Yea, I know, what’s a techie like me asking a question about tractors? Well we’re moving to the country in about a month, and I’ll have 15 acres to take care of (12 grass, 3 wooded). I know virtually nothing about tractors, and I guess I’ll need to get one soon. So tell me: What should I get? What attachments? And it’s not like I’m loaded, so I’ll probably be looking for a used one.
I have a coworker who has 60 acres of land, and asked him for advice. He said:
Do not get a Ford 8-End or 9-End. (Whatever that is. And what’s so bad about them? I think he was implying they’re under-powered.)
Make sure it is not less than 30 HP.
Make sure the tractor has live power / independent PTO drive.
Make sure the tractor has a 3-point hitch. (Whatever that is.) He also said it would be nice if the tractor had a place to plug-in hydraulics into equipment.
Though opinions obviously differ, he said John Deere is generally considered to be the “best” name in tractors, with International (used to be Farm-All) a very close second. He said other good tractors include Ford, Massey Furguson (sp?), Case, Oliver, and White.
In my experience, John Deere tractors are far and away the best and most trouble-free.
Now this was a few years back, but when I was a kid on the farm, we had, at various times, John Deere, Ford, Massey Ferguson and International Harvester tractors. While all the other makes had various mechanical problems at different times, we never had an ounce of trouble with the John Deere.
If it’s a tractor tractor, get what your neighbors have. There’s nothing worse that bringing a John Deere into International country. It’s like driving a Chevy in Ford-land. It’s just not done. (Derned upstart city boy, and his bing-blammed [wrong brand] tractor!)
If you just want a lawn tractor, get one with a cup holder. Yup, that’s the most important thing for a lawn tractor, a place to hold your drink. (And if all your farming neighbors have John Deere tractor tractors, get a Deere lawn tractor. [Or spray paint whatever you do get J.D. green.]) And you need one of those big mashy-roller thingies you fill with water and old motor oil to pull around when you cut the grass, using your drink holder. I think it mashes down mole-runs or something. I just know when you’re in a non-urban situation all the old-guys-in-the-know have one of those big mashy-roller thingies behind their lawn tractors.
Most people don’t know that Lamborghinis make tractors. It would settle that whole International/Deere thing (by avoiding it altogether) and you can cruise around town in it
:
“Hey baby, wanna ride in my Lamborghini?”
“Sure!”
“Hop on…”
“Hop on?”
“Use it as a runabout… Use it as a light tractor… Use it as a mobile power unit… Use it as a light truck.” This page shows old ads that proclaim the CJ2A’s versatility and show it being used as a tractor.
Ha Ha
You’re buying a tractor and you aren’t rich???
Deere is kinda pricy.
As you can see from the previous posts everyone wants a Deere.
The Ford 8Nand 9N are the little gray tractors that you see pulling a brush mower.AKA Fergesson/Ford. Their history goes back to Henry Fords first tractor. He made the three point hitch popular. Thats the mechanism that raises and lowers equipment located on the back of the tractor. The problem with them is the centrifical force from the mower pushes the tractor when you want to stop.
Among the older more affordable tractors is the Farmall M
It is also called the International M. It is a good all around tractor.
I have the predessor to the M. It’s the H. The PTO doesn’t run fast enough, the hydralics aren’t powerful enough it doesn’t have three point, which brings me to another point. Henry Fords genius wasn’t seen until later so many tractors don’t have three point hitches. Farmall, International,and many others used a 2 point hitch system. It’s not quite as versatile as the 3 point but was in widespread use. There is still a lot of 2 point equipment out there.
I don’t know what all you want to do with the tractor,besides mow which can be done with a lawn tractor,so I don’t know how to further advise you.
As far as where to buy.Farm auctions are a good way to find equipment. But you have to remember the good stuff ain’t cheap.
Here is one bit of advise which comes from long ago.“Get a horse”.
All of the OPs are generally good advice, with the possible exception about plowing with a jeep. There is one more thing, though.
Unless you have more money than brains (a trait not much admired in the rural districts) you will not buy your tractor, new or used, from a dealer. Talk to your new neighbors, keep an eye on the classified ads in the local newspaper and go to auctions. You are going to get a much better deal this way than you ever will with a name brand dealer. Every rural district has a business named Clayton County Tractor Repair or something like that. If you can’t find what you want any other way go to the local no-name-brand tractor repair shop.
Incidentally, your friend not with standing, the old grey Ford/Fordson is a good utility tractor. Do not shy away from it because of its power. They are in high demand, however, and you might find a good one to be a little expensive.
Hearty agreement, from one in the Heartland.
Accept nothing less than Deere.
They’re engineered and built beautifully, are durable as hell and won’t do ya wrong. They run for bloody ever and on the remote chance something goes wrong they’re backed to the hilt.
Deere manufactures for extended use. There are ancient “Johnny Poppers” still in use because Deere still makes and stocks parts to keep them running.
Anecdotal but related: years ago I bought a top of the line, “heavy duty” Toro lawnmower on sale. Big mistake. The sucker stalled out repeatedly in tall grass and the housing rusted through within 3 years. Replaced it with a Deere (for less money) and it’s still rust-free, purrs like a kitten and BLASTS through the heaviest uses, e.g. loaned it to a friend who cleared a field with it.
And that’s a dippy lawnmower!
I’m not argueing with Veb but you should know my H is a 1945 model.
Need rod bearings for an H farmall $8.97.
How about a crankshaft for a AC WD $259.00
Ford 8N manifold cracked? $47.95.
Parts are available for most old tractors.
