Thoughts on tractor for the garden.

Looking for tractor for the garden. As I'm buying used I'm at the mercy of whats for sale in my area. I've narrowed it down to the following tractors, Allis Chalmers B. Case VAC. Farmall C or Super C. My garden is 75' x125' Just looking for thoughts that would help me decide on one over the others. Thanks, Sodbuster.
 
Also consider a Farmall Super A they are offset and really allow a clear view of produce while working. Same power as a C or Super C. Jim
 
My wife and I live in an area were there are still gardens and small acreages. Three point hitch equipment is the main type of implements we see in our area. For versatility we also have three point hitch equipment.
As for the Tractor, I'm colour blind. If the machine runs with no blue smoke, start well and hydraulics work well... we have a Harry Ferguson TEA-20,John Deere 520,and a Massey Ferguson FE 35. I'm sure the Red, Orange and all other colored Tractors are just as dependable.
Before you purchase, have the machine demonstrated with an implement attached.

Bob...
 
What implements will you need is the important thing as some are hard to find. I get along just fine with the Cub as the cultivator can be used for many things the disc hillers are a must along with an irrigation shovel also the curved scrathers
 
Your tractor choice should be AFTER you decide what implements you want to use. None of the tractors you listed have a three point hitch. So their implements are going to need to be made for each model/brand of tractor.

If the tractors your looking at just have a flat drawbar then you can get pull type implements, plow/disk. Pull type implements do not work the best in small garden type spots. IF you have plenty of room to turn on the ends then your fine but if your sandwiched between property lines you would be better off with mounted implements.

Without a three point hitch those mounted implements become harder to find. Example: There are mounted plows made for the Farmall C tractor. You would need to find one with all the attaching hardware for a "C". Then that plow would not work on the Case or Allis Chalmers.

IF you buy a tractor with a three point hitch( Examples: Oliver 55 or 550, Ford 8N, 600 etc., Case 430, etc.) then your implements can be a multitude of brands as long as they use the three point system of attaching.

So decide or post what your wanting to do with the tractor and we can advise you better.
 
Do you have other plans for this tractor? Those tractors seem really big for a garden that size. My
Sister-in-law had two gardens that size and every fall I'd go out with my gear drive Cub Cadet garden
tractor and 10 inch moldboard plow and fall plow her gardens then drive over to my Dad's place and fall
plow his garden about that same size. Then late in afternoon My wife and son would come out and we'd have
a bonfire and weiner roast. So took very little time to plow garden that size. Any gear drive 10 or 12 hp
Cub Cadet would be fine between about 1963 to 1985 vintage. Hydro trans tractors work too but I have seen
them over-heat the trans oil, boil the oil out of the breather vent on top of rearend.
And needless to say, lots of other uses for a garden tractor that size. Mow, grade, pull carts, spray
weeds and trees.
 
Seems like a GOOD tiller like a BCS would be all that's needed for one that small ? or a real garden tractor (lawn mower) with a tiller attachment.
 


75'x125' garden? You don't need a tractor. You need a tiller and cultivator. Not one of the tractors you listed is going to work in a tiny area like that.
 
A farmall cub with belly plow
,drag disk , cultivator,and belly
mower works. Lots of swapping
implements and all are cub only. A
Ford jubilee or 600 with 3 point
hitch implements would be easier.
What part of country are you in ?
Small garden or not if you want a
tractor go get you one. We used a
tear tine tiller in garden for
years. Now we have a few tractors
, really enjoy em ! Kevin in
Central AL
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The VAC would be a good candidate if it had Eagle Hitch. I use mine with most of the Cat. 1 implements around the farm and have no issues. The narrow front would probably be better for a garden though as it will have a shorter turning radius and cultivate better.
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Agreed! 4xx series Case/Ingersoll, 3 or 4 series JD, etc. Can handle tillage and serve as a mower. Can even use a light loader for mulch etc.
 
Okay just a follow up. I already have a Cub Cadet 1450 and it is okay but to track down to parts for a sleeve hitch would cost almost what I paid for the tractor. Not worried about room to turn around on the ends. The B I have seen add on 3pts for. The super C I was looking at had a Fast Hitch. The VAC did not have any rear lift. It is also the farthest away to go look at. Also the rows run the long way 125 feet. Mainly looking for a tractor to pull a quack digger. 1-16 plow. Pull wagons around the yard. If I could cultivate with it as well wo be good but not a deal breaker if I cant. Also I have about 8 acres that I might break up some of it for a garden but that will be a couple of years down the road if I do. Would be nice not to have to buy another tractor in a couple years though. Sod Buster
 
Farmall C with the fast hitch to 3 point adapter if you can't find fast hitch equipment. Case would be about same size and the eagle hitch can be made to use regular 3 point equipment- but might get expensive if not already equipped with the hitch. Garden use would be 3 basics- plow, disc and cultivator- and that would be consideration for other equipment. You note no worries about turning on headlands- so pull plow and disc would be usable for all tractors - if reasonable in your area. Cultivators nice for the row crops, all choices had decent 2 row- AC B had single row also- cultivators when new, but how many front mount cultivators at reasonable price available now? Check other equipment and $$ available, maybe you won't want to cultivate. A old Case with plain hitch but includes a cultivator can be very useful in garden- sister keeps front cultivator on most of year and simple pull plow is usable at same time. IHC C is good 2 plow tractor, 10 foot single disc or 8 foot double and the fast hitch equipment might be available- if not, the big horse shoe shaped adapter is available through implement dealers and old IHC dealers as well as internet order. IHC parts available a bit more than Case, AC.
RN
 
look for a used Kubota B1750 with hydrostatic and 4 wheel drive. You can get it around in that size garden and it has plenty of power.
 
To be honest I'd tell you to go slightly newer in a utility type tractor. Something with live hydraulics and PTO. As we getting older power steering is nice too.

Add on 3 points don't have good or any draft control. The fast hitch will work but fast hitch implements are getting real hard to find so converting it to 3 point would be the way to go. Bout 400 if buying the kit new. Another drawback to the tractors you listed are that none are even close to being a good loader tractor. Something like an IH 444, MF 135 or Ford 2000/3000 will fill the bill and if in the future you decide you want a loader on it they are all good loader tractors.

Just my thoughts on this.

Rick
 
I agree with many of the comments that you may not need a tractor at all. But if you decide on a tractor, a Ferguson 20
is a nice little old tractor.
 
While all these other recommendations don't directly answer your question, they are trying to tell you something:

Why does it have to be options A, B, or C, right now? It's fall. You have 6 months to shop.
 
I'd like to find something before the snow flys. If I can I'd like to widen the garden by about 50 feet this fall let the ground sit broken over winter. Spring comes the new ground as wellookingready broke ground can be spring tilled and planted. Thats why the rush to buy. Also tractors will be higher in the spring because everybodies looking.
 
(quoted from post at 11:35:50 09/12/17) I'd like to find something before the snow flys. If I can I'd like to widen the garden by about 50 feet this fall let the ground sit broken over winter. Spring comes the new ground as wellookingready broke ground can be spring tilled and planted. Thats why the rush to buy. Also tractors will be higher in the spring because everybodies looking.


Hate to tell you this but right now everyone is thinking "gee, the snows about to fly, maybe I should get a tractor" :shock: !

Rick
 
(quoted from post at 04:34:32 09/12/17) For a garden that small I'd be looking at some older garden tractor (real garden tractors not lawn mowers) or better yet some of the smaller compacts.
That was my thought. The old Sears Suburbans, Cub Cadet (pre-MTD), Simplicity, Bolens, Deere, etc. You can get loaders, tillers, plows, front/rear blades, snow blowers and drag around a dump cart, spreader, etc. Oh yeah, and they work as a mower too although the first thing that usually rusts out is the mower deck. Some (most?) have a Cat 0 3 point hitch.

I agree that finding one with at least the major implements you're going to use is key as these are going to be much less interchangeable than with a full size 3 point and PTO.

As another poster pointed out, a big advantage is you can move it around with just a small utility trailer or pick-up truck. Ditto for the implements. And although they'll be harder to find the implements should be considerably cheaper. And if you need to re-power the tractor it's easy to find or rebuild a Briggs or Kohler engine that these use.
 
I am partial to old Fords but there are lots of small imports for sale. Kubota and Yanmar come to mind. Both have the reputation of running forever and should do what you are describing. Try Craigslist in your area. I surf it all the time.
 
I would recommend a good old Ford 8n. I know one wasn't on your list, but they made hundreds of thousands of those, so I know one must be near you for sale. They are usually in the same price range as the ones you mentioned, but they will have a good factory 3 point hitch with draft control and PTO. They should be more tractor than you need and parts are everywhere for them and very reasonably priced, you can even pick up complete parts tractors for a few hundred dollars if you shop around. Take a look at parts availability for any old tractor you are considering, and while parts are available for all that you mentioned, I doubt any of them are as thoroughly available or as cheap as the 8n.
Good luck, and don't be surprised, no matter what color tractor you buy, if another one doesn't follow you home after that first one.
 
How can you cultivate a garden crop with the cult in the back it can be ruined before you get to the end cause you cant stay on the row and look back at the same time we are talking garden crops.
 
You will always regret buying something in a rush. It will never do exactly what you need it to do. You'll pay too much. You'll have to take a huge loss on it sooner rather than later, when you trade it in on what will suit your needs.
 
(quoted from post at 01:55:26 09/13/17) How can you cultivate a garden crop with the cult in the back it can be ruined before you get to the end cause you cant stay on the row and look back at the same time we are talking garden crops.

People been doing it for decades. I cultivated corn with a Farmall 560D and a JD 4 row for my BIL and his dad. They cultivated like that for years. I cultivate our garden with a 2 row 3 point cultivator every year. It isn't rocket science.

Rick
 

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