Second tractor for manure spreading suggestions?

canoetrpr · Aug 6, 2011

My primary tractor around the farm is a L3400 which generally serves me quite well.

I've got 13 head of cattle now with calves. 10 or so acres of pasture and lots of manure that tends to accumulate which I like to spread in the fall.

I have a New Idea 210 spreader which my 34 hp handles like a champ. I don't overload it though.

It really is a pain though to have to unhook the PTO and spreader from the drawbar when it is time to load the spreader, and then hook it up again. I waste time doing that and don't particularly enjoy it.

I'm pondering getting an older 2WD tractor to hook the spreader to. Seems excessive, but I also like some of the older tractors and think I would enjoy having one around.

Deere has done an incredible marketing job because my little boys think that I should have gotten a Green tractor to begin with! So JD is an obvious make to consider. The reality is that I am open to whatever is a good reliable tractor that can be had for the $4-5k or lower range that can pull the spreader and that parts are available for. I strongly prefer diesel as I have a nice tank with a pump.

Some tractors that I particularly like - aesthetically are the MF135, 165, 235 and 250. I have no clue what JD models I ought to consider in the 40 or so hp range that I think I need to pull this spreader. Any others?

Farmwithjunk · Aug 6, 2011

The idea of having a second tractor around the farm has multitudes of positives. (That's why I have 14 currently....At least that's my EXCUSE!)

Limited to $5000 as a maximum, your choices of 40/50hp Deere's is somewhat limited....at best. As far back as the 40 series, (2040-40hp, 2240-50hp) sell upwards of $7500 in decent shape. Go back a step further to the 20 or 30 series, and the "collectable value starts to kick in....Not uncommon to see 1520's, 2020's, 2520's, 830's, 1530's, and 2030's selling in excess of $7500 also. You MAY find a "deal" on one of those models, but that'll be the exception rather than the rule. Typically, any post 1960 Deere utilities selling for under $5000 will be rough at best. BUYING a Deere is when their legendary resale value is a hard pill to swallow.

Around here, some of the best buys on "cheap HP" are International Harvestor's. Not uncommon to find 'em for half what a comparable Deere sells for. There are TONS of nice 574's around here. They are GREAT tractors for the money they usually fetch. Another model that is a LOT of tractor for the buck is a 706. They often show up around here for less than $5000. Depending on what year, they are 70+ hp. (and VERY good tractors)

I'm with ya on the Massey Fergusons. For what you're planning, I'd shop for a nice 165, 255, or bigger. For dragging around a manure spreader, overkill is far better than "underkill". I looked at a pristine 175 yesterday that had an asking price of $4500. I would be buying it to re-sell if I bought it. Not enough meat left on the bone for that though....(Usual resale value around $5000...by the time I bought it, hauled it home, and then re-sold it, I wouldn't make enough to justify tying up the cash)

Lots of good deals on older (X000 series ) Fords, Allis Chalmers, Olivers, ect....Parts are still available on most popular models.

Another consideration, you might look at BIGGER tractors. (ie 50 to 100hp) They have a little less demend overall than smaller utility tractors, so the prices aren't always so disproportionately high. You should be able to find a number of brands and models from 50 to 100 hp for LESS than $5000.

The thing to keep in mind, when you buy an older farm tractor, you are buying the condition of each individual tractor rather than the reputation of a NEW tractor years ago. What WAS a great model may be a worn out piece of junk. And what was originally a "decent" model may be in mint condition now, and a much better choice. I don't like to lock myself in to one model when searching for a used older tractor. Keep you mind open to whatever comes along IN GOOD SHAPE and AT A GOOD PRICE.

OrangeGuy · Aug 6, 2011

Personally I'd stay away from diesel in your ideal price range. For $4 to 5K you are going to get an older tractor where old diesel engines can be problematic, especially if used infrequently. I have had great success with an Allis Chalmers D 14 gas model. It would be just the right size for your requirements and it's orange to boot. Good ones here in Minnesota will run from $2500 to $4000. They are reliable, run cheap, easy on and off, and can set for months and pop right off when you need it again.

OrangeGuy

foreman Etexas · Aug 6, 2011

Ford 2000 can be bought if in really good shape for under 4000,And I believe the pto hp is 40+gas motor. Im guessing on the hp but it will pull my 6ft shredder......

canoetrpr · Aug 6, 2011

Ok I think you guys just opened me up to gas tractors as well. Its not going to get much use - probably less than 15 or so hrs per year - so its not like going to get gas in a gerry can is going to be much of an issue.

I'm open to suggestions on diesel and gas.

canoetrpr · Aug 6, 2011

Farmwithjunk · Aug 6, 2011

foreman Etexas said:
Ford 2000 can be bought if in really good shape for under 4000,And I believe the pto hp is 40+gas motor. Im guessing on the hp but it will pull my 6ft shredder......

2000's are low 30's hp. 3000 is the 40hp class 1000 series Ford.

Farmwithjunk · Aug 6, 2011

OrangeGuy said:
Personally I'd stay away from diesel in your ideal price range. For $4 to 5K you are going to get an older tractor where old diesel engines can be problematic, especially if used infrequently. I have had great success with an Allis Chalmers D 14 gas model. It would be just the right size for your requirements and it's orange to boot. Good ones here in Minnesota will run from $2500 to $4000. They are reliable, run cheap, easy on and off, and can set for months and pop right off when you need it again.

OrangeGuy

Let's "qualify" that statement.....You can find all sorts of DIESEL MF135's, 150's, and 165's, well under $5000. (Under $4000 in fact) Those Perkins diesels tend to be MORE reliable than most gas engines of the same age. My 150 will start in the worst winter weather. I know of several Perkins diesels with well over 10,000 hours that haven't ever had any issues. I had a GAS Ford 3000 for years. (was my loader tractor) I'd use the the DIESEL 150 to jump start the cold natured 3000 far more times than I'd like to count.

I won't "avoid" gas tractors, but they are a second option IMHO.

slowzuki · Aug 6, 2011

AN mf or white with a perkins is definitely a good option. I wouldn't bother with gas, I hate tinkering with points etc.

foreman Etexas · Aug 6, 2011

Not a thing wrong with GAS tractors we have had an old massey that was my great grandads and till this day we still use it,and I own a ford 2000 the thing doesnt use oil, starts easy,and use it monthly great on gas.Hasnt been hard to start in winter.All we used was gas growing up shredding all day. I own both (new)diesels and (old)gas.Try getting an estimate on rebuilding a diesel to a gas motor........

foreman Etexas · Aug 6, 2011

Farmwithjunk said:
2000's are low 30's hp. 3000 is the 40hp class 1000 series Ford.

Ford 2000 Power:
Engine: 36 hp [26.8 kW] (Heck I was closer saying 40hp)

Drawbar (claimed): 28 hp [20.9 kW]

PTO (claimed): 31 hp [23.1 kW]

Drawbar (tested): 28.10 hp [21.0 kW]

PTO (tested): 32.09 hp [23.9 kW]

power test details ...

Farmwithjunk · Aug 6, 2011

foreman Etexas said:
Ford 2000 Power:
Engine: 36 hp [26.8 kW] (Heck I was closer saying 40hp)

Drawbar (claimed): 28 hp [20.9 kW]

PTO (claimed): 31 hp [23.1 kW]

Drawbar (tested): 28.10 hp [21.0 kW]

PTO (tested): 32.09 hp [23.9 kW]

power test details ...

Heck... I was closer saying low 30's....Who gives a rats behind what the ENGINE hp is..... It takes a little more than just an engine to make a tractor. Tell me what tools you'll be hooking directly to the flywheel? Oh yeah, NONE..... PTO HP is, and has been the figure used by farmers for years.

The 3000 is the 40hp tractor in the X000 series Fords.....

Quoting engine hp on tractors is something made popular in recent years so the hp number looks more significant. It appears a little more impressive when you're looking at hp numbers that are a bit small to begin with.

"Back in the day" farmers quoted how many plows a tractor would handle.....Somewhere around the late 40's/early 50's, pto hp became the benchmark. I never heard anyone quoting engine hp until roughly the same time compact tractors came on the market.

Farmwithjunk · Aug 6, 2011

foreman Etexas said:
.Hasnt been hard to start in winter

You live in TEXAS......Try colder climates. The OP lives in CANADA....There is just a tad bit of difference in winter climate from where YOU live to where HE lives. 2000 and 3000 gassers were notoriously cold natured tractors WHEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE REALLY COLD WEATHER.....

BTDT, lived with a cold natured 3000 for 34 years. Once you got it started, it had to sit and warm up for a while before it would move without dying if temps were in the 20's or lower. Below zero, it took a long time to warm up enough so that it was usable. Did so from the day it was new. (Temperamental carb.....) I bought it new so I'd have a "easy starting gas tractor" to feed with in the winter. As I said earlier, I usually ended up using my MF150 DIESEL because it ALWAYS started easier and was ready to go once started.

I had a 3400 gas loader/backhoe that was even more cold natured than the 3000

Don't get me wrong....I'm not saying a 2000/3000 gasser is a bad tractor. They're great little tractors. I'm simply trying to dispell the incorrect notion that gassers are easier starting than diesels in the cold winter climates. Simply NOT TRUE as a "broad strokes" general statement.

ky wonder · Aug 6, 2011

you want a deere and you know it,

it does not take much to pull a spreader, and if your current tractor is a newer cut, it will not pull a load as easily as some of the older classics

if you want a fun tractor that is reliable and easy to find parts for the early two cylinder deeres are all great canidates, in your price range

the gas enjines are reliable and easy starting in cold weather, where any older diesel will require electricity to keep them warm for cranking, in the winter , if they are not started with a gas pup or either

and the sound of an old johnny popper is just something that the 3-6 cyl. enjines can not compete with

anythong from a mt thru the 30 series have parts available from many , many vendors that want break the bank like buying the parts at the local deere store

then you could be farming to the rythm of a johhny popper song

i sold the 60 and the plows in the first video for $2500, to a local neihbor who uses it hard every day on a 250 acre vegtable farm, try hooking the cut to 3x14s and feel the difference in old 35 hp, versus new 35hp
‪1954 john deere 60‬‏ - YouTube

‪John Deere 530 Plowing‬‏ - YouTube

RichZ · Aug 6, 2011

As other posters have said, don't be afraid of an old gasser for your manure spreading. I have an old wooden PTO driven John Deere manure spreader that I pull with a 1951 Ferguson TO-20. I only use the Fergy for spreading manure and some brush hogging, so it gets very few hours of use a year. And it's so simple a non-mechanical person like me can do the occasionally neccessary repairs. Now my TO-20 is probably too small for your spreader, but the various old gassers mentioned will probably do you fine for the occasional use that you'll give it. And I live in upstate New York. My little Fergy has had no trouble starting in below zero temperatures, when I've occasionally gotten cabin fever and just decided to spread some manure on top of the snow. Don't ignore those Masey Fergusons that you mentioned, if my little Fergy (which is older than Masey Harris and Ferguson becoming one company) is any indication those Maseys should be pretty tough tractors that you may get for a pretty good price. I have nothing against Deeres, but every time I considered buying a vintage one, I felt I was paying a lot more for the green paint. So my vintage tractors became my Fergy and an Oliver 1550 (Oliver, the other green tractor) which was my main workhorse until I decided I was too old for plowing snow in an open cab in upstate NY winters and I bought a Kubota with a cab.

foreman Etexas · Aug 6, 2011

Im pretty sure he said my 34hp tractor.Guess he was wrong to its only a 29pto,so he would have a high 20s hp tractor that he pulls the manure spreader with.

Even tractorhouse is wrong cause they list there tractors by engine hp and not pto!!!

Will_C · Aug 6, 2011

In my area, you can find a fair JD 2010 or 2510 for that price range-easier if you would consder a gas engine. That sum will also get you a 420,430,520, or 530 JD in good condition. I think any of those tractors would pull your spreader as well or better than a L3400.

Other brands tend to be cheaper here. That money would buy a really nice Case 430 or 530, a D-12 or 14 AC, or a 30-50 hp International or MF.

Will

WilliamBos · Aug 6, 2011

canoetrpr said:
My primary tractor around the farm is a L3400 which generally serves me quite well

You are not that far from me, correct?? Have you been by Connect yet?? (DS Downham, the MF dealer by the Husky...) They are a group of 9 dealers working off of one inventory. Go see Shaune, he may have something at one of the other lots that may fit your needs nicely.

canoetrpr · Aug 6, 2011

Thats a heck of a small world I think. A couple of years ago we had a boarder at our place and she said her brother with the same name worked there. Is his last name Tearne?

I am quite close by to that dealership.

WilliamBos · Aug 6, 2011

canoetrpr said:
Thats a heck of a small world I think. A couple of years ago we had a boarder at our place and she said her brother with the same name worked there. Is his last name Tearne?

I am quite close by to that dealership.

Yupp, that'd be him. Great guy, we have bought both tractors from him. He is fair, and honest, great owners too. DS Downham has a great rep. I am by there every day.