Newbie tractor purchase

[RickV74]

Hi All, thanks for having me! I am at a crossroads on a tractor purchase and am looking obviously for some assistance from the pros. I currently have a 30Hp utility that does all I need it to do, but my "old" man heart needs a new project, I am looking for an older tractor that I can cruise the country roads with, plow about a 1 acre garden with, put a scraper blade on a move snow on a 1/4" mile drive with, and bush hog about 3 acres with. Mostly just a "relaxation" tractor. I am mechanically inclined, so I'm not really worried about breakdowns and don't mind tinkering. Thought about maybe an 8N, and I am not brand dependant. I have a budget between 2k and 4k. Love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks, Rick

 

[wjytexas]

MF 35 or 50. The main selling point is the 2 stage clutch. Simple to work on, parts are readily available.

 

[dairyman]

Hi All, thanks for having me! I am at a crossroads on a tractor purchase and am looking obviously for some assistance from the pros. I currently have a 30Hp utility that does all I need it to do, but my "old" man heart needs a new project, I am looking for an older tractor that I can cruise the country roads with, plow about a 1 acre garden with, put a scraper blade on a move snow on a 1/4" mile drive with, and bush hog about 3 acres with. Mostly just a "relaxation" tractor. I am mechanically inclined, so I'm not really worried about breakdowns and don't mind tinkering. Thought about maybe an 8N, and I am not brand dependant. I have a budget between 2k and 4k. Love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks, Rick

I’ll add the Massey Ferguson 135.

 

[Tgrasher]

The Case 300 is the tractor you describe, they are so good I have three of them. Power for a 2-16 plow, 6 foot disc, and a 5 ft bush hog. They have 12 speeds forward and three reverses, with road speed up to 22 mph. In addition to the foot clutch, it has a hand clutch witch makes it have live PTO, important for a bush hogging.The three point has the Eagle hitch which works like a quick hitch and allows you to hook up the lift arms while on the tractor. The hydraulics stay where you set them and can be incrementaly moved with out creeping. For your price range you can find a restored one that is top notch.

 

[kenbob]

I have a 300 also and it does all you need. Mine is a bit noisy, probably due to old age. If money were no object I would get an oliver super 55 or 550. Not as fast or as slow as the Case, but very quiet to operate. If you are thinking ford, I believe a newer unit, like the 600 series would be a better choice than the 8n if you got one with live power and the 5 speed. I have a 2000 3cyl Ford. It is a very good tractor, but no live power and it is also a bit noisy but in most cases cheaper than the Oliver. I like the looks of an IH 424 and specs seem to say it is similar, but I have no experience with them.

 

[Smalltowner]

The Case 300 is the tractor you describe, they are so good I have three of them. Power for a 2-16 plow, 6 foot disc, and a 5 ft bush hog. They have 12 speeds forward and three reverses, with road speed up to 22 mph. In addition to the foot clutch, it has a hand clutch witch makes it have live PTO, important for a bush hogging.The three point has the Eagle hitch which works like a quick hitch and allows you to hook up the lift arms while on the tractor. The hydraulics stay where you set them and can be incrementaly moved with out creeping. For your price range you can find a restored one that is top notch.View attachment 89963

Good luck to the newbie finding a 300.
Tractor Data says less than 300 ever built. I’ve got a picture of one in my shop and nobody so far has ever seen one at a show or anywhere in or around Texas. You should send Tractor Data your pic because the only one they show is not very flattering. I would love to have one just because it’s rare.

Walt

 

[kenbob]

Good luck to the newbie finding a 300.
Tractor Data says less than 300 ever built. I’ve got a picture of one in my shop and nobody so far has ever seen one at a show or anywhere in or around Texas. You should send Tractor Data your pic because the only one they show is not very flattering. I would love to have one just because it’s rare.

Walt

Actually It should be called the 300 series. The 300 was the industrial version and yes 300 made. The 311 was the ag version and 3000 of those made i think. There are no 311 decals. All are 300. Then there was the 311b, same tractor different sheet metal,

 

[kenbob]

Actually It should be called the 300 series. The 300 was the industrial version and yes 300 made. The 311 was the ag version and 3000 of those made i think. There are no 311 decals. All are 300. Then there was the 311b, same tractor different sheet metal,

Amending my own post. There were about 8900 311s made. and the 300 was really called the utility model, there was an industrial version and it is even more heavy built than the utility.

 

[GChief]

Amending my own post. There were about 8900 311s made. and the 300 was really called the utility model, there was an industrial version and it is even more heavy built than the utility.

You can edit your previous post instead of doing a whole new one

 

[DRussell]

Hi All, thanks for having me! I am at a crossroads on a tractor purchase and am looking obviously for some assistance from the pros. I currently have a 30Hp utility that does all I need it to do, but my "old" man heart needs a new project, I am looking for an older tractor that I can cruise the country roads with, plow about a 1 acre garden with, put a scraper blade on a move snow on a 1/4" mile drive with, and bush hog about 3 acres with. Mostly just a "relaxation" tractor. I am mechanically inclined, so I'm not really worried about breakdowns and don't mind tinkering. Thought about maybe an 8N, and I am not brand dependant. I have a budget between 2k and 4k. Love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks, Rick

Stay away from any of the N series Fords as they don't have live hydraulics or live PTO. They were fine tractors in their day, but you'll be a lot happier with live PTO and hydraulics. Get something with at least a 2 stage clutch if you can't find one with live PTO.

Several good options have been mentioned already. Any of the later Fords, MF, Oliver 550/Super 55, Case etc that were mentioned would do fine for the jobs you have indicated.

 

[Smalltowner]

Actually It should be called the 300 series. The 300 was the industrial version and yes 300 made. The 311 was the ag version and 3000 of those made i think. There are no 311 decals. All are 300. Then there was the 311b, same tractor different sheet metal,

This is the only picture of one that I have, Hanging in my shop. Like I said of all my visitors who look at that picture, nobody has ever seen one. Of course Case dealerships were few and far between in North Central Texas.

 

[Bob NY]

MF 35 or 50. The main selling point is the 2 stage clutch. Simple to work on, parts are readily available.

Not all 35s or 135s have the 2 stage clutch.

 

[Case/Chev]

I have had several Case 300 models in narrow frt and wide frt and an industrial version. As others have said, they are really really handy and versatile. Also, the newer Case 430 and 530 are even better. With some luck you can find one with new style power steering. I have done everything you want to do and more with the Case models I have described. I currently have a 1968 530 with loader. I have a 1967 530 as a "spare", but I am probably going to put it up for sale pretty soon. Good luck in your search and have fun.

 

[Steven Allen]

No tractor I own has a live PTO or live hydraulics, and they all do what I need them to.

 

[Blackhole49]

Hi All, thanks for having me! I am at a crossroads on a tractor purchase and am looking obviously for some assistance from the pros. I currently have a 30Hp utility that does all I need it to do, but my "old" man heart needs a new project, I am looking for an older tractor that I can cruise the country roads with, plow about a 1 acre garden with, put a scraper blade on a move snow on a 1/4" mile drive with, and bush hog about 3 acres with. Mostly just a "relaxation" tractor. I am mechanically inclined, so I'm not really worried about breakdowns and don't mind tinkering. Thought about maybe an 8N, and I am not brand dependant. I have a budget between 2k and 4k. Love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks, Rick

You don't say what you currently have, but I would recommend a 600 or 800 series Ford.

 

[kenbob]

Regarding the Case 300-311-311b and not often listed as an attribute:. My dad never wanted wide front tractors because they didn't turn short enough. He didn't know of Case I guess. I have a Ford 2000 and the Case 300 with no power steering on either. The 300 is the easiest steering tractor I own. The way the front end is set up with the tie rods in front of the axle, I can turn the wheels almost a full 90 degrees. Standing on the ground next to the tractor, I can turn the steering wheel with one hand/arm using the steering wheel spinner. Ford is not even close and steers much harder. Part of the Case thing is it has lots of turns lock to lock, so not as much armstrong needed. Something to keep in mind if you are having to make lots of turns or if you are not buying a tractor with power steering.

 

[Leroy]

This is the only picture of one that I have, Hanging in my shop. Like I said of all my visitors who look at that picture, nobody has ever seen one. Of course Case dealerships were few and far between in North Central Texas.

Almost non existant here in Ohio

 

[Leroy]

This is the only picture of one that I have, Hanging in my shop. Like I said of all my visitors who look at that picture, nobody has ever seen one. Of course Case dealerships were few and far between in North Central Texas.

Almost non existant here in Ohio

 

[Leroy]

Almost non existant here in Ohio

I am 81 now and never knew of any Case dealers untill long after Case was no longer. Then I head of a few no longer in extiance dealers. And as I was growing up if you heard the name case that part was preceded by the word basket.

 

[GChief]

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