|
Kirk, You can get a whole range of tractors for around $2000, if you don't care how they look. I have an IH B 414 diesel that I paid $1750 for. About $300 in repairs and it runs like a top. That's half what a 8N or 9N costs around here. Added a new rotary mower for $850. Medium duty Kodiak 6 footer. That's less than or equal to what the 8N's cost around here. I cannot imagine what the appeal of these little Fords is, but they are selling like hotcakes and holding price...$2500 to 3500. I don't get it. I know of at least two Massey Fergeson 35's close by for the same money. That's a better tractor in my humble opinion. We have horses (6) and a total of 10 acres of pasture, which is in growing season from Valentine's Day to Thanksgiving Day. I mow once during December or January to kill winter weeds. I cut four acres once every three weeks during the summer and fall to keep the grass energized. The other six acres get cut two to three times a summer and once during the winter. The pastures have different grass mixes which require this type of attention. I will say this, there is no way I would put a sickle type mower on my tractor around livestock. You can't get the machine stopped fast enough to prevent a horrendous injury to the animal. Rotation of pastures does work well for cattle and other ruminants, but horses need to range to the food they like and room to move their muscles for extented periods. Ours will romp for an hour or two, cutting figure 8's and racing the dogs. Fences get in the way of that. For my little place, the tractor is a necessary piece of equipment. I could use a loader from time to time, but not enough that I can't do without or find another way to get the job done. Good luck, hope this helps. UFO Man
| 
