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Small Tractor for Small Acreage

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SkyHarborCowboyJoe

01-11-2005 09:49:45

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I am looking for a used tractor to work on my small place. Something along the size of an 8N. I have no idea which brands to go with, what to look out for (problem areas) when purchasing any of the available brands. Can you guys offer any suggestions? In addition, any help in locating sites to do research on each of the brands you recommend would be helpful.

Thanks,

Joe

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mark

01-12-2005 11:45:15

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

I have a 1980 JD 1050. It is Yanmar built, has 33 pto Horses, live power, 8 speed tranny, and in the 21 years I have owned it, I have replaced the brake shoes once, the rest just an oil change and filters. I think it makes fuel..hehe! This is the very best money i have ever spent. I have owned an old '56 Allis CA, a '59 JD 430, sorry assed Satoh and then this little Deere. I have ran older Ford's like the 8N and wrestled a neighbors 135 with no ps. My 1050 will work rings around them all. The 135 is heavier but I don't like how it handles compared to the Deere. As for perkins engines, I don't know off anybody around here who hasn't had to work on them. Neighbor with a 235 rebuilt his at 1400 hrs., neighbor with a 185..same thing, neighbor with the 135, rings at 1200. Older 135's had the worst ps set up ever made...they changed this later on...so beware. IF you can fins a Yanmar built Deere 1250..they are rare..you'd have a fine machine for your uses.

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jason(ma)

01-11-2005 18:33:08

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

okay here's my $.02 Start by buying a copy of Spencer Yost's book "Antique Tractor Bible" that will answer a lot of you questions. Also buy some of Roger Welch's books, they are just plain great to read.

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Hugh MacKay

01-11-2005 17:20:39

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

Joe: Take it from one of the rankest Farmall guys on YT forums. You want something just a bit heavier than 8N, go with MF 35 or 135 diesel, absolutely the best little 35 hp tractor ever built. Has live PTO, 8 speeds forward 2 reverse. Perkins 3 cylinder diesel that will last forever and run all day on 5 gallons of fuel.

MF did not build many good tractors, in fact most of them were damn poor, but the one they got right, they were dead on with it. No one else holds a candle to the 35 or 135 in that class of tractor, 35 hp and utility type. Well, Fiat may come reasonably close.

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buickanddeere

01-11-2005 17:05:30

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

I agree with Bob. Lots of Ford 8N,2N,8N, JD M,40 etc upside down in ditches or dunked into creeks. While bush hogging with a transmission driven pto. Get a loader or you are missing 90% of what a tractor can do. Hydraulic dump bucket or pass it by. If equiped with a loader it must have power steering. Lots of clutches worn out before thier time as the tractor is slowly slipped so the steering wheel can be cranked. Three point hitch or don't bother. The compact and utility tractor market is very competitive. Every small farmer, hobby farmer, orchard, plant nursery, horse farm, rural estate, retired farmers and farmers with low stable or garage ceilings want one. A new Plain Jane utility tractor from JD, Ford etc maybe worth a look as pre-abused equipment is expensive.

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WD45 Ben

01-11-2005 15:06:27

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

I bought a 1954 WD45 with a loader, 12 V converted, and a 3 pt conversion. Unfortunately, she doesn't have power steering, but I hope to add it someday. I have been able to move a lot of snow this winter, scoop a lot of horse manure, and pick up 1300# round bales on the loader (not very high). This has been a great first tractor for me. It's been a learning process, and I don't think I could have found anything better for $2400. I guess it depends on what your needs are as far as choosing a tractor. If you're not into collecting Allis stuff (like I'm getting sucked into), I say to find something with power steering, and a 3 pt. I think the Allis snap coupler system is cool, but now I WANT to find all the equipment to go with it...even though I don't need it! Good luck!

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Ibby

01-11-2005 14:34:08

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

I've got an IH 350, an IH 544 and could recommend either one. I'd REALLY suggest power steering. If you don't get it, you'll wish you did. One BIG point is to research numbers sold of the model you're looking at. Some of the low production runs are awful hard to find parts for. Big production runs equal easier to find parts.

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mud

01-11-2005 14:21:28

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

well, i had a similar situation. bought a 52 hp. diesel tractor. it worked circles around a 9n next door. it was cheaper on fuel, cost less, and was easier to operate. wernt american though. david brown 990 - paid 900 for it. only sold it for a bigger tractor to use on more acreage.

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leland

01-11-2005 13:01:38

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

Look for a 165 massey or a 706 IH these will last you the rest of your life and handle any job required around your place.

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ben uk

01-11-2005 14:19:16

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to leland, 01-11-2005 13:01:38

Seconded.

MF135 would be fine. 165 would be better if you ever want a loader, although a 135 will handle one. Dont know IH. For me these are more reliable than anything else you will buy. Start on the button (especially little 3 cylinder diesel 135) and need very little maintanance. Basically just change the oil once a year and it will keep going longer than you will.

We grade an arena with a 135. Does the job well, can really slam it into the corners when using the small grader. Has the power as well. Our big grader is 14 foot (big!) and that little 135 drags it round there in top gear if you want it to, if you need a bit of speed (when it freezes usually)

I would advise against 8n. No live PTO or hydraulics and you will run out of power if you ever want to do anything more.

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John Hobby

01-11-2005 12:16:09

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

Joe, get a compact 4 wheel drive hydo tractor with a loader. 8N's and stuff like that require tools, shops and foul language to work on them. The newer CUT's a great and will shock you. There are so many off brans like Minhandra, Kioti, Zetor, Landini, etc that you can get one for short money. They might not have the IH or JD names, but who care for a little place like yous, They will start and work and if you don't beat them, will last for ever. Good luck

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TomTX

01-11-2005 11:54:41

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

Joe, if you only have one tractor, I can tell you that the most used piece of equipment on my place is the front-end-loader bucket. You will find about 1000 uses for the front bucket. I would not have acerage without it.

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Jerry/MT

01-11-2005 11:04:38

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

What do you plan on using the tractor for? Do you want to get and older "classic" machine (8N Ford, TO-30 Ferguson, etc)because you want to tinker with it as well as use it? It makes a difference. If you want something that you can just go out and use and not have to fuss with, a newer, modern tractor might be the ticket. We need more info to give you better advice.

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01-11-2005 09:57:31

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowboyJoe, 01-11-2005 09:49:45

You don't say what all you want to do with the tractor and what implements you might want. As much as I like the classics such as the 8N, I would suggest buying a newer CUT (compact utility tractor). http://www.tractorbynet.com/ is a very good web site to get help in deciding what you might need for that tractor size. If you are really wanting an 8N, there is a forum on that web site for older tractors also.

TractorByNet

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SkyHarborCowoboyJoe

01-11-2005 11:16:49

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to BB, 01-11-2005 09:57:31

Good points! I basically want something to turn an arena, be able to dig post holes etc. I know that budget wise I need something used. I prefer to buy only American Made products when I can and do NOT want anything from China so new in my price range is out of the question. I am a tinkerer so Vintage is my way of thinking. I have a line on a 1948 WD45 but have no idea if that is something for me or not. Can you give me an opinion?

Joe

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Jerry/MT

01-12-2005 12:23:32

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowoboyJoe, 01-11-2005 11:16:49

I'm not familiar with the AC's. My recommendation to you is toget something along the lines of a TO/MF 35 or a MF 135, Ford NAA, 3600. etc. They'r about 35 Hp and they have live hydraulics and live PTO's. You'll also want something with a real three point hitch all ready installed for any implements you might get, like a post hole auger.

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01-11-2005 12:30:49

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowoboyJoe, 01-11-2005 11:16:49

WD 45 are nice tractors but if it is a 48 it is a WD not 45.WD will still be a nice tractor for what you want if you build or buy a 3 poiint hitch.

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Leroy

01-12-2005 02:40:44

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to pj, 01-11-2005 12:30:49

I believe that if it is a 48 it will be a WC without any hydrolics at all, 49 first year for WD but still with WC engine

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RustyFarmall

01-11-2005 11:54:23

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to SkyHarborCowoboyJoe, 01-11-2005 11:16:49

You may want to look for something built in the fifties or sixties, something like an IH 300 or 350 utility would be a nice size, adequate horsepower, and give you the advantage of live power take off and live hydraulics. Do not limit yourself to just the IH brand, several manufacturers built similar tractors. You will want to look for a brand that is fairly common in your area for better availibity of parts when you need them. Nothing wrong with the Allis you mentioned, but I think you would be happier with something a little newer.

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Bob

01-11-2005 12:51:42

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to RustyFarmall, 01-11-2005 11:54:23

SkyHarborCowboyJoe,

What Rusty said, plus other brands of that era.

Do you want a classic ("ANTIQUE") tractor, or something more modern, for parts availablity, something that's 12 Volt from the factory, for compatability with accessories, and your other vehicles?

Power steering, live hydraulics and 3-point, and live PTO are nice to have.

That being said, I have an 8N Ford, and a 1965 424 IH diesel utility, and enjoy them both!

The 424 is 37 HP, has PS, live PTO and 3-point. They're very little larger physically than an 8N Ford and MUCH more modern and powerfull. I paid $3500.00 for mine.

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Lou

01-17-2005 13:11:05

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Re: Small Tractor for Small Acreage in reply to Bob, 01-11-2005 12:51:42

I hav a massey ferguson 35 I will be selling soon.Email me or call 315 4551657 dats. thanks

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