make/model recommendations

[Unadilla]

I'm looking for some make/model recommendations and advice on a first (and hopefully last) tractor for the homestead/farm we're establishing/reviving. As for the farm- upstate NY, hillside, 50 acres (1/3 woodlot, 2/3 pasture), though might double in the same proportions with an adjacent lot. We don't intend to do significant row-cropping or tilling. The things I'd like to be able to do with the tractor are mow/maintain the meadows, auger for fence posts, run a chipper/shredder, plow the driveway and snow removal, maybe run an emergency generator and maybe add a front loader for moving stuff around and to help in future building. I know my way around old cars and motorcycles, so I'm not afraid of mechanicals and maintenance, but prefer the simple to the complex. Of course budget is a concern (when is it not?), but we can get away without something for a while, so I have time to look around. I kind of like the idea of a diesel that could be converted to run on bio, but until a barn is built whatever we get would have to live outside and having spent some cold and miserable winter mornings years ago with a VW diesel I don't know how feasible that would be. Any info to help me make a short list of make/models & features to be looking for is much appreciated!

 

[Bob N.Y.]

Find yourself a nice Ford 5000, or subsequent model, or something comperable from another manufacturer.

 

[Bob N.Y.]

Find yourself a nice Ford 5000, or subsequent model, or something comparable from another manufacturer.

 

[Anonymous-0]

external_link might be helpful to compare models you seel for sale to Ford 5000

 

[souNdguy]

Ditto on the 5000 or 5600.. perhaps a 5610 etc.

The other related later models like 6600 / 6610 II/2

and 7000/7600/7610 II/s etc.



The 5000 will let you pull a 10' mower. It's not a huge tractor footprint wise.. but are real tough with a strong lift.

Soundguy

 

[Wayne in Tx]

I agree with all of the folks about the Ford 5000 - 5600 - 5610 can't beat them. If you can find a tractor about that size with FWA you will love it on the hills, mud and in the winter snow.

 

[Kirk Grau]

My tasks are similar to yours, but my acreage is smaller (15 acres - 2 yard/buildings, 13 pasture). I have a Ford 3600 with a loader and it is just about the perfect tractor for my purposes. I have a diesel and was worried about starting as well, but once I got the thermostart (as Ford calls it) working it will start at temps down to about 15 degF. Also installed a block heater, but have not used it yet. I also have a Ford 9N which usually stays hitched to the manure spreader. Anything like the 3600 and up as others have said would seem like a good fit to me. There are obviously other brands as well Massey Ferguson comes to mind as having some real nice utility type tractors that interested me when I was looking.

Hope you find something,

Kirk

 

[JDknut]

You are looking at the range 35 to 65 or 70 HP. Any one of these is fine:
low budget: Massey 135, Massey 150, Massey 165 (35, 40 and 50 Hp respectively), mid-60's and up Ford 4000 or 5000 (56.5 and 67 HP respectively, Deere 2020 (~50 HP). IH 424, 454, (~35 HP). If the budget is a little higher, you can add Deere 2430, 2440, 2640. If you plan to do a lot of loader work in the winter, MFWD is the way to go. I have a Deere 2350 MFWD with 55 PTO HP, and that is the ideal size, big enough to do serious work when you need it, yet still small enough to be handy. You could go older for collector intereest. Other makes are just as good-Oliver, Case, Allis, etc, but they might be harder to find or find parts for. just my $0.02.

 

[Finn Md]

You should be able to find a decent smaller "utility" tractor in the 45 - 55 hp range. Personally I like older Massey Fergusons (MF)and Fords, only because that's what we've used in our family. IH, Oliver and JD also made good old tractors. The MF 165 Diesel (52 hp pto) is built tough as nails and reliable. Like others have said the Ford 4000 and 5000 are real nice too. The good thing about the older Ford and MF tractors are they are easy to operate and maintain, manuverable, and parts are easy to get. Another good choice is a late 1970's MF 255 (52 hp pto) or MF 265 (61 hp pto), better hydraulics and wet disc brakes. Regardless of your choice you should get a diesel. Larger tractors > 75 hp can be found too but they are more difficult to use for mowing and manuevering about for chores. Most implements you see at TSC and other farm stores are for category 1 hitch systems, so a larger cat. 2 size tractor may not work as well using the more common new and used implements you'll be needing (rotary mower (bush hog), post hole auger,scraper blade, etc..

 

[Anonymous-0]

Get your self a Reconditioned AC D17 with a Loader and a 6' Rotary cutter and your needs are solved and you have a neat Tractor which is fully designed to do what you want. Easy to operate and will not break the bank for maintenance such as some Hydro and other types of Tractors employ and besides they are Pretty. Why else would "Yesterdays Tractor Co." use the Silhouette of an AC D Model Tractor as its Trademark. Look in the upper right cornor of this page and see what I mean."I like Ac."JC.

 

[RodinNS]

A Ford 3930 or 4630 with the 8x8 transmission would be my first choice. They're a nice flexible tractor to work with, have a good 3 point hitch, good hydraulic capacity, and are generally a strong tractor. There's nothing wrong with the 4000/5000, but they're old. The 3930 will outperform both in the hydrauilic department, so it's a lot more adventageous for loader work if you get one with FWD...
There's lots of other stuff out there that will do, but the 30 series Fords would be my pick of the lot.

Rod

 

[JBMac]

Opinions are like buttholes, we all have one. Here's mine (opinion): I'd vote for a Massey Ferguson 135 or 150 or 165, maybe the 150 or 165 for loader purposes. Great tractors, great dealers-usually, cheap parts. Go for the diesel, the only gas tractor I owned couldn't pull a greased string out of a cat's butt.

 

[Unadilla]

Thanks to all for the responses thus far- its giving me a good starting point as far as what to research and be on the lookout for. My leaning is definitely toward older (and smaller) models for budget reasons and because I"m more comfortable working on older machines- happen to think they look better, too, but looks aren"t an important factor in this. As far as those who are pro-diesel, why? Better low end torque? I like diesels, I just have this picture of being stuck on a cold snowy morning unable to get it started to plow myself out (it gets cold and can dump some serious snow, though less and less it seems, in upstate NY)! But if all I have to do is have another few cups of coffee and wait an hour with a block heater plugged in, I don"t mind that. Going through my priorities, the front loader isn"t high on the list, but I"ve heard several people say that is how they felt until they had one and ended up using it all of the time.

 

[JK-NY]

Everyone has given you good advice. I would start by saying get one with the following features-live hydraulics, 3 pt hitch, live or independant pto, power steering if you plan to do loader work. A utility tractor or small row crop tractor would suit your needs best. As others have stated , here are a few models in the 30 to 60 hp range -oldest first. Massey Ferguson -35,50,65,-135,150,165,175-235,245,255-231. Ford -600,800-601,801- 2000,3000,4000,5000-3600,4600,5600-3610,4610,5610,5900-3930,4630,5030. John Deere 1020,1520,1530,2630-2040,2240,2640-IH-300,350,404,424,464,574.Allis chalmers-D-15,D-17,160,170,175.If you are looking at newer tractors check out John Deere 5103,5203 or 5105,5205. I would try to buy something with dealer support reasonably close by and buy a fairly common tractor as parts are more readily avaliable. I have not listed any tracors with high "collector" value but tried to pick good working tractors.