Buying Advice Tractor for large garden

[Lecoq]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone have any suggestion about a tractor for a large garden? I'm currently looking to old Farmall (Cub, Super A, Super C, ...) but I would like to know if other manufacturer (like John Deere) did something close to the Farmalls with the implements.

Just interested to see the big picture.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Be safe.

Lecoq

 

[MtHam]

How big is a "large garden?" Is there not anything else you might use a tractor for?

 

[houstonscott]

Try a nice rebuilt Yanmar. Perfect for a large garden, what they were designed for...Check out RCO in Austin Tx.

HS

 

[flusher]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone have any suggestion about a tractor for a large garden? I'm currently looking to old Farmall (Cub, Super A, Super C, ...) but I would like to know if other manufacturer (like John Deere) did something close to the Farmalls with the implements.

Just interested to see the big picture.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Be safe.

Lecoq

Check out the Allis Chalmers G--pricy but a real nice setup for large row crow gardening. Some also come with implements.

Yesterday's Tractors - Tractor Profile: Allis-Chalmers Model G

I'd say they're at least twice the price of a comparable Farmall Cub (my Cub cost $1100. My Farmall Super A cost $1300 with a 6-ft sicklebar mower, 3pt hitch, 5-ft rear blade). AC Gs are more collector's items (hence the high price)--Cubs are more for day-to-day work.

Soundguy has a G--talk to him about his experience.

 

[crankshaft21]

It depends on what part of the country u r in. Here in Mississippi, I would go for a Massey 135, 230, 231S, 235. Ford 2000,3000, 2600,3600,3610. Do you want new or used. These are all older tractors, but very dependable. I would look for desiels also. These are plentiful where I live. Also, all that i mention are row crop tractors. Great for gardens.

 

[bp fick]

Grew up on a "truck farm" as they were called back then. Still do it today. Back then we ran a Massey Harris, pictured below. Like the FarmAlls and other tractors of the era, they were wonders and still out perform most modern tractors for the specific tasks they were intended. Frankly, a modern tractor is somewhat a bore compared to them.

Cultivating while looking forward, past your feet. What a beautiful thing. Ours had PTO on the rear, work lights front and rear, full hydraulics. It was an outstanding professional gardening machine.

The thing is that the tractor by itself would be of limited value without the plow, the disk, cultivators, and other implements specifically designed for the machine. Some things like harrows (drags) are pretty universal, but the specialized implements is what made those tractors so darn valuable.

Today, I use a Kubota. It is nice. Easy on fuel and has a front end loader, something unheard of in the 1950's for those old iron mules. It works well, but it is no Massey and no FarmAll. Just ain't.

 

[Lecoq]

Hi all,

Thanks for the information. I should have specified that I'm from Quebec.

The use of this tractor would only be for the garden. I already have a JD 3038e and a Kubota BX2350 so no need for FEL. I think that the JD is way to big and the Kubota does not have enough ground clearance. And most of all, I have to convince my girlfriend that I NEED another tractor, especillay an older one :drool:

As I'm browsing the classifieds around here, the choice is quite limited as if these kind of tractors were not popular here at the time.

Be safe.

Lecoq

 

[ArtMech]

And most of all, I have to convince my girlfriend that I NEED another tractor, ...

My wife asks me to buy a small tractor to run around the garden for her. Make your girlfriend to do the same.

 

[PapaPerk]

What about an 8N or Jubilee Ford? They are cheap to buy and very handy! :thumbsup:

 

[Verticaltrx]

Hi all,

Thanks for the information. I should have specified that I'm from Quebec.

The use of this tractor would only be for the garden. I already have a JD 3038e and a Kubota BX2350 so no need for FEL. I think that the JD is way to big and the Kubota does not have enough ground clearance. And most of all, I have to convince my girlfriend that I NEED another tractor, especillay an older one :drool:

As I'm browsing the classifieds around here, the choice is quite limited as if these kind of tractors were not popular here at the time.

Be safe.

Lecoq

If you are looking for new I'd go with a B2320 narrow. Used there are many options but the B6100-B7100 Kubota's were very popular for that type of work in thier day (most any B-series really). The smaller end of the John Deere Compacts would also work just as well. Something along the lines of a 650, 655, 670, or 750, 755, 770, etc depending on how big you want. Any of the aforementioned tractors would have to use a rear mount cultivator, but would also run a tiller, which is something the Farmalls, etc would not do.

As far as tractors that are mostly only for cultivating, JD did make one in the late 80's called the 900HC. It was about the size of a Farmall cub or 140, and offset like one as well.

 

[Pete Judd]

I second the small Yanmar, great tractors, and there should be some in your area in Canada. Most where designed for Jap farms less than 5 acres, and are simple to work on. The fuel econ, is great as well, and Yanmar built a lot of the JD CUT, and SCUT tractors from the early 80's until not.

 

[Lecoq]

My wife asks me to buy a small tractor to run around the garden for her. Make your girlfriend to do the same.

hmmmm...interesting suggestion...I'm listening, I'm listening :laughing:

I don't really know much about Yanmar except that they make some engines for JD. I'll take a look.

Thanks,

Be safe,

Lecoq

 

[Lecoq]

If you are looking for new I'd go with a B2320 narrow. Used there are many options but the B6100-B7100 Kubota's were very popular for that type of work in thier day (most any B-series really). The smaller end of the John Deere Compacts would also work just as well. Something along the lines of a 650, 655, 670, or 750, 755, 770, etc depending on how big you want. Any of the aforementioned tractors would have to use a rear mount cultivator, but would also run a tiller, which is something the Farmalls, etc would not do.

As far as tractors that are mostly only for cultivating, JD did make one in the late 80's called the 900HC. It was about the size of a Farmall cub or 140, and offset like one as well.

900HC : Never saw these before...I'll look around for sure but I'm afraid of the price tag.

As for the other models that you mentioned, is the ground clearance high enough? Are they about the same size as my BX?

Thanks.

Be safe,

Lecoq

 

[Lecoq]

What about an 8N or Jubilee Ford? They are cheap to buy and very handy! :thumbsup:

I have an eye on an 8N but not for the garden...Don't know much about the Jubilee though...

 

[oldmech]

Hi! How large your futur garden. If one acre or less The best is a two-wheels tractor. Because you can go between rows for control weeds in high crops as corn tomato raspberry blueberry etc.. I have a Grillo 107d. At spring I use home made tool rear the tiller. I till make small hill and the row in one operation. This is the best more heat for germination for bean corn. Walk behind tractor are good for health. Need less space for turn . Less compaction . Need less fuel. Good luck! Oldmech

 

[ArtMech]

hmmmm...interesting suggestion...I'm listening, I'm listening :laughing:

Oh, it's very easy.

Ask your girlfriend to help you to do something in the field while driving a tractor. She will scream: No, no, no, I can't, I have never been driving a tractor!?". Explain her with patience, it's very simple and at the same time even attractive - no traffic lights, no traffic jams, no precise turns to the left or to the right, no nervous situations, no bad emotions, no policeman round the corner ... See she will finally agree. Take a camera, make some photos of her on a tractor. Later show her these pics - you'll both have some fun of it. Show these photos also to the friends and neighbours. They'll be amazed telling your girlfriend: "Oh my ... you can do it?!".
And then explain her you may look for the special kind of tractor she might like most of all. Maybe antique (according to your idea which), or better you both decide together. Show pics from TBN, videos from YouTube or from wherever.
And then you will see, she will really help you instead of telling you strictly "no"
(This my post contains some dose of humor, sure you have realized that accordingly)

But, on the other hand it's a real story with me and my wife. I had no problem to select a tractor(s), she completely relys on me in that business. Just now, when we've sold one tractor, she independently asks for another for her.

Look at the pics below (sorry for quality). Would you say my wife is unhappy of something?

 

[Lecoq]

Oh, it's very easy.

Ask your girlfriend to help you to do something in the field while driving a tractor. She will scream: No, no, no, I can't, I have never been driving a tractor!?". Explain her with patience, it's very simple and at the same time even attractive - no traffic lights, no traffic jams, no precise turns to the left or to the right, no nervous situations, no bad emotions, no policeman round the corner ... See she will finally agree. Take a camera, make some photos of her on a tractor. Later show her these pics - you'll both have some fun of it. Show these photos also to the friends and neighbours. They'll be amazed telling your girlfriend: "Oh my ... you can do it?!".
And then explain her you may look for the special kind of tractor she might like most of all. Maybe antique (according to your idea which), or better you both decide together. Show pics from TBN, videos from YouTube or from wherever.
And then you will see, she will really help you instead of telling you strictly "no"
(This my post contains some dose of humor, sure you have realized that accordingly)

But, on the other hand it's a real story with me and my wife. I had no problem to select a tractor(s), she completely relys on me in that business. Just now, when we've sold one tractor, she independently asks for another for her.

Look at the pics below (sorry for quality). Would you say my wife is unhappy of something?

HAHAHAHAH!!! Great advice, Thanks!

 

[KU Gator]

Have you considered selling your BX or trading it for a small B such as the B2620 which would give you higher ground clearance yet do things you are now doing with the BX?

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Hi all,

Thanks for the information. I should have specified that I'm from Quebec.

The use of this tractor would only be for the garden. I already have a JD 3038e and a Kubota BX2350 so no need for FEL. I think that the JD is way to big and the Kubota does not have enough ground clearance. And most of all, I have to convince my girlfriend that I NEED another tractor, especillay an older one :drool:

As I'm browsing the classifieds around here, the choice is quite limited as if these kind of tractors were not popular here at the time.

Be safe.

Lecoq

There are a few 1980's 4WD Bolens/Iseki diesels available on Kijiji in Eastern Ontario. At 15-17 hp, they're 41" wide and turn short. No live PTO, so I wouldn't recommend one for use on a snow blower, but my G174 is very handy around the property.

 

[Verticaltrx]

900HC : Never saw these before...I'll look around for sure but I'm afraid of the price tag.

As for the other models that you mentioned, is the ground clearance high enough? Are they about the same size as my BX?

Thanks.

Be safe,

Lecoq

The Kubota's I mentioned are roughly the same size as your BX, but have larger tires and much more ground clearance. They also have adjustable width rear axles for different row widths.