Small gas tractors for general parade use?

While I dearly love the John Deere 730LP I grew up on, it is simply too big and heavy to be remotely practical, not to mention is that it is SLOW!

I want something with a wide front for general stability and ease of trailer loading but, I really don't know much about these small ag tractors or really where to start my search and learning process.

Basically, I want something that is an over grown 'golf cart' with a little historic value that is easy to maintain and is reliable. I am ambivalent about a hand crank option but, think it would be a good idea for shows in Minnesota. I should note I live in East Texas and grew up in Oklahoma wheat fields.

The little Allis Chalmer options seem to be in the ~$2500 range which seems popular around me. In the upper MidWest corn country, little International tractors seem super popular. Something like a John Deere GP might be an option as well. What I really can't figure out are the older Case tractors, which I have am some affinity too from my youth on 930's just like the JD 730LP 'Wheatland' or standard tractor.

The Prewar gasoline tractors, on rubber, are where my primary interest is at the moment but, post-WW2 tractors have their merits as well and are probably a better option for me due to general parts availability and general support.

TIA,
Sid

Farmall cub?
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An 8n Ford would be ideal for what you want it for. Nice and easy to get on and off. Nearly takes a stepladder to get on some of the older tractors.

I like our Farmall C for parades, it's quiet, easy to get on and off, (after I put steps on it) and has good
visibility.

I agree with hurl. You are describing an 8n to a tee.

I have a JD GP and the top speed is 4mph. way to slow for parade use, not during the parade mind you, just getting to and from the area is not practical. Although I love the old flat head GP popping off for people, it will idle down real slow. It is a head turner especially with little kids.

(quoted from post at 10:48:26 12/20/22) While I dearly love the John Deere 730LP I grew up on, it is simply too big and heavy to be remotely practical, not to mention is that it is SLOW!

I want something with a wide front for general stability and ease of trailer loading but, I really don't know much about these small ag tractors or really where to start my search and learning process.

Basically, I want something that is an over grown 'golf cart' with a little historic value that is easy to maintain and is reliable. I am ambivalent about a hand crank option but, think it would be a good idea for shows in Minnesota. I should note I live in East Texas and grew up in Oklahoma wheat fields.

The little Allis Chalmer options seem to be in the ~$2500 range which seems popular around me. In the upper MidWest corn country, little International tractors seem super popular. Something like a John Deere GP might be an option as well. What I really can't figure out are the older Case tractors, which I have am some affinity too from my youth on 930's just like the JD 730LP 'Wheatland' or standard tractor.

The Prewar gasoline tractors, on rubber, are where my primary interest is at the moment but, post-WW2 tractors have their merits as well and are probably a better option for me due to general parts availability and general support.

TIA,
Sid

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Deere 420 slant steer or 430 with live PTO and SCV .

If you think a 730 is slow(13mph),then you wont like the other suggestions.Most other 'two bangers' will only run about 12mph. Cub(8mph);8N 10-12mph); GP(4mph);Farmall C(10-12mph).You want to go fast,then
look at a Farmall H. (16-18mph).Plentiful,cheap and LOTS of parts available.If you want to go really fast,check out the Empire tractor.They are rare,expencive(several thousand dollars),but can run
45mph!Other options are tractors with aftermarket overdrives. Like the Ford/shermam. My F20 has a Hiesler overdrive. It will go 25mph with 36 rear rubber'.Too fast!There are others out there too.

I have several 8N Fords and a cute Farmall Cub. Either would be nice as a parade tractor, but, as others have noted, the 8N is much easier on-and-off than the Cub, which requires more agile climbing to get to the seat.

8N or NAA, MF 35, Ferguson 30 all small, handy, relatively inexpensive, and should be readily available in East Texas. Great for parades and rides and can mow the grass.

A friend of mine has this 630 wheatland for sale.Overhauled, Central Iowa. $2400.00

A well painted Oliver utility is always a real eye catcher in a parade or tractor drive. Super 55, 550, 500 or 600. Kent Gordon
down there in Texas will have everything you'll ever need to repair or restore a Super 55 or 550.

I've got several prospects for you. A 1938 Fordson N, A 1961 Fordson Dexta, a 1954 Ford NNA,
a Case VAC, and a Ferguson TEA-20. I used to have a MM Jetstar 3, which is a Minnesota product
and quite popular, but I'd look for the smaller Model R, as well as the smaller Olivers. There
were many different low production brands that would have special interest at the shows. All of
those I mentioned above have wide fronts and rubber tires. None are show pieces, but have potential?

Of these, I have to think that the Case VAC is the easiest to get on and off. The pre-war Fordson
uses a crank. They have a reputation for being tough on an old man, unless you know your stuff.

The most miserable and frustrating tractor drive I've ever been on in my life, somebody brought a Cub. They put him second in line because they knew he'd be slow and they didn't want to loose him. Nobody else's road gear would even go that slow. There was a whole line of folks riding clutches or downshifting and running wide open. Batteries were getting weak from generators not charging at low RPMs. At the third stop, somebody finally hooked on to him and towed him the rest of the way so we could get home before dark. I don't think he'll ever bring that again. If he does, he might be going alone.

If you dont have an implement shed with
huge doors on it (guessing you don't), but
have an extra stall in a regular garage,
with a standard sized garage door, I would
advise you to get something that will fit
through that door and into that stall.
Height becomes an issue on standard size
garage doors. Even an H farmall has to have
the exhaust pipe cut off shorter, to fit
into a standard garage door.

Keeping your parade tractor under a roof
will save you a lot of work, and keep the
paint looking nice. If you are only putting
it in parades, you will want that. If you
take a freshly painted tractor, and store
it outside in the sun and rain, it don't
take long for it to start looking crappy.
About three years of that and it'll be
pretty noticeable. About 5 and it might not
look like it was ever re-painted. A superb
paint job with hardner and clear coat
finish and what not, it might last longer,
but I think you get my point. It's
appearance WILL deteriorate over time if
stored outside.

If you are going to be hauling this tractor
to get to the parades, that brings about
another issue with size. This time being
the width. Alot of people only have 1/2 ton
pick-ups and are limited to bumper
trailers. Which in a nut shell, limits you
to car trailer use. Car trailers brings
about a width factor, because they are only
designed to haul something as wide as the
width of the wheels on a car. For an
example, an H farmall will likely not fit
onto the car trailer, UNLESS you install
the adjustable rear wheels so the caste
iron centers are dished in (not out), and
are clamped onto the axle clear to the
inside. And even then, you might have to
cross your fingers if you have a narrow car
trailer.

Tow ratings of the trailer and vehicle also
become a factor. Just because you can get
it on the trailer, doesn't mean you won't
surpass the weight limits. Especially if
using a 1/2 ton pick-up and car trailer.
You might not think it, but some of these
tractors that might be made to fit on a car
trailer, might far exceed the weight of a
car. Especially if they have fluid filled
tires, and wheel weights. An H farmall
might be used as an example here as well.
No fluid, no wheel weights, it might be
comparable to the weight of a car. With
fluid and multiple wheel weights, it might
exceed the the ratings of the car trailer
and tow vehicle.

I always try to tell most people to not
think smaller. But in your case, I think
the smaller the better. It would actually
be better for you, and make more sense, to
not think big.
As to what make and model you get, is truly
a personal preference. For parades, the
more odd and unique it is, the better it'll
be for the spectators. Nothing against an
8n Ford, but as common as those things are,
everybody has seen one of those. Just using
the 8n as an example. Other makes and
models can fit into that same boat. You
want to be a hit with the audience, take
them something they haven't ever seen
before. So in that regard, un-common would
be good. If nothing else, un-common to your
area. Because if you get into something
that is un-common no matter where you are
at, then you are getting into something
that is rare. And rare is expensive to buy.
So to help the pocket book, you might look
for something that is un-common to your
area, but not rare overall.

Let's clarify something because I am not sure everyone is on the same page. do you want a tractor for parade duty or for tractor ride duty? There different requirements. Parades don't need speed. Most parades I have been in are stop-and-go and r-e-a-l-l-y slow.

A 730 may be too much for a parade, but an A or a B isn't. Or even an H or an M. (And of course their descendants.) And you can get any or all with wide fronts.

If you want a tractor ride tractor, then you need some speed.

I too agree about the 8N with one addition. Sherman over/under, they are pretty common and parts for the N series are widely availble.

jt

A Farmall H with a wide front works good.
I have a McCormick OS4 (like a W4) very easy to get on, with the low seat.
Jim

(quoted from post at 11:19:48 12/20/22)
Let's clarify something because I am not sure everyone is on the same page. do you want a tractor for parade duty or for tractor ride duty?

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He wants something that has a faster speed to between where his trailer is parked, and the parade staging area.

They are not always in the same location, because parades tend to be in towns where parking is limited. You might have to drive a couple of miles from the parking area to where the parade stars.

Second the 550. See if you can find a diesel. Fuel prices are high now but you wont use much and it turns heads. 6 forward two reverse should hit the speeds you need and you can use it for too many tasks to name

(quoted from post at 15:35:06 12/20/22)

(quoted from post at 11:19:48 12/20/22)
Let's clarify something because I am not sure everyone is on the same page. do you want a tractor for parade duty or for tractor ride duty?

Click to expand...

He wants something that has a faster speed to between where his trailer is parked, and the parade staging area.

They are not always in the same location, because parades tend to be in towns where parking is limited. You might have to drive a couple of miles from the parking area to where the parade stars.

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Even at that, it shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes, if that, to get to the parade area. And the parade itself, as mentioned, will be slow-1st or 2nd gear stuff. I guess I'm also not sure what the issue is here.

As far as tractor rides, I've only been on one or two. And those had a maximum speed of 10 or 12 mph. The lead tractor set the pace. In both cases, my tractor was not even running wide open. After all, it's supposed to be a ride, not a race.

(quoted from post at 14:19:48 12/20/22)
Let's clarify something because I am not sure everyone is on the same page. do you want a tractor for parade duty or for tractor ride duty? There different requirements. Parades don't need speed. Most parades I have been in are stop-and-go and r-e-a-l-l-y slow.

A 730 may be too much for a parade, but an A or a B isn't. Or even an H or an M. (And of course their descendants.) And you can get any or all with wide fronts.

If you want a tractor ride tractor, then you need some speed.

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Then he should get a Friday tractor...

Overgrown golf cart, easy to maintain, wide front, reliable, historic, etc, etc. You mentioned AC, and no one else has! The AC B
would be perfect. Except that you would probably want to get off and push to speed it up!

What ever you get, make sure the brakes work well. jr

(quoted from post at 09:16:35 12/20/22) I have a JD GP and the top speed is 4mph. way to slow for parade use, not during the parade mind you, just getting to and from the area is not practical. Although I love the old flat head GP popping off for people, it will idle down real slow. It is a head turner especially with little kids.

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Bummer for the GP top speed. I really like the sound of the 2-cylinder John Deere tractors like the 730LP. As memory serves, I think it is ~6MPH top speed and I hated moving it between hay fields in the summer because it was painfully slow.

(quoted from post at 10:09:09 12/20/22) 8N or NAA, MF 35, Ferguson 30 all small, handy, relatively inexpensive, and should be readily available in East Texas. Great for parades and rides and can mow the grass.

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I recently looked at a MF135. Overall pretty nice but, the paint job was a little amateurish.

Sounds like I need to keep an eye out for a Ford 8N or NAA.

The MF265 is one I'd like to see as well but, I think it is a bit too modern for what I want but, with a Perkin's diesel should be a good option if I can find one in good shape.

(quoted from post at 11:33:34 12/20/22) Of these, I have to think that the Case VAC is the easiest to get on and off.

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Thanks! I would be interested in your Case thoughts. I looked at some pre-war Case tractors on steel and a couple I think were converted to rubber that looked nice. I never did find an owner to talk to though. Seems like they were "C" tractors but, I could be mistaken.

I am getting older so, a good electric starter is something I would like but, I don't consider it a hard requirement for the 'right' tractor.

I am little bit leery of getting into a tractor brand where people are going to be critical of a different nut or bolt head on my tractor.

(quoted from post at 11:54:17 12/20/22) If you dont have an implement shed with

If you are going to be hauling this tractor

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I have an RV barn with no RV so, I could store a modest articulated tractor or almost any standard tractor. I live on 40 acres and could always store in under my open hay shed for round bales or, in my open equipment shed.

In terms of trailers, I am running a Big Tex 14PI most of the time. I have pulled a trackhoe and routinely haul Kubota L-series now. I will be getting either a new dually 1-ton or a Ford F-450/550 in the next few years. Hauling something like a Ford 8N would be a "cake-walk". I'm avoiding larger tractors like the JD730Lp or a Diesel 830 due to weight not because I can't haul but, because I don't want to travel that heavy from Texas to Minnesota!

If I find a really sweet JD 4020 or Case 930, I have the hardware to haul it safely but, right now I'm thinking less weight is a good thing, not a capacity thing.

(quoted from post at 12:19:48 12/20/22)
Let's clarify something because I am not sure everyone is on the same page. do you want a tractor for parade duty or for tractor ride duty? There different requirements. Parades don't need speed. Most parades I have been in are stop-and-go and r-e-a-l-l-y slow.

A 730 may be too much for a parade, but an A or a B isn't. Or even an H or an M. (And of course their descendants.) And you can get any or all with wide fronts.

If you want a tractor ride tractor, then you need some speed.

Click to expand...

One of the parades I am interested in has a minimum requirement of a 10MPH top speed so, 10MPH is a requirement for that parade.

Most parades would be fine with a 4MPH top speed once you get there. For commuter use at a show, 4MPH is too slow for the 2 mile ride from my campsite to the show area where I will volunteer.

Most of the shows and tractor parades will allow me to unload and park reasonably close but, some will require a ~3 mile 'commute' to the parade route.

~16MPH is too fast to be safe most places so, I'm thinking a true sustained speed of ~12~14MPH is a good place to be. I could live with ~8MPH but, less than 6MPH is a hard no at this point.

And, it sounds like non-LP JD730 runs a bit faster than our 730LP with a 12MPH topend. 17 miles was just under 2 hours for me wide open in 'road' gear so ~8MPH. Do-able but, I'd like to do a bit more at something other than wide open or ~8MPH at a fast idle or low mid-range.

At the end of a long hard day, I want to ride my tractor back to the campsite for that first cold beer so, I need something somewhat amenable to an "old man" who is tired so, while I don't need an air ride seat and air conditioner, I also don't want to be tossed back and forth on a steel seat after being a contortionist to get onto the seat!

(quoted from post at 13:30:28 12/20/22) I too agree about the 8N with one addition. Sherman over/under, they are pretty common and parts for the N series are widely availble.

jt

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Is that a two-speed gearbox for road speed?

(quoted from post at 14:09:31 12/20/22) A Farmall H with a wide front works good.
I have a McCormick OS4 (like a W4) very easy to get on, with the low seat.
Jim

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Those McCormick and Deering tractors were real eye catchers for me at the Minnesota show!

How is the W4 for a uses like I describe? What is a fair market value of one reasonable for a parade and show circuit? Not perfect but, clean. Where is the best place to find them?

(quoted from post at 14:35:06 12/20/22)

(quoted from post at 11:19:48 12/20/22)
Let's clarify something because I am not sure everyone is on the same page. do you want a tractor for parade duty or for tractor ride duty?

Click to expand...

He wants something that has a faster speed to between where his trailer is parked, and the parade staging area.

They are not always in the same location, because parades tend to be in towns where parking is limited. You might have to drive a couple of miles from the parking area to where the parade stars.

Click to expand...

Exactly! And a bit less weight than the tractors I grew up with for general convenience.

(quoted from post at 14:39:52 12/20/22) Second the 550. See if you can find a diesel. Fuel prices are high now but you wont use much and it turns heads. 6 forward two reverse should hit the speeds you need and you can use it for too many tasks to name

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Fuel cost isn't really a concern. I'm not going to burn enough to get bent out of shape paying the fuel bill.

Kerosene, Diesel, Gas, LP, etc. are all viable options. If boilers weren't so darn expensive, a coal fired option would be considered too!

(quoted from post at 16:11:34 12/20/22) What ever you get, make sure the brakes work well. jr

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Yes, brakes before motor fixes!

W4 is a great option. They are not nimble, but reliable as a granite bolder. The band brakes work better than the disc brakes on Super series. Easily made to be 12v with a Hitachi Alternator a resistor and some bulbs. Good choice. Jim

Maybe you need one of these Avery"V"

+1 on the 420 JD. Dads had 11.2x34 rear tires, wide front and a factory 3 point. It was the handiest
JD I ever drove.

how about a decent running 411b case. needs just a little sheet
metal work n 2 covers on the hood battery cover? rear tires are
needing replaced. runs fine gears are ok tc works good

For what you are wanting your options do not include most tractors mentioned
as a lot would not be easy to get on, then have a wide front, a slow enough
sped for a parade or a fast enough speed for a tractor drive. So you are
limited to a Small Ford with the optional Sherman Tranny for the tractor
drive speed unless and I don't know the top speeds of the 6Xx and 8XX series
with the 5 speed gearbox, Then the Ferguson with the sherman unless you
would find a TO35 or MF35 with the 6 speed. The MF 135 might be too new for
some of the things. The Fordson Dexta would have the size and wide front but
is a diesel and I don't know if it has a fast enough top speed for a tractor
drive. Would be the most unusual. The Oliver S55 or 550 probably would have
the fast enough top speed and are good. All are low enough to easily get on.
And all probably would be able to be made with good brakes and tight
steering. You want wide front so most of the standard tread McCormick' s and
Deere's like the AR would not have good tight steering same as all row crops
with a wide front axle not a good tight steering for the tractor drives
speed ,all a slightly loose steering would work for a parade bug tighened up
enough for safe road speeds at top speed might be hard to get all parts to
do it. And all row crops would not be easy to get on. Any John Deere like a
40. 420 or 430 that could be found in a row crop utility version probably
would not be able to have the top speed required for a tractor drive. And
remember most tractor drives if only one day would be ay least a 30 mile
trip. But about all you would need a good after market padded seat with
springs and a shock absorber. Anything older than WW2 would not be able to
meet the requirements for both slow and fast speed, good brakes and good
steering and ease of mounting. And rember for some events you want good
lights both front and back for driving on main roads but then a way to dim
them for night time parades. And have a way to take along tools for road
repair, chain to pull a dead tractor and extra fuell as somebody usually
runs out of fuell and ends up being pulled to end. A lot to consider. Bost
of the small row crop utilitys and that includes tha Fords, Ferguson Oliver
will have beeter highway steering than a lot of others mentioned. Row crops
with a narrow front will steere better than one with a wide front added on.