tractor advise

Jason_Amanda · Oct 11, 2006

Hi we are new to TBN and need some advise on tractors we are buying a 12 and a 1/2 acre farm and the guy i'm buying it from has an old (not to sure on the year) belarus 250 AS (2 cylinder Air cooled diesel) for a tractor and this tractor comes with a good bush hog, a disk and a box blade he wants a $1000 for it all... its a nice setup and the tractor runs good but i dont think the tractor is big enough for what i want to do with it...the biggest chore i will have for it will be moving a roll of hay (about 2000lbs) twice a month then just bush hogging the grass...i dont think this tractor will lift the hay rolls so i am looking at Ford tractors something like an old 3000 or 4000 model nothing brand new or expensive just a good tractor...also what model would be up to this challenge in a john deere or a massey ferg.. ?? nothing huge but enough to do the job thanks Jason and Amanda

jeffghs · Oct 11, 2006

$1000 is not a bad price for all offered provided they are not completely beat to death. To me, 2000 lb bales seems heavy. I am used to ones around 1000-1200. Other things to consider if you are only doing this 1 to 2 times a month, is do you really need a tractor to handle this particular job? We load our bales on a flatbed, strap them down until they are home, then roll them off to a pallet to feed. Not something you want to do by yourself, but managable with 2 people.

A JD 2355 is a little older model that comes to mind to handle this, in my area there are many that are being sold by the county to get newer models now. A MF 255 is another that would work and are usually readily available.

jbrumberg · Oct 11, 2006

Jason_Amanda:

Welcome to TBN

! I worked a 12.5A property with a tractor

jbrumberg · Oct 11, 2006

Jason_Amanda:

Welcome to TBN

! I worked a 12.5A property with a tractor that was probably a lot smaller than the Belarus for 20+ years until I upgraded. If that old tractor worked for the property seller it will probably work for you until you and Amanda determine your priorities. Although I still "struggle" with asking for others' support I am learning that most rural folks look after their neighbors as I do look after them. Please provide the readership additional information in your profile/response so that we can provide appropriate feedback. Where is your location, is your property hilly, obstructed, what are your intended planned immediate use/need, short/long term plans, etc. I will warn you two in advance we at TBN are more than willing to spend your money

! Jay

Jason_Amanda · Oct 11, 2006

the flatbed idea is tempting but i will still need to move the rolls to get them in the pen (from the barn)..i am wanting to buy a few rolls at a time but i cant leave them on the trailer for a long period of time...2000 was just a heavy estimate...the Belarus worked good for the previous owner but he wasnt moving hay rolls so i dont have a clue if it will work...i read somewhere on the internet that the tractor had a lifting capacity of around 1400 lbs...i am located in Florida the new farm is about 45 minutes North from Panama City, property is flat with a couple of very small hills, just looking for a small farm with a couple cows, chickens maybe a pig or two and a big garden/ small field of crops (not sure on the size yet) been on a farm a few years back and i loved it...the property is pretty much wide open...i will post more later thanks for the help Jason and Amanda

john_bud · Oct 14, 2006

I would RUN AWAY from a Belarus tractor. I know of about 1/2 dozen people that bought them and every one has had nothing but trouble. Casting that had holes in them patched with bondo (from the factory), axles snapping due to junk steel being used, engines that lock up, parts that take months and months to get. $1000 sounds good, but it's only a bargain if it stays running. I'd be asking myself why so cheap when comparable HP tractors w implements are 4x the price.

Not for me. Naturally, the one in question may be a "golden child" and work perfectly, then again....

jb

Farmwithjunk · Oct 14, 2006

Jason_Amanda said:
Hi we are new to TBN and need some advise on tractors we are buying a 12 and a 1/2 acre farm and the guy i'm buying it from has an old (not to sure on the year) belarus 250 AS (2 cylinder Air cooled diesel) for a tractor and this tractor comes with a good bush hog, a disk and a box blade he wants a $1000 for it all... its a nice setup and the tractor runs good but i dont think the tractor is big enough for what i want to do with it...the biggest chore i will have for it will be moving a roll of hay (about 2000lbs) twice a month then just bush hogging the grass...i dont think this tractor will lift the hay rolls so i am looking at Ford tractors something like an old 3000 or 4000 model nothing brand new or expensive just a good tractor...also what model would be up to this challenge in a john deere or a massey ferg.. ?? nothing huge but enough to do the job thanks Jason and Amanda

Anything more than 15 or 20 years old is a case by case situation. There isn't one certain model or brand that will be the answer exclusively.

I'm a Massey fan, but also own a Ford and a Deere. So here goes my picks.

Massey; 135/150/165/175, 245/250/255/265/275

Ford 3000/4000 and later variants of these models

Deere 1530/2030, 2240/2440, and so on. Expect to pay LARGE $$$$$ for a Deere in a coparable size to MF or Ford of same size.

I've owned and farmed with all three brands. Deere makes a good tractor, but it's no better than the others. In some cases, Massey and Ford actually made a far better tractor (certain models) Don't get caught up in buying an image. You're looking for a quality USED TRACTOR, not a status symbol.

From your description, I'd tend to favor Massey 150/165 or 250/255 or Ford 4000/4600 they'll tote a round bale, handle a 6' to 7' bush hog, and have a good chance of being enough tractor to do what you need.

Jason_Amanda · Oct 14, 2006

Thanks for the replies as far as the price goes i know the guy really well and he is moving to a house with a 2 acre lot so he dont need the tractor and is giving me a good deal on it... he said all he has done is maintenance on it no problems otherwise..

Woodbeef · Oct 14, 2006

If the implements are in good shape,take the deal. Use the VTZ as a back up tractor. If you actually need a tractor to lift a one ton bale(must be baleage) look for an industrial tractor,or a mfd of 55 pto hp or larger.

Not really sure why you are using such large bales in the first place though,on a small property. Don't put out more hay then the animals can eat up in a few days,especially in wet seasons. Otherwise it can get ruined very quickly. Even in the heat of the summer,you want fresh hay ever couple of days if grass is in short supply. Why not use small squares,and feed new ones daily?