New guy

Billy Shafer · Sep 7, 2019

I had a new guy to a place he bought. Ask me what tractor should he buy. I told him I had no idea but I knew people that would. So.
240 actes
Mostly flat land with some minor hills.
50 actres cleared with some trees for shade. The rest is woods but not heavy.
Going to have a small garden.
New guy that is new to trctors but it willing to learn.
Willing to admit he knows nothing. But is willing to learn.

So remember this is a new guy asking for honest advice.

Janicholson · Sep 7, 2019

Massey Ferguson 135 or 165 Has the credentials and parts availability. Jim

pete 23 · Sep 7, 2019

I recommended a tractor to a customer, once.

old · Sep 7, 2019

240 acres means at the very least 2 if not 3 tractors. As for what ones depends on what he is going to do on the place. Hay or crops or animals??

ohiojim · Sep 7, 2019

135 or 165 ain't gonna cut it on 240 acres,.....he's gonna need 100 horse if he's gonna get anything done,..if he's on a budget i'd say at least a good 4020, if he's not a good 80 or 90 horse 4x4 kubota

GlenIdaho · Sep 7, 2019

I think a little more information concerning use would be helpful. What is he going to be doing? Farming, what type? Mowing the grass down, and snow plowing? If just keeping a small garden, then a smaller tractor that can handle a rototiller would be good, but, more information would really help the experts.

tomNE · Sep 7, 2019

i recommend front wheel assist and a diesel.

Mike M · Sep 7, 2019

The good ole JD 4020 ! from 1 to 1,000 acres everyone should own at least 1.

marloweg · Sep 7, 2019

them things are becoming a dead horse. there are better tractors for less money just because people will over pay for a 4020 dose make it better i just don't under stand why people will pay 20,000 for a 4020 that is wore out when a Ford same size and newer sells for less and in a lot better shape must be the paint

jeffcat · Sep 7, 2019

Why don't you just drive around to a few friends places and let him look at some stuff. Bet he will find something that just rings his chimes and the people will tell him the good and bad points.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 7, 2019

Like old said at least 2 tractors,for the garden something small compact diesel if he wants to run a tiller or IH 140 to go the regular cultivation/tillage route.Then something
bigger to do the heavy work which how big will depend on how fast he wants to do things and what size equipment he wants.60 to 100 HP tractors and equipment for those size
tractors are the bargains I see these days.

kcm.MN · Sep 7, 2019

He doesn't have 240 tillable acres. Is mostly trees. He has 50 acres to work with.

I'd recommend a 50hp to 60hp to start with. Which one depends on what his intentions are. Will he need FEL? Plow? Backhoe? Tiller? Brush hog/mower?

Philip d · Sep 7, 2019

There?s no specific make and model that will suit the needs. What?s available in what condition with locally available parts and service is his best bet. If it was me I?d preferably want something around 100hp or more with a comfortable cab and a smaller open station loader with 4wd.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 7, 2019

Thinking about it I guess the #1 question is how much is his tractor budget?

Billy Shafer · Sep 7, 2019

From what I have learned about him.Budget is no problem. What he is looking for is small tractor. Diesel preferd. Small cutter,tiller for the garden. Fifty acres to take care of. The few cows can take care of the rest. He is out of Houston retired from the oil industry. Just wants a place where him and his wife can enjoy life. We are going out monday to look at a few tractors around the county. Going to stop by the Kubota dealer see what they have.

paul · Sep 7, 2019

So he has a lot of acres, but no real farming, you mention a garden.

So he will want a nice utility tractor, live pto and hydraulics, with a loader.

About 50 hp, could be less, could be more depending on what he really wants to do.

Something made since the mid 1950s or newer will have the features.

Paul

coshoo · Sep 7, 2019

Boys, boys. Ya gotta read the whole post. He has 240 acres, but only 50 tillable, and the rest in woods. And apparently not going to do crops on the 50. So I'm thinking MF 135, Ford 3000, Oliver 550, etc. But if he's got a hefty budget, he'd be happier with a JD or Kubota compact utility (new) with 4WD and front loader.

NIK OWEN · Sep 7, 2019

simple...new Kubota 40 h.p. diesel...hst drive, 4x4, 0% interest...excellent, got one...be blessed, grateful, prepared...

Bob · Sep 7, 2019

(quoted from post at 19:56:02 09/07/19) simple...new Kubota 40 h.p. diesel...hst drive, 4x4, 0% interest...excellent, got one...be blessed, grateful, prepared...

HOW is it that late model kubotas have become the most talked about tractor brand on this Board about "yesterday's tractors"?

Wonder how the plastic parts and electronics will hold up when they are 50 to 70 years old?

I recently replaced a magneto coil that was 78 years old, do you suppose any of this new stuff will be even repairable after 78 years?

Ultradog MN · Sep 7, 2019

Billy states that budget isn't a problem.
That opens a lot of avenues for the guy.
He also states the guy is willing to learn.
There is plenty for a new guy to learn on a new tractor without having to learn about worn out engines, gears, brakes and hydraulics.
Don't forget there is new school and old school horsepower ratings. They are rated by flywheel horsepower now - probably with no parasitic losses from gears, hyd pumps, steering pumps, even water pumps and charging systems. I would recommend at least a 60 flywheel hp tractor. That will net him maybe 50 at the pto if you ran it through the Nebraska Tests. I would tell him to buy new or maybe 6 years old with no tier 4 stuff on it.
Get a 4 wd. Get a factory loader.
I don't know much about new tractors so can't recommend a brand.

pinball · Sep 7, 2019

FOR the money a d-17 allis chalmers series 4 with power steering would be a good tractor for him. trick is finding a good one first. plenty of parts. dependable tractor that kept up maint wise will last him a long time. plenty of parts available. they made a lot of them. just find a nice one.

Hobo,NC · Sep 7, 2019

I would skip 40/50 HP and move up to 60/70 HP like a kubota M6060/M7060... Then enjoy being the tractor driver...

NEKS · Sep 8, 2019

We farmed a lot of ground with 40 to 60 HP tractors years ago. I say look at that range first then if he wants to go bigger by then he will have a idea what he wants. Smaller tactors are pretty handy and will do a lot.

dhermesc · Sep 8, 2019

I would tend to agree - as long as its in good condition. Its big enough to run a good sized shredder, post hole digger, mount a decent loader, and can even run a tiller if you feel like it. Problem is they are getting so old getting a good one will take time to find. Money isn't that big of deal - one in the best shape possible will still top out under $5000 - its just finding it.

Leroy · Sep 8, 2019

kcm And that 50 acres sounds like probably mostly pasture to mow and the woods for rest partly open possibly pasture but in open areas mainly to keep weeds and other trash from growing. So I would recomed a not over 50 HP tractor as that would run a hog to keep things clean in a 6 foot size and a utility type for low hanging tree branches. You get higher HP tractors they would be too tall to get around the trees to mow and with no tillage don't need more power than that mower will take. Ant what would he need a 4 wheel drive for, a mower does not need a lot of traction. And time is not a problem so I would say on the low end of your size wise.. That would include like the Ford 4000SU, the 65 or 165 Massey Ferguson with the small 28" tires. I don't know newer models. Garden would need something else depending on size and crops.

730virgil · Sep 8, 2019

my uncle farmed 240 acres milked about 40 cows and farrowed some sows. he had 2 red M S he always got his work done.

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