looking for advice on buying a tractor

Hi, I'm going to look at a used MF tractor. Here's the link: http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/5686463870.html

I know very little about the mechanics of tractors. Wanting advice on what to look out for when I go to see it to make sure it's in good shape.

Thanks!

Not much power at 21 horsepower!

I don't think I need a whole lot of power. Is 21 HP powerful enough to clean out my small goat barn, scrape my gravel driveway and move loads of gravel, compost, etc? That's really all I need it for.

To each his own but that tractor with those turf tires is over priced by at least 3000, the seller
says other tractors are ''selling'' for 5900 without loader but I suspect those other tractors are
''advertised'' for 5900.

My experience with turf tires is not very good traction, especially in wet material
such as manure cleanup.

I'd check parts availability.It's pushin 30 years old. I know the Fords and John Deere/Yanmares of that era are a crap shoot on some things. Also with a straight transmission with a loader and no 4 wheel drive there may be a clutch issue.
Good Luck.

Friend bought new starter for his 1963 MF 35
. Some other parts may not be available.
Check out parts on YT.

A tractor that size if 4x4 can really surprise you at how much you can do. Now turf tires will limit traction in mud and manure but good on hard surfaces and yards for mowing. They say 4x4 in the ad but not sure hard to see a frt. driveshaft so make darn sure it has 4x4. Also check with a Massey dealer to see if that model still has parts support. Hard to tell if it will really bring that much $

topher28801,

If you have zero mechanical skills you may want buy from a dealer, so older tractors may be out of the question. I have to work on my neighbor's MF 35, he has limited skills. So you may want to look at the BX23, Kubota, with loader, hoe, and mower. I don't like the smell of diesel. Not really impressed with what it can do. Might work well for you. Or check out JD's

I'm not aware of any Terramite dealers. I have to call the factory for parts and do my own work. They are not cheap. Good chance you could get a new BX23's for the price of a used T5C. Mine has a 20 hp kohler gas. Only gas hoes I know of. New ones are 25 hp kohlers gas and base price is $25000+, 2 wheel drive. Larger ones are diesel and start around $30,000. Can get them in 4 wheel.


Larger used hoes are cheaper. Like all hydraulic devices, you will be working on leaky cylinders and hoses. May not be worth it for you if you can't do the work. Buying something older with an add on loader and no power steering, no strong front axle, a clutch and gear box will not be a pleasant experience working inside a barn. I would want a hydrostatic tranny while loading the front bucket. Burn up a clutch. The smell of diesel may not be fun either inside a barn.

I use mine for yard work, moving dirt, gravel, and mulch. Larger ones will tear up yard, mine is only 3100#

Not aware of anyone on YT that has a terramite. I like terramites so much I have two of them.



Hope you find this helps you.

geo

I didn't see the 4wd .My bad.

If it helps it was built by Toyosha .

Good Luck.

If you don't need it for mowing or yard work I might suggest a small slid steer loader. Small Bobcat or Case Uniloader could be had for that money

I thought about a skidder. Hired neighbor who had one to do some yard work for. I soon realized a skidder tears the crap out of my yard, which at the time I had to fix the ruts and pealed up grass myself.

Skidders are good inside tight places, like a barn. Not sure how good they would be if there is mud around the barn. Not sure how high they can lift or how much reach they have if he plans to put poo or mulch in a truck.

I didn't look at the tractor on CL but if its a Toyosha like a MF 205,210 or 220 then there is NO parts support or parts available anywhere,other than the NOS parts in some dealerships.
They also built the Allis 5015,5020 and 5030 and some Simplicitys.If you break it you got a boat anchor until you find a parts tractor.I have a MF 220 and two AC 5020 tractors for parts.

Geo-TH,IN I have a Dig-It 198 TLB unit that is gas with the 18 Hp Kohler flat twin. It is a Power King clone.
I get parts for it from the Power King People. It is about the size of A Terramite. There are a couple of the
Terramites around here and are mostly used in cemeteries for grave digging. I like the fact that mine is small and with the
hydrostatic transmission, it is very nice for yard work. My wife thought it was wonderful when I told her I wanted
to buy it. She said, lets go get it now before someone else grabs it up.

Gene Davis

2 wheel drive, with turf tires, is going to be pretty useless for loader work- no traction. And the price is no bargain. I'd keep looking, if I were you.

Gene,,
Never see or heard of a Dig-it 19B TLB. But you agree the hydrostatic is necessary to load the bucket with dirt. If it's anything like mine, a 10 year old kid can operate it. Let grandson play with in in the mulch pile. I was standing next to it. Had it at an idle so if he screwed up it would kill it. You can see my the smile he was having fun. Then I backed up and let him did in the dirt. His dad thought it was cool. His dad watched too.

The second one I bought had a 20 hp Honda replacement on it. Grandma can operate it too.

Some of the first Terramites were 18 hp. Mine is a 20 hp kohler command. Roller bearing main, OHV, Hydraulic lifters. 1700 hours on it and doesn't use oil, still runs great. Most people blow theirs up with less hours. Owners manual says there is no need to run it more than half speed, and they are right.

Yes, they were made for digging graves. Small enough and light enough they didn't tear up the lawn. Terramites is all the Terre Haute DIY rental place has. Not sure if you can't rent a small JD at the south end of town where they sell them.


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Assuming you don't need too small, you may find a larger more common machine can be had for the same or even less money. I got our MF135 w a
loader for $2800 in good running order, just needed to put the sheet metal (which came with it) back on. Deals are out there. Older common
tractors have good parts availability too, and better online support from fellow owners.

Thank you all for your advice and info! I decided not to buy the tractor.