Ideas for a good tractor 20-35 HP

bruster · Mar 17, 2009

My sister (some tractor experience)and her husband (NO Tractor experience)are looking for a tractor, used if possible.
Opinions? (I know you guys will give it your best!)Deere, Ford, Massey, any others?
I like my JD530 for 'bout everything that I do, but if my BIL works it, it should be:
1-easy to steer
2-3 point
3- live power if possible
She would like it to pull 2 plows, brush hog 5' and handle a back blade. I thought of a N Ford, but since they've looked at some New Holland, does anyone have any insight on these? Thanks guys!

Anonymous-0 · Mar 17, 2009

A 530 is nice. My son has a 1020 JD for sale. It is gas, has power steering, 3 pt, good tires. E-mail me if interested for more details.

bruster · Mar 17, 2009

I'll do that!
I should also say that sis lives by Lancaster, Ohio

Mike (WA) · Mar 17, 2009

You say they've looked at New Holland. If they can afford a "modern" tractor, they should go that way- New Holland, JD and Kubota are probably the best. I know that's tantamount to sacrilige on this board, but lets face it- most of us love the old ones because that's what we grew up with. For a new, inexperienced operator, the modern tractors are just light years ahead of the old ones, for ease of operation, parts and repairs, 4WD for mud and snow work, etc. etc. BUT- NO CHINESE!!!

If they are going to go with a vintage tractor, hard to go wrong with MF 135.

Joe1SD · Mar 17, 2009

Massey Ferguson or John Deere.

old · Mar 17, 2009

600 or 601 series Ford model 660 or 661 is the right HP and has live PTO. MF 35 would also fit in that area or an Oliver Super 55. For one with a little more HP the 800/801 series Ford 860/861 model would also fit the bill at around 45HP. Most of those had the option of power steering
Hobby farm

Germ · Mar 17, 2009

I'll second what Mike WA said. They can't go wrong with a New Holland, Deere, or Kubota compact. It sounds like neither of them would be up to doing much in the way of repairs beyond basic maintenance on an older tractor. Lots of good deals on used compacts right now.

rrlund · Mar 17, 2009

Just my own humble opinion here,but Oliver 550 or Massey 135. Personally,I'd go with the Oliver.

Mike M · Mar 17, 2009

A perfered price range would help narrow down selections.

bruster · Mar 17, 2009

That I'm not sure, but it might be safe to say in a $10,000 top end(this would include a brush hog, plow, blade, scoop or front loader)

bruster · Mar 17, 2009

My sister grew up on all of the older tractors, she did a lot of cultivating, baling and disking . She even pulled out a lime spreading truck that got stuck by herself with the W-6 when she was 16. It's the husband that's the newbie.

buickddeere · Mar 17, 2009

There are deals on with incentives that make purchasing a used tractor less of a deal.
Being amateurs and likely with limited shop space, tools or experience. They need something with live pto, live hydraulics, rops, hydrostatic transmission, diff lock and quick attachment equipment. Deere 2305 is something to look at.
The Little Fords are OK if you stay away from the N series.

jbp · Mar 17, 2009

First thing, look for a dealer nearby. Nothing worse than having to drive a hundred miles for parts,or worse,have the dealer make a long trip to service or pick up a tractor for repairs. Gets $$$$$ in a hurry.
I would buy an American made of what ever color with live hydralic, live PTO and power steering. Just my opinion. Joe

georgeky · Mar 17, 2009

What kind of small tractor are made in America?

TreeFarmer1414 · Mar 17, 2009

Now the purists can hang me at sunrise but with a 'newbie' as the main or secondary driver, something with power steering, live PTO, 3-point, hydraulics, etc. are probably not only necessary, but mandatory. My suggestions would be to look at a local Ford-New Holland dealer for your future parts and service needs. My experience from this view has been nothing but positive. My suggestion would be a Ford 1910 (27 hp?) or a 1920 (32 HP?). I have owned/used both of them with the 1920 being far superior, if nothing else because it had the shuttle-shift transmission. If you do any amount of work requiring power, like bush-hogging, etc. you will not be sorry for getting something at the upper end of your horsepower range. And with loader work, 4WD is a no brainer. IMHO avoid the 1915 economy model. Fuel economy on either model should be excellent, less than 1 gallon per hour. Happy hunting and enjoy!

wolfman · Mar 17, 2009

They're about 90 mi from Zanesville but I have two for sale that might fit. One is an MF 240 diesel, one-finger ps, 3-pt, foldable roll bar; other is a gas 574 Int with Quick attach Dunham loader, nice ps, 3-pt. Each around $5000.

MOMule · Mar 17, 2009

I would get a 3000 Ford. A nice diesel unit with power steering, 3-point hitch and live power will run around $5500. They are very easy on fuel as well.

RodinNS · Mar 18, 2009

Is it going to have a loader on it???
If it is, they want MFWD.
If so I'd go with one of the NewHolland compacts. One of the larger models. Older one would be a 2120. Newer would be a TC40 or something like that. Deere, Kubota, Massey and a few more will have similar models both in terms of features and reliability.
If there's no need for a loader then an older two wheel drive would do. A Ford 2000/2600, or 3000/3600 would do nicely as would a Massey 135, 230, 240 and mabey a couple other models around that size.
If they're looking to do heavier work then something like a Ford 3930 is a very able tractor with MFWD... but it's getting out of the price range by quite a bit.

Rod

bc · Mar 18, 2009

The real issue is money to spend and is she prepared to do all fixin that goes with old tractors. If I couldn't work on mine, the dealer wants about $350 to haul it in and then shop labor somewhere around $75 to $100 an hour. Mine is a Fix or Repair Daily. Always something to tinker with. Good luck.

RN · Mar 18, 2009

Older brother has a 950 JD with loader- is his utiliy tractor, I"ve used it a couple times and it does do more than old IHC H. Parts are currently available. Some of the farmers and landscapers around central Wisconsin have Massey 135 to 165, other numbers and say they can handle most general work comfortably- 2/3 plow power for field work and large gardens. 4010 JD is older usable unit, the 4440 I used seed corn picking may be a bit larger than you want now but isn"t too big to park, will be handy to have extra power. Old IHC 300 series has most of what you want- no 3 point but can adapt. IHC 574 584 utilities seen on dairy farms doing manure loading , haying , and large gardens- the one I was interested in had loader and 3 point, had been used by deceased owner as big garden, sweet corn field planter and cultivator and general use the year before sold at estate sale. RN

Ideas for a good tractor 20-35 HP

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