Brush-hogging Tractor

[Joe Breshears]

Without enough tractor knowledge I'm beginning to shop for an inexpensive 3-point tractor to bushhog on Missouri hillsides. I had a JD 435, a great little tractor, but its rearend couldn't withstand my riding over bigger and bigger sprouts. I need a little heftier tractor with wide front end, and probably gas powered--to keep the purchase price down. Any ideas which older tractors might fill that bill? Joe

 

[old]

Well since you want a 3 point it brings the price up some. Any of the old N series fords would be ok. Or maybe something like a D-17 Allis a bit bigger but can be had with or with out 3 point. But most will still run around $2000 give or take $1000. So now where in Missouri are you. I might have something that would fit your bill and I'm also in Missouri
Hobby farm

 

[Anonymous-0]

It your hills are not too steep I would look for a 35 to 40 H P Ford , Massey, Or Case In late 60's or 70's. A 430 or 530 Case would do the job and probably could be bought cheaper than the others. The N series Fords are not much more than a lawn mower and might get you killed on hills that are much steep. I use a low profile 530 Case I got for 2000.00 that is a bushhogging little brute. It has 12 speeds so you can crawl along in thick stuff, and low profile which allows it to manauver on steep hillsides easily. With todays fuel prices you might think twice about a gas model though. It is amazing how much gas they can suck in. They can be bought much cheaper though so that might make up the differenc if you are not going to use it a lot.

 

[Texasmark]

One of my tractors was a "64 MF 35 (about 37 pto hp) with live pto and 6 speed tranny. Engine was a Perkins 3 cyl. Put that on a 5" rotary mower and you have one sweet mower setup.

Nice thing about the Perkie is the torque curve. At pto rpm"s the torque had actually dropped from a lower rpm. So when the going gets rough and the engine wants to lug, the torque increases and you pull right through it.

On mowing, when you hit a thick spot it doesn"t even flinch, just keeps a tuggin.

Mark

 

[Leland]

I always opeted to use an old 706 ,bacause I could set the front and back out nice and wide and I mowed some steep banks and ditchs and never had one wheel lift off the bank . And plenty of weights on the front and back help out al lot as well to keep it planted on the ground .

 

[Leland]

And make sure what ever you buy make sure it has A LIVE PTO so when you push the clutch down the mower does not continue to push you off the bank or thru a fence

 

[Joe Breshears]

Gents: Thanks for all your advice. I'll use these tractors as my shopping list.
old: I don't know the rules about putting a phone no. in a reply, but I'll do it and see what happens. I'm outside Lebanon, Mo. in Laclede county and my no. is 417-286-3286, best to call after 8. Thanks again, Joe B

 

[old]

Well if your that close to Lebanon then your less then 30 miles from me. I'm about 7 miles south of Camdenton. If it wasn't so late I would call you. Now then do you mean 8AM or 8PM. My web site has phone number and a map right to my farm
Hobby farm