Which Tractor?

Hi all.

I'm new to the board and I was hoping someone might be willing to share an opinion or two on this.

We recently bought a 5 acre rural lot that is real mess. It is mostly treed, 'not flat', has about one acre cleared for a mobile home and has plenty of rocks in the 'soil' (sand in places, clay in places and rocks everywhere). It looks as if a previous owner bulldozed the clearing and just left the bulldozed piles of rock and rubble sitting all over the place. This has blocked the natural drainage and it looks like an abandoned quarry in places.

So, I've decided that I need to buy an old tractor to get this place cleaned up a bit; partly because I can't afford a new one and partly because I like working on old things (sometimes).

This is what I think I need:

- Backhoe
- Brush cutter
- Snow plow
- Some kind of plow or thing with fingers to chew up the soil to prep for a garden (can you tell I've never farmed or owned a tractor before?)

(I'm 'semi' retired and have plenty of time so all these implements can be on the small side.)

After some preliminary research I'm leaning heavily towards an 8n because of their availability (there's usually 2 or 3 for sale around here), the availability of parts and implements, and helpfull people/places on the internet for when I get lost. But my budget is limited to around something like $2,000 for a runner and I won't even have that until next year. (There is a non-runner here for $1,200 but because I know nothing about tractors I really would have no idea if it was worth it if it didn't at least start.) I realize that after I manage to scrape together the cash there may not be a worthwhile 8n on the market (here in northern BC we are not blessed with an abundance of good used tractors) but there may be something else worth looking at.

Which brings me to the point (finally) - what other tractors would fit the bill if I can't find an 8n? (And do you think an 8n is a sensible choice anyway?)

Thanks for any help.

phil_n

8N will run a brush cutter, plow and snow plow but a tiller and a
backhoe are both rather beyond what is practically feasible for
them.
Zach

I Would Think You would at least, need a 35HP Tractor that would Handle a 5ft Bush hog, or the like 3pt of Course...and Diesel, but that's just me, other opinions Will Vary,, Larry

The money you will spend on a GOOD 8n will also buy a much newer tractor with greatly improved hydraulics, more creature comforts, and considerably more horsepower. Something like an IH 504 utility, 656 utility, or even the rowcrop versions of those tractors should fit your needs quite nicely. Even a 706 wouldn't require very much more cash outlay.

Might be able to find a small tractor. But, it is going to be hard to find the attachments you need for #2000.
Do you have any skill needed in the area? Maybe easier to trade labor for some of the work you need done.

Whatever you do buy a tractor with factory 3 point hitch. No ifs, and or buts.
You can get by without all the extras like power steering, live pto, etc.
The 8Ns are simple, reliable old machines and will do a lot of work for you.
Don't let someone snooker you into paying more than about $2500 for one - even if it has a pretty paint job. Or maybe I should say especially if it has a pretty paint job.
And don't go "restoring" the darned thing.
When you're done you'll have $4500 into a tractor that's still only worth $2500.
Ultimately it would be better to add a grand to your budget and look for a 600 or 800 Ford. Twice the tractor for 30% more $.

Hi I'm going to start with your budget for 2000
you will probably spend a lot of time fixing or
have a real undesirable tractor, that's pretty
usless for what you want to do and need.
Sounds like you are going to need 3 point
hitch, loader and bachhoe plus your
attachments.
With a loader, power or power assist, steering
would be nice for heavy buckets of dirt.
non power steering and loaders can get pretty
tiresome after a long day. trust me I have run
both, and know what I prefer. even with mowing
or cultivating they make things more
enjoyable.
Some of the Massey, and maybe other brands of
loader Back hoe, had a removable hoe, and the 3
point could still be used. my thinking is if
you had something like this, you can use one
tractor twice. It will cost more but you can do
more with it!.
probably not what you wanted to here, but your
going to get a huge eye opener real quick,
venturing into tractors and this kinda life and
doing this stuff.
Regards Robert

Rent the back hoe (It will be a real pain to install and remove or leave on) unless you intend to dig a bunch, it will be in the road.
*n tractors (my family has 2) will be just OK. They steer hard, and go too fast, even in low gear, for yard work. The same goes for a Cub Farmall. A IH 340, 350, 560 utility will serve much more adequately. They will have live PTO and hydraulics capable of operating a loader (very desirable).
Plowing is far more successful than roto tilling. Rocks are not fun with a plow, but they really tear into a rototiller. Few small tractors of vintage affordable size and price will operate a roto tiller. A plow, a disk, a spike drag, a bush hog, and a loader are needed. Start with a usable tractor and grow into the attachments. Jim

Where are you located? Around here (Southeast Ohio you can buy a pretty decent (not always pretty to look at) 800 or 900 series tractor for 2000 to 2500, in fact I have an 860 right now for 2500. Live power and hydraulics. Just my thoughts, Keith

I am the odd man here. First hire a track loader, dozer or backhoe to level and smooth out the place, Then when you get a little bit over $2,000 start looking for a tractor. While an 8n is far from my favorite tractor it should fit your needs better than any other $2,000 tractor. I repeat I do not like an 8n well enough to own one and I have 13 tractors ranging from a cub to a 986 including a John Deere 450 C crawler, A TO 30 or TO 35 Ferguson is as good or better than a 8n and should sell for about the same $. Do NOT rent a machine unless you have had considerable experience on one. A first time operator is only about 20% efficient

Thanks everyone.

Not too bothered about a tiller - we have an old 5hp Montomery Ward that will do after the ground is broken up a bit. If it takes a day or two, I can spare it.

Backhoe - I'm thinking the smallest one I can find and I'll leave it on for a couple of weeks or so only doing that. Same with the other attachments.

I'm OK with gas engines but never touched a diesel, and I hear pumps and injectors can get pricey.

I kinda expect the attachments will come later (there's usually an assortment around here) but it would be nice to luck out and get some stuff thrown in.

No restoring here - work tractor only.

I'm thinking it's the 'spike drag' I'm needing. Something that'll dig down a bit and just rip it up. Then I can get the wife to pick up the rocks and go over it with the tiller.

I'm in Prince George, BC, Canada - just south of the North Pole.

I've seen the Fergusons mentioned on the n board before.

Thanks again, I'll make a list of all your suggestions and advice for when the time comes.

phil_n

Hi phil just confired my thoughts as to his location. up here in Canada it's usually cheaper to buy some of the equipment and learn to do it your self.

Guys lean on the pen when they bill for hire or operate equipment. Have seen the guys that take 3 or 4 hours to do an hour job with the hoe, and the $400 plus bill!.

His part of Canada is the part where all the rich people live. So nothings cheap. A 5 or $6000 older massey with detachable hoe would be worth the hassle taking it of for the 10.000 he might save, over getting somebody in or machine hire. plus he can do it when he wants, not waiting for a guy thats not really bothered, whether he turns up or not for smaller jobs.
This place is nice to live in but you kinda learn to be self sufficient real quick. A loader back hoe is next on my list for the farm here.
Regards Robert

Sounds like you need a D-8 not an 8N. And the fellow that has a non-runner for 1200 is dreaming or trying to scalp someone. Non-runners are $500.00 unless they have tires that are worth more. A backhoe could be very useful but they need to either have a PTO pump which is expensive or tie into a tractor's remote hydraulics which I have never seen on an N but the 800s can easily have them added. Don't dismiss renting a large sized mini-excavator. As long as it has elec. over hydraulic controls they are very easy to operate and in a half hour you can be getting a lot done.

I think the 8n will fit your needs well except a back but I will say I have seen on a website a custom made backhoe just for the 8n it looks like it works well

(quoted from post at 14:31:03 12/06/14) Rent the back hoe (It will be a real pain to install and remove or leave on) unless you intend to dig a bunch, it will be in the road.
*n tractors (my family has 2) will be just OK. They steer hard, and go too fast, even in low gear, for yard work. The same goes for a Cub Farmall. A IH 340, 350, 560 utility will serve much more adequately. They will have live PTO and hydraulics capable of operating a loader (very desirable).
Plowing is far more successful than roto tilling. Rocks are not fun with a plow, but they really tear into a rototiller. Few small tractors of vintage affordable size and price will operate a roto tiller. A plow, a disk, a spike drag, a bush hog, and a loader are needed. Start with a usable tractor and grow into the attachments. Jim

Click to expand...

I'd love to see a "field ready IH 340, 350 or 560 utility for 2 K. About the cheapest one of those I've seen in some time was pretty ruff for 3500. The OP did say his budget is about 2K. FWIW I do a lot of yard and garden work with an 8N. Too fast? OK, tell me another one.

The 8N is an OK tractor. They will, contrary to what another poster claimed run a 5' brush cutter in brush just fine. There are better tractors out there for not a lot more. The first thing you have to decide is which brand is best supported in your area. Just because there is a dealer there doesn't mean they have good service or parts.

While IMO the 8N is too small to run a hoe well they did sell hoe attachments for them. I wouldn't want to run a loader on one much without them having power steering. I own a stand alone tractor/backhoe/loader. Don't use it often but it's handy! You may be better off hiring or renting out some of the work.

Rick

I agree. Ditch the 8N idea. The faster the better!.You will HATE the nonlive hydralics/pto. go with a minimum NAA,or better still a 600/800.Think about a similar size Massey Ferguson.Get over the "diesel" issue.A good one will be more trouble free than a gas.For your limited hrs,a diesel will serve you much better.As for cold weather starting,simply plug it in to a block heater.Spend a bit more and get a much better tractor.(BTW,I really like 8Ns,but in this case,I advise against)

Everyone should own a N Series Ford at some point in their life as it'll make them really appreciate a decent tractor.

No on the 8N. I have a Jubilee and wished I had
gotten something bigger with power steering, ext
hyd and live pto.

I have 12 properties to take care of. 6 years ago
I purchased a sub-compact backhoe, terramite T5C.
I will never be without one. I've put 1100 hours
on it, mostly doing what you want to do, yard
work, except for brush hog.

It's small enough it won't put ruts in your yard,
3100#. I love it. As for making a garden spot, I
use sod cutter, then the FIL to remove sod. I
either put bad looking sod in mulch pile and the
good looking sod in bare spots in lawn.

The backhoe can do a real fast job breaking up the
ground to run a tiller over.

Before you buy, go to your local DIY place and
rent one for he weekend.

I made an 8 ft snow blade and a device to prune
trees up to 10 ft off the ground and Asian honey
suckle that goes on front bucket.

Why cut brush? Backhoe can remove it. level up the
ground and make a lawn.

I have 4 ft forks for front bucket too.

If I could only have one tractor, I would get a
terrmite. To cut grass, get a lawn mower.