Thoroughly confused and discouraged.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

( I was mainly addressing a safety concern for ya by trying to use a small undersized garden tractor towing a 1200 lb. trailer which would be very dangerous… )

I guess I should have explained a little more. Not looking for much trailering of it, more just moving around a little bit. From one side of the driveway to the other kind of thing. Its all level and not a big deal there. I could do it by hand if need be. Just dont want to. And its a little tough getting the front tongue wheel to slide on a drit driveway. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I am a controls engineer. Electrical background.

Chances are I will go with a slightly older tractor. I really dont mind working on things, just dont want to spend my whole summer on it. I put a 454 and 1 ton drivetrain into my Blazer, dual transfer cases and all. Gettin' greasy is my hobby! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Spending... welll it started at $1500 for a garden tractor. Then after thinking more about what I want to use it for... it is climbing. I am hoping to keep it under $3500 including a finish mower.

Crazy to expect that... no. But, it will be tough to get what I want.

Thanks,
Ken H.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

( I think JM III has the best idea. You really need to prioritize and then look at what you need and want. If you're trying to do this on an all cash basis and your total available funds total around $5K, I sure wouldn't recommend spending it all on a tractor (or anything else for that matter). If your $1300 car drops a transmission then you have no way to get to work.

Sit down. Make a list. Prioritize things. Make up a budget and work from it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Well, my $1300 car is up to more like $2500 with the work I put into it. And if the trans were to go, I have my Suburban to drive, or my motorcycle. So, that is covered. And I could get a new trans in place in a weekend.

80's VWs are such wonderful cars to work on and get parts for. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The only reason I got the car was to save the wear and tear and gas on the Suburban. 454 Suburban... 7mpg. VW GTi... 30 mpg. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Again, I feel my priorities are in order. Thats why I am not spending $10k on a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks
Ken H.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

( Ken - What about a Farmall/International Cub?? Chuck )

My only question there is... Is a 3-point? I would really like to get one that is. Otherwide I have no problem with one. That is about my only request. I would like live PTO, I think thats the term. But, might not happen that way.

Thanks,
Ken H.

crown · Mar 17, 2003

They are certainly little work horses, my father-in-law used to have one until he inherited a larger JD he used his with a Woods belly mower to cut a 2400 foot grass runway.
It looked exactly like yours, I loved that tractor.

JohnMiller3 · Mar 17, 2003

I am hoping to keep it under $3500 including a finish mower... 

Ken, I think it's very doable... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Get your auctions lined up in your area and you'll be a proud owner of a nice rig for that money...

Maybe, leave your money home the first one or two auctions until you get a feel of what's out there... don't get so eager to drop the bucks upon the first bargain you see... (you'll find 20 more bargains with even more bells and whistles to replace that one.../forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)...a little patience on your end... will pay off big time...

jyoutz · Mar 18, 2003

If I had your needs and budget, I would buy a grey market tractor. You can get a good 20-25 HP 4x4 Yanmar with mower, boxblade and 3 PH dirt scoop for around $5K. (or very close to this price).

Anonymous Poster · Mar 18, 2003

( If I had your needs and budget, I would buy a grey market tractor. You can get a good 20-25 HP 4x4 Yanmar with mower, boxblade and 3 PH dirt scoop for around $5K. (or very close to this price). )

I'm not finding them for that price in my area. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Ken H.

dourobob · Mar 18, 2003

How about a mid 50's to early 60's Ferguson or MF - price is right, parts are plentiful, service is fairly straightforward. Has Harry Ferguson's 3PH and I think you would need to get into a Model 35 deluxe with two stage clutch for live PTO but it should be possible within your budget.
Here is one with a loader offered for $4K and another one without loader for $3K

I don't know either of these sellers - found them on the Yesterdays Tractors photo ads section.

Good luck - lots of fun in the searching!

Bob

Worksmart · Mar 18, 2003

Ken - A 3pt was not standard but retrofits are available. IH made a one point "fast hitch" available in the mid 50's. Alot easier (IMHO) to use than a 3pt system. One point implements are available but a little more work is required to obtain them.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Chuck

Soundguy · Mar 18, 2003

Live pto is a slightly newer option.. ( I believe you'll need to find a tractor in the 70' or newer for that.... Some of the JD's i know of had independent pto.. ).

Live Hyd's is easy though.. as far back as the ford jubilee you could get them.. possibly a live pto adaption as well.. but that was rare.

Generally on the newer units, live pto will also meany a hydro tranny.. though you will more easilly find 2 stage clutch on some older units. They can clutch the drivetrain and leave the pto in operation.

Soundguy