Same ol question (which tractor)

Hi all. I have 20 acres south of DFW and have been looking at tractors. Primary use will be brush hog, but would very much like to have the ability to cultivate/bale sudan or something should time permit and potentially some digging/moving (small pond).

My father has had an 8N forever that he's used as a general utility tractor, but never for cultivation or even tending acreage. It's a reliable machine, very affordable and, of course, familiar to me. Not a fan of transmission PTO, brakes, and lower-end HP.

I've been mostly looking at Fords, anything from 8/9n, 850, 2000, 3000, 4000. The reason is that I understand that parts for the ford tend to be more available, they are standard 3 point, etc. I'm capping my cost at around $5,000. I know that I can do what I have to with an 8n, but would very much like to have the HP and flexibility to grow beyond current needs. I'm leaning towards the 4000 (not SU) with the heavier front-end and extra horses.

That's where I'm at right now, what advice recommendations would anybody have on my current thinking? There's also a few more things to consider: It's a small town, lots of farming, and we have a JD dealer in town, but that's it. I am near enough to Dallas (under an hour) that I'm not terribly worried about that. I'm looking on craigslist and see MF, JD, IH tractors that interest me, but I'm not as familiar with the quality and maintainability compared to the Fords. Is this thinking valid or should I just look for the most and best tractor for the money as long as it's one of the common brands?

Finally, probably bears mentioning that I am mechanically inclined though mostly ignorant. That to say that I don't know much up front but usually get myself out of any binds (and big bills) without being too creative. Not at all too proud to use repair manuals as guides.

Any information and opinion is appreciated. I've read a lot here but as soon as I get settled I read something else that leads me astray.

Thanks!

Gerald

Buy what you are happy and comfortable with. Sounds like you have pretty much decided to go with Ford. Just be sure the local dealer can support the tractor you are planning to buy before you buy it.

i'd stay away from the n series, the 3000 and 4000 should be all you'll ever need

(quoted from post at 14:01:12 05/15/15) Buy what you are happy and comfortable with. Sounds like you have pretty much decided to go with Ford. Just be sure the local dealer can support the tractor you are planning to buy before you buy it.

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Not at all, just whats most familiar to me. There are some interesting IHs and MFs around too.

Any thoughts on the 800s? I know the 850 had some gear sync problems, but that's something that can probably be taken care of.

Thanks!

Ford 4000
MF 150
Oliver 550
any one would be a good choice

Take a good look at how the tractors have been maintained, tire condition, etc., more than I would look at brand name Live PTO is highly desirable.

The 800/801 series are a hood step up from the N's, but given your future plans abd budget, get the 3-cylinder 4000 and don't look back.

The 850/851 does not have live PTO. The 860/861 does. A 3 cylinder 4000 would be a good choice.

Ford 4000
Massey Ferguson 165
John Deere 1120 (Canadian model #; US tractors are similar)
All about the 50 PTO HP, independent PTO, gas or diesel, 3pt,all about the same vintage (1970's) MF is a 4 cyl., the others are 3 cylinders. Each is a proven dependable model; the Deere may be a bit more money, but condition should be the determining factor.

Ben

If you can find a good 801 that will do the job needed for 20 acres. Of course we are talking about a 60+ yr. old tractor so finding a good one may be a challenge. I have had an 801 for 40+ yrs. and it still earns its keep. An 801 will handle a 5 - 6 ft brush hog fine. An 801 is quite a step up from an 8N. A 3000/4000 Ford will also be a good choice but the kicker in all these old tractors is how well they have been maintained.

IMHO - Ford 2000, 3000 series tractors and Massey Ferguson 135 type tractors are great machines. Lots of parts, easy to get on off of, very useable tractors, simple, reliable and probably most important, lots of Internet forum help.

For $5000 you might find a good 3610 or 4100 or maybe a 4600 Ford. You might even find a good International 574 or 584. Their 4-cylinder engines are much more quiet than the 3-cyl Fords.

I see a lot of Long tractors advertised in your general area,the ones like the 445 and 460 were built by Fiat and parts are very available thru several internet companies at much better prices than Ford/New Holland or Deere.NH has had very steep increases in their parts prices in the last few years.The Fiat engines are as tough as any around plus you'll pay less for a comparable Long than a Ford or Deere.The Fiat built 1265 and 1365 Oliver are as good or better than any tractor for the era they were built.

you can buy a good D17 AC for less money than that. stay away from the 2-8-9n ford. What kind of dealers do you have in your area. That kind of helps you make the decision on which brand to buy. Parts will be needed on anything that old.

I own Fords and like them so that is what I will recommend.
Either a 3000 or 4000 (3 cylinder) would do the tasks you mention.
A 4000 will have some advantages over a 3000. One is the brakes. 3000 still used the same style dry drum brakes that were used on the 8Ns. They are adequate, but just.
A 4000 will have wet disc brakes and are vastly superior to the dry drum style.
Another advantage is more HP. 4000 is rated at 52 hp. 3000 is 38 hp.
But a 4000 is a pretty hefty tractor compared to a 3000.
4000
dry weight ~ 4500 lbs
wheel base ~ 85"
length 137"
Height at steering wheel 63"


3000
dry weight ~ 3500 lbs
wheel base ~ 76"
Length: 127"
Height at steering wheel 58"

Both may or may not have differential lock.
Both may or may not have power steering
3000 may or may not have live pto
4000 most likely has independent pto
Both are nimble and powerful for their size.
Parts are readily available - both new and used.
A 4000 is a little easier to work on.
Both can be had either gas or diesel.
Both are reliable, long lived machines.
Though some guys love them I would avoid the Select O Speed transmission on both of them.

Here is a 4000



Here is a 3000.

I am a Ford guy, I have a 960, a 971, a 961, and a 9000, all four NFE. You can see that I like row crops, they are way more cool, and you look way cooler on them than on a utility, right? But, on a more serious note don't let dealer support enter into the decision one bit, because he doesn't want your business any way. I haven't set foot in the local dealer's place for over two years. I used to try to support him until I saw that it was a one way relationship. As others have said parts availability is so good that what you can't find at your local auto supply or TSC, is easily found on line, such as at this site.

I agree... To me, the 3000 / 4000 tractors are like the Farmall H's and M's. The H (3000) is a good tractor, good power, easy to work on, comfortable, etc. Well, the M is all of those things, but it feels/preforms like it is 2x the tractor! The neighbors pull a 214T JD Baler with a 3000, and it handles it fine, but the baler pushes it around a lot with the plunger. The other neighbors (where I work) Pull a MF212 or something (about the same size baler) with a 4000/5000. Compared to the 3000, the 4000 is like a dog with an empty sled behind it! Just goes "oh! Is something back there????" every once in a while!! Amazes me the difference.

Another thing to consider, if you are planning on a loader on it, 3000 won't have as big of a front axle as the 4000.

Thank you all for the information, it's very, very helpful.

Dealers aren't really a problem around here as I'm somewhat central to a number of metro areas. Mostly worried about being able to actually get parts for a long time, probably mostly on line.

I did look at all of the machines recommended including the ACs, JDs, MFs, etc. Doesn't look like I can go too wrong as far as performance goes, but is there really decent parity regarding parts availability?

Prices seem to be more or less in the same ballpark for the same performance across the brands, but surprisingly don't find many JDs out there, I wonder why? I could throw a ball and hit an 8N (literally, neighbor has a rust-bucket sitting in front of his workshop, actually uses a 5000.) 3000s are very common and 4000s there's, I think, two that I can get my hands on reasonably (the 65?-74 model (3 cyl), not the earlier 801 based).

So I guess last question I have is what do you think the best way of finding them is? I've been doing mostly craigslist, not really interested in buying from dealer and trying to stay somewhat local (at least this side of Texas). Craigslist will probably get me there but if you guys have any secrets you're willing to share I'd be grateful.

Thanks again one and all!

Gerald

(quoted from post at 16:05:17 05/17/15) Thank you all for the information, it's very, very helpful.

Dealers aren't really a problem around here as I'm somewhat central to a number of metro areas. Mostly worried about being able to actually get parts for a long time, probably mostly on line.

I did look at all of the machines recommended including the ACs, JDs, MFs, etc. Doesn't look like I can go too wrong as far as performance goes, but is there really decent parity regarding parts availability?

Prices seem to be more or less in the same ballpark for the same performance across the brands, but surprisingly don't find many JDs out there, I wonder why? I could throw a ball and hit an 8N (literally, neighbor has a rust-bucket sitting in front of his workshop, actually uses a 5000.) 3000s are very common and 4000s there's, I think, two that I can get my hands on reasonably (the 65?-74 model (3 cyl), not the earlier 801 based).

So I guess last question I have is what do you think the best way of finding them is? I've been doing mostly craigslist, not really interested in buying from dealer and trying to stay somewhat local (at least this side of Texas). Craigslist will probably get me there but if you guys have any secrets you're willing to share I'd be grateful.

Thanks again one and all!

Gerald

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Craig's list is probably best, but another way is to stop in at dealers, and go to the parts counter and ask them about what you are looking for. I found a few that way and I own one of them. The parts guy often has a relationship with customers and will know when a long time customer is thinking of selling and will sometimes give you the owner's name and address.