1 tractor or 2?

I've been looking for something fairly small with a loader in the "under $4,000" category and can't seem to find anything locally. I've seen some Farmall 300 Utilities in the $3k range but without a loader. I want live hydraulics and would like to have a 3 point so I could use that tractor for road work and the loader and use my M for field type work with the mower and possibly in the future discing and stuff like that.

I really don't need a loader tractor, but talking with friends they said that I would be amazed at all the things I would find to use it for if I had one. I am not sure about putting a loader on the M but have thought about that option as well. I live on 42 acres and my driveway is about 1,500' long.

The other option is to trade in the M on a single tractor in the $6k to $7k range. Any recommendations other than be patient and keep my eyes open? Should I stick with Red or be open to look at other brands? What do you guys think would be better - a single larger newer tractor like a Farmall 656 or a Ford 4000 or 6000, or 2 smaller older tractors?

Thanks for any input.

Nathan

Looking in the classifieds today there is an 806 with a loader for $4,500 in Wisconsin. There are several older loader tractors on ebay for under $2k in the midwest right now. This is cotton farming country out in West Texas and they just don't have a bunch of extra loader tractors sitting around. :-(

Oh well, I may have to calculate up what a road trip would cost to go get a tractor up there. $1.50 - $2.00 per loaded mile for a haul would almost cost as much as the tractor would on some of the ones I've been finding. :-(

Around here, nobody pays much attention to older industrial loaders. Almost all are 4x4 and designed for loader work. Last weekend there was a small Case offered for $2k. I paid $6k for my rather large Cat with 4in1.

I think I will just keep looking for a little loader tractor that is in decent shape. So far they have been hard to find around here. I found a Case 380 (I think it is really a David Brown tractor with a Case Loader) but they want $5k for it and it looks a little rough.

Thanks, Nathan

42 acres is a fair chore, I think, given the choice, I'd trade or sell the M, and look for a Massey 135, Ford 3000, JD 1050, or something along those lines, 40 or more Horse power, and power steering especially on a tractor with a front end loader.

If your M doesn't have power steering, I'd forget the front end loader for it. I don't think you'ld be happy trying to steer the tractor without power steering. JMHO