Old tractor recommendations

[valleydweller1]

Hi all,

Speaking long-term, I'm in the market for an older gas-powered tractor that can swing a 5-6' brush hog to keep my field mowed down. It's the kind of thing that I'll keep my eyes open for until I find the "right one".

Any suggestions on what model/models to keep my eyes open for?

Greg

 

[CumminsLuke]

How many big ones do you want to spend?

 

[valleydweller1]

As little as possible. Something cheap and reliable; 8n/9n's are plentiful but I'm not sure they'll mow as much as I'd like.

I'd like to keep the total price under $3k if possible.

Greg

 

[CumminsLuke]

I'd be looking for an old 800 or 900 series Ford, or maybe an early 4000 Ford. I was at a farm sale last fall and saw a pretty nice on JD 3010 gas wide front sell for $2,000, something like that'd work to.

Take a look here, might find something or at least get an idea on price......Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com

 

[Bill Barrett]

I'd be looking for an old 800 or 900 series Ford, or maybe an early 4000 Ford. I was at a farm sale last fall and saw a pretty nice on JD 3010 gas wide front sell for $2,000, something like that'd work to.

Take a look here, might find something or at least get an idea on price......Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com

I live in a farm area, I would love to find a 2000 dollar tractor. After two years of looking, thats why I bought a new Kubota

 

[flusher]

Hi all,

Speaking long-term, I'm in the market for an older gas-powered tractor that can swing a 5-6' brush hog to keep my field mowed down. It's the kind of thing that I'll keep my eyes open for until I find the "right one".

Any suggestions on what model/models to keep my eyes open for?

Greg

Farmall 300 and 400 series
Massey Ferguson 35
Case 300 series
Ford 500, 600, 700 series

I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp engine, 38 hp pto) in July06 for $3600. The gas version is a few hundred cheaper, usually.

You can find 30-50hp (engine) Case tractors from the late 1950s that will fit nicely into your $3k budget. I would stay away from tractors with the Case-o-matic transmission.

Those 1950s and 60s Fords are nice and should fit your budget. Don't buy one with the Select-o-Speed (SOS) transmission.

I hesitate to recommend any old JD tractors from 1950s and 60s since collectors bid up the prices on these.

 

[jsborn]

I really don't want to start a war but an 8n 9n Ford is not much of a tractor. when it was new it was ok but there are so many better choices now that they are really a waste of money In MY Opinion.

I would look for a good Ford 3000 or 4000 or a MF 135 / 235. If you wanted a little more you can get some really nice Ford 4600 series stuff if you look around.

You can find some nice newer model stuff too from people that bought to small or too big and now just want to get out.

Remember this is just my opinion and may be worth what you paid for it.

 

[windy acers]

A 1960 dexta( same as a 2000 ford) will handle a 6 foot bush hog.Similar to mf 135. I cut 14 acers in 7 hours. My first tracter was a fix or repair daily 9 n

 

[Diamondpilot]

If this is your first tractor I would go with something simple. I have a old Ford 800 that is a pretty good old tractor. I did the 12volt conversion and I believe it has about 40 HP and probably 35 at the pto. Speaking of the pto, if you are using a bush hog you really need to try to get a live pto.

Check everything over real good. My friend bought a 8N that looked pretty but had a oil pressure problem. Got that fixed and a simple flat tire ended up costing $800 due to rotted rims. Long and short is he has $5000 in a old tractor that is worth $3000 on a good day. He could have bought one of the 25HP Chinesse tractors new for that money.

Chris

 

[Woodbeef]

Also look for an AC D15 or 17,Case 30 series,David Brown 3800 or 4600,IH 400 series,or Oliver 550 would all be good choices.

 

[George in Spokane]

I have $6000 in an old left-for-dead 1956 Ferguson TO35.

My wife still teases me about my original "Oh, about $1000" estimate.

 

[Soundguy]

Get an 860 / 861 / ford 4000 either 4 cyl or 3 cyl... ( heck.. a 3000 be fine too ).

All those will swing a 5 or 6' hog. lots of tranny options on all the 800/801/3000/4000 seres.. so be specific in what you look for. Can probably lay your hands on one that I mentioned in the 2500-4000$ range for a good runner. the 8xx/4000 will be in the high 40's pto hp range... with the 3000 being the little broter of the group.. yet still a very capable mowing machine.

soundguy

As little as possible. Something cheap and reliable; 8n/9n's are plentiful but I'm not sure they'll mow as much as I'd like.

I'd like to keep the total price under $3k if possible.

Greg

 

[Farmwithjunk]

$3000 won't get you too far. Ferguson 30/35, Ford hundred series, AC WD-45, IH 404/424, some of the Fiat made Olivers, and a few more. Forget anything green and yellow. Throw another $1000 on the table and the choices get a lot better.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Hi all,

Speaking long-term, I'm in the market for an older gas-powered tractor that can swing a 5-6' brush hog to keep my field mowed down. It's the kind of thing that I'll keep my eyes open for until I find the "right one".

Any suggestions on what model/models to keep my eyes open for?

Greg

Not sure where you are in the valley but I'd take a look on Craigslist. 200 listings under tractor in Portland & 87 in Salem. Would also suggest you take a look in the Capital Press and I'd not overlook checking with some of the local auction yards. I know the Woodburn auction yard has a number of tractors for sale plus getting close to tome for spring sales at auction yards.

 

[BTI]

I would echo what alot of the others have said.....
One thing you want to remember as has been stated, live PTO.
Alot of the older machines had it available BUT it was an option or available only on the deluxe model.
Like with the MF135 just because it's a 135 doesn't mean it will have live PTO.
It may or it may not, gotta check it out.
Be careful of JD 1010's as well as 2010's and a couple other JD's.
Basically if it's green and yellow and cheap, there is a reason.
If I find something to buy usually the first thing I do is search the net and see if they are any good.

BTI

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I would echo what alot of the others have said.....
One thing you want to remember as has been stated, live PTO.
Alot of the older machines had it available BUT it was an option or available only on the deluxe model.
Like with the MF135 just because it's a 135 doesn't mean it will have live PTO.
It may or it may not, gotta check it out.
Be careful of JD 1010's as well as 2010's and a couple other JD's.
Basically if it's green and yellow and cheap, there is a reason.
If I find something to buy usually the first thing I do is search the net and see if they are any good.

BTI

1010 Deere's weren't bad little tractors. They got a bad rap because of their resemblence to the 2010. And 2010 gassers weren't all that bad either. The problem was the 2010 DIESEL. It had a 4-cylinder engine where the cylinder bores were essentially 2 pairs cast together. They didn't cool very well, resulting in poor engine life. The 2010 was in production from 1961 through mid 1965. By 1963, Deere had remedied the problem. So it's only the early 2010's that were plagued. If you find one still running today, VERY likely it's either a late production model OR it's been retrofit with newer design engine. The first batch didn't make it this far.

Still, there's better buys in a tractor that age and size. People do like that green paint.

 

[Soundguy]

Forgot to mention.. check with local dealers.. lotsa times you see trades on lots...

If you go ford and need live pto.. if it is a 3-digit X00/X01 model.. look for *6* in the model number.

Soundguy

 

[BTI]

Thanks for straightening me up FWJ

BTI

 

[valleydweller1]

Forgot to mention.. check with local dealers.. lotsa times you see trades on lots...

If you go ford and need live pto.. if it is a 3-digit X00/X01 model.. look for *6* in the model number.

Soundguy

Ok, so what is a "Live PTO"? What are the other types?

Greg

 

[Diamondpilot]

A live PTO will allow for the PTO to continue to turn with the clutch depressed, usually to the first stop, and will not allow the power to continue to the drive wheels. A old Ford 8N, for example is a non-live PTO. Lets say you are using a 5' Bush Hog on a 8N and you push in the clutch the energy stored in the flywheel of the Bush Hog will transfer power back to the tractor continuing to drive the tractors wheels even though the clutch is depressed all the way. This can be a problem if you need to stop in a hurry. If you were to press the clutch in during a panic stop it may drive you another 30 feet. There are ways around this but for the most part you should get a LIVE PTO. Hopefully I have not confused you and maybe someone else will elaborate some on this topic or clear it up.

Chris