First tractor, could use some help

[BeefSupreme]

Hi all, been doing some research and trying to do my homework, but Im new to tractors altogether. We bought a 20 acre property and im looking for a small tractor I can use for maintenance (brush hogging, cutting small roads/ditches, moving downed limbs and debris etc.).

I dont mind having an old tractor, all my vehicles are older and I maintain them myself. Looking for under $3000

From a stats perspective, the AC D17 seems about perfect for me. There is one near me, but its LPG (how hard is it to convert to gas?)

There are also a couple of Ford 600/601s, MF 35/135s, WD45s, and Farmall Ms available. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[BeefSupreme]

Sorry @moderators meant to post in the "Tractor Talk" general chat. Please move this post if possible.

 

[centash]

MF 135 diesel would be your best bet of those you listed, in my opinion.

Ben

 

[BeefSupreme]

(quoted from post at 15:35:14 08/09/23) MF 135 diesel would be your best bet of those you listed, in my opinion.

Ben

Thanks, there is only one diesel near me, and it "has a little bit of blow by" according to the post. Not sure how bad that is on these, but generally not great on most diesels.

 

[4wdtom]

The D-17, a 45, or WD will give you live PTO power for brush hogging and all have plenty of power. Don't think Farmall has live power, don't know about the others.

 

[Jim.ME]

The MF 135 had 3 PTO options, transmission (push the clutch travel and PTO stop), live (two stage clutch pushes halfway down to stop travel PTO still runs, all the way down the PTO stops), and independent (has an internal hydraulic clutch, you don't use the foot clutch to engage or disengage it). you will want to check which one it has, live or independent are better than transmission. The 135 will have a three-point hitch, which will work with most newer implements of the proper category of hitch.

 

[hd6gtom]

Beef, I have been around all of these
tractors in my 70+ years and have operated
all of them you have mentioned. The D17
would give you the most power for your
buck. You would need to buy a fuel tank,
manifold with a carburetor. Those Should
be available at any salvage lot near you.
A lot of the cost depends on the condition
of the rear tires.

 

[BeefSupreme]

(quoted from post at 19:16:39 08/09/23) Beef, I have been around all of these
tractors in my 70+ years and have operated
all of them you have mentioned. The D17
would give you the most power for your
buck. You would need to buy a fuel tank,
manifold with a carburetor. Those Should
be available at any salvage lot near you.
A lot of the cost depends on the condition
of the rear tires.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking as well. I also believe there is a gas one being parted out nearby, might have everything I need in one shot. Are the hoods different?

 

[Bill(Wis)]

 

[Traditional Farmer]

I like AC tractors but for your needs I'd be looking for an Oliver 1365 or David Brown 990 or 885 all 3 have strong good running diesel motors,3pt,Live PTO,power steering.

 

[Bill(Wis)]

Today, a standard 3 point hitch is pretty much a necessity unless you will be using tow behind equipment exclusively. D17s , for the most part, came from the factory with
the Allis Chalmers style hitch which is not compatible with standard three point equipment. It was designed for the Allis attachments which can be hard to find nowadays. Allis hitches can be easily
converted to standard 3 pt for $$$. Or, perhaps the ones you're looking at already have it. In my 2nd picture below is a 3 point hitch.

 

[16-30 oilpull]

buy one already on gas. save alot of trouble

 

[1955]

That would be a hard decision. I love all you have listed, and I own an Allis, 2 Massey Ferguson's and a Ford.

Only thing I can say is the Allis engine will be very clean inside being a propane tractor. But the problem with the Allis, as other have said is you would have to buy a 3 point conversion for it to be able to run modern implements, which you will want seeing as how you want it for general property maintenance.

I love AC's but in this case my vote is for the Ford or either Massey.....whichever one is in best shape. Those models are perfect all-around tractors.

 

[DrAllis]

Find a series 4 D-17 gas as it may already have a factory 3 point hitch on it.

 

[BeefSupreme]

Thanks all, sounds like Im at least on the right track. There was an interesting one that popped up near me the other day, a 1963 Ford 400 Industrial with a front loader. Any opinions on that one? Its a bit out of my budget, but it looks like the owner took care of it.

Appreciate all the input!

 

[Leroy]

Any of the tractors before the D series would be out for me because my body
would not take setting in that seat position.

 

[dhermesc]

A D17 would be good - but I would look for a Series IV that already runs on gas as mentioned by another poster. The conversion process would get lengthy and adding a 3 point is additional cost.
Easier to start out with one than build the one you want/need.

While the D17 doesn't have IPTO, the hand clutch is an easy work around. It makes baling hay or running a brush hog much easier.


I would skip a Farmall M - unless it's a Super MTA its missing the two things all modern tractors have - independent PTO and hydraulics. On an M both stop when you press the clutch - making chores
a PIA. Move up to a 400/450 or a 300/350. The 300/350 is also very fuel efficient - the M/400/450 line up are a fuel hogs but have a very respectable amount of power for tractors of that age. The
400/450 and 300/350 have independent hydraulics but a small reserve and a low volume pump - not an ideal situation with a loader but OK with most single cylinder lift implements like a mower or a
small disc.


I am not overly familar with the Ford 600/601 but I do know that the PTO can be like the M's (push the clutch and it stops), a highbred version with a two-stage clutch that works pretty well and I
believe some were completely IPTO. Again - for most chores having some form of IPTO makes everything easier.

The MF 35/135s are pretty good but that size seems to command a premium price - especially compared to a series IV D17.

 

[dhermesc]

I wouldn't get hung up on diesel over gas with a lightly used tractor. Gas engines of that age are easy to keep running and the fuel difference is negligible when they are just being a chore tractor.
Winter starts for blading snow require some planning with a diesel and if repairs are needed diesels get very expensive very fast. When dealing with a 50+ year old equipment you will be making repairs.