boodlefoof
Member
Hi all. This is my first post and I apologize that it is a little long. I am in need of wisdom!
The family and I recently moved to central, Virginia and are living on a fairly large, mostly wooded, plot. Now that we're here, I've begun thinking about purchasing a small-to-medium-sized tractor to help out with some duties around the yard. Only about an acre of the plot is cleared (so not a lot of mowing to be done), but I also have a long (half-mile) gravel road that I will need to maintain. The property is somewhat hilly.
So, I'm thinking I'll need something that I can use to do the following:
- bush hog from time to time;
- pull a grader/scraping blade for the road;
- help pull some tree stumps; and
- possibly use like a bulldozer for snow (if we ever get any) and dirt.
Of course, being able to attach a front end loader would always come in handy too... if I had one, I would make many more projects so that I could use it!
So, here is where your help is needed... I am pretty handy with automotive repairs, welding, fabrication, etc., but I don't know much about what sort of inexpensive (I would like to spend less than $3,500 if at all possible) and reliable tractor would be appropriate for my needs.
I have been poking around locally and have talked to a few folks around here. Thus far most of what I have looked at are Fords, but I am open to any model if it suits the criteria above. A few tractors that I have looked at so far are the following:
- Ford 620 (wants $3,500)
- Ford 860 (wants $4,500 - rebuilt engine)
- Ford 3000 ($4,000 with bush hog and 6" blade)
- Ford 8N ($3,500 with bush hog)
Most looked to be in pretty good shape (the 620 has some leaks). I've also been "warned" that the older N models might not have quite as much power as I would like given my proposed applications.
I would greatly appreciate any thoughts regarding (1) models I may want to consider, (2) particular features that I should look for and (3) what to avoid.
Thanks in advance! I hope to become a more frequent visitor over here in the next few months.
The family and I recently moved to central, Virginia and are living on a fairly large, mostly wooded, plot. Now that we're here, I've begun thinking about purchasing a small-to-medium-sized tractor to help out with some duties around the yard. Only about an acre of the plot is cleared (so not a lot of mowing to be done), but I also have a long (half-mile) gravel road that I will need to maintain. The property is somewhat hilly.
So, I'm thinking I'll need something that I can use to do the following:
- bush hog from time to time;
- pull a grader/scraping blade for the road;
- help pull some tree stumps; and
- possibly use like a bulldozer for snow (if we ever get any) and dirt.
Of course, being able to attach a front end loader would always come in handy too... if I had one, I would make many more projects so that I could use it!
So, here is where your help is needed... I am pretty handy with automotive repairs, welding, fabrication, etc., but I don't know much about what sort of inexpensive (I would like to spend less than $3,500 if at all possible) and reliable tractor would be appropriate for my needs.
I have been poking around locally and have talked to a few folks around here. Thus far most of what I have looked at are Fords, but I am open to any model if it suits the criteria above. A few tractors that I have looked at so far are the following:
- Ford 620 (wants $3,500)
- Ford 860 (wants $4,500 - rebuilt engine)
- Ford 3000 ($4,000 with bush hog and 6" blade)
- Ford 8N ($3,500 with bush hog)
Most looked to be in pretty good shape (the 620 has some leaks). I've also been "warned" that the older N models might not have quite as much power as I would like given my proposed applications.
I would greatly appreciate any thoughts regarding (1) models I may want to consider, (2) particular features that I should look for and (3) what to avoid.
Thanks in advance! I hope to become a more frequent visitor over here in the next few months.