Posted by RMD on March 18, 1998 at 06:51:30:
In Reply to: best tractor? posted by Susan on March 17, 1998 at 22:12:22:
In my area everybody wants a loader, so tractors with loaders go for a least $5000. Llamas is right about the 3 pt. hitch. Fergusons and Massey-Fergusons will also have 3 pt. hitch. The Ferguson 30 is roughly equivalent to the 8N. I wouldn't limit myself to 8Ns; for just a little more money you can often find a 1953 or later Ford (called "NAA", "Jubilee", or "600 series") that also gives you the convenience of hydraulics that work while the clutch is pushed in (this is particulary nice when you're pushing snow with a back blade).
Depending on how much snow you get, Llamas is probably right about the loader. There are a lot of light weight, 2WD tractors (like the 8N) out there with loaders, but they can be as much of a hinderance as a help. You need a LOT of weight on the back end to get any traction, and the weight of the loader wears out the front end. They make it hard to do repairs, and limit your maneuverability. I have a 600 with a loader and, exept for moving snow and digging from a stockpile, it mostly functions as a powered wheelbarrow. A farm tractor with a loader just doesn't have the traction and digging ability of tracked construction equipment.