[brokenarrow]

Well I have decided to paint up and repair the few things wrong with my old 8N Ford and send it down the road. On to larger pastures (so to speak). I need (or want) a little larger tractor with just a little more power.
I have been doing some research and asking alot of advice from others also. I think I am leaning toward an old "Oliver" Tractor.
I like the idea of live hydraulics? Maybe around a 550.
Anyone here have any comments or suggestions or even a favorite of their own? Here is a long shot, anyone know anyone with one for sale?
Thank you
Brokenarrow

 

[NATTY BUMPO]

There are several guys here that do use utility tractors for their food plots (and there are some REAL farmers here as well). My first answer is "it depends".

How much ground are we talking about? Hilly or flat? Sandy or full of rocks? Has it been farmed before?? Will it be used just for food plots or many other things as well? Will you be trailering the tractor? Just how good are you at repairing/maintaining old farm equipment? How much time do you have to do this? Oh yes, and whats your budget??

If you give us a better picture of yourself and your tractor needs, you'll get a better answer.

Natty B.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

Figure out what size tractor you can afford and then go one size bigger.

Things to consider:

Gas or diesel

Mine MF235 42hp diesel, sits out in the element and always starts.

It burns less than half the fuel that a gas tractor does plus fuel cost is less.

More power at lower rpm.

Higher initial cost. It should last much longer.

You should be able to pick up a diesel in the $5K-$6K range a gas tractor will be much less.

Another consideration is there a parts dealer close to where you live. You'll need that with a used tractor.

Oliver 550 is a good tractor.

 

[bishs]

The 8n has 27hp, thats a little light for plowing ect. I would recomend getting a Ford 800 series. I believe the 600 and 900 series are 42hp also. I have an 850. These tractors have the same parts as a 8n, but they have 42 hp. I picked up my tractor rebuilt, with a rear blade and some attachments for half the price of a new 4x4 Quad. Quads are good for the guy, who can't keep a tractor on his property. But there is no comparison to the work a tractor will do. Thes tractors are built like tanks, and "foodplot" work is hardly work for a tractor designed to work an entire farm. Even if a guy had "trailer" his tractor, it would be worth it.

I like the Old Fords and the Massey Fergusons, they both have hydraulics and three point hitches. There are over 400 implements you can buy for these tractors.

I use my tractor to plow, disc, broadcast seed and fertilizer. I also pull a corn/bean planter. I also use a 25 gallon quad sprayer on a bracket on the back to spray. I can raise and lower the sprayer. I also brushhog, and plow snow with it.

They also hold their value very well.

 

[Tomas]

I have bought three tractors in the last four years, upping the HP each time. I have hilly terrain and found out the hard way that brush hogs, etc. require a lot of hp when going up a steep grade. I feel 4 wheel drive is a MUST on hilly ground, or you are going to get hurt. I have hopefully ballhootted for the last time. I have an 80 hp John Deere 4X4 with a loader and wonder how I got by without it. Big toys for big boys..

 

[brokenarrow]

Thomas
Your tractor is my dream (for now). I have to buy a brand new skidsteer in the next 2-3 years (right now I work at Case Corp. and get a hell of a discount) so before I quit and move I need to buy a more realistic priced tractor (to stay married and still food plot LOL) Thank you for your input.

Bishs/ luv2hunt
You hit it on the head, I have a need for a tractor besides food plotting, I have 500 feet of drive way and 2 miles of trails to cut, a tractor can take the beating that an expensive 4x4 will only take for a while, if I had to transport though the wheeler would be an option but I am able to leave my equipment so the tractor is my plan. I own the 8N and have founf that it is too light for alot of the work I want it for. I am also looking into the fords 800 series, The 40+ horse power is the range I like and can aford. Would you have any suggestions for buying? Private ownership or dealers? Thank you also.

Natty Bumpo
I am sorry for the lack of information. I have been participating here for awhile now and thought most have read some of my posts which I have plenty of info on my place, was worried about repeating myself too many times but you are right so here is some background.
I own 160 acres very small hills in the food plots of which I have 1 very successfull 2 acre plot, I have anouther 2-3 acre plot going in this year which was last planted in 1990 so that will take alot of work, it is mostly grasses and rocks. I also have a 10 acre plot which is an old clover field and is flat but I only plan to put half in a winter wheat this fall the other half I am planning on putting back into forrest trees. I have a small house on site and I just built a decent sized garage for my impliments. The first pic is my food plot the second is of the 10 acre field. My land is mostly flat and it is a rocky heavy soil but does have around 4 inches of good topsoil if you get the rocks out of the way.

 

[mike hartges]

Brokenarrow, talk to the local farmers about aquiring a tractor. They can tell you when the farm auctions take place in your neck of the woods. Also, you could pick up a copy of the local farmers newspaper to check for auction dates. There should be a "farm equipment for sale" section in the farmers newspaper. Good luck.

 

[NATTY BUMPO]

brokenarrow,
Lots of guys are happy with the old 8ns and 9ns. A tractor in the 35-40 hp range should work just great for you. I'm on my fourth utility tractor (some guys are slow learners). Heres what I'd be looking for: 3 point hitch (Cat 1), live hydraulics and PTO, 4WD, wide front end, ag tires, and a FEL MADE FOR that model tractor. I've seen a lot of cobbled up FELs that dont work. We use that FEL more than any other implement. I personally would want a ROPS and seat belt for working in the woods. We've found a brush hog, box blade, fertilizer spreader and disc to be most useful.Lookin for a tiller right now.
You might check ebay for comparative pricing but I'd be real careful re buying a tractor there. Lots of skams lately. You might also check www.TractorByNet.com.
Good hunting.

Natty B.

 

[DuckMan]

One thing that I realized while out shopping for a tractor was buying used was going to cost me more up front because I didn't have the cash in the bank for the whole purchase. I would need to get a loan to get a decent used tractor and the interest rates were very high. Just for kicks I looked at new tractors and priced out a New Holland (I am a Ford employee and get the A-plan discount for New Hollands) and realized the payments were reasonable and I would have a brand new 3 cyl diesel that would outlast me. I didn't make a purchase yet as I need to get the pole barn up before I get the tractor, but I think I am leaning towards buying new. Everything I needed (tractor, blade, cultivator, front scoop, and bush hog) was just under $19K. It's like buying another car.

I grew up running around on 8N, 9N and Jubilees and it seems we were ALWAYS working on one of them. Great tractors that do a lot for their size, but I just don't have the time for wrenching on them.

Thoughts?


BTW: I'm not sure, but I think you may be able to get X-plan (non relative discounts) on New Hollands so if anyone wanted one, let me know.

 

[NATTY BUMPO]

Duckman,
I asked myself that same question when we moved up here four years ago. I needed a 4WD tractor to move/blow snow here in TC, help my bro cut firewood and do some food plots at his place as well as take care of our hunting acreage. I looked REAL HARD for six months all over the N Lower for a used tractor in real nice shape that had the features I needed - went to farm auctions. dealers, private ads, internet sites, etc etc. Anything that was in really nice shape was almost as expensive as buying new.So I ended up buying a Kubota L 3010 4WD equiped the way I wanted at 0% financing. It actually worked out cheaper that way than paying cash for some of the used tractors I looked at. Some of you might find just what you're looking for in a used machine - I hope you do. But I couldnt and am very happy I ended up going Orange. Good luck. BTW, right now is a great time to be looking at used tractors b/c nowbody's buying in January.

Natty B.

 

[DuckMan]

Natty,

Sounds like we did the same leg work. Besides, when you buy new you get a warranty.....used, well....ya takes yer chances.

Now if I can get the pole barn done, I can go get the tractor and start having some fun.

 

[NATTY BUMPO]

DuckMan,

Yeppers, build that pole barn first, you'll be glad you did - esp in January LOL

BTW, it was -15F here the other mornin. My tractor has an engine block heater. But still it was real cold in the barn. It started in about 2 seconds. Those modern diesels are great.

Also I wouldnt be afraid to buy either Blue (NH) or Green (JD). All make quality tractors which are very similar in features and price. For me, the dealer made the difference. But I havent had one minutes worth of trouble with that Kubota- cant say that for any other the previous three used tractors we had. In fact, the tractor parts stores knew me by my first name - Not a good thing! Good luck.

Natty B.

 

[Swamp Ghost]

So I ended up buying a Kubota L 3010 4WD

Great Tractor!

 

[Jeff Sturgis]

You don't need one this size, but I just love my Kubota L4610, 4cyl., 4x4, cab, etc..I've had the privelage of putting 280 hours on her and she's outperformed my expectations. I've complete several acres of land clearing and quite a bit of heavy lifting, but for pure foodplots, the L3010 is a great machine.

 

[brokenarrow]

I cant stand it when you all talk like you have been!!
My 99 silerado is paid for in May this year and will have $345 a month that I am used to paying out in a truck payment. I might just have to check out my discount again on a New Holland.
If you guys were going to get a new diesel ya think a 33 horse would do the job I am after? I believe it is a 4x4 also.
Listening to this kinda of talk actually will save me money in the long run. Yep, I think you all may be on to something, suppose I will check out what kind of payment I could get. I just need to keep telling myself that in 3 more short years I will own a tractor that should out last me! (Right?)

 

[DuckMan]

That's the way I figured it too. I hate buying things on credit, but it's the American way. If I lived at my means, my life would suck.

When you check out the New Hollands, ask them if you can get X-Plan discount from Ford. If you can, drop me a PM and I will hook you up. That is unless of course you work for Ford or have a family member who works for Ford....in that case you can get A-Plan discount which is better.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[NATTY BUMPO]

brokenarrow,
Well, I'm alreadys ready to help you guys spend yr money!
North Jeff has the Big Daddy of the Kubota Grand L series (L4610 - 50+hp??)If you had a lot of land clearing to do, HD loader work and box blade work, etc - thats what you'd want.
I needed something that I could trailer comfortably but big enough to do what I needed. The Kubota L3010 is 32 hp. I am sure that it will outlast me and is worth almost as much now as it was when I bot it new 4 yrs ago. How much work can a 33 hp tractor do??? A couple of recent examples.
One neighbor has a 1500' driveway across an open field. He blew out his PTO on his Wheel-Horse garden tractor trying to clear out a five foot drift in his drive. I get a call-Hey Natty. I have a 60" NH dual stage blower on the back of the Bota. That drift was higher than the fenders on the tractor but we had that drive cleared in pretty short order. Another neighbor is a snowplow guy- he has a nice new GMC HD all built up for plowing. He got stuck plowing down a hill to his shed. I get a call- Hey Natty. A tow strap to the drawbar and Art was back in business in short order.
So I guess my answer is that a 33hp diesel can do a lot of work. That TBN site given above has a ton of good info re this topic. Good luck tractor shopping.

Natty B.

 

[secondgear]

Are good. I have a B7100HSTD Kubota. New in 1995 530hrs. no problems. The seat is rough and torn up.Sometimes sits for a month to six,seven weeks always starts right up. Use some marvel oil or some stabil in the fuel to keep it fresh. And DO YOUR MAINTAINCE! Delo or Rotella -T 15W40 oil is my choice. Always let a diesel warm up when you fire her up! Before you work. Good luck with that new toy!

 

[Ogre]

Let me ask all of you a question. I am use to what I guess would be considered old time tractors. I have gone in and looked at John Deeres, New Hollands, and more. I don't understand the transmissions and shifts anymore. I'm use to first, second, and third and a throttle. What is a hydrostatic drive and can it stand up to farm field work loads? Question: can someone explain some of transmission options available today?

 

[brokenarrow]

Qgre
The hydro and the manual each have a place. The hydro if equiped should have a cruise controll which I feel would be really nice for seeding and long mowing jobs but the maunual has its place also. I suggest you test drive a few and ask alot of questions at the dealer tell em what you need it for and throw out any bull you may get from the seller and then decide.

I dont want anyone here to slap me too hard but I have some quotes on a few "new" New Hollands. I will list them and if you can please give me your best opinions, remember I work for Case/New Holland which is now called CNH.
1. NH TC29DA--4wd Ag tires
gear shift version--$12,553
hydrostatic --$13,653

2. NH TC33DA--4wd Ag tires
gear shift version --$13,053
hydrostatic --$14,153

3. NH TC40A--2wd, ag tires-- gear shift--$12,695
NH TC40A-- 4wd ag tires-- gear ****--$14,895
NH TC40A--4WD ag tires- hydrostatic$16,674

Now here is the twist going from 4WD to a 2WD tractor, I would really like some input on this from you guys

NH TN 55 tractor--2wd --AG tires $14,003 !!!!

Please give me your best opinions, I value them greatly for I hope this will be my last tractor purchase.
Snow (LOTS OF IT TOO) food plots, mowing trails, maybe doing a small amount of hay, moving loads of gravel for the drive along with dirt and rocks, brush hogging, and what ever else we use tractors for.
Which one should I buy??? Also I have my wifes blessings too!!!
Before I go I would like to thank you for talking me into spending the money and buying a new tractor instead of used. I dont like working on older tractors unless I have to and I hope this will last me the rest of my life, so thanks again maybe this time I will do the right thing and buy what I NEED instead of cutting corners and buying what will only just do (I always do that).