Tractors

[chadthestampede]

Does r3v know anything about old farm tractors?

I just bought a house with a few acres and am looking to get a small farm tractor that can do it all (mow, plow snow/snowblow, etc.) I've been doing research and the older Fords like the 8n or NAA seem like the way to go as they're cheap, plentiful and reliable. I've been all over the spectrum looking at anything from Farmalls to Deeres to Allis Chalmers tractors.

I'd like something between 20 and 40hp and somewhere in the 1-5k price range. It looks like something like an Allis Chalmers D12 or D14, Farmall Super C, H or 300, or one of the old Fords are the ones within my price range. I've looked at an awesome Deere 750 with everything I need around here but it's just out of my price range.

I would like a live or independent pto, which some of the old Fords don't seem to have, but I suppose I could live without it. I'm drawn to the Fords as they are super cheap and apparently dead reliable.

What say you?

[Swanny]

Does r3v know anything about old farm tractors?

I just bought a house with a few acres and am looking to get a small farm tractor that can do it all (mow, plow snow/snowblow, etc.) I've been doing research and the older Fords like the 8n or NAA seem like the way to go as they're cheap, plentiful and reliable. I've been all over the spectrum looking at anything from Farmalls to Deeres to Allis Chalmers tractors.

I'd like something between 20 and 40hp and somewhere in the 1-5k price range. It looks like something like an Allis Chalmers D12 or D14, Farmall Super C, H or 300, or one of the old Fords are the ones within my price range. I've looked at an awesome Deere 750 with everything I need around here but it's just out of my price range.

I would like a live or independent pto, which some of the old Fords don't seem to have, but I suppose I could live without it. I'm drawn to the Fords as they are super cheap and apparently dead reliable.

What say you?

Have used a couple old Fords (8n and 9n) and was very surprised about their capabilities. For what it sounds like you'll be doing I believe the Ford should be more than enough tractor for you.

[mrsleeve]

I grew up with internationals and from the H and Super M to the latter model turbo diesel stuff. You can also look into masseys harris and alices or Fergusons (before Massey got a hold of them) as well

for your price range your going to be stuck with 2wd, and when plowing snow with a light little tractor like that you can run into traction issues especially with all the snow the NW part of NY sees you might find it more trouble than you expect using a tractor for your snow removal duties. For what your looking to spend your going to be limited to the 8/9N and the Ferguson sister models, or any plethora of internationals or early Cubs.

I cant believe I am going to say this, but some of the older kabotas can be found close to your price range if you look for a bit.

[flyboyx]

well, i grew up on a farm and we had all sorts of tractors because my dad's hobby was buying and reselling them. our family's first tractor was an 8n. for the money, it is a good tractor. try to buy one restored with 12v electrical system. they made a bazillion of these models and used parts are really easy to find. the disadvantage is the the pto isn't live and it doesn't have much of a hydraulic system. this is kind of a big deal because every time you push in the clutch, the fucking pto and whatever attachment you have on the back will stop. that sucks especially if it is a mower or roto tiller. i really don't recommend this tractor if you can afford something better.

DEFINITELY don't get a row crop style tractor for your purposes. (high clearance type sometimes with narrow front end and usually no 3 point hitch) this eliminates most old internationals/ olivers/cockshuts/ etc. make sure to get a utility style tractor and also spend the extra money to buy a tractor with a loader. make absolute certain you buy a tractor with a 3 point hitch.

i know that 4wd is probably going to be out of your price range at 5k, but if you can bump your budget up a couple 3k, you can afford an 80's kubota/yanmar/etc 4wd with a loader in the 25-30 hp range. if you keep it inside and take care if it, you will always get your money back when you sell.

i own a kubota L275 4wd/loader combination. for attachments, i have a backhoe, bush hog, roto tiller, finish mower, post hole digger, a box blade and a whole rack full of suitcase weights. with these, i can do pretty much anything i want except plow a field. since i don't have a field, it isn't an issue.

4 wheel drive is an awesome feature. it makes a 30 hp tractor effectively 45 or 50 hp in regard to the amount of traction it puts to the dirt. when you are carrying a lot of weight in the loader bucket, it keeps the tractor moving when the rears are light.

start looking for deals on craigslist. this should get you pointed in the right direction. if you have questions, pm me your phone number and i will give you a call.

[Vtec?lol]

I a would definitely shoot for an 80's 4wd Kubota. We have an old 8n and it's been sitting for years due to 2wd. That and it has no loader and the oil filter leaks out about a quart a minute at idle. Very cool to look at though.

[LJ851]

This is very relevant to me. The girlie and i picked up a small horse farm ( 7 acres) recently and also need a tractor for bush hogging pastures, moving earth, fence repair, and maintaining an enormous riding ring. It's Georgia here, so snow really isn't an issue.

[slammin.e28]

Oliver 55. We've got one dad had restored a few years back. My grandfather bought it new in 1955 for my dad when he was a kid.



Or get a Minneapolis Moline.

The older, the better. Metal wheels w/out tires get you a bonus.

[Ether-D]

I have an early 80s Yanmar 22hp 3cyl diesel 4wd. It just works every time. Yanmar supplied the engines for small John Deeres in the 80s. It is a perfect tractor and a shit load less expensive than a Kubota.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

Just gonna leave this one here...

[LJ851]

Chad, feel free to kick me out of here if you want.

Just found out my grandfather has a 1984 kabota that hasn't run in a couple years, he bought it new, used it on his blueberry farm and will sell it to me. Anything in particular to look out for ? Going to try and get more details from him shortly.

[chadthestampede]

Chad, feel free to kick me out of here if you want.

Just found out my grandfather has a 1984 kabota that hasn't run in a couple years, he bought it new, used it on his blueberry farm and will sell it to me. Anything in particular to look out for ? Going to try and get more details from him shortly.

No worries, this is all relevant to my interests.

Really my only experience with tractors is with my dads 2011 Kubota, which was an amazing tractor that we could do anything with. Even the older kubotas seem very expensive around here. I've seen a couple diesel deeres with 4wd for around 6k and I figure that's probably my best bet, although its a little more than I wanted to spend.

Sleeve, although the 2wd tractors are pretty light, from what I've read with chains and proper ballast they seem to do okay. Any idea how true that is?

[chadthestampede]

Anyone have any experience with the 80s Mitsubishi/Satoh small diesel tractors? There are a couple for sale for a decent price around here. How much can they handle? They're 4wd.

[andrewm]

I really expected pictures!

[Swanny]

Yeah Bob, Get with some pics! You've been falling behind in the photo dump department. You've been missed.

[flyboyx]

Oliver 55. We've got one dad had restored a few years back. My grandfather bought it new in 1955 for my dad when he was a kid.



Or get a Minneapolis Moline.

The older, the better. Metal wheels w/out tires get you a bonus.

those are great tractors, but they are not great at all for general utility use. we had an old moline and an oliver 77. don't buy a tractor like this for hobby use. something to tinker with, thats great but i am telling you that usefullnes of such a tractor is very limited.

I have an early 80s Yanmar 22hp 3cyl diesel 4wd. It just works every time. Yanmar supplied the engines for small John Deeres in the 80s. It is a perfect tractor and a shit load less expensive than a Kubota.

those are good. my '80s 28 hp 4wd kubota was only 7500 bucks with a loader. i don't thin think that is unreasonable or too much more than one would pay for an off brand. i really like yanmar tractors. i was looking at these when the one i have now came up for sale on craigs.

Chad, feel free to kick me out of here if you want.

Just found out my grandfather has a 1984 kabota that hasn't run in a couple years, he bought it new, used it on his blueberry farm and will sell it to me. Anything in particular to look out for ? Going to try and get more details from him shortly.

find out the model number and i will tell you about it. my guess would be a L245. that is the most common tractor from that era. has it been kept inside? if not, take a good look at the steering box. you will want to take it off and dump all the water out, clean out the rust, buy new seals/ bearings/ etc. less than 100 bucks worth of parts and a half day of your time.

how much does he want for it? is it 4wd? loader? pics?