Tractor for my wife

bja105 · Oct 1, 2016

I have a Ford 4610 with 38" rims. It is easy to drive, but it intimidates my wife. I want her and my teenage daughter to be able to take and Ted hay, and mow pastures. I work long hours at my day job. Getting any farm productivity from the family while I am gone would be a big help. We have flat fields
Here is what I want:

Good brakes
Easy to mount with short legs
Cheap- under$3000, hopefully much less
Drawbar, pto, three point hitch.

I want to be able to run
hay rake( mine is a three point wheel rake, might upgrade)
Tedder(don't have yet)
A small rotary mower
A back blade or front plow for snow(least important)

What models should I be looking for? Brand is not important to me. I will get my family comfortable with the big Ford eventually, but a second tractor would speed things in hay season.

Leroy · Oct 1, 2016

Stick with a earlier Ford like a 860; 861 or 4000 in same style as previous mentioned but make sure it has 5 speed and 2 stage clutch for live PTO. That style of live PTO thet only have to think of one thing to stop tractor and PTO, not 2 things as with your present tractor. Those are as simple and easy to operate as any tractor ever made. And good parts avaiblity and easy to work on. Low to ground and physically smaller than your present tractor and less imitading and ride would be setting in same position as present. I think you have at present 52 PTO HP and the 861 or 4000 is 48HP while the bit older 860 is 44HP. But go only with a 5 speed with 2 stage clutch. Your 4610 is just a newer version of the 4000-4100 that I had 2 of. and yes they are hard to get on, we made extra steps to do that. And I have ran non live pto tractors for years and that style of PTO on your 4610 I did not like, too complicated when you have to stop.

JD Seller · Oct 1, 2016

Your $3000 budget make it harder to find some thing user friendly. I would go a little bit newer and get a Ford 3000 with PS. You can get that in diesel, fairly good brakes , and Power steering. This would be a lower platform for them but still be easy to use.

When you go under $3000 your not going to find many with power steering and three point. The older Fords, 8ns, 600-800 series, did not have the best brakes either.

There are off brands out there like Zetor or Longs that you may find in your price range but they will not be the most user friendly tractor. They have "different" controls. Meaning the ergonomics are not the best. More clumsy to use.

I would NOT skimp on a tractor for my wife or daughter.

centash · Oct 1, 2016

4610? You must be referring to an earlier model, the ones I am familiar with were a later 4000/4600 with 4?2 eight speed Trans and independent lpto. If the poster's tractor is a later 4610, I would go with a 3000/3600 series Ford for a smaller tractor, and since it's control layout would be almost exactly the same as a 4610, transition to the larger tractor would be easy. BEN

jon f mn · Oct 1, 2016

The case 530/630 with case-o-matic are excellent first tractors. Power steering, decent brakes and the com has no clutch peddle pressure so anyone can push it. They also drive like a car so it's easier for some to drive, especially back up. The diesel engines are very good and fuel efficient and the gasis as good as the others. You also get a littlemore hp than most of the other brands in that size. The early eagle hitch ones aren't exactly like a 3pt but work on most all tools. In some ways they are better. The late models have standard 3pt. The 430 is also a good choice but does not come in case-o-matic.

Another choice would be some of the David Brown models. They have standard 3pt and are well made and very fuel efficient. They will be hard to find in your price range tho.

Adirondack case guy · Oct 1, 2016

You already have an easy to operate tractor. Spend some time teaching them how to operate it. or bolt on some 28" rears, which many 4600s came with.
Loren

nrowles · Oct 1, 2016

I am somewhat new to this arena but I bought a Massey 135 a few months ago for $2500 and put a few hundred into fixing little things. I have a few hours on it now and I love it. It's hard to find one that price though I think I got good deal. PTO is 38hp. Has what most call a half a$$ power steering but seems to work well for me. Has two stage clutch. 3 pt. Rear differential.

Texasmark1 · Oct 1, 2016

I have/had a 2000D, 2 ea, 3000Ds, 4000, 4600D Fords, IH FM-Super A and464, and had the TO-20, the MF 35D and Deluxe 35, Jd 4010D, 4020,
4230CD, Branson 6530CD, and 2400D......that I can recall.

Considering what you currently have, and my opinion of what I would want for my women, I would definitely stay with it. Go to Tractor Data www
and pull up their pictures for a 4610. One has a set of turf tires on it and a canopy. Spend your $3000 on that setup (with money left in your
pocket) and teach them to drive it, spending time on it in getting to feel comfortable with it. Guarantee you can't beat that deal, hands down!

You know the condition of your 4610. Do you think for one minute that you can buy anything to compare to it for $3000 in a tractor offered for
sale without having to shell out who knows how much more to fix what's wrong and in the process taking a chance on what you bought not be as
satisfying to them as what you already have.

She's intimidated because she hasn't used it enough to get comfortable with it and the wheels are too big. I had 38's on my 70-96 and 100 hp JD
row crops!

rankrank1 · Oct 1, 2016

Your under $3k budget speaks to either a Ford 660 or 661 or an 860 or 861 as Leroy pointed out. (Make sure to get the 5 speed tranny and live PTO via 2-stage. skip the 4 speeds).

Since you already have a splendid 4610, I would likely lean towards the 660 or 661 as it will burn less fuel than the 860 or 861 on many of your light work tasks. However, if you wanting a true back-up tractor to the 4610 then the 800 series is a better fit for the tasks requiring more hp.

2 tractors during haytime is a huge improvement over 1 tractor.

Bruce from Can. · Oct 1, 2016

Maybe it is not the tractor, perhaps they just do not
want to do farm work. You can put on a extra step to
make any tractor easy to get on and off of with short
legs. My six year old legs got me on and off of
tractors, even when I was told not to be on them,
lol.

Brown Swiss · Oct 1, 2016

You hit the nail on the head, my wife is like that, she wants me to ask her for help but then has an excuse she can't!

Leroy · Oct 1, 2016

The 4610 I think replaced the 4000-4100 with that tranny and the 38" wheels and this 4000 was built starting as a 1965 model. The other 4000 that was about equal to the 861 ended production in 64 and the 3000/3600 you mention I have never seen one as none were sold in my area. So when theywere not sold around you then you do not think about that model. Someplace else they might be located but not here in western Ohio.

Robert Major · Oct 1, 2016

Hi I'm kinda with some of the others maybe they don't want to do the work. you got 1 tractor you haven't got time to drive, before I get another I
would take the family to look at it or just flat out say "If i buy another smaller tractor will you guys drive it anyway!". if not you are $3000
ahead.

As for your $3000 I just spent $2500 plus on motor parts rebuilding a motor in a tractor we owned from new and did the work myself. I know what other
issues it's got as well to fix. $3000 is not much of a tractor that's not got issues already, or going to have issues soon in some cases, and need money spending again.

Shetland Sheepdog · Oct 1, 2016

(reply to post at 08:41:36 10/01/16)

If you want the "same tractor", but more "Lady friendly", be on the lookout for a 4000, 4600 or 4610 in the SU dress.
Same physical size as the 3xxx tractors, but all the power and braking features of your present 4610, Will typically come with either 13.6 or 14.9x28 or 14.9 or 16.9x24 rear tires.
Just don't plan on it for a loader tractor, as it has a "light duty" front axle.
JMHO, HTH, Dave

centash · Oct 1, 2016

OK, thanks. Never saw the early 4000 series around here, lots of 600 and 800 series. Ben

Shetland Sheepdog · Oct 1, 2016

If you want the "same tractor", but more "Lady friendly", be on the lookout for a 4000, 4600 or 4610 in the SU dress.
Same physical size as the 3xxx tractors, but all the power and braking features of your present 4610, Will typically come with either 13.6 or 14.9x28 or 14.9 or 16.9x24 rear tires.
Just don't plan on it for a loader tractor, as it has a "light duty" front axle.
JMHO, HTH, Dave

K Effective · Oct 1, 2016

I haven't read any of the other posts, but in my mind, I'd take that trade in a heartbeat, regardless of what kind of tractor you are getting for her!! :wink:

dzc3 · Oct 1, 2016

Reflect on what you want and what their abilities are. Maybe two very different things. My wife helps with all aspects of farming EXCEPT driving tractors. She doesn't like driving and them and to me not worth the risk, that something bad will happen.

bja105 · Oct 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 11:10:13 10/01/16) Maybe it is not the tractor, perhaps they just do not
want to do farm workl.

The family seems to like the farm work, but I worry that I ask too much of my wife.she takes care of me, five kids, the house, chickens, and helps with the cows, horses, and pigs.

If she never gets on a tractor, I still need another. My 14 year old runs the big tractor some, and she is taller. She is great on the farm. She milks and tends the garden by herself. she cuts the grass with the lawn tractor.
When the girl leaves, I have four tractor crazy boys. They are 4, 6, 7, and 9.

I do like the idea of a 3000, 4000, 3600 etc Ford. It might be worth it to save longer for one. I like the idea of having the same controls and shift pattern.

I had wondered about an N series, and if they had good brakes. I have never run one. They are cheap, but if they aren't going to stop, nope!

No, my wife is not for trade! I would need a cab and AC to even consider it.

notjustair · Oct 1, 2016

Of all of the tractors here, the only one my wife will
get on is the 8N. It's bizzare. I've got new, old, heat
and a/c, and 4x4. She will only drive that old Ford.
It's handy when I'm culling down tree limbs and
things. But not so much when I get the combine
stuck.

larry@stinescorner · Oct 2, 2016

I have a Ford 2000 Please send pictures of the wife before the trade is made ,,how are her teeth?(lol)

jon f mn · Oct 2, 2016

A ford for a wife? Surely you jest.

Leroy · Oct 2, 2016

Is there a certain part of it that intimidates her? Could it be the Size? Height? The double gear shift? Something else? Find out for sure as I think you might if you get a 3000-4000 that it just might have same problem. I had 2 of the 4000 with the 38" wheels and also a 5000 With 38" wheels. So very simular to your present tractor Minr were gas and started like a car, now a diesel I think is more complicated to start and stop, could that be the problem? Then I hated that independent PTO you to make a quick stop of everything had to remember the tractor foot clutch and also to grab the PTO lever. I would have prefered a PTO like earlier models with the two stage foot clutch, panic stop and just push foot clutch all the way down. So before you go buying something find out for sure what she does not like, is it too tall? When I sugjested the Ford 860-861 or early 4000 I was thinking smaller foot print, lower height, single stick transmission, quick panick stop 2 stage clutch and gas with start more like the car. But powerwise would still do what your curent tractor will do. But take here after you question her to find out what she does not like about yours to look at any and all models that might not have the problem she has with yours. Could also be smell of diesel exaust, me I cannot stand that, I have gotten sick from that out in wide open field. I was used to non live PTO so that when I hit clutch every thing would stop not having to mess with trying to rember that pto lever stop as well. That is why I do not like an independant PTO.

docmirror · Oct 2, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:45:01 10/01/16)

(quoted from post at 11:10:13 10/01/16) Maybe it is not the tractor, perhaps they just do not
want to do farm workl.

Click to expand...

I had wondered about an N series, and if they had good brakes. I have never run one. They are cheap, but if they aren't going to stop, nope!

I have a lot less knowledge and experience than most people here. I got my first tractor about 12 years ago, and didn't use it much as I don't farm. I got an 8N for free with some land I bought, and I will say flat out, this is not a tractor for a person who is not farm hardened. The brakes on the 8N are marginal when they are in perfect shape. Most old 8Ns have leaking axle seals which makes the brake almost useless. The clutch is a single stage which engages the gears and the PTO at the same time. You would need an overrunning clutch on the PTO for safety but I still wouldn't let them use it. To get the 6' bush hog moving I have to put it in neutral, let the clutch out slowly, rev the engine to get some inertia, the put the clutch in quick, pick a gear, let the clutch out quick and move off to start mowing. It also has a tendency to flip and without a roll bar even flat land with a disk or something on the back will be sketchy. For someone who's got a healthy respect for machinery, the 8N is fine. But - I wouldn't put my wife or kids on it unless they were tutored for a while in person.

I'm shopping for a MF 135 with a split range trans right now. The two I'm looking at have power steering and live PTO. I think in your price range if you can find one that's in good shape, and do a complete check out on it might be the way to go. Even with that, a would say a few hours of supervision are in order before you turn them loose with it.

larry@stinescorner · Oct 3, 2016

And just one,,you would have to offer two Case tractors

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