What tractor do I need?

hobohilton · Feb 13, 2017

I recently moved on to a 5 acre place... I can see where I will need a tractor. My "Antique Tractor" friends tell me to get a 50 horse power tractor because a front end loader can be added and other attachments. My location is Montana so there is not a large selection of "vintage" tractors like in the Midwest. There was a lot of snow this year that needed to be moved. I am mechanically inclined, have a shop and tools. I am not desiring to "restore" a tractor.... simply to buy a vintage used one that will work around my place. I could split one if I had to. Rather not. So, my question is what brand and model of a "vintage" tractor would you suggest. I'd want one that parts are available for and it would be used as a utility tractor.

Thanks for any opinions.

Hobo

email - [email protected]

the tractor vet · Feb 13, 2017

Best i can say is if you can swing it get a NEW compact tractor with four wheel drive a cab and power steering and a diesel engine that is around that Hp. mark that also has a ft. Power take off that way when you get a fluffy snow fall you can run a ft. mount snow blower . You can still have the loader that is a quick tac and the biggy is you will get years of service out of it before YOU have to work on it . Yep old tractors are neat and all that but for some reason when ya need them the most is when you have to work on them to use it . I don't care what flavor you buy in new as that is up to you . Here it comes down to who is your closest dealer and how good they are and how friendly they are. Then if you want to play with and OLD tractor you can still do that as there is no law sayen you can't .

da.bees · Feb 13, 2017

I believe your friends are about right. Buying as a package deal is cheaper than piecing togeather and assure's getting all the links and parts. Power steering and live pto aren't absolutly necessary but they sure are worth the little extra cost. Unless you are experienced in diesel inards,avoid one that need's work,diesels are expensive to repair/rebuild. LP tractors don't pull down equal money to their gasoline breathern,often have lower hours and can be converted if desired later. If you heat the home with Lp,the hose cost's about $150 to $250 and tank require's a special liquid withdrawal valve. Paying for a knowledgable friend's travel expenses and meals to look at tractors is a good investment. Old tractor enthusists that are retired will often ride with you and buy their own meals just to see more tractors.

wjytexas · Feb 13, 2017

I'd say if you go old get a Massey 50 or 60 with power steering. Perkins diesel if you know diesels or the Continental gas. The engines and hydraulics are easy to work on and parts are available.

Dick2 · Feb 13, 2017

That is good advice, but of course it isn't my money.

Dick L · Feb 13, 2017

It all depends on what your going to do with the 5 acres! That is only slightly larger than my yard. With the lanes around the horse lots I mow over 6 acres with my Allis Chalmers C weekly. In the 1940's Dad farmed 148 acres with an Allis C which is around 20 horse. A 50 horse tractor leaves a fairly large foot print for 5 acres. It seems most people around my area on 5 acre lots use the larger lawn tractors in the 18 to 20 horse power with loader and tilling tools for garden.

centash · Feb 13, 2017

Massey Ferguson 150, 165, Ford 4000, 5000, for a bit more money,
John Deere 2120, 1840...these tractors have a different number in the US, but a 50 hp model of the same vintage as the others. All of these have lots of new and used parts available, good dealer networks and ease of operation. Ben.

Donald Lehman · Feb 13, 2017

Whenever you find one to consider, research that particular model BEFORE you buy it. Virtually every brand has exemplary units and "not so good" units. Find out before you buy. Right here is as good a place to ask about whatever model you are considering as any. The newer you go, the more modern features you will have, the better the hydraulics. However, the newer you go, the more complicated and the more expensive to repair. Late 1960's is a good place to start. Nearly everybody had good hydraulics by then, and some kind of decent live PTO. 4wd is always a plus, though not a necessity.

the tractor vet · Feb 13, 2017

Dick i did say if he could SWING IT . I did the OLD tractor snow plowing thing for a couple years and yes even MY old tractor would give me fits , Nothing like getting up at 4 Am and look out and see 12- 30 inches of snow and temps below 0 and get bundled up looking like the Mitchlen Man and wade thru the snow and remove the tarp and find out that the points are glazed over and it will not start and the fight Begin's . Or the last time you ran it you did not run it long enough to get the battery fully charged and it ALLlllllll most started and now the battery is to low for a second try and now you have to jump it after you dig your truck out by hand . Then ya do get it running and even with a heat houser it is still COLD setting up there . So you finally get dug out and your hands and feet are frozen stiff and you get it parked back in it's spot and about have the tarp back over it and here comes every neighbor that the rest of the year goes out of there way to avoid even sayen hy to ya and except you to dig them out for FREE . Yep i am that arres hole and they did not like what i told them . So i did away with bringing in one of my tractors from the farm to a cheap used snow blower for just my drive and sidewalk. . Even after i did that i had two neighbor come over and want to BORROW it and one even wanted to use mine to go do other neighbors to make money with.

flying belgian · Feb 13, 2017

I agree with some of the others. Get the newest tractor you can afford. Doesn't matter what color.

Jim Phelps · Feb 13, 2017

That is true, I mow 5 acres with a CA allis and a finish mower, before I got the finish mower I used an old 20hp craftsman rider.

Larry EC-OH · Feb 13, 2017

Let me mention a few "other" factors.

Do you have size constraints (height and width) to store this tractor?

You might not want to limit yourself to 50 Hp. There is a "sweet" spot between all the "farmette" owners and the "real" farmers. You may well find that you can buy an 80 - 100 Hp tractor for less money than a 50 Hp tractor.

Are you OK with an open-station tractor or do you want some protection from the weather?

If at all possible, get one with ROPS, adequate lighting etc for safety.

Happy hunting,
Larry

hobohilton · Feb 13, 2017

I've put out some "feelers" in my search. I seem to get replies from folks with JD 1010, 2010 and 3010's. I don't know if they are just popular in my area or if those had some issues. Should I consider this group? Color does not matter as much as being able to get parts.

Thanks,

Hobo

Bob in SD · Feb 13, 2017

I've got a neighbor like that. All the rest more than make up for him though. I feel sorry for his wife and kids and end up helping more than I should. Which makes it that much harder to say "no" the next time.

ohiojim · Feb 13, 2017

HOLY CRAP BATMAN,.....100 HP tractor for 5 acres, take 1/2 that to turn around....

docmirror · Feb 13, 2017

(quoted from post at 13:15:38 02/13/17) I've put out some "feelers" in my search. I seem to get replies from folks with JD 1010, 2010 and 3010's. I don't know if they are just popular in my area or if those had some issues. Should I consider this group? Color does not matter as much as being able to get parts.

Thanks,

Hobo

You're going to get some varied responses to these tractors. I've heard(but have not experienced) that the 3010 is a pretty good unit. I have a 2010, and it's a fine piece of equipment so long as nothing goes wrong. Plenty of them in breakers yards for some parts, but if the engine craps out, that is a major issue due to the different design of the block casting and head attachment.

I would say if you don't put a price point in, you're gonna get a lot of ideas. I would also say the MF 65 or 165 with PS and a loader attached would be what I want for regular use. Well supported, and anyone can fix them, if you can't.

I bought my 2010 for $1700 running well but not pretty. I bought a loader for $700 that I'm going to fit. Comparable units are selling from $4500-7000 out there, so wide swing in prices.

MF 65 diesel with loader in OH, seems like a deal if it works;
http://www.external_link.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/10959091/1960-massey-ferguson-65

MF 165 gas with loader, kinda rough in IN. All depends on if it works or needs work:

http://www.external_link.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/10852473/1968-massey-ferguson-165

Farmall49 · Feb 13, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:28:29 02/13/17) I recently moved on to a 5 acre place... I can see where I will need a tractor. My "Antique Tractor" friends tell me to get a 50 horse power tractor because a front end loader can be added and other attachments. My location is Montana so there is not a large selection of "vintage" tractors like in the Midwest. There was a lot of snow this year that needed to be moved. I am mechanically inclined, have a shop and tools. I am not desiring to "restore" a tractor.... simply to buy a vintage used one that will work around my place. I could split one if I had to. Rather not. So, my question is what brand and model of a "vintage" tractor would you suggest. I'd want one that parts are available for and it would be used as a utility tractor.

Thanks for any opinions.

Hobo

email - [email protected]

Farmall49 · Feb 13, 2017

i think you should go with a Massey 285 great tractor not to much money around $4500 70 hp and 3pt would make a great loader tractor you hind of sit down low so it blocks the wind

Larry EC-OH · Feb 13, 2017

LOL, Depends on the model.

OP did not mention prices, I was just trying to provide some options.

Larry

tracto-man · Feb 13, 2017

I'll be the annoying person that says why get such a big tractor for 5 acres? Of course it depends largely upon what you are planning in doing with it. We had a Massey Ferguson 65 diesel with a loader. It was almost too big for 50 acres. Ruts all over if the ground is soft, not fitting through paths and gates. Several ford N's do about everything.

That being said, it also depends on how much you plan to spend. A Ford hundred or thousand series seems it would be a good fit, or a Massey Ferguson. Seems Cases of that range are good and not too expensive as well.

Eldon (WA) · Feb 13, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:28:29 02/13/17) I recently moved on to a 5 acre place... I can see where I will need a tractor. My "Antique Tractor" friends tell me to get a 50 horse power tractor because a front end loader can be added and other attachments. My location is Montana so there is not a large selection of "vintage" tractors like in the Midwest. There was a lot of snow this year that needed to be moved. I am mechanically inclined, have a shop and tools. I am not desiring to "restore" a tractor.... simply to buy a vintage used one that will work around my place. I could split one if I had to. Rather not. So, my question is what brand and model of a "vintage" tractor would you suggest. I'd want one that parts are available for and it would be used as a utility tractor.

Thanks for any opinions.

Hobo

email - [email protected]

What part of MT? I am in eastern WA and am thinning my herd. I have this low hour clean 175 Diesel for $7500. 62 pto hp, block heater, Perkins diesel.

long green line man · Feb 13, 2017

Hobo: I'm just offering comments & some advise, With your mechanical ability & want a vintage tractor ; I to would suggest a 30 to 50 yr. old tractor .. But do some homework & pick a brand & model , that has a reliable dealer close enough to you [plus popular enough to have aftermarket & remanufacture parts] ,+ a salvage yard close enough to you, with enough models [of your choice] to get used parts.. I'm of the thinking a time may come you will need all options.. That being said ,[ and I'm not trying to sell you a tractor I have for sale] Hears my 'prejudice' Look, or run a local ad for a 3010 or 3020 very good 50 hp. loader tractor.

Traditional Farmer · Feb 13, 2017

If you get Eldon's AC 175 you're be a doing good,they're great all around tractors

Destroked 450 · Feb 13, 2017

(quoted from post at 15:15:38 02/13/17) I've put out some "feelers" in my search. I seem to get replies from folks with JD 1010, 2010 and 3010's. I don't know if they are just popular in my area or if those had some issues. Should I consider this group? Color does not matter as much as being able to get parts.

Thanks,

Hobo

Last time I mentioned a 10 series JD even the JD guys ripped me. They all say 1010's are junk and not much good has been said about 2010's.
Look at late 60's models and newer, Most every brand had good reliable tractors in the 70's and 80's, fancier electronics came into play during the 90's and newer offering operator convenance, but repair cost can get pricey.
Get something with a quick attach loader that can be easily removed if major repair work is needed.
Old style full frame loaders can turn repair work into a nightmare.
Unless you have real hilly ground I'd forgo a 4x4 and get a good set of tire chains for snow removal.

wolfman · Feb 13, 2017

I have an AC 170 gas with very good loader for $5500. Buy it and I'll buy Eldon's 175 & loader.

Part Time Pete · Feb 14, 2017

A new or slightly used compact would be nice, but expensive. At the family farm we have a Kubota 3130 and it's a great little tractor
If you want an older tractor in the 50hp range, I don't think you can do much better than a Ford 5000 - around here they run from 5-7k
Happy shopping
Pete

Leroy · Feb 14, 2017

Drove my uncles Deeres, stay AWAY from them. Best models are Ford and Massey-Ferguson for you and in a utility version, no row crop as is the JD 3010 or possibly the 2010.

What tractor do I need?

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