My first tractor.

Collins8 · Jan 18, 2017

Recently I have purchased 27 acres in TN. Well after closing on land I have limited funds. I will need a tractor with loader to upkeep land. I plan on using a 10 ft bush hog to mow and will do some garden work. It would be nice to get a four wheel drive because of the hills and terrain but budget will not allow. Here is my short list of tractors I am looking at:
Ford 6610 or 6640
Case IH 4230 (found a local one with loader, 1200 hours, good shape, needs about $1000 worth of work. Price $12000)
Massey 883
Massey 4253 (found a nice one 1100 hours, cab, loader, $19500. Little more than I want to spend but super clean tractor)
As you can see I am looking in the 75hp range. My biggest desire is to get something that has a reputation for trouble free operation and has long term durability like the old internationals. No internationals to be found in my area. People that have them will not sale them. I would really appreciate some feedback. By the way no Is on my list because no one local will work on them other than dealer and I can't afford their rates.

David G · Jan 18, 2017

I love my 6610

LAA · Jan 18, 2017

If you have never tried Auctiontime.com it is worth a look, anyone can register and it is easy to bid and buy. All equipment is listed up to 3
weeks in advance which gives you plenty of time to call or go look at something, you may drive a couple of hundred miles but save thousands
of dollars. I personnally would not buy a tractor that "needed 1000 dollars worth of work" as described by someone else unless it was a heck of
a deal and I knew the whole story, why didn't they do the work themselves and sell it as ready to go? Tractors are cheap right now, if you are
looking to spend 10-15 K you can get a lot of tractor for that money, in most cases, auctions find the true market price of what's up for bid, the
key is to know how to bid, when it comes to online auctions never set a proxy, wait until literally the last minute or two to bid and then bid in
increments and do not exceed your pre-determined maximum price.

Destroked 450 · Jan 18, 2017

Why are you wanting a 75 hp tractor for a 27 acre farm.
I pull a 10 ft bush hog with a 52 hp tractor

tracto-man · Jan 19, 2017

Just a thought here. If you went down
to say 40 or 50HP, you could probably
afford something with fwa and a loader.
We keep up 50 Michigan acres with a
30HP 4x4 kioti tractor and a old 50HP
Ford that's only rear wheel drive.

Just my 2 cents

Bruce from Can. · Jan 19, 2017

I had a 5640 Ford with a loader, it was a great
tractor. Only hang up with these tractors is many of
the parts that are specific to these models are
running out, and NH will not be making any new
ones. You will still be able to buy clutch parts and
engine rebuild kits, that is not what I mean. Little
things like gauges , body parts , will have to be
sourced from wrecks.

Ultradog MN · Jan 19, 2017

Why such a big tractor?
A 50 hp Ford 4600 or 4610 would do
everything you need and would be a lot more
nimble and handy.

mtf · Jan 19, 2017

You are just down the road. I think you will find the 5610 is
the tractor of choice around here. Lots of used ones around.
They will do anything you need, and a very reliable tractor.
They are getting older so find one with as few hours as possible.

showcrop · Jan 19, 2017

In your particular situation you are wise to look at bigger than you need. I suggest that you look even bigger. There is a kind of an old saying: "too old for a professional, too big for the homeowner." This predicament drives prices of big iron down to way lower than smaller machines. Sure, your repairs can get to be more expensive but you can afford some unforeseen repairs when you spend half as much. These forums are a great resource for finding out about weak points of various models. Don't give a thought to whether or not dealer support is available. They don't want your business anyway, and you can get parts faster and cheaper on line. You will need to cultivate a relationship with a local repair guy, but that is likely no matter what you get depending on your inclination to dig into something. Shop on Tractor House. You will see what I mean. multiply the prices there by .66. I keep noticing the Old JI Case tractors from the early eighties. They bought out failing IH, but those Cases became the orphans, and they, for the most part, are nearly indestructible.

Traditional Farmer · Jan 19, 2017

Contrary to what others have said 75 HP is needed to pull and handle my 10ft Sidewinder cutter unless I'm only mowing off some already grazed pasture,in heavy stuff it gave my Ford
8000 (100HP) all it wanted when I owned that tractor.Plus the cutter is very heavy and it'll get a small tractor in trouble in a hurry on hilly terrain.I pull it with a D19 Allis Chalmers and an Oliver 1465 now both weighted up pretty good.That said if I only had 27 acres I'd downsize on the cutter to maybe a 6ft and look for a tractor that size,but I'd rather have too much tractor than not enough that's for sure.

rrlund · Jan 19, 2017

My cousin runs one with a 3020.

ericlb · Jan 19, 2017

since your wanting higher hp, for a used tractor what will do everything and stay going with regular maintenance its hard to top a 4020 john deere at about 95 hp its overkill by far for 27 acres but in the future you may need it, there are several in auction time and they can be found online too

Traditional Farmer · Jan 19, 2017

A lot depends on terrain on these hills/mountains I wouldn't think of hooking up to the 10ft hog with anything that weighed less than 8000 lbs.

danofarming · Jan 19, 2017

You will like the 4253. I have a 4243 and Really Really Like the Cab!

Collins8 · Jan 19, 2017

I want to thank everyone for the good info. All of the local farmers have advised me to get a 70hp plus tractor. Like one guy said I have never heard anyone say I wish I had less power. Bottom line I have to be smart and get a reliable tractor. I would have a JD on my list but no one here services them. I really like the case IH 4230 but some local guys say stay away. They say that tractor is a Hodge podge of case and international parts and it has a problematic history and they say it does not have true international engine. But the thing I like about it is the low hours, my mechanic knows this tractor from when it was new.

Collins8 · Jan 19, 2017

Is your 4243 real reliable?

wolfman · Jan 19, 2017

The CaseIH 4230 is just a newer International 884. All IH with a little different hood style. And IH tough.

wolfman · Jan 19, 2017

I forgot: The Case IH has the International D-268 long stroke engine. Nothing Case about it except the decal on the hood.

Collins8 · Jan 20, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:09:51 01/19/17) I forgot: The Case IH has the International D-268 long stroke engine. Nothing Case about it except the decal on the hood.

According to tractor house it has the D-269? Is that one international?

Traditional Farmer · Jan 20, 2017

Low hrs and your mechanic knows the tractor,2 very good reasons to think seriously about buying it if you think it'll suit your needs.

danofarming · Jan 20, 2017

My 4243 is Very Reliable. It has an Allied Loader We have lifted a Detroit 60 Series engine and transmission to put in a truck. I have some issues with the A/C but it is almost 20 years old. I have
read one comment that said "this series was the best tractors to ever come out of Coventry". Mine has the 12 Speed Transmission. The 53 is the same as mine with more fuel turned to it to gain some HP.

My first tractor.

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