Utility tractors - questions

[Anonymous-0]

I'm in the market for a utility tractor to do some earth moving. I need to level out a pad for a new barn and I plan to take dirt away from my home's foundation to expose part of the basement and use that dirt for the barn pad. After that project, I'm sure I'll have other uses for the tractor as well.

My question is, what are some nice, mid-size utility tractors that would perform in this manner? I'm familiar with the Oliver 550 and International 340 & 350. What are some others to consider in this class in a Deere, MF, AC, etc.? I'm not looking for a showpiece, but I don't want a total basket case either. Any advice?
--Bill S.

 

[RobMD]

hmmm... are you looking for relatively cheap? I know you'll need the three point and a box scraper.

If so, the little red Massey Ferguson 35 or the newer 135 tractor... it would be a nice little tractor for that. you could get a 35 hp 3 cyl. perkins in it, wow what a nice tractor. Dad had a ferguson 230 which is a way newer model of the same tractor. You could ALSO get the 202 massey which is the heavier industrial version of the 35 if you wanted, with a loader. If you wanted a bigger massey, you could try finding a 65 with 51 horsepower. They run around 2-4 grand???

Fords are good, i like the 641, 671 or the 39 hp ford 2000 tractor. They have nice 3 pt. Probably the most economical you could get.

As you said, I'm also fond of the Oliver 550, however, I never could find one, so that went down the drain.

I am thinking a john deere 1020/1530/2030/2040 with powersteering and all the other good stuff would be the best tractor for ya, but they run about 6-8 grand.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You might want to go to an industrial tractor loader. A lot of times they are cheaper than the ag version. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

These utility tractors are not very good "dirt movers". Too light and not enough power for dirt that has been in place and packed in through the years. You'll save money by paying an excavator to do that for you. They will do a better job and have heavier equipment to pack your barn layout area. If you want to use a small utility tractor to do light grading that's another issue and they are capable of it.