase on some of the equipment , but I obviously don't have the dough to peuchase all this at once. What are your opinions?

Sorry so long winded!
Mark