Which tractor/equipment

jessejmc1979 · Sep 20, 2011

I am new here so I will dive right in with some questions. We have a little over 9 acres of which 5.5 is hay about 2 pasture and 2 yard. We also have 3 horses and currently 1 steer. We have been baling our hay (small squares) on a half share with a neighbor that has horses also and it has worked great for 3 years. But as we were getting ready to bale 2nd crop this year we got to talking and his hay mow is pretty much full and he doesn't need the hay anymore and doesn't want to bale for the money. He said that he would continue with our arrangement until I can find my own equipment but it was time to start looking. He also isn't getting any younger as he is 72 years old. I know that I could hire someone to do it but nobody around has a small square baler and I don't like depending on somebody when we get a window to bale and they are busy putting up there own hay (I don't blame any farmer for that because there stuff has to come first) but that window might be the only one. I know that I'm not going to get rich doing it myself but I enjoy "pretending to be a farmer" and have been around it my whole life. To make a short story long I found a completely restored ford 861 new tires/rims, tire chains and a back blade for $6,000. But I also found a wd45 that is in very good shape with a 3 point, and loader for $2800. I know that either one would run a small square baler but it seems like parts for the 45 are more readily available, and cheaper. What do you guys think? I know the ford is restored but parts are still gonna break and when they do I need parts and that parade ready paint won't matter much if I have hay cut and am waiting on a part. Thanks in advance for any info.

Zachary Hoyt · Sep 20, 2011

I don't know where you are, but both of those prices seem kind of
high to me, especially the Ford. I would keep looking around and
see if you can find anything for less. Are you going to work on the
tractor yourself or hire a mechanic?
Zach

gene bender · Sep 20, 2011

Do you like getting on and off the WD45 I would get the Ford.

NY 986 · Sep 20, 2011

Ford parts should be readily available for most earlier models and should not be too pricey. Plenty of aftermarket competition on parts also. You should be able to find a good 860 or 861 for quite a bit less money that does not have the fancy restoration. Although the WD45 is not my cup of tea the parts should be plentiful and were many around back in the day as a testament to their usability. While we are at it if it were me I would be looking along the lines of a IH 300 or 400 or Oliver 77 or 88 or Supers. Wear parts are in good availability and parts yards should have the other parts readily available. Prices for the IH's or Oliver's should be in line with the money you are talking on the AC with some variability based on condition of the individual tractor in question.
As long as you understand you are making this investment for the purpose of the enjoyment of doing it you will be fine. For a "for profit" type proposition it will not work. There are all kinds of balers around and each has its fierce proponents here but I would lean towards a Deere or New Holland. If the finances allow I would go 1970's or newer. Maybe a Deere 336 or New Holland 270 or 273.

Ray · Sep 20, 2011

I've got a massey ferguson 50 with a loader,PS,3pt,live pto,90% rubber for $4000.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 20, 2011

JMHO, but from what I know, parts won't be much different (in price) between the Ford and the AC. Parts might be more available for the Ford....maybe not. That said, the price on the Ford is about $2000 more than it's worth. New paint is nice, so is new decals, ect, but a tractor is only worth so much unless it's some VERY rare collectible model. 600 series Fords are somewhat collectible, but rare? Not so much. Good tractor, just NOT worth $6000.

AC WD45's were great tractors, just getting a little long in the tooth. Personally, I'd keep shopping.

jessejmc1979 · Sep 20, 2011

I am going to keep shopping. I just wanted some expert opinions. I also have seen quite afew farmall/international 504's in the local advertiser paper and although a little bigger size (not hp) wise they would probably fit the bill. It seems like the tractor market is like the horse market: lots out there but most are not worth the headache of taking them home even at a "steal" of a price. I have a buddy that is a heavy equipment mechanic that I will bring with to look at any that I check out so anything I do get he will catch anything obvious that I might miss! Thanks for the info guys I appreciate it. As for the balers I would love a new holland 273, but a 336 would be awefull nice too.

oldtanker · Sep 20, 2011

Biggest problem with the AC's of that age is parts. From what I've been told hard parts are getting hard to come by. Both tractor seem to be a little high to me.

Your area location will help in figuring a price. My area usable smaller tractors are at a priemum because of hunting plots and hobby farmers. Don't know about the AC but the Ford will not only do your baling but should run a smaller haybine. Once you use a haybine you will never go back to a bar mower! An IH M will run 9' bine and should be cheaper than the WD you mentioned. For my area the WD is about X2 what it should cost which puts it right in the M ball park. THe ford is about 1 K higher than my area.

Rick

Mike (WA) · Sep 20, 2011

Guess I would keep looking, as well. That parade Ford won't be fit for parades anymore after a season of hay making, and it will be worth 3 grand, just like the rest of them. JD's will be a little spendy, but I'd look at utility type Internationals, AC's, Fords or my personal favorite, the Oliver 550. Also the Oliver 77's and 88's- great tractors for baling. But usually no 3 point.

Someone mentioned IH 504- I've got one, an ugly old thing, diesel with loader, that I paid $2,500 for at an auction. Its been a great old tractor- would fit your operation perfectly. Its going to my daughter and SIL's recently purchased horse farm, on "permanent" loan.

I'd try for one with a loader, as well- once you have a loader tractor on a hobby farm, you'll wonder how you ever did without one.

Live or Independent PTO is sure nice to have, as well, for baling- in fact, it would be a "must" for me.

Does the WD45 have a hand clutch (to give the equivalent of live PTO)?

Probably want to stick with gas if you're in a cold winter area- the older diesels can be a bear to start when its cold.

steve in wi · Sep 20, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:37:20 09/20/11) I am new here so I will dive right in with some questions. We have a little over 9 acres of which 5.5 is hay about 2 pasture and 2 yard. We also have 3 horses and currently 1 steer. We have been baling our hay (small squares) on a half share with a neighbor that has horses also and it has worked great for 3 years. But as we were getting ready to bale 2nd crop this year we got to talking and his hay mow is pretty much full and he doesn't need the hay anymore and doesn't want to bale for the money. He said that he would continue with our arrangement until I can find my own equipment but it was time to start looking. He also isn't getting any younger as he is 72 years old. I know that I could hire someone to do it but nobody around has a small square baler and I don't like depending on somebody when we get a window to bale and they are busy putting up there own hay (I don't blame any farmer for that because there stuff has to come first) but that window might be the only one. I know that I'm not going to get rich doing it myself but I enjoy "pretending to be a farmer" and have been around it my whole life. To make a short story long I found a completely restored ford 861 new tires/rims, tire chains and a back blade for $6,000. But I also found a wd45 that is in very good shape with a 3 point, and loader for $2800. I know that either one would run a small square baler but it seems like parts for the 45 are more readily available, and cheaper. What do you guys think? I know the ford is restored but parts are still gonna break and when they do I need parts and that parade ready paint won't matter much if I have hay cut and am waiting on a part. Thanks in advance for any info.

I live in se wi and have a 268 baler i went thur last winter,i would sell,it does not have a thrower.makes nice bales and ties good.if any interest call 414-313-1109, its not a fast balers but it was a good starter unit for me.i would guess its under a 1000 bucks,have to look at it. steve

02 · Sep 20, 2011

I have two M.F. 135 perkins deisels,parts are available and they are a great tractor.Also the Ford 2000/3000 are a great tractor with parts availability. My 2000 with floating seat and P.S. rides really nice,nicer than the 135's.

jessejmc1979 · Sep 20, 2011

Yes I believe the wd has the hand clutch to make it "live" pto. I just want to make sure that I get some equipment that will run when I need it. I can spend up to $6000 on a tractor and have even seen some jd 3010's in that ballpark but I don't know if something would be wrong with them due to the fact that all of the other jd's are way out of my price range. I have seen a few oliver 550's with a loader on them in my price range but would that be enough tractor for a baler and haybine? Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it!

Dean Olson · Sep 20, 2011

Just a thought. Cut a deal with your neighbor to buy/rent/lease his
equipment and have him teach you how to use it. At 72 he may be
ready to quit altogether and then you could do his.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 20, 2011

Both of those would be good tractors for you. They are both high on their price, a WD45 with loader will sell for 1300 to 2000.00 around here I know some dealers are trying to drive the price up, seen some listed for 4000.00, they must be nuts. The WD45 will have high pressure hydraulics on it. if you are planning on getting more equiptment , such as a haybine, you kind of need to use their hydraulic cylinders. Talk to your neighbor about equiptment. Good luck.

Leroy · Sep 20, 2011

The 550 Oliver is a newer version of the S55 and years ago when they were fairly new the local hay buyer bought hay in the field and what he used for all his mowing was a S55 with a haybine and his baling tractor was a Moline Z and a John Deere B for raking. Now that was a comercial outfit and if things would handle that much they should handle it for that size farm now.

oldtanker · Sep 20, 2011

(quoted from post at 14:11:25 09/20/11) Just a thought. Cut a deal with your neighbor to buy/rent/lease his
equipment and have him teach you how to use it. At 72 he may be
ready to quit altogether and then you could do his.

That sounds like a plan. He may even cut you a deal. Local guy here cuts hay with a 9' IH haybine behind a IH M at something like 33 HP. Only reqires one way hydralics on a lot of the older haybines. The problem here is weight behind you going down hill. Can you stop or turn it at the bottom of the hill if needed. The M will handle the weight just fine, not sure I'd want to try that with a 600 series for or TO30.

Rick

Mike (WA) · Sep 20, 2011

Oliver 550 is about 40 horsepower, independent PTO, live power. Same size as an 8N, but with twice the power. I used one for years with a NH 275 baler, and it handled it fine. Would handle haybine as well. Not many other tractors around that are as "handy" as the 550, but still have enough power to actually do something. I generally say all my tractors are for sale. But you'll have to wait for my estate sale for the 550.

NY 986 · Sep 20, 2011

Nothing wrong with a good 3010 but there is a lot to watch out for in the buying process. I would go with a diesel that has had the over sized pistons and sleeves to enhance the performance. The draft sensing bar in the hitch wish bone needs to be scrutinized for leaks. The PTO hubs tended to work loose on 3010 and 4010 tractors but close attention to keeping the hub secured greatly reduced the chance of problems. The 3010 is a tractor where owner history is very critical. If you get the sense the tractor was neglected or the owner was indifferent to maintenance and repairs then the 3010 would be a tractor to avoid. A well maintained 3010 with a long history with a good owner would be tempting for the money.

Zachary Hoyt · Sep 20, 2011

I run a 9' NH haybine with a Farmall H and have had no problems
with lack of power, except having to shift to 1st to climb a very
steep hill in one field. I agree about the weight, I have loaded tires
and wheel weights and it has plenty of stopping power, but when I
run the haybine with our Massey 35 it feels more like it wants to
push it around.
Zach

JBMac · Sep 20, 2011

Find a 100 series Massey Ferguson, Ideally a 150 or 165 would do all you would need. A 135 is a great tractor, but they cost as much now as when they were new. If you can find one without Multi-power, you would be ahead. Seek a diesel, in my opinion.

jessejmc1979 · Sep 20, 2011

I actually talked to my neighbor about renting/buying his equipment but he wants to keep it around until he is completely done farming. I certainly can't blame him for that, but it would be nice because I know that he takes good care of his stuff. I appreciate all of the good advice and I am soaking it all in. Thanks guys!!!

northvale · Sep 20, 2011

quick fix to keep the cap screws tight is to drill a 1/16" hole in the hex head and lace a stainless wire thru them all. If you own one, do it and forget em'.

greygoat · Sep 21, 2011

Engine parts for the AC are available at NAPA.

Which tractor/equipment

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