- Thread starter rickeyha
- Start date
notjustair
Well-known Member
You don't mention your aptitude or time available. If
the time spent isn't a big deal and you are
mechanically inclined an old gas tractor is just fine. I
farm 1000 acres and still have jobs for gas tractors.
A little Farmall A does some yard mowing and runs
all of the augers. I have a gas Farmall M that grinds
all of the feed each week. It's very maneuverable
and has live hydraulics. Live PTO isn't necessary
for that job.
If I am mowing grader ditches or pastures I use the
886 with a 15 foot batwing - I'm not doing that dusty
job without a cab or air!
the time spent isn't a big deal and you are
mechanically inclined an old gas tractor is just fine. I
farm 1000 acres and still have jobs for gas tractors.
A little Farmall A does some yard mowing and runs
all of the augers. I have a gas Farmall M that grinds
all of the feed each week. It's very maneuverable
and has live hydraulics. Live PTO isn't necessary
for that job.
If I am mowing grader ditches or pastures I use the
886 with a 15 foot batwing - I'm not doing that dusty
job without a cab or air!
CenTex Farmall
Well-known Member
How many acres and how much anticipated seat time?
Diesel will use less fuel, BUT any repairs to an injector pump or injectors will very quickly erase any money saved on fuel and then some. "Old" and "diesel" is not a cheap game to play also parts may be hard to come by or non existent.
Old gas tractors are more forgiving for the casual user and engine internals are readily available for most types. You can find whole rebuild kits right on this website for gas engines.
Newer tractors will cost more initially but have more features such as power steering and independent pto. Most tractors since the 60's came with pretty good user friendly features. However, those features add complexity and even a tractor from the 70's is now 40 years old.
Best bet is to decide how much you want to spend and figure out how much tractor you need. Then find a knowledgeable friend to help you go "shopping".
An old M Farmall for example will easily handle a 6 ft brush hog and blade and a loader. However it takes a little finesse to use non live hydraulics and transmission linked PTO. However, those simple systems are more reliable than an AK-47.
If you are not inclined to heavy maintenance then condition will be a big factor in your purchase and thus the knowledgeable friend to help you not buy a lemon. I'm partial to Farmall but all the makes had good points and bad points and you have to buy on condition of a particular machine.
Diesel will use less fuel, BUT any repairs to an injector pump or injectors will very quickly erase any money saved on fuel and then some. "Old" and "diesel" is not a cheap game to play also parts may be hard to come by or non existent.
Old gas tractors are more forgiving for the casual user and engine internals are readily available for most types. You can find whole rebuild kits right on this website for gas engines.
Newer tractors will cost more initially but have more features such as power steering and independent pto. Most tractors since the 60's came with pretty good user friendly features. However, those features add complexity and even a tractor from the 70's is now 40 years old.
Best bet is to decide how much you want to spend and figure out how much tractor you need. Then find a knowledgeable friend to help you go "shopping".
An old M Farmall for example will easily handle a 6 ft brush hog and blade and a loader. However it takes a little finesse to use non live hydraulics and transmission linked PTO. However, those simple systems are more reliable than an AK-47.
If you are not inclined to heavy maintenance then condition will be a big factor in your purchase and thus the knowledgeable friend to help you not buy a lemon. I'm partial to Farmall but all the makes had good points and bad points and you have to buy on condition of a particular machine.
Diesel engines and injections systems have a LONG service life.
If he buys a diesel in decent shape and takes care of it/does routine maintenance/oil changes and doesn't do something STUPID like getting water in the fuel, "repairs" are literally an NON issue.
On the other hand, there are guys that can break an anvil with a rubber hammer.
And, they can break a new (pathetic) "yuppie tractor" just as quickly.
If he buys a diesel in decent shape and takes care of it/does routine maintenance/oil changes and doesn't do something STUPID like getting water in the fuel, "repairs" are literally an NON issue.
On the other hand, there are guys that can break an anvil with a rubber hammer.
And, they can break a new (pathetic) "yuppie tractor" just as quickly.
CenTex Farmall
Well-known Member
I agree that they have a long service life. I have a couple of those old diesels myself. I believe they're more of a challenge for a rookie tractor owner vs. old gas or new diesel. As you say, much trouble avoided by doing PM and catching small issues before they become a big problem, such as fuel leaking into the crankcase. Would a newbie notice a subtle problem like that? I dunno.
Again that's why I said individual condition is so important. A neglected old diesel could be a financial nightmare.
I agree about the glorified oversized lawnmowers that are marketed as "tractors".
Again that's why I said individual condition is so important. A neglected old diesel could be a financial nightmare.
I agree about the glorified oversized lawnmowers that are marketed as "tractors".
Keith Molden
Well-known Member
He says he's going to be brush hogging. He will definatly need a tractor with live PTO on it. Unless, of course we want the bush hog to push him over a bank or hill. Just my thoughts, I know I wouldn't want one without live PTO, but then again that's just me @ 68 & operating machinery for most of my life.
Keith Molden
Well-known Member
I just re read your post Noujustair. & see where you were talking about the M not needing live pto. I 'm sorry for jumping before I fully understood what you were saying. Keith
Rex Simpkins
Member
Done a lot of bushogging with a 240 utility no live pto, over running clutch takes care of the mower pushing the tractor problem
gene bender
Well-known Member
without a shed anything you buy will be trouble too many bad things can happen
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
Diesel vs gas is a no brainier for me. I can't stand the smell of diesel, gives me a headache.
IMHO, Diesels are more expensive to repair. Gas tractors are easier to start in very cold temps,
don't require plugging in a heater.
That leaves me only one choice, old gas tractors. TMK, all new tractors are diesel.
Some want one tractor to do everything. Reminds me of the old shopsmith. I have different tractors
to do different things, especially when it comes to moving dirt.
IMHO, Diesels are more expensive to repair. Gas tractors are easier to start in very cold temps,
don't require plugging in a heater.
That leaves me only one choice, old gas tractors. TMK, all new tractors are diesel.
Some want one tractor to do everything. Reminds me of the old shopsmith. I have different tractors
to do different things, especially when it comes to moving dirt.
I brush hog with a Farmall M and use an over running clutch. No problems and use a 6' tow behind mower. I have a three point hitch on the M,
but I feel a medium duty three point hitch brush hog will make the front end light on steep hills. The tractor needs to be at least tarped. I buy a
decent $30 tarp every 3 years. The tractor never sits out in the rain. Good luck with your decision.
but I feel a medium duty three point hitch brush hog will make the front end light on steep hills. The tractor needs to be at least tarped. I buy a
decent $30 tarp every 3 years. The tractor never sits out in the rain. Good luck with your decision.
notjustair
Well-known Member
It al depends on comfort level. Growing up you helped no matter what, so they put me on an 8N before I was heavy enough to get the clutch pushed down. I remember jumping on it to get it down. Of course, this was with a mower and no over running clutch. Those cost extra and we were too tight to have an option!
Finish mowing I wouldn't worry about non-live pto. The little blades on that A don't carry much momentum.
It sounds like the OP is handy. I'll bet he could get him a nice tractor (here) that needed no work for $2000 and then throw a few older attachments at it.
Finish mowing I wouldn't worry about non-live pto. The little blades on that A don't carry much momentum.
It sounds like the OP is handy. I'll bet he could get him a nice tractor (here) that needed no work for $2000 and then throw a few older attachments at it.
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
I agree.
Diesels Stink.
And they're Noisy.
On the other hand;
My little 3000 has been in the shed since October.
It won't get started untill May.
When I finally do go put a battery in it and turn the key it WILL start.
No messing with points or gummed up carb from sitting.
Diesels Stink.
And they're Noisy.
On the other hand;
My little 3000 has been in the shed since October.
It won't get started untill May.
When I finally do go put a battery in it and turn the key it WILL start.
No messing with points or gummed up carb from sitting.
I really like a Ferguson 35 for brush hogging. Small
and maneuverable but has live PTO, no need for an
over run clutch, and live hydraulics so you can raise
the brush hog without having to turn on the PTO
which starts the brush hog or without leaving the
seat to unhook the shaft then turn on the PTO.
and maneuverable but has live PTO, no need for an
over run clutch, and live hydraulics so you can raise
the brush hog without having to turn on the PTO
which starts the brush hog or without leaving the
seat to unhook the shaft then turn on the PTO.
Would a car port shed open on the sides be ok ? Maybe cover the sides with a tarp? Keep comments coming! I thank you all very much!! I have spme experience driving old gas/propane tractors. I am not like I have never operated one. No experience with diesels. I just want a tractor that isn't a money pit! Thanks!
Galen Houk
Member
I will be listing a very nice Deutz 60 hp FWA with loader. Not advertising here, just letting you know to watch the adds.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
Ultradog MN,
I'm old school. When I was a kid, I replaced points and condensers annually on cars and mowers, no biggie. I have many gas mowers, generators, kaw mule, vac wagon, 4 tractors, never had a gummed carb. Staybil and fresh gas solves that problem. I don't let my things sit around, use them. Those that only get used a few times a year, gas is drained and put fresh gas and staybil once a year.
So what's a problem for some isn't for others.
I'm old school. When I was a kid, I replaced points and condensers annually on cars and mowers, no biggie. I have many gas mowers, generators, kaw mule, vac wagon, 4 tractors, never had a gummed carb. Staybil and fresh gas solves that problem. I don't let my things sit around, use them. Those that only get used a few times a year, gas is drained and put fresh gas and staybil once a year.
So what's a problem for some isn't for others.
Married2Allis
Well-known Member
I love the smell of diesel in the morning!
Brian Allen
Well-known Member
My choice would be a Ford 4600 Diesel, but gas would be almost as good. Very cheap on fuel!
Andy Martin
Well-known Member
Carport would be fine. I have M Farmall's in Oklahoma and they all sit out. And they all start when I need them.
But then I brush hog without an overrunning clutch and never have a problem, just watch what you are doing, and kick the PTO out if you need to.
But then I brush hog without an overrunning clutch and never have a problem, just watch what you are doing, and kick the PTO out if you need to.
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