Hello everyone,
I?m a senior in high school and I want to buy an old farm tractor to work on and possibly restore. I?m going to college next year but I?ll be commuting from home so I?ll have time (and the space) to work on my tractor.
My family owns just under 2 acres of property about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. I don?t really have that much practical usage for a tractor - besides hauling wood, mulch, and general ?tractor stuff? - but I?ve absolutely LOVED old farm tractors since I was a toddler. I know it?s not the most practical, but it?s always been my dream to own an old farm tractor.
I don?t have any experience with old tractors or engines, but I?m a pretty quick learner so I think I might be able to figure out how to rebuild an engine or restore parts of the tractor.
I have a few questions for you experienced people. First of all, are there any pitfalls I might be missing in the tractor buying process? As far as I can see, I need to look for a tractor around $800 to $1000, preferably running but at the least turning over. Then, I need to rent a trailer and tow it home with an F150. I anticipate a little maintanance costs, but I hope once I have it tuned up and fixed up I should be good to go.
Do you think it?s reasonable to expect to buy an old tractor (like a Ford 8N or Farmall H) for around $800 if it?s running but not in great shape? I?m thinking about writing some letters and putting them at some houses where I see an old tractor and just seeing if they might be willing to sell. I would consider buying a non-running tractor, but I?d hope to pay maybe $600 for a non running tractor. How unrealistic am I?
Thank you very much,
John
I?m a senior in high school and I want to buy an old farm tractor to work on and possibly restore. I?m going to college next year but I?ll be commuting from home so I?ll have time (and the space) to work on my tractor.
My family owns just under 2 acres of property about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. I don?t really have that much practical usage for a tractor - besides hauling wood, mulch, and general ?tractor stuff? - but I?ve absolutely LOVED old farm tractors since I was a toddler. I know it?s not the most practical, but it?s always been my dream to own an old farm tractor.
I don?t have any experience with old tractors or engines, but I?m a pretty quick learner so I think I might be able to figure out how to rebuild an engine or restore parts of the tractor.
I have a few questions for you experienced people. First of all, are there any pitfalls I might be missing in the tractor buying process? As far as I can see, I need to look for a tractor around $800 to $1000, preferably running but at the least turning over. Then, I need to rent a trailer and tow it home with an F150. I anticipate a little maintanance costs, but I hope once I have it tuned up and fixed up I should be good to go.
Do you think it?s reasonable to expect to buy an old tractor (like a Ford 8N or Farmall H) for around $800 if it?s running but not in great shape? I?m thinking about writing some letters and putting them at some houses where I see an old tractor and just seeing if they might be willing to sell. I would consider buying a non-running tractor, but I?d hope to pay maybe $600 for a non running tractor. How unrealistic am I?
Thank you very much,
John