Purchasing a tractor

What advice would you give to someone looking for a tractor big enough to bale hay with and small enough and old enough to not be too pricy?
I don't want to try and purchase a basket case but I would like to pay cash for something decent that has live PTO and power steering. My price range is probably under $4000. Any tractor suggestions?

Keep saving money....

Under 4K really limits you. There are some great bargains out there but its a lot more of buying a pig in a poke. With that said, I understand how it is. My first tractor was a 560 Long. I was in college, and had sunk everything I had and could borrow into the farm. Paid 1700 for it at a sale. It baled hay though its 55 hp was strained to the max. Id work it an hour a lot of days and have to let it cool off for a few minutes.

Personally, I'd rather see you save your money and get something like a 7710 Ford. Theres a nice one close to me for under 8000.

I agree with the gent from KY.

$4K just isn't going to buy you anything except a series of headaches.

Keep saving and get a good unit while you're at it.

Allan

Where are you at? Neighbor has a nice looking 1170 Case for 6250.00. I think that is a pretty cheap price for a tractor that size and it would be about the right size for what you are needing. it has a new clutch, recent OH. It is in the photo ads. But he is in Illinois.
https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/photoads/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=218687&query=retrieval

Here is an 806 that needs the TA fixed in your price range:
https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/photoads/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=218718&query=retrieval
Jim

My first Tractor. $3800 at used equiptment dealer, they wouldnt budge on the price because it was a great tractor. When we first tried to start it at the dealer' the Battery was dead and gas Flowed from the carb like a river. Must have caught it at a bad time because it never normally does this..... Finally got it started. I drove it around the yard, seemed OK. Asked them to check the starting system and throw in a tune up and I would buy it. They delivered it the next day. No tune up and starting system still bad. Noticed on guage 15-20 lbs oil psi. Had the tractor rebuilt this year found that the exaust, carb and several other small items were not even from this model tractor. Now getting a good 55 lbs oil psi but still running bad, and the Battery is shot from not being charged. I will gladly sell you this on for under $4000. 'but I really wouldnt God is watching" Good luck in your search, dont fall in loved on sight and be careful. Also remember Good Paint does not make a good tractor......

Putting just a little money into a tractor purchase is like going to Vegas. Or perhaps like a box of chocolates... you never know what your going to get.

Three years ago I bought two tractors. A series 1 D17 and a Ford 5000 with a loader. The D17 works like a champ and does everything I ask of it without complaint. I couldn't imagine being without it. The 5000 has sat quite a bit. Nothing major has broken, but a raft of small parts have gone out, one after the other. I still hope that it could be worthwhile, but perhaps I should just sell it and be done. Both tractors were under 4k. Like I said, it is kind of a crap shoot.

Christopher

Patrick when you say "bale hay", do you mean small squares? If you do something like an Allis D17 would be a good choice. Plenty of power to run that type of baler, with live pto and power steering.

You need to keep in mind though that it is a 50 year old tractor and will need work.

A John Deere model 50,60 with live pto and also power steering options would fit that criteria.

Are you going to bale square bales? How much land? A gasoline tractor is going to be cheaper than a diesel and would work well if it is a small operation. Most of the older smaller tractors are easy to steer and you shouldn't need power steering unless you have a loader bucket on it.

Up that 4 grand to 8 grand and then you will have a good working tractor,

Agree with Mike M on the John Deere 50 and 60.

The JD 70 gas tractor is also available with live PTO, power steering, and 50+ horsepower.

Paid $2100 for 'Vernon' a 1956.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202008/The%20Hunt%20Place/?action=view¤t=IMG_0039.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>

The 70 diesel may be harder to find and more expensive.

Paid $3500 for 'Big John' a 1955.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202008/First%20Cutting/?action=view¤t=IMG_1488.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Hope this helps.

My Grandpa used to bale hay with his 1956 Farmall 300 pulling a New Holland 67 baler and it worked very well. The 300 has live PTO, torque amplifier, and power steering can easily be added if it does not have power steering. A 300 can usually be purchased under $4000. They are easy on gas and most parts are still available for them.

You can buy a nice D17 for 3 grand, lot smoother pto operation than a two-banger JD. Handles a square baler real well with live pto and live hydraulics. You actually have many other good options for 4 grand.

just be patient, you never know what tommorrow will bring you. i was in your spot 6 months ago. a budget under $4k and not sure what to get. i hit this website, external_link and craigslist. i grew up with orange but decided on blue. reason, i wanted a good diesel and the new holland dealership was close to me and was really helpful.

it took me 2 months to find what i wanted. got a 1971 ford 3000 diesel with rotary mower, box blade and sub soiler. it had been repainted, but runs like a top, all for under $5k

right now in my area there is another 3000 diesel that has been for sale for awhile and prob could get it for under 4500. looks great in the pics any ways.

u never know what u can find day to day. the golden egg will appear. (golden egg - the lucky find for a great item for an unbeleivable price)

I would first determine , will you need to move the tractor ? If you plan on hauling it , paying someone to haul it or if you will need to take it to the shop in town for repairs , then size is a consideration.I have a Massey 165 and you can haul it on a tandem trailer and pull it with a midsize pickup. You get much bigger than that and you'll need a big rig to haul it which probably will be pricey. If it will stay on the farm and you fix it yourself , buy as large as you can afford.I have seen some nice tractyors for 4500. However if you go up to about $6000 I think you'll notice the difference in a short time. The tractors I have seen lately , 40 hp or more, rasonable good condition seem to be in the 5 to 7 thousand dollar range. I have seen some massey 135's and JD 1010's for $5000 or less. The thing is though , you get the Suburban stuck good ( or your visiting brother in law does), that 135 won't pull it out. Its off to the neighbors to get the 4020 or 1130 and pull out the small tractor and the suburban. Do you have alot of hills ? If so heighth is a consideration and I would stay away from narrow front ends. I'd start looking and promise myself I am not buying until I've seen 5 or 6 at least. It is great fun to look. I do it even when I am not buying. But there is alot of junk out there for sale too. If you are not mechanical , consider having your mechanic check it out. Good Luck. Post a photo when you buy one , so we know how the saga ends.

I've got a D17 series 4 with PS,live pto,wide front for $3800.Located in ohio.

If you have the time, the right deal will come along. The green and red tractors will bring a premium, but will sell better when the time comes. A similar Case or Allis will do just as well for a lot less cash, IMO. I just bought a clean, straight Case 1070 (100hp) with 5000 hours for $4000. Knew the owner, and trust him, so I know it"s good. Just keep shopping till it feels right. Good luck.