New here - what tractor to get

Hello everyone! First post so take it easy on me, HA! I'm looking to get a tractor to do some normal work with. Needs to have a loader, 3-point and PTO. I won't be doing any crazy heavy-duty work with it but I'll need it for general land clearing help, driveway maintenance, snow removal, etc. I'm in MN and I'm looking at a few I have found. I don't know if the years are correct but here are the ones I am currently debating on looking at: 1958 Ford 800, 1956 International 300 Utility, 1962 Oliver 770. Any insight would be great. This is my first tractor purchase. Thanks everyone.

Whats your budget?

Power steering is highly recommended for a tractor with a loader and live or independent PTO is very desirable if you do much PTO work.

As long as it isnt a diesel, get the Ford. Easiest to operate, cheapest and easiest to fix, and the best parts availability by far!

If it is a 1958 model, it would be a ''801'', not an ''800'' series tractor. If it is a ''800''series tractor, it was built in 1955-57.

If you insist on a loader, hold out for a tractor with power steering!

Id stay clear of the IH 300. And I would probably take the Ford. Personally as much as I like these old tractors, I think I would look for something in the 1970s era. Much more user friendly and more refined and powerful hydraulic systems

Trying to stick around the $4k range if possible.

(quoted from post at 07:42:57 05/10/23) Hello everyone! First post so take it easy on me, HA! I'm looking to get a tractor to do some normal work with. Needs to have a loader, 3-point and PTO. I won't be doing any crazy heavy-duty work with it but I'll need it for general land clearing help, driveway maintenance, snow removal, etc. I'm in MN and I'm looking at a few I have found. I don't know if the years are correct but here are the ones I am currently debating on looking at: 1958 Ford 800, 1956 International 300 Utility, 1962 Oliver 770. Any insight would be great. This is my first tractor purchase. Thanks everyone.

Click to expand...

f you're going to be working under tree limbs, the Ford or IH would be better choices than the Oliver.

I have a David Brown 990 with a loader and an Oliver 1365 with a loader and both work real well for me.

X2 I totally agree Bob!

If you looked at newer ones (or new), and were dis-satisfied with the prices, and are thinking you will save thousands by getting something old, you are correct. But you will save thousands by paying a price. The price being, when you look at getting an old tractor, you run into things like no live hydraulics, no live p.t.o, no power steering, the list goes on. You may perhaps find some tractors with these features, but the early systems left a little to be desired. And likewise, if these systems were added on as in an aftermarket or homemade attempt.

Bottom line, if you go older to get into something cheaper, there is a level of 'making do' that does along with that. Just dealing with an old machine brings that about, even if you find something that has the features your looking for. So just remmember that, when you jump into something old to save all that money.

I hate to admit it, but you can't really find 'equivelant' for lesser money just by buying something 60 to 70 years old. So just keep that in mind.

You don't mention saving money, or how much you got to spend, or your intentions and reasoning down that avenue, but if money wasn't an issue, you likely wouldn't be looking at old stuff instead of new, now would ya??

Probably the worst thing about buying something old, is a little down time, and realizing it isn't quite as handy as you thought it would be. Such as your neighbors Kubota.

redforlife, I completely understand where you are coming from. I have recently purchase property and will be building on it in the very near future. I 100% plan on buying something new in the next couple years. What I need right now is a placeholder until then. Something that will get the job done without breaking the bank. I'd like something in the $4k range. In a few years, the big buck, fancy tractor with a heated cab will be happening. Right now, until I build a structure, I'll make due with something older and trustworthy.

I agree on the 300U. I have one and love the tractor but it had a loader on it one time and I had to have a machine shop do a lot of work on the steering to get it right again.

My first tractor was a Ford 641. I had never owned, or operated a tractor before, but we built a house on 26 wooded acres. Anyway, it had a bucket, and a brush hog. I used it to make trails, and clear a few areas. First off, I must admit I was a bit of an idiot, and I don't recommend using it as I did. I actually took down trees (6 to 8 inch diameter) by raising the bucket and pushing them. Once I got them leaning, I would get the bucket under the roots and used the hydraulics to get it to fall, then push it to the side. I did a lot that way, but I now realize how stupid I was....
The brush hog worked great for maintaining the trails I made, and, of course, it had an overrun clutch on the PTO. If you get an old one, with ground PTO, make sure you get an overrun clutch for the PTO!

I know where there's a 300 utility rotting away because of the steering.

When I started the hobby as a 40 yr old in Minnesota, I had only the experience of my Dad's farming. His loader tractor was an M Farmall, no 3 point. I had a hard time to decide, but I ended up with a gas MM Jetstar 3, with a factory installed Schwartz loader, trip dump. No 3 point, no power steering. It served me well for winter work, etc. for 34 years and ran just as good when I sold it. As I got older, it got harder
to handle, but no problem for a strong young fellow. From day one, the low range torque amplifier didn't work. I didn't need it. I had to replace the water jacket connecting tubes that rusted out. Replaced them with Stainless steel for about $1.50 each and they never leaked again. I installed a radiator hose heater, and I had no winter starting problems. Same generator and starter the whole time.

From time to time, I thought about upgrading it. Looked at Oliver 550. Bought a Ford 3000, but kept the Minnie. I actually bought a 2nd Jetstar 3, this time a Super. but I quickly began to hate it, and resold it again. It had hydrostatic steering, 3 point, and big ugly flat-topped fenders. Just didn't like it.

By the way, the U302 is pretty much the same.

Another loader tractor that I had was the Ford 3400. Very good old tractor, but it was a diesel, so not
so great for winter starting. It didn't have 3 point, but a little farmyard engineering could probably install one from a 3000 - 4000.

Tell us more about the Ford. You can find the serial number and precise model number on a flat machined surface just behind the starter. Post those numbers and someone here will decode them for you.

The guy states it's an 1958 Ford 800 which I know either the year is wrong or 800 is wrong. Comes with loader and back blade. No power steering but he states it is an option so can add. Ad says 60 HP. Has PTO. 3-point with manual lift. Hydraulic tilt on bucket.

Buy a Massey 23x with a loader and don't look back. The Oliver is for farming, not really a utility tractor. Others have commented on the MM and Ford. There are a ton of Masseys, parts are easy and lots of reuse for many years.

Personally i have been using a Case 430, but no loader or power steering got me. There is a new Kubota L4060 hydrostat with a loader in my barn. Pricey, yes, but its a beast and I don't hurt after driving it.

I would look for a 70s model. Case 1070 or similar. Jd is more money but sells easier later.

Oh, the Ford is gas as well.