Looking at a Ford 3910, need some advice please…

[Raise]

Hey fellas, I am new to the forum and also new to tractors. I recently bought a 45 acre farm in eastern Kentucky, i would say atleast 25 acres of it is rolling pastureland, with the rest being nice wooded bottoms and creek. Its a beautiful farm and we will probably start building on it sometime next year. In the meantime, I will need to keep the grass cut at least 2 maybe 3 times a year. I will end up using the tractor for much more down the road, but right now its just to keep the grass down until we start building. Moving forward, than driving a forklift for years, I dont really have much experience with heavy equipment. I found an 88/89 Ford 3910 4wd with somewhere around 5000 hours on it. It already has dual rear wheels on it, which will come in handy on my hills. It also comes with a Ford 7410 front end loader already on it. I have found a few 2wd tractors with duals as well for much less money, but I have been told by quite a few veteran farmers that I should not even consider a 2wd tractor if I have any slopes at all, which one of my hills has a pretty steep grade to it. Anyway, I have attached some photos below. Thw seller is asking $15k for it, and he may take a little less but not much less. The local tractor dealer said everything looks great and functions well, starts right up, loader works, 4wd works. The hours seem high to me, but again the tractor is close to 40 years old. What do you guys think about the hours, condition and price? I figured coming with the duals and the loader already gives it a few grand bump in value. Anyway, I appreciate all your help guys, especially being new to farming and looking forward to a much more simple life.

Just to add, i have 2 7.3 diesel trucks that I maintain myself, so im not new to diesels and I am a pretty decent mechanic. But i would like to know what an annual maintenance will cost in parts if you guys have any idea?

 

[Destroked 450]

Dual wheels, 4wd and a big azz loader on a 42 pto hp tractor, that’s going to be under powered, and a bit over priced in my opinion

 

[Welding man]

I cannot imagine what that tractor was used for. Must have spent it's life in a swamp or on some really muddy ground or the rear tires were used for extra ballast for the loader to pick up a lot more than it was designed for.

 

[showcrop]

5,000 hours on a tractor is equivalent to 250,000 miles on a truck. Those over sized dual tires, if used any amount have put a tremendous strain on the axles and bearings. They effectively lift the inner tires off the ground. I know that it is not the direction that you want to go in, but there could be a local hay producer who would love to cut it for you no charge, and lime and fertilize it as well.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a 3910 Series II that I bought at an estate sale with 900 hrs for $7k about 3 years ago. Been a good tractor with good amenities. I wouldn't buy the tractor in your photographs.

 

[Richard G.]

Hey fellas, I am new to the forum and also new to tractors. I recently bought a 45 acre farm in eastern Kentucky, i would say atleast 25 acres of it is rolling pastureland, with the rest being nice wooded bottoms and creek. Its a beautiful farm and we will probably start building on it sometime next year. In the meantime, I will need to keep the grass cut at least 2 maybe 3 times a year. I will end up using the tractor for much more down the road, but right now its just to keep the grass down until we start building. Moving forward, than driving a forklift for years, I dont really have much experience with heavy equipment. I found an 88/89 Ford 3910 4wd with somewhere around 5000 hours on it. It already has dual rear wheels on it, which will come in handy on my hills. It also comes with a Ford 7410 front end loader already on it. I have found a few 2wd tractors with duals as well for much less money, but I have been told by quite a few veteran farmers that I should not even consider a 2wd tractor if I have any slopes at all, which one of my hills has a pretty steep grade to it. Anyway, I have attached some photos below. Thw seller is asking $15k for it, and he may take a little less but not much less. The local tractor dealer said everything looks great and functions well, starts right up, loader works, 4wd works. The hours seem high to me, but again the tractor is close to 40 years old. What do you guys think about the hours, condition and price? I figured coming with the duals and the loader already gives it a few grand bump in value. Anyway, I appreciate all your help guys, especially being new to farming and looking forward to a much more simple life.

Just to add, i have 2 7.3 diesel trucks that I maintain myself, so im not new to diesels and I am a pretty decent mechanic. But i would like to know what an annual maintenance will cost in parts if you guys have any idea?

My son has a very nice 3910 that he paid about $4000 for.
Duals are too much for that style tractor.
And I would not want a loader on it.
It is a good little tractor.

 

[Ed Fulton]

5,000 hours on a tractor is equivalent to 250,000 miles on a truck. Those over sized dual tires, if used any amount have put a tremendous strain on the axles and bearings. They effectively lift the inner tires off the ground. I know that it is not the direction that you want to go in, but there could be a local hay producer who would love to cut it for you no charge, and lime and fertilize it as well.

Amen to that. Plus, the loader combined with duals and 4wd put a tremendous strain on the clutch

 

[wh]

Run forest, RUN!

 

[Steve in VA]

Hey fellas, I am new to the forum and also new to tractors. I recently bought a 45 acre farm in eastern Kentucky, i would say atleast 25 acres of it is rolling pastureland, with the rest being nice wooded bottoms and creek. Its a beautiful farm and we will probably start building on it sometime next year. In the meantime, I will need to keep the grass cut at least 2 maybe 3 times a year. I will end up using the tractor for much more down the road, but right now its just to keep the grass down until we start building. Moving forward, than driving a forklift for years, I dont really have much experience with heavy equipment. I found an 88/89 Ford 3910 4wd with somewhere around 5000 hours on it. It already has dual rear wheels on it, which will come in handy on my hills. It also comes with a Ford 7410 front end loader already on it. I have found a few 2wd tractors with duals as well for much less money, but I have been told by quite a few veteran farmers that I should not even consider a 2wd tractor if I have any slopes at all, which one of my hills has a pretty steep grade to it. Anyway, I have attached some photos below. Thw seller is asking $15k for it, and he may take a little less but not much less. The local tractor dealer said everything looks great and functions well, starts right up, loader works, 4wd works. The hours seem high to me, but again the tractor is close to 40 years old. What do you guys think about the hours, condition and price? I figured coming with the duals and the loader already gives it a few grand bump in value. Anyway, I appreciate all your help guys, especially being new to farming and looking forward to a much more simple life.

Just to add, i have 2 7.3 diesel trucks that I maintain myself, so im not new to diesels and I am a pretty decent mechanic. But i would like to know what an annual maintenance will cost in parts if you guys have any idea?

Reading the responses, it kinda looks like "NO". Listen to these guys.

 

[Destroked 450]

I have some steep hill side pastures on my central Ky farm but not as big as in eastern Ky
I don’t have a 4wd tractor but it would be nice at times. Rather than duals I spread the tire thread wide out wide for better stability and run liquid ballast in the tires for additional weight for stability and traction, a few additional wheel weights help even more. Any time your not using the loader take it off, even a empty loader reduces rear axle stability and traction along with raising the tractors center of gravity making it more susceptible to rollover, for this reason alone quick attach loader would be my only choice to have

 

[mhb@ufe]

Along with all the other things mentioned I would question how well it was maintained judging by the rust on the fuel filter.

 

[Check Break]

Fuel filters upside down. Injection pump replaced with one out of an industrial. Perhaps due to the innovative positioning of the fuel filters.

 

[Vito]

Good tractor but not setup like that. Mine was used for mowing the lawn. Before that it ran a Tedder on the farm a half mile away.

Vito

 

[a49deere]

6000$ tops. Those duels are going to make the nnalert end skate all over the place on wet grass (IMHO), less square inches of ground contact equal more LB's per square inch on rear tires meaning better grip. Looks like one of the duels isn't even the same size tire! I purchased a 3910 last fall with a quick attach 7209 loader and 2000 less hours last fall for less than half of that asking price. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Raise]

I have a 3910 Series II that I bought at an estate sale with 900 hrs for $7k about 3 years ago. Been a good tractor with good amenities. I wouldn't buy the tractor in your photographs.

Thank you for your input. May I ask why you wouldnt buy it?

 

[Raise]

I have some steep hill side pastures on my central Ky farm but not as big as in eastern Ky
I don’t have a 4wd tractor but it would be nice at times. Rather than duals I spread the tire thread wide out wide for better stability and run liquid ballast in the tires for additional weight for stability and traction, a few additional wheel weights help even more. Any time your not using the loader take it off, even a empty loader reduces rear axle stability and traction along with raising the tractors center of gravity making it more susceptible to rollover, for this reason alone quick attach loader would be my only choice to have

Thank you for the info. Do you mow your hillsides with the 2wd tractor? I was told that if youre mowing hills, you will need duals for mowing sideways so you dont tip over, and that you will need 4wd so that when you are going up or down hills, the front wheel drive will keep you from sliding and ending up in a free roll down the hill. If you mow your hills with the 2wd tractor, can you tell me what your secret is or give me some tips?

 

[a49deere]

If your hills are that steep that you think you need duals, I'd worry more about how I was going to stay in the seat!

 

[wh]

Your best item on steep hills is that area between your ears. Mow a couple steep areas here in north Alabama. The worst area gets a trip around the easier side and then go down the worst. Then round and down again. Do not go sideways on the worst. Tractor is set fairly wide. 2 wheel drive but it is a 90 hp. Use to use a 5600 ford with a 8 ft pull type mower. Never felt unstable. Now have a 15 ft batwing behind a caseih cx90.

 

[used red MN]

Along with all the other things mentioned I would question how well it was maintained judging by the rust on the fuel filter.

I don’t know if this says it has had better maintenance, but I don’t think that is rust, looks like fuel staining to me from the apparent fuel leak around the filter. Look how the lower filter cap is wet from leaking.

 

[Raise]

My first tractor, whether it ends up being this one or not, will mainly be used for mowing and tilling, at least for the first few years. If i ever need to get into needing a front end loader, i guess i can always upgrade. But i need to find a tractor soon so i can start keeping the grass down on the farm. I also have the oppotunity to buy this John Deere 2020. It already has duals on it, whether ill need them or not, not sure how many hours on it, and it is 2wd. The seller is the one whonsold me the farm and wants $5500 for it. He said it starts and runs good and everything works. Would this be a good choice for a first tractor that will mainly see mowing and tilling? I only have the one picture now