Should I buy a Ferguson?

I have a Ferguson TEA20 I inherited, and I bought a 1961 MF 35 Deluxe with a Perkins diesel because it does well what the Fergie does badly or dangerously. The Fergie moves very fast for a tractor. The 35 has a selection of low gears and live pto which makes bush hogging in unfamiliar territory or long grass much less terrifying than with the TEA20. The flywheel effect of the bush hog on a Fergie means that when you press the clutch, the wheels keep turning until the blade stops. This is downright dangerous. There is a ratchetting mechanism to add on, but what newbie knows about such things?

The 35 has ample power for a 5' snowblower and a 5' bush hog. The hydraulic lift works well. With the diesel engine it uses much less fuel than the Fergie's aging power plant.

But what I like best about the 35 and least about the Fergie is the effort it takes to get each machine going. The 35's Perkins diesel starts at the first touch of the starter, regardless of the weather, with a plug-in only in very cold weather. Fergies are notorious for fuel leaks and often have to have the fuel shut off between uses. I also disconnect one battery strap to prevent other leaks. More annoyance in starting up for a short hop.

As for price, if I were you I'd try hard to get a 35 Deluxe (live p.t.o.) for the $2800 asked for the Ferguson.

The Ferguson is a great tractor for what you want to do. The next question is what model. I agree that $2800 is high for a TEA-20. But for Less than $4000 you can move into a whole class of good Fergusons (F) and Massey Fergusons (MF).

I would suggest looking for one of these:
F-35, MF-35, MF-135, A MF-50, MF-65

I like the Utility set-up (wide front= more stable) for what you want over the row crop (tri-cycle) like the Allis-Chamber WD's

Another reason I like the Fergies is that the 3-point is the standard today.

If you have time to look and do not need to buy right now, then go for one with "Live" hydraulics. That is the lift works independant of the driveshaft. Sometimes you'll hear it called a two stage clutch.

Mind you that TEA-20 is a good tractor and will do all that you are asking of it, it is just if you have time to make a choise, then looking a little more will yield a few extras for little or no more money.

ALso what is nice about these late 40's to 1060's tractors is that they are simple to work on and fix if you do have trouble. They were built to last and last.

Good luck let us know.
Jeff

If I were working even a small plot (hay, horses, etc.) that uses the PTO implements (I am not)and were looking for a tractor, I would want a "live" PTO and "live" hydraulic lift. That leaves out the TO-20 and TO-30. YOu can do it without the "live" feature but it is a real pain, particularly with the loader. In fact, many early Fergusons with a loader added a front mounted hydraulic pump off of the engine. And power steering with the loader would be nice, too. If you like the Fergusons, the first one to have this live PTO/hydraulics(with a two stage clutch) feature was the TO-35. That is what I'd look for.. Just my 2 cents.. Jim (and a Ferguson fan.)

steveormary