861/3600/2600

Boy could I use some advice from the group. I am in the enviable position of having a father-in-law who has decided that he just really wants to buy his daughter (my wife) a tractor. We have a 6 acre hobby horse farm w/ just two horses, so our needs aren't great. Manure spreading, light bush-hogging, scrapping snow off the driveway....basically a leisurly life for a tractor.

Back to the point, my father-in-law (who knows nothing about tractors) spotted a Ford 3600 on the side of the road yesterday and was about to just buy it on the spot. I stopped him from being impulsive but began my own research of what older Fords are currently for sale in the area.

There are two 3600's. Both in good shape. One is a '78 that at $7400. The other is an '82 that they're asking $8250 for. Also found a 2600 ('78) for $7600. And an older 861 for $5850.

Here's the question(s) for the group. Are these prices right? They see a tad high to me. More importantly, I have a feeling I might be fine with a 861 and might rather tell him to buy my wife that AND a small manure spreader.

Any thoughts? They are all in good shape and run well. Obivously the 3600/2600 are newer, but they're all old enough that they probably have equal chances of being unreliable (at least in my mind).

Anyway, any help from more experienced folks is welcome.

the '78 3600 is $4200 to $6240 as shown in the used tractor price guide, for 2001... so it seems out of line unless the hours are exteamly low..

and remember. people always start high.. and expect an lower offer.. you cant go up..only down...

a good tractor buy will never depreciate.. if you park it indoors, 10 years from now you can sell it for what you paid for it.. or sometimes more..

good luck.. Bill

New sub-compact diesel tractors are almost the same price and will do what you described, plus thay have hydrostatic transmissions that are a lot easier to use and more forgiving for the novice (no clutch to burn out). They also come with a warrenty and hopefully a good dealor close by to help you out.

The 861 is a good tractor but is older and will require maintance plus learning to use the two stage clutch. The 3600 is newer with newer features probably a better choice for you. Also the 3600 and it's older brother the 3000 were very common. The 2600 is basically a 3600 with a smaller engine - you'll always wish you had the extra HP.

Finally let your wife's dad enjoy finding and giving your wife a tractor. Their's more to it than the tractor it's self. Appreciate it and except it with the joy it is given with. I'll bet he always wanted a tractor like the one he selected for himself - offer to let him use it whenever he wants. Free labor is allways a good thing

I just got a quote for of $8,000 for Kubota BX1800 that can do what was suggested. The 861 or 3600 will pull more and are bigger tractors - real tractors, but that dosen't appear to be what is required.

In their small enviroment the little Kubota might be more useful to get in and out of tight buildings.

I have been very pleased with my tractor, it was in less than great shape (understatement) when I bought it. Between the helpful folks on this site and a couple of instructional videos, I have been able to get all of my work done. Getting parts has not been a problem. Overall I would rate the (well OK, my) 861 as a reliable machine. Enough power for every task that I have put it to, although I did have to get used to bush hogging the taller grass a little slower than the MF255D that I used to have. If you have a front end loader, get get power steering.

Cannot comment on the 3600/2600.