Red Tractors

BIGBOB2 · Mar 22, 2011

New to the forum and in need of info.

I don't know a thing about tractors but have been reading on the net what I can find.

Since one of my grandfathers only owned IH Travelall trucks and the other only ran red tractors, we'll limit the discussion to them.

I'm about to start a small sheep operation in the northern Shenandoah valley region of VA and will need a small to med. sized tractor for use in hauling trailers and some small equipment. Hay trailers and the like. I plan on having a need for a 3pt backhoe to build a road down a ridge to where I'll have a small pasture. I'd also like a 3pt log splitter. Being able to remove snow with a rear mounted blade would be great. A bucket on the front would be useful, but not absolutely necessary.

It needs to have a wide front end for stability since the property is all sloping in one direction or another. As a matter of fact, the road I need to put in will be a 17% grade.

I'm thinking the power requirements of the backhoe would likely require something in the 30hp range. Maybe an old "C" model? That should show about how much I want to spend. I'm looking to get a tractor in the 2,000 to 3,500 range. I can work on most anything so something old doesn't scare me off.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks, Bob

glennster · Mar 22, 2011

farmall c will be way to light of a tractor for backhoe and roadbuilding work. you would be better of to buy a backhoe loader combination tractor to build your roads, then sell the tractor when you are done. i think a utility tractor, with a 3 point and live pto with a loader would be a decent tractor.

SouthernFarmall · Mar 22, 2011

I agree that a C will be pretty small for what you are doing, but something slightly larger should handle it OK. A 140 more powerful than what people give it credit for, but it could be unstable on a hillside even though it is wide front. I have had experience with an IH 464 diesel, and it is a solid, reliable tractor, with plenty of power (40-45 HP). It is low-profile, and has a 3 point hitch. It could be hard to come by one of these, though.

Good luck, SF

BIGBOB2 · Mar 22, 2011

I had thought the same. I've seen some old backhoes that needed just a little TLC going for about 5K. Sell it off when done. Other than that I'd only need something for snow removal and pulling trailers around. One guy on C-list has a 504 for $3500. Looks as if that would do anything I'd need.

Bob

Wilks54 · Mar 22, 2011

I think you would be money ahead to rent a larger trackhoe excavator for your road building instead of buying some tired piece of equipment with hopes to resell. You might be sitting on it for a while...

Wardner · Mar 22, 2011

17% grade sound like four wheel drive terrain to me. It also means low profile and good brakes. This means a C is out of the running.

Don't think you can buy much of a Kubota for $2000-$3000. As for IH tractors, I don't know the newer models.

What about a 4wd 580 Case backhoe? It will run a log splitter. A post hole auger can attach to front bucket. Haul the trailers with a 4wd pickup truck. If the 580 overturns, you are alot safer in a backhoe than a no-cab tractor. Backhoes are relatively low center of gravity machines with their smaller rear tires. The backhoe will also pull your truck when it gets stuck.

BIGBOB2 · Mar 22, 2011

It's 17% if I've figured it correctly, it's 520' long with a drop in ele. of 90'.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 22, 2011

if intersted. have a restored farmall C in good condition. Has a L59 woods mower with it -also in good conditoin. Tractor in North Central Ohio. would sell for $2500. tom myers @[email protected]

SouthernFarmall · Mar 22, 2011

To tell the truth, the best thing for you is what is available in your area, with the best price. Now, you don"t want a pile of junk, but don"t hold out hope for "the perfect tractor". In my opinion, buying a backhoe for 1 application then selling it afterward is not a good idea. Try to get the best all purpose tractor possible.

SF

sflem849 · Mar 22, 2011

Didn't read them all, but a C is WAY short of 30 hp and WAY short of 3 pt and WAY short of live hydraulics, without major additional money.

$3000 probably isn't going to get you a tractor that will do that stuff. To get a real 3 pt you will go past your $3000 budget. Those 3 pt backhoes take quite a bit of hydraulics. Most guys around here run them on a 4440 or the like.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 22, 2011

On my small farm i have a 444 and a 504 farmall.One of the smaller IHC like a 424,444,364
or a utility 300,460,340 should work fine and in your price range.

BIGBOB2 · Mar 22, 2011

I agree on getting a decent local tractor that will fill most of my needs. Trying to get one to do everything I want is unrealistic. I'll get a medium size older one and forget about a backhoe attachment I'd rarely use. Renting something for a couple of days to dig down the sidehill of this ridge is a better option. That way I don't end up with a huge tractor I don't really need.

This is the kind of advice I was looking for.

Thanks everyone, Bob

James Williams · Mar 22, 2011

Big Bob,Where are you located,Im in Charles Town WV,Nice to hear from a local guy

jimmy

BIGBOB2 · Mar 22, 2011

(quoted from post at 23:41:50 03/22/11) Big Bob,Where are you located,Im in Charles Town WV,Nice to hear from a local guy

jimmy

Prop. is in Winchester. I'm in Colonial Beach, VA right now, but am moving up within a few months.

glennster · Mar 22, 2011

if you snoop around, you can pick up an old gasser combination pretty cheap.heres a couple pics of my minnie moline big mo 500. paid 650 dollars for it, engine was loose but was parked in a shed for 5 years. a tune up and a carb rebuild and she came to life. has a few hydraulic leaks here and there, but sure beats the heck out of a shovel and wheel barrow.

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/glennster_01/?action=view&current=DCP01904.jpg" target="_blank">

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<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/glennster_01/?action=view&current=DCP01906.jpg" target="_blank">

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glennster · Mar 22, 2011

when you do your road building , work from the bottom of the hill up. its a little safer and if you do get stuck, its easier to back a machine down hill instead of up hill. and if you roll the machine, you dont bounce as far!!

Anonymous-0 · Mar 22, 2011

Wardner is right about a older backhoe and with 4wd much more usefull than even a small dozer! A 3 point backhoe is a poor joke at best and any backhoe needs a front loader to hold it down! Bud.

John826diesel · Mar 22, 2011

I'm a big RED fan,own several,big and small,but i still use my ford 2600 all the time.I know this is a IH forum,but for what your doing,a Ford 3cyl.(2000,3000,4000,2600,3600,etc... would be perfect for what your doing.they are much more operator friendly than an IH utility,have a lot of power for their size,live power,very reliable,and parts are easy to get....just my 2 cents!

David G · Mar 22, 2011

I have a farm with smaller hills than yours. Get a front wheel assist tractor with live hydraulics, 2 remotes, live PTO and 3 point. There is a difference between a working tractor and a hobby.

sflem849 · Mar 23, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:55:41 03/22/11) I'm a big RED fan,own several,big and small,but i still use my ford 2600 all the time.I know this is a IH forum,but for what your doing,a Ford 3cyl.(2000,3000,4000,2600,3600,etc... would be perfect for what your doing.they are much more operator friendly than an IH utility,have a lot of power for their size,live power,very reliable,and parts are easy to get....just my 2 cents!

I was thinking the same thing. I know a 5000 with a loader will run around $4000, probably less if you like to wait.

mkirsch · Mar 23, 2011

What's your idea of a "hay trailer?" That could be anything from an old manure spreader with 24 bales on it to something 10' wide by 20' long with 6 tons of hay on it!

17% grade, you want to think OVERKILL on your tractor choice. Super C is a BAD choice for an inexperienced operator on that kind of terrain. You'll ruin a perfectly good pair of pants the first time out, and the sheep will die of starvation because you'll never attempt it again.

I'm thinking larger utility tractor. 544 Utility minimum. 656 Utility is better. 454, 464, 574, 674 are newer tractors that would be good for the job IMHO.

I know these might blow your $3000 budget, but frankly that budget is unrealistic, even if you don't do the backhoe.

Faster346 · Mar 23, 2011

Didn't read them all, but a C is WAY short of 30 hp and WAY short of 3 pt and WAY short of live hydraulics, without major additional money.

$3000 probably isn't going to get you a tractor that will do that stuff. To get a real 3 pt you will go past your $3000 budget. Those 3 pt backhoes take quite a bit of hydraulics. Most guys around here run them on a 4440 or the like.

Mine makes 22hp, has a 3pt, live hydraulics, and was 1,250 :?

Just depends what you find in your area for pricing. Though I will agree that for what you sound like you want, a C will be a little small. I love my SC though, with the three point I use my finish mower, plow snow with my back blade, pull horse trailers and hay trailers from the back barn to the front barn..pretty much everything aside from building a road. Very handy little tractor for our 20 acres.

sflem849 · Mar 23, 2011

(quoted from post at 06:44:21 03/23/11)

Didn't read them all, but a C is WAY short of 30 hp and WAY short of 3 pt and WAY short of live hydraulics, without major additional money.

$3000 probably isn't going to get you a tractor that will do that stuff. To get a real 3 pt you will go past your $3000 budget. Those 3 pt backhoes take quite a bit of hydraulics. Most guys around here run them on a 4440 or the like.

Click to expand...

Mine makes 22hp, has a 3pt, live hydraulics, and was 1,250 :?

Just depends what you find in your area for pricing. Though I will agree that for what you sound like you want, a C will be a little small. I love my SC though, with the three point I use my finish mower, plow snow with my back blade, pull horse trailers and hay trailers from the back barn to the front barn..pretty much everything aside from building a road. Very handy little tractor for our 20 acres.

Wouldn't that make it a Super C? IIRC none of them came with a 3 pt. You could get a fast hitch and turn it into a 3 pt, but it isn't the same. I don't think a C is near enough tractor for his dreams.

I went and checked a couple books and all C's came with live hyd. 1954 tractors were the only ones to have an optional fast hitch.

BIGBOB2 · Mar 29, 2011

(quoted from post at 13:20:33 03/23/11) What's your idea of a "hay trailer?" That could be anything from an old manure spreader with 24 bales on it to something 10' wide by 20' long with 6 tons of hay on it!

A Radio Flyer with pneum. tires and 2 bales bungee corded to the wagon.

Just kidding, I'd only be pulling a small trailer (5x8, or thereabouts) that would have a dozen or so small bales on it. Really, any small to medium tractor should be able to do what I want.

And as for a backhoe that is unrealistic to add to my list of "wants", I now see. After talking to some members here I am thinking a small utility trac. from the 60's with hyd. is what I need. I'll rent a 'hoe for putting in the road.

Don't mean to dredge up an old post but didn't want anyone to think I had not read the responses and actually learned something from them. I only go online about once a week at the local library using their wi-fi. Only have dial-up where I live and Life is too short to do dial-up.

Bob

EDIT....This is what I am thinking would do, or something like it
http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/2289260967.html

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