Posted by Indian Guy on March 31, 1998 at 09:03:34:
In Reply to: Re: Need advice before purchase posted by Greenthumb on March 30, 1998 at 21:05:23:
: : I need a utility tractor but don't have much information
: : on which one to look for. I want live PTO and 35 to 50 HP
: : for intermittent duty and have seen Fords and MFs that
: : might fit the budget, unlike JDs and the like. I have a
: : $3500 budget. Also, LP/Gas/Diesel? I typically push my
: : tools hard. What would a recommendation be from the Net
: : Tractor Gurus?
: I've heard it is hard to find anything really decent in that price range. Guy I l talked to today has been doing the tractor thing for years. He said the massey's are the most desirable, not necessarily the best, followed by the Ford's and then IH. His main advice is buy something in good shape because you can always sell it for something close to whay you paid maybe even more. I was thinking about the same range would buy something pretty good, but he made some valid points . You can spend $1500 and a lot of time replacing or repairing a differential or similar pretty easily. so check it out thoroughly and look for something with low hours, a tight front end, smooth gears and motor, and preferably original paint
No Guru Here, just a poor Indian, I think Green Thumb pretty much hit the nail on the head as far as buying a reliable tractor. In that price range I'd look real hard at the Fords and call Masseys & IH lower, but that's just MHO. Stay away from earlier (2010) 10 series JD's because they're phasing out parts for them. Good reliable machines, but pricey. If you buy at auction be sure to be there long enough to see & hear everything about the tractor. I saw a NAA sell @$2800 the other day. Hope you have luck as good as that, Me