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Starting Member
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Last Login: 11/16/2004 1:56:19 PM
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| I am looking to purchase my first tractor in the spring. I won't be doing very much heavy work with it--just bush hogging, moving a manure spreader, basic farm chores. Does anyone have a brand they recommed?
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 2/17/2008 8:55:07 PM
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I suggest you go to www.ytmag.com or www.tractorbynet.com and ask this question in one of the discussion groups. You could spend from $3,000 - $30,000 on some functional equipment. List all the applications or jobs you want the tractor to do. You then will have a choice of size of tractor: sub-compact, compact, or Utility size tractor. Then you will need to match the implements to the size of tractor. This will apply to both a new or used tractor purchase.
www.ccmachinery.com
We specialize in hay equipment and compact tractor implements.
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Last Login: 12/22/2004 9:15:44 AM
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I think you will find you'll want to do more with your tractor than you originally planned. We purchase a 30 hp JD with the intention of posthole digging on 70 acres of irrigated pasture. We've gone way beyond that. I have pulled a small 2-bottom plow, small spring chisels, a disk, a rake, a chaindrag, a small drill, a roto-tiller, a scraper, wood carts. Its gone way beyond what I thought it could do. One thing I found out is these 30 hp JD don't move snow very well, if that is one of the things you need to do. I tried to lift a dead cow onto a truck-- wouldn't go. The limit of a small compact tractors bucket is probably around 500 lbs.
My advice don't consider anything without 4wd (usually runs another $4,000,) it gives you so much more ability. Get a bucket if you can afford it (another $2,500.) Try to attend a fair or equipment show. I'd make sure you have access to parts, so be carefull of the graymarket. I've heard some really sad stories of people caught without parts. I think those dealers bend the truth.
Its a big financial decision so make sure you find someone who owns the product first, and ask them about their tractor.
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Last Login: 12/10/2005 2:37:17 PM
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| I recomend a Massey Ferguson as a first tractor purchase. They are available in any size, and although not cheap (no worthwhile tractor is), they are reliable and easy to maintain. I dont know how big you want to go or how much you are willing to spend, but a 40 or 45 horse Massey can do anything a small farmer usually needs to do. We have a MF360(50 horse) that is a beast, it can do anything. Recently bought another, MF253, a little smaller but a good machine. I do not recomend buying an off brand machine, if you do buy some little no-name brand, make sure it is made by somebody big like AGCO because parts get hard to find for foreign tractors. Parts get really though when you get some age on the machine. Good luck and I hope you see red in your future.
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 10/14/2006 7:25:57 AM
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| THOSE ARE A FEW GOOD POINTS ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE SNOW. I'M SURE MYSELF AND THE OTHER "NEWBIES" TO THE FARM APPRECIATE ANY GOOD TIPS.
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Last Login: 2/19/2007 7:42:30 PM
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| I Bought an International B414. It has been really nice. Live PTO 3pt hitch. Not to large, but gets the job done.
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Last Login: 7/3/2007 9:11:49 AM
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| I looked at many different brands of tractors before I bought my first one. I ended up getting a Kabota MX5000 4 wheel drive utility tractor with a heavy duty loader (50hp). I have yet to run out of power with it. I got the industrial tires on it. 
Matt
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Last Login: 6/3/2007 7:19:02 PM
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Buy the biggest tractor you can safely operate, interview the local dealers, any brand can be fixed, but attitudes and abilities can and will make a sweet deal turn sour in a heartbeat. What is most popular in your area? why? If you have mechanical skills used may be good for you!
Calvin Lowell
Clinton, SC
www.oldcarfart.com
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Starting Member
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