Re: need advise re type of tractor

Posted by Chuck, WA on July 09, 2002 at 08:00:53 from (130.20.127.170):

In Reply to: need advise re type of tractor posted by Eric Krumdick on July 08, 2002 at 09:42:15:

Eric...I was there about 6 months ago. Bought only 3-2/3 acres, and thought I'd need some kind of tractor to at least keep the weeds mowed. Friends recommended a Ford 8n, so that's what I started looking for. Went to a guy's place who buys and moderately restores old tractors and he had two JDs, an 8n and a couple that hadn't been named. When we got there, he was out picking up the 8n from having a tire replaced. There was this red and gray tractor sitting there with a front wheel off and various sheet metal off for painting. I fell in love with it not knowing what it was. The JDs seemed like way too much tractor for what I wanted - they looked like "real" tractors. The 8n seemed about right, but didn't seem in as good a condition for the price, even though it purred like a kitten. But, I really thought in comparing this other one that I liked to the 8n that it was probably more tractor than I needed for 3-1/3 acres.

Now, keep in mind that I really knew nothing about tractors and the friend that was with me knew more, but mostly about the NAA he used to have and 8n that he replaced it with and recommended to me. I still liked this other "mystery" tractor.

Well, it wouldn't have taken a real expert to name the mystery tractor. When the owner got back a few minutes later, we found out it was a Massey-Ferguson 35 diesel. I love diesels - based on driving a diesel Suburban for over 15 years - but hadn't looked that closely. When he started it up, no way I'd trade that growl for a purring 8n. It's a 1964 MF35 Deluxe with Perkins diesel. It had 5000 hours on it, but the engine had been rebuilt, and it was otherwise in good condition.

I just knew it was way more tractor than I needed, and at $4200, was certainly more than my expected budget. But, I was hopelessly in love with it, so a week later, when the limited restoration was done, it was delivered.

I must admit that the person who replied to get as much equipment with it as you can had the right idea - my MF came bare...just the tractor!

To provide a happy ending, I couldn't be more pleased now that I've been using it for 6 months. I've only put about 90 hours on it - a real hobby farmer - but even at 38 hp, it is certainly not too much tractor. Generous friends have loaned implements since the purchase price wiped out my budget for tractor and implements. I have on more or less long term loan: manure spreader (to spread the manure the owner fills my truck with weekly), bush hog, blade, post hole auger, disk, and bucket. I've also borrowed and returned a potato plow used to dig some drainage line trench, a spring tooth and spike harrow. I finally purchased my own first implement - a King Cutter "carry all" which is a 3-pt. lifting and carrying frame - at $78, new, I couldn't pass it up and as I've been building my barn, it has been a back saver too many times to count.

The friend who has loaned most of the implements and has horses and would buy all the grass hay I can bale, but I can't find anybody willing to come over and bale 3 acres - about 4 or 5 cuttings a summer - so I am keeping an eye peeled for a sickle, rake and baler. It won't make a living, but will repay the friend's generosity for the implements and put a little money towards some new ones.

I have been so glad that I bought "too much tractor!" But, other than being in the same situation as you, you'd do well to consider what the experts around here say with a little more weight. I'm still just a very green hobby farmer.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: need advise re type of tractor Eric 08:45:31 07/09/02 (0)

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