Ford 861 or MF50 or A/C DC-15

I need a really cheep tractor. Just moved down here and I have 15 acres of land that is over grown that I need to run a brush Hog over, and I have a horse areana that has become grown over with weeds.

Money is tight right now because of the move and so I think I want to get 'SOMETHING' now, and maybe upgrade later if I feel the need (would like eventually to have a loader).

Locally there are three tractors that seem reasonable to me that I can afford.

1. A/C DC-15 that needs a water pump. No implements

2. A MF50 with a 5' brushhog and a round bale spear
3. A Ford 861 Powermaster with bushHog

As far as I can see they are all about the same...but I dont know much more than some basic specs I can find onine.

Any thoughts?

I have an 861 that I've had for 35 years that has been a good tractor for me. Of course any tractor as old as the ones you have mentioned will all depend on how well they were maintained over the years as to their condition. If it looks "abused" it likely is. Price range for a good 861 with bushhog should be in the 2800-4000 range +/- a few dollars.

For bushhoging I'd go with the d15 if it doesn't jump out of any gears. The hand clutch makes it nice bushhogging because you can go from high to low with out using stopping. My dad and I used ours to clear about 15 acers we rented that had grown up for about 10 years.

Based only upon available information, I strongly recommend the Ford 861.

Dean

Things to think about. What if any tractor dealer do you have close by?? Also the fact that MF and AC are now Agco so some parts maybe hard to find. The Ford on the other hand is now New Holland/Ford but so far it seems the Ford parts are easier to find. All 3 are/where pretty good tractors and that 861 will support a loader

Post your location and probably several guys here would steer you towards decent deals on your local craigslist.

I own stock in Agco (the MF and AC) but in this case I'd go with the Ford.

You are right they are comparible - at that age I would look at the one in the best condition and buy it if you have any dealer support in the area.

(quoted from post at 16:38:05 09/10/13) You are right they are comparible - at that age I would look at the one in the best condition and buy it if you have any dealer support in the area.

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Dealer support on an over 50 year old tractor???? That is funny.

If the MF50 is an industrial in yellow with a Perkins diesel....you won't find much tougher. An older gas MH/MF 50 will not be as tough but is a good tractor. check it has a dual clutch and check them all for water in oil or oil in water.
Sam

Ford is now CNH, AMERICA LLC. / FIAT.
Loren, the Acg.

Ford is now CNH, AMERICA LLC. / FIAT.
Loren, the Acg.

My bias would be for the AC first, if it were a series II D-15. THen the dorf, then the massey.

The MF would be about 35 PTO HP and the Ford would be about 48 PTO HP. The Ford would pull a 4 bottom plow as easy as the MF would pull a 3 bottom and that would also translate to the ford handling a lot heavier stuff to cut with the mower. The MF would be more what a collector would want.

I'd have to go with the Ford. The AC may have a hand clutch and or a power director. Many claim that it's a great system but if you need to stop the PTO, operate the hydraulics and steer all at the same time it's worthless unless you have 3 hands. AC's are known for popping out of gear. You have to drive it to test it. Run it as fast as you can in each gear then chop the throttle to idle while going downhill. Do this with each gear. The MF is a decent tractor but may be hard to find some parts for.

Rick

i'd like to see an 861 lift 4 plows let alone pull them D-15 maybe

WHY not just "fess up to the fact that you are about to become an antique tractor collector?

Oh, and, yeah, I forgot... don"t buy the orange thing!

You can still get parts for 8N's and they're older
than 50 years. MF 50's use the same drive train as a
35 so parts aren't usually a problem. A lot of parts
are available from this site. What do you think YT
means?

Since you're not familar with tractors I'd suggest looking around the area and try to spot a farmer that has similar age equipment and ask him to help make a choice and offer to pay him to do it.Condition will make all the difference in choosing any of these tractors as any of them could be excellent machines or one or all could have major problems better to find out about the problems before you buy.

(quoted from post at 19:25:16 09/10/13) i'd like to see an 861 lift 4 plows let alone pull them D-15 maybe

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Boy, ain't that the truth! 2 plow tractor of about 45 hp, give or take. If it's an actual 861 with working live PTO that's a decent tractor. The MF, about 38 hp, may also have live PTO and could be the very, very economical and reliable Perkins diesel. The AC could be a diesel and does have live PTO. All are "good" tractors. The Ford probably has the biggest engine, but if it's the gas engine I can assure you they have a hearty appetite. The Ford diesel in that tractor is not known as a great engine, not terrible, but certainly not in the class of the Perkins or later Ford diesels.

It's a crap shoot. Personally, I don't need live pto for bush hogging. When you hit something you want everything to stop NOW! Some live pto systems do that, others take a bit more time. The 2 stage clutch is lots faster to stop damage with than some hand lever styles IME. Power steering is nice, but not a big deal unless you have an infirmity which demands it. Parts aren't going to be a big issue with any of the listed tractors. In the end tire condition will play a big part since bad tires can add a grand or more to the cost these days. Appearance is not as important as actual condition. As my grandmother used to say when advising me on women, "Fresh paint can hide a lot of sins." Then there's the condition of the bush hog- some are lots heavier built and far more durable than others. One rigged with a hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower, if trailer type, is a lot more handy than the manual adjustment type. If it's a 3 pt you'll need to check for busted attachment points and welds/bolts. A noisy gear box or a gear box with no oil means trouble. A Bush Hog Squealer or other economy mower is no where near as heavy built as some others out there and there are plenty of beat to death hogs floating around.

It's your call, best of luck.

The 860 was sold as a 3 plow tractor, the 961 as a 4 plow tractor but then the plow was a semi-mount model and any place a 9, 2 or 8n could pull 2 bottoms that 861 could pull 4 bottoms and the MF was sold as a 3 plow tractor and it would pull the 3 the same as the N series Ford could pull 2. We pulled a 2 with the 2N Ford so I would not be worried about pulling a 4 with the 861. Now I know a lot say no trouble pulling a 5' rotary mower with a N at 23pto hp but the John Deere b at 28 it was a very heavy load for, some conditions the A @ 38 hp handled it OK but then again my 4000 (4100) Ford that put out 60 on the dyno, rated at 52, it would bog it down and kill the engine in some conditions so I would say if he has any very tough mowing to do get the highest HP tractor he can find in a good condition. Just for mowing grass then the MF should do fine.

Once again soil makes the difference. 4 bottoms, 14's or 16's, in my ground will require at least 85-90 hp or more. Anything under 60 hp is a 2 plow tractor.