Tractor Fever...

[Deberosa]

I miss my tractor! The way things turned out I might have been able to hang onto it in this big life change, but it was too late.

So.... I've been casting about for a new (or at least new to me) tractor!

DM pointed out in another post that I may have learned things I would change, but I can't think of what. I got exactly what I wanted last time. BUt I was thinking about alternatives.

Most of the used tractors around here don't seem to have loaders or PTO's so I've been wondering what they are used for.. Seems a loader is vital, but maybe not... Seemed to me a Tiller was vital too, but maybe a plow and disc are good enough to get large fields prepared...

Farmall's are by far the most numerous around here but I don't know much about them.

Would you all get a tractor with no loader and no PTO, just the 3 point hitch? Or are they meant to be "second" tractors?

[Boris859]

I have a Farmall H,seems to do most everything I want quite well,although they dont come with a 3 pt hitch there is a conversion available,there is one for sale by me right with the conversion for under 2,000$,the Farmall is a reliable ez to service tractor and a real bargain for the money,plus you can probably come up with a loader for one also,although only a manure bucket is really all it can handle,but even the Farmall H's have a PTO,the Farmall H,or M are your best bargains,but the super H,super M,the C's Etc etc are also good buys,I would avoid a cub though,about all they are good for is pulling trailers or using that belly mower attachment they got,but not any good for pulling plows ot drags and such.enjoy your search,hope you find something that will work for ya,

ps don't forget to check out the Allis Chalmers tractors,they are kinda along the same line as the Farmalls

[WRTN]

A couple of great compact tractors that are pretty much bullet proof are the Kubota L245DT or L345DT and the John Deere 790 MFWD.

Aside from that, I would recommend diesel, 4WD is a MUST on a CUT, front end loader, and you can add impliments like a rotary cutter, pto tiller, and PHD later on.

Try looking around on Tractor House:

http://www.tractorhouse.com

Other similar models such as the L295 or John Deere 955 or 950 are a good choice as well.

Some other good choices in the under 40 hp. class are Mahindra, Kioti, and Yanmar.

[DM]

Deb, you've now had a "modern" tractor, and any of the older tractors will soon feel like junk to you now!

Don't buy a tractor "without" a PTO, 3 point hitch, live power, or power steering! And, don't buy anything smaller than you already had!

DM

[AlchemyAcres]

Deb, you've now had a "modern" tractor, and any of the older tractors will soon feel like junk to you now!

Don't buy a tractor "without" a PTO, 3 point hitch, live power, or power steering! And, don't buy anything smaller than you already had!

DM

And I wouldn't buy anything other than a diesel.

If I were in your position I'd look for a Ford 1000 or maybe a 2000 diesel.
They have live PTO, power steering, live hydraulics and 3-point hitch.

My Dad sold a 1000 a couple years ago with a loader for $3,500.


~Martin

[Deberosa]

Well, yes definitely Diesel. I was wondering about 4WD. I sure would like a loader because that's 90 percent of what I used my "old" one for. It was a Mahindra and it was a great tractor. Probably more than I needed for Deberosa I but would have been just right for Deberosa II.

I need to prepare a couple of acres of field now for growing corn, grain, hay, and a huge garden. The tiller I had was great for that.

I'll check out the Fords - if I can find one in PA maybe bring it down here on a trip to see the family... THey sure like their Kubotas and John Deeres around here - can't touch a used one for under 10,000 with no attachements! I do know my Mahindra was heavier than them.

I'll keep looking, they may get cheaper in the winter. Have to sort out getting this place heated this winter first anyhow.

[DM]

Well, yes definitely Diesel. I was wondering about 4WD. I sure would like a loader because that's 90 percent of what I used my "old" one for. It was a Mahindra and it was a great tractor. Probably more than I needed for Deberosa I but would have been just right for Deberosa II.

I need to prepare a couple of acres of field now for growing corn, grain, hay, and a huge garden. The tiller I had was great for that.

I'll check out the Fords - if I can find one in PA maybe bring it down here on a trip to see the family... THey sure like their Kubotas and John Deeres around here - can't touch a used one for under 10,000 with no attachements! I do know my Mahindra was heavier than them.

I'll keep looking, they may get cheaper in the winter. Have to sort out getting this place heated this winter first anyhow.

IF your going to have a loader, then get the MFWD, cause you will always wish you did, if you don't.

Those Deere's in the 790 class, are all Yanmars, (not that that's necessairly a bad thing) and those two Kubota's mentioned are now old enough that some parts are hard or impossible to get new, for them. I know a guy that was looking for a ring and pinnion for one, and the price would have been over $1,000.00 IF he couldn't have got one from Kubota, but Kubota didn't have them anymore. Last i heard, he was searching junk yards on line for the parts...

Personally, i think you should save your money, and buy what you had over again.

DM

[Anon001]

Debbie,

If 90% of the use of the old tractor was with the loader, then I think I would want a loader, if I were you. lol... definitely a PTO. You may not use it now, but if you don't get one, then you'll probably find a reason why you should have. lol.

One example is a little 3 point grass seeder that is PTO. It is great for small farm/homestead use, but needs a PTO.

[WRTN]

Personally, i think you should save your money, and buy what you had over again.DM

I whole hearted agree with that. I was under the impression that with the move, and house purchase Deb was wanting to keep her costs down and get a used machine, low cost until she can afford what she wants.

On my tractor website, I get a LOT of folks asking me for manuals and other help on maintaining the L245's. Nearly all of them are very happy with them.

I used to have one but it was kinda small for me and I am not exactly very small. I came across a GREAT deal on a John Deere 4410 with a FEL and a number of nice impliments. It is a great tractor but I would not spend that much for another even getting a great price. The Yanmar engine is the best part of these John Deere tractors. The John Deere manufactured part is the only parts I have had any problems with.

Deb, if you like the Mahindra's have you looked at any used models outside of your area that might be worth driving for?

[Deberosa]

I've just started my search. Can't really think seriously about it till I get a few other things squared away. DM and WRTN you are both right. I would be perfectly happy with a carbon copy of what I had, but was thinking something inexpensive in the meantime. Maybe Just saving for the real thing is the best idea. Might have to wait out a season and I am soooo patient! However getting to know the market to the point I know a good deal and can grab it fast will be important. Sort of like the endless research I did in getting into this place to begin with. I still think I got the best deal available around here so can't complain too much!

Just wishing I was seeing this parked at Deberosa II!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/deberosa/IMG_0624.jpg

[cinok]

Push comes to shove you can get buy with out a loader. Many a pond was dug and many a rock moved with a pond scoop. But a PTO is a defainat got to have. As Pual said a spreader is great I love mine. Never mind a finish mower or brush hog. P/s is not a big deal without a loader same goes for 4wd they are great to have but expensive. If you find the right tractor at the right price you can get a laoder from koyker but they are pricey. I have a small gray market 2wd that I picked up for 2G's with a hog. I have worked and worked that thing so far so good. Remeber a tractor will always have some value, so even if you dont get what you want theirs always Craiglist to sell it.

[Deberosa]

What's a pond scoop?

A 2 wheel drive with a brush hog would do alot around here. They seem to only mow the trees once a year and while a brush hog won't go between the trees there are wide spaces here and there and around the edge that I could keep down. Might be particularly bad this year because of all the rain but if it gets dry I worry about fire with all that tall dry weeds and grass. A ripper and disc would at least let me cover crop the open areas, put in a couple of deer plots and maybe a pond scoop even...

Drove my little garden mower into one of the tree holes last night and we had to push and pull it out - grrr!

I keep think of my friend in WA who I sold my cows to. She has 16 acres and a few horses and now cows. She doesn't even have a lawn tractor! And she is on her own commuting an hour each way to work. I guess I should not complain so much!

[DM]

They make a little scoop that goes on a 3 point hitch, that you can fill by backing up, or in some cases by driveing ahead. Then you drive to where you want to dump it, pull a rope and it dumps. Many a basement ect. was dug with those things, because they are a step up from a shovel... lol

I have one here, and it does work, but of course you need to be in a place where you can get traction, and it's VERY slow, as it is quite small... You could never dig a pond over here with one!

SAVE your money, and get what you REALLY want...

DM

[cinok]

easier to give the link then try to explain. As Dm stated its nots the most productive but I use on to work on some ditches around here:
http://www.kingkutter.com/WholeGood.asp?item=DirtScoops

[Deberosa]

easier to give the link then try to explain. As Dm stated its nots the most productive but I use on to work on some ditches around here:
http://www.kingkutter.com/WholeGood.asp?item=DirtScoops


Cool. I guess I used my loader for digging like that. I had bucket teeth on it and could dig quite a hole with it.

[Boris859]

after seeing your picture of your old tractor I can see why you wouldn't be interested in the old farmalls and such,I was just suggesting a few trractors to buy on the cheap to hold you over til ya get what ya really want,cuz beleive me,I would rather have the one in the picture to use rather than my ol farmall H :D

[Deberosa]

Yeah Boris, I loved that tractor - not much not to like about it though!

I have a desk job all day. Nothing beat coming home, getting on my tractor and ripping something up. ;-)

We'll just have to save our pennies and watch for a good deal!

[Deberosa]

Still pondering how to get that tractor sooner rather than later! I am seeing prices drop a bit.

I'm thinking I can do without the hydrostatic transmission now that I've worked with a tractor a bit and feel comforable operating one. Any down side to that? What about going with two wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive? I seldom used the 4 wheel drive that much on the old one and this place is pretty flat - mostly tilling, hauling and mowing to do here. I figure if I get it stuck I could push/pull it out with the loader. The biggest hurdle here are the holes left when they dig out the trees but I think even with a two wheel drive and the loader I could push out of one if I happened to get a wheel in one of them.

Going manual transmission and 2 wheel drive I may be able to swing the tractor and loader now and get the tiller in the spring and the mower next summer...

[DM]

Still pondering how to get that tractor sooner rather than later! I am seeing prices drop a bit.

I'm thinking I can do without the hydrostatic transmission now that I've worked with a tractor a bit and feel comforable operating one. Any down side to that? What about going with two wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive? I seldom used the 4 wheel drive that much on the old one and this place is pretty flat - mostly tilling, hauling and mowing to do here. I figure if I get it stuck I could push/pull it out with the loader. The biggest hurdle here are the holes left when they dig out the trees but I think even with a two wheel drive and the loader I could push out of one if I happened to get a wheel in one of them.

Going manual transmission and 2 wheel drive I may be able to swing the tractor and loader now and get the tiller in the spring and the mower next summer...


Everyone is different, but i know what you had, and i know what you will miss... lol

Here's what i'd do if i was you...

1. Wait longer until i could get "exactly" what i wanted.

2. Buy a gear drive now, BUT still get MFWD (4wd) and buy the loader -------> LATER!

I would NOT buy a small tractor "without" MFWD!

I could live without the hystat tranny though, but the hystat is sure nice for rototilling and loader work. You may or may not wish you had it later?

Keep in mind, NOT all gear drive tractors have "live power". Many times that's one way they get the price lower, by building it with gear drive and NO live power, NO remotes and NO draft. (for your purpose you can live without draft)

I hope this help some,

DM

[WRTN]

Still pondering how to get that tractor sooner rather than later! I am seeing prices drop a bit.

I'm thinking I can do without the hydrostatic transmission now that I've worked with a tractor a bit and feel comforable operating one. Any down side to that? What about going with two wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive? I seldom used the 4 wheel drive that much on the old one and this place is pretty flat - mostly tilling, hauling and mowing to do here. I figure if I get it stuck I could push/pull it out with the loader. The biggest hurdle here are the holes left when they dig out the trees but I think even with a two wheel drive and the loader I could push out of one if I happened to get a wheel in one of them.

Going manual transmission and 2 wheel drive I may be able to swing the tractor and loader now and get the tiller in the spring and the mower next summer...


In my opinion, if you are going to get a compact tractor with a FEL, 4WD is almost essential. You can get by without it on a bigger full size tractor but will have some limits.

A manual shift tractor with a directional shuttle shift transmission pretty much gives you the best of both worlds with respect to hydrostatic vs. manual. The shuttle shift comes in REAL handy when doing FEL and back blade work. If possible get an A,B, and C range transmission. A 2 speed Hi/Lo will work but not very well.

[Deberosa]

What do they mean by "remotes"? Is that different than the PTO in the back? Some say they have one and some say two remotes.

I'll take your advice and stick with the 4WD, but think about the transmission options... I am mostly going to be doing loader work, tilling, and brush hogging with it.

[DM]

What do they mean by "remotes"? Is that different than the PTO in the back? Some say they have one and some say two remotes.

I'll take your advice and stick with the 4WD, but think about the transmission options... I am mostly going to be doing loader work, tilling, and brush hogging with it.

Remotes are the hydraulic "outlets" that are usually on the back of a tractor. They are handy to run hydraulic cylinders, like the cylinder on a wood splitter. I run my wood splitter with the remotes on my tractor. Another use you may have for them would be to run the dump box on a trailor that "dumps". Any tool that has a cylinder on it, uses the remotes on your tractor to run it.

One set of remotes (two holes to plug into, one for power in and the other for power out) will run one cylinder, (two hoses) if the tool has two cylinders, (4 hoses) you need two remotes. (four holes)

Did i confuse you??? lol

DM

[Deberosa]

Remotes are the hydraulic "outlets" that are usually on the back of a tractor. They are handy to run hydraulic cylinders, like the cylinder on a wood splitter. I run my wood splitter with the remotes on my tractor. Another use you may have for them would be to run the dump box on a trailor that "dumps". Any tool that has a cylinder on it, uses the remotes on your tractor to run it.

One set of remotes (two holes to plug into, one for power in and the other for power out) will run one cylinder, (two hoses) if the tool has two cylinders, (4 hoses) you need two remotes. (four holes)

Did i confuse you??? lol

DM
Not at all, and I'm glad I asked! Thanks!

[cinok]

Some also have remotes on the loader for split buckets and other accessories. One thing to look at is the pump size if you plan on running anything like what DM is talking about.

[DM]

As to the amount of power the cylinder will have, pump size doesn't matter, a smaller pump just means the cylinder will run slower. The PSI the pump puts out, and the size of the cylinder, is what makes the cylinder have more or less power.

It's rare to see a small tractor with remotes out on the loader arms. They can be put on, but they are expensive to do so, so usally they aren't installed unless the owner orders them. In fact, you seldon see any tractor with remotes out on the loader arms.

DM