which tractor should i buy

8n ford with a 5' bush hog, and blade. I asked the dealer if he has checked out this tractor and he said.. "nope, and I'm not going to, it runs, and the lift works, and the breaks work, backed up, and drove it off the trailer and parked it" The next day I asked him if it had anti-freeze in it and he said.. "I guess it does" the price on this tractor with the attachments is $2750

the other tractor:

Oliver 1600 with a end loader, and this dealer said: "has good tires, hit the button and she starts right up, everything works and I think i got a used brush hog for ya too". Very nice guy sounds like he is around 90 years old. The price on this tractor is $2500 and the used brush hog is going to be.. "around $250"

I see a lot of information on the 8n, but hardly nothing on the oliver 1600. All advice will be greatly taken on this.

Thank you

*'in the pink' will have the most meaning to you if you if you understand its' origin to be the samd as mine.

Chuck

You didn't say if the Oliver was a gas or diesel but at that price I will assume a gas. If it were for my daughter I would make sure it had a wide front end,especially with a loader on it. Also check for any major leaks as some Oliver parts can be a pain to get, condition of tires as those can be expensive if you have to replace them,condition of the connecting points in the steering, front end, etc.

I know from experience a good deal can turn into a money pit ( got a 1800 in the shed right now to prove it) If the guy with the 1600 is sure of the tractor get him to send you some pictures of it from all angles and look at the close for any weld breaks or things like that.

All that being said between the 2 I would go for the Oliver hands down unless we're talking about 3-4 acres here and you want to use a finishing mower. I wouldn't get a 8n anyway but like someone else said get into the 600-800 series. Independent PTO is the major thing you wan't to look for in a small tractor as it is alot safer and more so for someone who hasn't been around tractors alot. The Oliver should have power steering,independent PTO, good hydraulics, and 3 point.

Well, before offering any suggestions on tractors I think some questions need to be asked. First off, don't limit your options to just these two tractors. Like others have said, look around. I would also make the same suggestion that buying from a dealer in a situation like this isn't a good idea. I work for a CaseIH dealer here in Ohio and know why tractors that are not worth a lot get advertised for high prices. Often times salesmen get backed into a corner on deals where a guy wants to buy a new tractor and wants to trade in a tractor that isn't worth a bunch. In order to make the deal the salesguy will have to put more money in a trade than he wants and in order to not lose money he has to sell it at a cost higher than it's actual worth. Now that's not always the case since I got a good deal on my last tractor. But then again, I work here and I bugged our salesman on it from the day he said he might take it in on trade.

Now the questions. How big is the piece of property that your daughter is going to be working on? What type of work is she planning on doing with the tractor? What type of terrain does the property consist of? Is the budget restricted to $3000 or less or can it be pushed up any? Lastly, how able-bodied is your daughter? Can she climb with ease or would a shorter tractor be handier? Would she prefer something with power steering? Answering these questions will give everyone a better idea of the tractor you need. Again, don't limit yourself as this is a major purchase. God bless.

--old fashioned farmer

• My latest purchase

• Hobby farm