New style tractor to replace WD45

[bradrising]

I"ve been using my families original 1950"s WD45 to operate a 5 ft bush hog,( really just heavy grass in our lanes around the farm) since my family purchased this tractor new and it runs like a charm, I would like to restore it and use another tractor to do the bush hogging with, that would have comparable horse power. Would appreciate any suggestions for a late model tractor that I could use that would have roughly the same horsepower ( 40-45hp) that I could use in it"s place, the WD45 works great, but sometimes the areas I cut get pretty tall 2-3ft, as I only get to my farm 3-4 times a summer to cut, and I don"t want to beat up this old gem before I restore it. The bush hog I use just pulls behind the tractor and has two rear wheels and attaches to the drawbar, so I don"t have to have a 3 point hitch.As Always , thanks for your thoughts and ideas, Brad

 

[John (MO)]

Why not just get another WD45? You won`t find anything else half as good for twice the price. Some WD`s will do the job too, lots have been upgraded to equal the hp of a WD45. If you really want something newer and want to spend more money, get a D17. If that isn`t new enough and expensive enough to suit you, get an 170.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you don't get another WD45 or other AC get a Ford 860/801/ or861, from personal experience, I can attest that a Ford 860 will "play a tune" with a 6' bush hog in tall grass.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I used to Bushog with a Massey Ferguson 165, Nice Utility Tractor and real handy with a loader on it, They were easy to get on and off of had plenty of power and sat lower to the ground than WD 45.
Nice little 3 plow tractor and had all the modern features like 3 point live hyd's shuttle shift good machine for the kind of work you would be using it for.

 

[RobMD]

Have two WD-45's. I'm very positive you can get one for less than 2400.

 

[Mark]

My philosophy is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If the old WD45 does a fine job, continue to use it. Whomever in the family bought it all those years ago, intended for it to be used and evidently has taken good care of it. Just keep doing the same thing....use it, but don't abuse it. You sure aren't going to hurt it mowing the lanes and fence rows. In the winter, take it in the shop and do whatever you feel needs to be done. WD45's are far from rare..so it's not like some super collectible. It was built to be used....keep it working.

If you want something more modern, most any 50 horse tractor built in the last 25 years will serve you well......I'm not color blind. Mine is green, but blue or red or orange ones are just as good. Find something with low hours..like a MF 245 or JD 830 or Ford 3930..anything in that class will be just fine.

 

[georgeky]

Worse thing to do with your tractor is to quit working it. Those old ones were built to work.

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

Fiat built Oliver 1365 at 55HP it will do anything the WD45 will do while burning less than 1/2 the fuel.I have several WD45s and they are good tractors but I'll take the 1365 any day to work with.

 

[bradrising]

Thanks to all for the suggestions/comments. Now I can have some idea of what to look for, all of your comments are greatly appreciated. Brad