tight budget

[earthmaster1]

I would lean towards the mahindra, 4500 or 5500, they also have some 35 hp models too 3505 depending on what you are looking to do. I have a 4wd mahindra and have been pleased with it, the landtracs look pretty good too, i'm not shure about the 231 massey, i know some with a 240, 6yrs old, no live hydrauilics, have to have the clutch 1/2 way out for the loader to work. very out dated but maybe the have improved. Mahindra has excellent financing 0% for 3 years, not too bad 3 years for free, there rates should help keep you payments down.

 

[Justaplain]

If I were you, I would look long and hard for a USED compact, any thing with less than 1K hours will show it has been abused or not. Pay a mech $50 to go over it or thru it. Many are traded in because of the "Gotta get more HP" syndrome and are good machines and quite often with Equipment. 20-25 HP will do alot with 4WD. Go slow and enjoy the scenery!

 

[chim]

I got by for a few years after building the house with an old Cub LoBoy (4cyl. gas engine). It came with a MMM and front blade. One had to be removed to mount the other. That was an absolute PITA. With chains, it could push snow quite well, even though it was 2WD. Mine lacked a 3PH, so the possibilities were very limited. A good serviceable unit for under $2K.

Next I found a Ford 1210 (3 cyl diesel, built around 1984). I got it when it was 10 years old. With the 3PH and 4WD, I thought I was in Heaven. Figured there was no reason for a "civilian" to need a FEL, but did get a scoop. This is the tractor that sold me on RFM's. Made a boom pole and bought a single shank subsoiler. The subsoiler saw use loosening up dirt for the scoop and for hand-digging in 4" SCH40 PVC rain leaders. This was the smallest (16HP) Ford in the compact lineup, and lacked power steering. No biggie, that's for sissies, right? This little gem set me back $3K. Heck of a deal from a dealer who wanted to sell "real" tractors and saw this as a nuisance hanging around the shop.

While not having to make payments on these tractors, it was possible to save up for the current ride - B7500. With the Ford, I sometimes found it wanting just a few more horses. Better than 95% of the time, the Ford had the guts to do the job, but sometimes when dragging the 60" RFM uphill through thick grass with my somewhat oversized carcass on board, a couple / three more horses would have helped.

Enter the 21HP Kubota last Spring. The "unnecessary" FEL has come in so handy so often I wouldn't want to be without it. I swapped the turnbuckle sway bars for telescoping ones. Smart move. The Ford is still here. Kinda hate to see it go. It was great fun when we got a couple snows and #3 Son and I could be out plowing the neighborhood together. Guess as long as Wifey doesn't care, we'll have a pair of tractors.

It took almost 13 years to work my way up to the Kubota, so like the man said about the Tootsie pop, took a lotta licks. It could have happened sooner if I wanted to make payments, or didn't want to bank some money, or didn't want to give the kids a hand with college expenses, etc, etc. I certainly didn't take it lightly when I wrote the dealer a check for the Kubota. I knew from owning the other two it was more tractor than I needed for any tasks I have to do, and since I'm 53, it is most likely the last tractor I'd have to buy............chim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

tod35550: As others have pointed out, starting out with something affordable and working up is not a bad idea (Chim's et al post tells how he did it). PROBLEM WITH BEING IN DEBT, THE LENDER USUALLY EXPECTS YOU TO PAY IT BACK!!! For myself, my first tractor was a 1952 Farmall Super C which I bought for $1500. I spent another $1500 obtaining complete manuals, adding hydraulics to the rear, a HD Saginaw 3 point hitch, nose weights and brackets, etc. In the process learned a lot about tractors, what was important, and what was not. The Farmall would do everything you mentioned you needed. The PTO drove my Danuser post hole digger, plus the 3 point had down pressure as well as float. It had hydraulic "rock shaft" lift in the middle (for mid blade, mid mount mower etc), remotes out the back, was easy to work on, was easy to hand crank (which I had to do for a couple weeks while the starter was being redone) and a real education. The only reason I sold it was I needed a BH and FEL and the Farmall just wasn't up to that. Otherwise, I would have kept it forever and maybe done another restoration (it had been restored once before) to bring it up to new specs. Parts were readily available (as they are for old Fords, JDs and some others). I could have added a wide front end for $600 (an IH specialist in SE mo builds them). All in all it was both an education and a useful, inexpensive experience. I'm not suggesting you should go this route, just offering it as an alternative. If you are going to use your tractor to generate income, there's nothing wrong with borrowing capital, otherwise would urge you to STAY OUT OF DEBT though.
JEH

 

[Soundguy]

The long series is very reminiscent of the ford 3000, etc.. mostly because they bought the rights to those designs.. I like that look on a tractor. I test drov ethe mahindras, and like them.. the only thing that worries me about them is some models use an electronically engaged pto ( solenoid )... not sure how those hold up... machines sounded good though... very reminiscient of the MF's The MF's by themselves are good basic machines.. lacking some of the bells' and whistles of the other big '3'.. but that means more tractor for your dollar. Some of the smaller MF's are a tad bit light in weight.. which i believe a tractor needs good weight to make use of it's tractor.... For instance, MF has a 21 hp tractor that is small er / lighter than ford's tc18..... I just can't see getting all the 21 hp outta that smaller tractor if the tires spin because it is too light... but there are ways around that too.... agressive tires, wheel weights, front weights, etc.

Either of the three are probably gonna be good tractors.

One thing to keep in mind... don't overlook used tractors at your dealers lot.

I went in to buy a tc18 4wd and a mid mount mower and I wanted to stop at 10k or so... While there, I saw a 2.5 year old 1920 that was originally from that dealer. Had a new engine with 4 hours on the rebuild 720 on original meter.. got it for 200$ more than the new tc 18. Glad I did... I've put that extra 15hp to the test and have done much more than I could have done with the tc18. I'm now at the point where had i bought the tc18 the warranty would be out, and my 1920 has not had anything more than filters, a battery, and a leaky hose.... I'm certain i made the right decision... But I would have been hesitant to plunk down 9500$ for a used machine on the side of the road... at the dealership I felt a little better.... I got a few extras out of it.. free delivery and free instalation of a few goddies i bought at the dealer.. 1 being an older style cannopy that they discounted about 30% for me because it had been sitting around the warehouse for a few years and was dirty....

Soundguy

 

[Chipperman]

What part of the country are you from? Have you considered a Century tractor? The 2028 may be in your price range. I know you will find the quality is excellent and I think you may find the pricing is be better than the other tractors you are considering. I am somewhat bias because I am the new factory rep for Century. Check them out your self.
Chipperman