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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR

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ERICA MARTINEZ

07-17-2005 11:35:27




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Could someone please give me some advice. My husband and I are looking for a tractor to maintain our 9 acre horse farm. Neither one of us know much about tractors. We've seen a 9N Ford for $3000.00 with a mower. Our neighbor has a John Deere 320 with a mower and loader for $4800.00 but needs some carborator work. Is it risky to buy an old tractor instead of a newer one?




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Jerry/MT

07-17-2005 22:04:16




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
You really haven't defined what you mean by"...maintain our 9 acre horse farm.." My guess would be that you need a tractor to clean out stalls, spread manure on the pasture, mow, plow snow, etc. I don't know what your budget is, but I would think a 30-35 horspower machine with a front end loader, power steering and live hydraulics would do most of what I presume you would use it for. In the older tractors, a Massey Ferguson 35 or 135 diesl ($5-6000) equipped with a loader would foot the bill. In the new tractor line, a New Holland TC 29 (? model number)(low hour, used, c.$12,000) or maybe one of the John Deere compacts(low hours, used, c. $15,000)

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evielboweviel

07-17-2005 17:29:44




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
9n is too old and too high price
JD 320 is a good deal for a collector
a MF 35 deluxe or 135 would be great, so would a 550 Oliver, Ford 3000 or 4000 with a 3 cylinder not the older 4 cylinder versions. Make sure you have power steering. Check for live hydaulics, live/independent Pto,and three point hitch should be standard if new enough.
Case, John Deere, MM and International had good ones too, stay with the late 60's unless you know the tractor has Power Steering, Live hydraulics and live/independent Pto, and factory three point hitch. then you can go back to the early 60's late 50's.
Good luck
Ron

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Island A

07-17-2005 16:43:19




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
Only 3084 320 tractors were built. Of those 3084- 1848 were straight steer 320S, only 718 straight steer 320U, only 319 slant steer 320S, only 199 slant steer 320U. Of ALL 320 tractors built only 16 all fuel tractors were built. (An all fuel would have 2 fuel tanks).
You may want to consider the value of the 320. My family has 2, they are dependable and very utilitarian, with the mower and loader I am sure it is worth more than $5000.
Or else tell me were it is!
Dave

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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

07-17-2005 15:35:31




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
Old tractors can become good friends. If operated unsafely, though, they can be dangerous, and there is much to learn about their safe operation.

I inherited a 1951 Ferguson TEA20 (like a gray Ford) but found it geared too high and, without live power takeoff, too dangerous to use for bush hogging in tricky places.

A 1961 Massey Ferguson 35 diesel has filled the gap very well. It blows snow in winter and bush hogs safely in summer. The loader is very handy for lifting heavy things around the property. Its 3 cylinder Perkins engine starts very well in winter or summer, and uses little fuel.

It's handy to have a loaner tractor when living in the country. The favour can be traded with a neighbour for all sorts of future considerations.

What is my point? A slightly newer tractor than the old gray ones has better gears, a safer clutch, and can still be bought for a reasonable price, and it likely won't depreciate much.

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txgrn

07-17-2005 15:49:09




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 07-17-2005 15:35:31  
I agree Rod. I started out in the '50's and have migrated to the '60's and '70's. No going back. And like you said, face value is higher than when they were new; not counting for inflation of course.

Mark



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Dave H (MI)

07-17-2005 14:55:33




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
You need to be able to work on an older tractor to make it a good candidate. I have an old Farmall that has never needed a bit of work in 3 years but, realistically, the day is coming. I have a 9N that is almost constantly needing something. That 9N you mention is over the top on price. Don't know on the JD...green/yellow makes me nauseous. The NICE thing about older tractors is that they are usually easy to fix if you get a good solid runner to start with. If you want an "N" series Ford you will be happier with the 8N over the 9N. A REALLY good choice would be a Ford from the late 80's like a 1520. I also have one of these and it (with a small loader attached) is a real workhorse. Just some thoughts.

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bj/8n/mt

07-17-2005 14:11:21




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
Answer to your question depends on whether either you or your husband is mechanic enough to maintain the tractor. If you have to pay to have it worked on get something with a warranty. If you think you/your husband can keep it running you can't buy a riding lawn mower for what you can get an n series tractor for.

Your mileage may vary



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txgrn

07-17-2005 16:04:00




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to bj/8n/mt, 07-17-2005 14:11:21  
Agree. Greasy fingered hubby definitely a desirable trait. But like someone else said, if you get a good candidate and fix the current problems, usually they run a long time B4 needing attention....been my experience anyway.

Mark



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Dixieland

07-17-2005 11:54:46




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to ERICA MARTINEZ, 07-17-2005 11:35:27  
Well it can be risky if you don't know what you are getting from someone you don't know.
What all are you going to use the tractor for? That will be the first consideration, to determine what size tractor you need and how much you intend to use it.



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mark

07-17-2005 16:42:57




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 Re: LOOKING FOR A TRACTOR in reply to Dixieland, 07-17-2005 11:54:46  
I would use this simple logic:

Do I want something to work WITH or work ON? Antique tractors are like antique cars....neat to admire and play with, shine up for the parade or show...but not much for day in and day out dependability and on demand work. If you need another farm tax deduction, buy a new one and amortorize it. If not new, buy something 10-15 years old and not used up. Real farmers make a tractor earn it's keep and like everything else, they wear out with use. Pick a color you like, most are pretty good....I like green and yellow, reminds me of fresh beans and corn!

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