Old tractor recommendations

[wilnis]

Hi-My neighbor and I have smaller acreages, he has a JD955, I have a NH TC33D, and both do well for most of our activities. However, he has hay ground, and has it round baled. The bales are 1200-1800# and above the 1200# our tractors are helpless. We've neighbored well for 11 years and wonder about buying an older, bigger tractor to share to manage bales and do the other odd jobs a larger tractor would do and would be happy, we think, with 2WD, and a FEL.
Questions-1-Where can we find information on the web or elsewhere about how to sift though the confusing assortment of model numbers of used tractors to tell what we are looking at as far as HP, 3-pt lift capacity, etc so we can make a hopefully informed decision?
2-Are there sites to advise about which brands, models, etc are most reliable or is that "buyer beware" given how old many of these would be?
3-Do members here have any suggestions as to whether this is doable by neophytes like us and what brands/models you recommend? Thanks-Bill

 

[Keith_B]

How much money do you plan to spend? The biggest obstacle I see is a planned FEL, this is something that a lot of older tractors are not equipped with.

 

[wilnis]

We, actually I, thought we would like to keep it under $7-8,000 but I think the quality of the unit would be a big factor, as we'd hope to recoup our investment when we're too old to do this. I have talked with my friendly NH dealer who has been very good to me through the years and he suggested $5-8,000 and actually is dealing on a Ford 7000 now that he thought might be something to look at but I don't know anything about the specific unit he is dealing to trade in. He also said he'd put something together to trade my TC33D on a bigger unit, most likely more $, but I'm willing to listen to him. This week end I'm off to haunt the JohnDeere lots and the local Kubota place to see what they have and talk to their sales people to start the learning process. Thanks-Bill

 

[Soundguy]

We, actually I, thought we would like to keep it under $7-8,000 but I think the quality of the unit would be a big factor, as we'd hope to recoup our investment when we're too old to do this. I have talked with my friendly NH dealer who has been very good to me through the years and he suggested $5-8,000 and actually is dealing on a Ford 7000 now that he thought might be something to look at but I don't know anything about the specific unit he is dealing to trade in. He also said he'd put something together to trade my TC33D on a bigger unit, most likely more $, but I'm willing to listen to him. This week end I'm off to haunt the JohnDeere lots and the local Kubota place to see what they have and talk to their sales people to start the learning process. Thanks-Bill

A good condition ford 7000 would be AWESOME for your needs. I have a ford 5000 and it is a stout beast... the 7000 is a shoulder above that. I also have a later model in the 7000 series.. a 7610s.. another stout beast ( though new in comparison ).

Go ahead and find yourself an older ag tractor.. preferably with a loader, as you mentioned. Most of the 70's models and up had ps, and anything usually int he 50hp category and up will have a cat 2 lift... and you could use a 3pt bale spear.

Fords like the 4630, 5000, 5600, 5610/II/s 6600/6610/II 7000/7600/7610/II/s etc.. all superb models. If you want 'honkin' big.. get a ford 8000 or 9600.. or a TW series.. you can find good 140hp models ..e tc

An older case 1xxx or MF in the 100 hp range can also be had.. all of these old jobs.. usually in the 3000-5000$ range.

Some big deutz models out there two on the cheap. If your state has the heavy equipment trader mags.. spend 2$ and get it... it's a couple hudred pages of HE for sale.. probably half of it tractors, depending on your region.

Do yourself a favor.. keep your 33.. it's nice and small for small / medium work compared to the brute you will get.

A while back I traded my NH 1920 ( very similar to your 33 ) for my 7610s... I needed the big tractor.. but should have kept the small one too!

One more thing.. If you needed to get by on the cheap... a doodle bug hay cart will tote big round bales on anything with a trailer hitch that can pull them..

soundguy

 

[bontai_Joe]

You can also spend some time on the 'net at www.machinefinder.com and see what used machines are in your area, their horse power and what they are equipped with and save gas by not driving so much. Although sometimes driving is also a good way. Get out your local phone book and make some calls before you go out to see who has what available. And check the adds in your local newspaper in the for sale section and the auction section. Good deals can be had at old fashioned auctions, especially if the majority of stuff for sale is antique dishes and other "girl" stuff and there just happens to be one or two old tractors out in the barn.

 

[wilnis]

Thanks for the feedback. I've done some searching already, including new, and good, clean utility and small ag tractors command quite a price in our area compared to new. Hmmmm. Thanks again. Bill

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Millions (well, maybe hundreds) of possibilities. If you want a stout loader tractor, consider an "industrial" model. They have heavy front axles usually. That's good for a loader tractor. Also, they generally have more built-in weight. Also good for loaders. Most will have a 3-point hitch. Industrials sometimes have bigger capacity hydraulic pumps too. That's good for about any reason.

The best buys I've seen lately on 75-to-100hp tractors are on older International Harvester units. In direct comparison to John Deere's they USUALLY sell for a lot less and are great old tractors.

Another old brand that sells cheap, but is a good tractor is Oliver. Parts still available through AGCO.

SoundGuys reference to the tumblebug hay movers should be looked at also. That will enable you to move round bales with everything from the tractor to the family sedan. My son has one. He was moving 5'X6' rounds with his Kawasaki Mule over the weekend.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Allis Chalmers tractors like the 170 or 180 or D17 or D19 woudl be excleenet machines for what you're looking for. Massey Ferguson 165 and up would make good hay tractors. As said Ford 500 and up and then older Oliver's are also good machines.
You can probably find a 4020 John Deere for a very reasonable price, at almost 100 hp if you find one with a loader it will do all the hay work you'd want to do.

 

[Doc_Bob]

We've neighbored well for 11 years and wonder about buying an older, bigger tractor to share to manage bales and do the other odd jobs a larger tractor would do and would be happy, we think, with 2WD, and a FEL.

My only concern in this day of litigation is insurance on a shared tractor.
Bob

 

[Soundguy]

My only concern in this day of litigation is insurance on a shared tractor.
Bob

My sugestion would be to purchase a farm liability ins. policy.. Have both neighbors pay 50% of the bill, and both be named as 'insured' on it.

If necescary, list both primary farm addresses, and the address of any co-owned pastures that you are haying.

Soundguy