I keep considering a newer SCUT to do everything at my house, because I have about 4 acres of an old alfalfa field that I'd eventually like to be able to brush hog, but I don't think I would be happy with the mowing when comparing to my zero turn. For the money, it seems like an antique tractor may do the trick, and I just think an antique tractor would be something cool to park in my barn. I especially like the old Farmall's, and it seems like an old Ford (8N, etc.) can be had for just a couple thousand dollars. I know nothing about tractors, and am curious if there are any models that anyone highly recommends for what I'm trying to use it for.
- Thread starter spfulfill
- Start date
Live hydraulics makes a big difference with a brush-cutter. So does a live PTO. Any N series Ford would drive me nuts with a
rear brush-cutter. Every time you push in the clutch, no PTO and no rear lift. If you have a big field and do no stopping or
turning, it may not matter to you. If a place where you do stop and turn, lack of the aforementioned can drive you nuts.
Note - a few years ago I picked up a Case VAC for $600 and ran a 5 foot brush hog with it. VAC at least has live hydraulics
and the Eagle hitch worked fine with a Cat 1 three-point brush cutter.
I also use a Ford 641 at a remote camp with a 5 foot cutter. I hate the lack of a live PTO and also the "too fast" 1st gear.
But at least the 641 has live hydraulics. I had to put an over-running clutch on the PTO shaft to stop the momentum of the
mower blade from backfeeding through the non-live PTO.
rear brush-cutter. Every time you push in the clutch, no PTO and no rear lift. If you have a big field and do no stopping or
turning, it may not matter to you. If a place where you do stop and turn, lack of the aforementioned can drive you nuts.
Note - a few years ago I picked up a Case VAC for $600 and ran a 5 foot brush hog with it. VAC at least has live hydraulics
and the Eagle hitch worked fine with a Cat 1 three-point brush cutter.
I also use a Ford 641 at a remote camp with a 5 foot cutter. I hate the lack of a live PTO and also the "too fast" 1st gear.
But at least the 641 has live hydraulics. I had to put an over-running clutch on the PTO shaft to stop the momentum of the
mower blade from backfeeding through the non-live PTO.
redforlife
Well-known Member
An 8n sounds like a good choice. If you go with something else though, I would stay with one with a 3 point. When
getting a brush hog, get one in correct proportion to tractor. To big of tractor will tear mower up. To big of
mower will put the toll on tractor and tear it up. A 5ft hog be about right for an 8n. Probly one no wider than
the rear wheels for sure, or it will be to much mower.
getting a brush hog, get one in correct proportion to tractor. To big of tractor will tear mower up. To big of
mower will put the toll on tractor and tear it up. A 5ft hog be about right for an 8n. Probly one no wider than
the rear wheels for sure, or it will be to much mower.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
There are 2 styles of 8N one is the older one with front mount distributor and then the latter one with side mount. Side mount is by far the better of the 2 but even then why an 8N?? If I where you I would look at something a lot better with live hyd and live PTO. Plus something with a 3 point. Now if you want to stick with something like the ford a 661 or 861 would be close and around the same cost but have live hyds and PTO plus 3 point. But now day you might want to go a bit more modern like a Kubota or other such tractor
Janicholson
Well-known Member
Massy 65 or 165, or a Oliver S55 or 550 Do not be tempted by an "N" series Ford. They are only interesting, not user friendly. Jim
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
When I bought this place 33 years ago, the yard was an alfalfa hay field with no trees or barns. I began mowing with an 8n and a 5' finish mower and it turned into drought resistant grass. Still have the 8n and mower but cut with the 2 Kubotas.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
I'd love to own an Oliver S55 but in this area if you can find one you can buy 2 ford 601 0r 801 series. Yes the Oliver maybe a bit better then the ford because of the live PTO but or as some want to call it the independent live PTO
SCUT ?
Farmall A, B or C, Allis Chalmers B or C, and Case VAC all handle a belly mower very well. None have live PTO but may have aftermarket live hydraulics. A new mower can cost more than the tractor. Like loaders, it often costs less to buy a tractor with a mower already mounted on it than to buy a tractor and mower individually and then find/fabricate the proper mounts. None of these will keep up with a zero turn mower, or clear low hanging branches. Keep in mind that ag tires can tear up damp sod, especially if turns are always made in the same place. The tractors alone probably weigh around 2500 pounds.
Farmall A, B or C, Allis Chalmers B or C, and Case VAC all handle a belly mower very well. None have live PTO but may have aftermarket live hydraulics. A new mower can cost more than the tractor. Like loaders, it often costs less to buy a tractor with a mower already mounted on it than to buy a tractor and mower individually and then find/fabricate the proper mounts. None of these will keep up with a zero turn mower, or clear low hanging branches. Keep in mind that ag tires can tear up damp sod, especially if turns are always made in the same place. The tractors alone probably weigh around 2500 pounds.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Like others said, live PTO and hydraulics. I'll also add power steering!
Antique tractors have some advantages, low initial cost, simple, no emissions, no electronics.
But don't expect to invest $2000 and live happily ever after! If you are considering something from the 70's back, expect it to come with some issues. At that age, anything degradable, will be, unless it's already been replaced. Rot and rust takes it's toll, no matter how well maintained. And beware, there are a lot of "reconditioned" tractors out there that were done with a pressure washer and spray can.
If you find something, give us a shout back. Before you buy, take someone with you that knows tractors, give it a test run first!
Antique tractors have some advantages, low initial cost, simple, no emissions, no electronics.
But don't expect to invest $2000 and live happily ever after! If you are considering something from the 70's back, expect it to come with some issues. At that age, anything degradable, will be, unless it's already been replaced. Rot and rust takes it's toll, no matter how well maintained. And beware, there are a lot of "reconditioned" tractors out there that were done with a pressure washer and spray can.
If you find something, give us a shout back. Before you buy, take someone with you that knows tractors, give it a test run first!
Richard G.
Well-known Member
Well I was going to keep my mouth shut, but had to add my 2 cents worth.
I have been hogging with the same 8N for 55 years. Cut a bunch of tall grass in the last 2 weeks with it.
I have an old 5 foot Bush Hog Model 105 I use. The tractor is the same age as me, 65 years.
It does a great job. You definitely need an ORC on the pto.
They are very handy tractors for many other jobs also.
Mine gets used several times a week.
Richard in NW SC
I have been hogging with the same 8N for 55 years. Cut a bunch of tall grass in the last 2 weeks with it.
I have an old 5 foot Bush Hog Model 105 I use. The tractor is the same age as me, 65 years.
It does a great job. You definitely need an ORC on the pto.
They are very handy tractors for many other jobs also.
Mine gets used several times a week.
Richard in NW SC
grandpa Love
Well-known Member
I've got less than $2000 in this
640 and " bush hog ". Great
tractor. Ain't new. Gotta want to
tinker with em. 2nd picture Our 5
old tractors. Didn't pay over 2000
for any one of em. The old Cubs are fun little mowing tractors.
640 and " bush hog ". Great
tractor. Ain't new. Gotta want to
tinker with em. 2nd picture Our 5
old tractors. Didn't pay over 2000
for any one of em. The old Cubs are fun little mowing tractors.
doug in missouri
Member
If you are a newbie, I would stay away from the 'N' series Fords.
Lack of live PTO will drive you half nuts. Also, you will need a overrunning clutch on the PTO shaft.
I would be looking at a 861 Ford or one of the 3000, 4000, 5000 Fords. Just be aware that some of them have bad steering issues.
A Yanmar tractor is also a good bet. As are some of the other suggestions made earlier. DOUG
Lack of live PTO will drive you half nuts. Also, you will need a overrunning clutch on the PTO shaft.
I would be looking at a 861 Ford or one of the 3000, 4000, 5000 Fords. Just be aware that some of them have bad steering issues.
A Yanmar tractor is also a good bet. As are some of the other suggestions made earlier. DOUG
ptfarmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- San Antonio, Tx
Don't forget to look at the Massey Ferguson 35, 135, and 230 - 245 tractors with the 3 cylinder Perkins diesel. Parts are cheap, easy to find, and they are pretty simple. The Ford 2000, or 3000 diesel would be another good tractor, like the Massey Ferguson the parts aren't that expensive. pretty easy to find, and are pretty simple.
Just adding to the list. If you want something near as old as a Ford 8N but much more useful, a Ferguson TO35 Deluxe with live
hydraulics and live PTO is much more tractor. 1954-1960. It also has a dual-range trans with a very slow 1st gear and reverse
so it can .do rear-work with a tiller or snowblower. When I moved from NY to MI three years ago, I sold one for $900. I wanted
to bring it to Michigan but could not fit it on the truck-load of stuff I brought here. I regret not keeping it.
The guy with truck and trailer who moved the stuff 800 miles for me was from this forum.
hydraulics and live PTO is much more tractor. 1954-1960. It also has a dual-range trans with a very slow 1st gear and reverse
so it can .do rear-work with a tiller or snowblower. When I moved from NY to MI three years ago, I sold one for $900. I wanted
to bring it to Michigan but could not fit it on the truck-load of stuff I brought here. I regret not keeping it.
The guy with truck and trailer who moved the stuff 800 miles for me was from this forum.
I guess you first should decide if you want a 3 pt. hitch brush hog (rotary mower)or just a pull type. There are more antique tractor options for a pull type mower. I mow with a Case SC with pull type mower (this tractor has a hand clutch). Then you should decide how large a mower you want, 4 ft., 5ft. etc. I don't think I would buy anything smaller than a 5 ft. mower. You will need a tractor larger than an 8N for a 6 ft. mower. If you are interested in Farmall, a Farmall H with a pull type mower would work. It would also be under $2,000. I also used to mow with a Case VAC with 5 ft. mower.
Get something with live PTO, live hydraulics and, if you can, power steering. Don't bother with the N series Fords, no matter how cute they are. They work fine for people that are used to them, but for a noobie with no experience you're better off getting something a bit more modern regardless of brand.
caterpillar guy
Well-known Member
Forget anything without Live power(live hydraulics run whether the clutch is pushed out or not same for PTO). Now anything with that would be your best choice.
Hey I recognize that truck and load. I think I have seen it some place before. LOL
Hey I recognize that truck and load. I think I have seen it some place before. LOL
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy