Help on tractor purchase

HarleyGuy99 · Dec 1, 2023

Hello All,

I know nothing about tractors and must now buy one for some work I got myself into. The specs given to me are as follows:

Ford 445 tractor or equivalent, with mechanized mower (flail) and skip loader attachments.

Where can I start to look for one of these? I'm in Southern California.

Thank you

caterpillar guy · Dec 1, 2023

If it must be a skip loader start looking at Richie auctions for them. They are an industrial tractor like a tractor loader backhoe unit without the hoe and have 3pt hitch on them usually. Made by Case and probably more companies like Ford and Deere though I have not seen one from either of them. Big thing is what are your needs if no need for the loader then just get a 40-60 horse tractor with 3pt and pto. IF need the loader farm tractors will also have loaders available either to put on or already on some. Tractors with loaders will command more money but less than if you buy a tractor then want to buy a loader for it after the fact. If you are in need of the loader then if you can swing it get one with MFWD it will be a lot better for a loader though a bit less maneuverable it will get around much better on wet or soft ground. Also consider the parts support around you when looking. If a dealer is a 100 miles away or if there is one locally.

Tony in SD · Dec 1, 2023

Lots of places, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Tractor House to name a few. Click the link below. By skip loader attachments, I assume you mean no loader. Flail mower can be found in the same
places. Make sure you match the mower size to the horsepower of the tractor. Also since you are new to tractors, be careful. Safety first. Not sure what work you have but if it is mowing on a
slope, ditches or the like, take care not to tip the tractor over. Some Ford 445 do not have ROPS (rollover protection). PTO (Power Take Off) can be dangerous, as well as other tractor related
hazards. I dont want to scare you off just want you to be aware that there may be unknown dangers to you.
Tractor House

Geo-TH,In · Dec 1, 2023

I know nothing about tractors.

Then you may want to go to a local dealer who can
service and repair the tractor.

You will also need a truck and trailer to haul the tractor.

I'm also a believer that all tractors should be stored inside a
barn or garage.

Good luck.

cdmn · Dec 1, 2023

How long do you need it? Can you afford to delay work if repairs are required.
Maybe you should look for a rental? New will be expensive, but you also get resale value.
Up here we have about 6 sources for new: JD, CaseIH, Bobcat, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, and New Holland.
There is a dealer 30 miles away who sells the Indian version of the former UK IHC, the Mahindra.
I think almost all tractors under 50hp are now imported, but your customers may be sensitive to the
brand image. India, Korea, Japan.
If you are thinking old and used, it's difficult to choose. Everyone has their favorite. Some suffer
from planned obsolescence, wherein some vital parts are priced so high, that they are unfeasible. (even tires),
Otherwise, a tractor should be serviceable for 50 years with gentle work and good maintenance. With the baby-
boomers bowing out, there should be a lot of good deals. Watch for auction sales.

Leroy · Dec 1, 2023

I am 80 years old and was on a working farm all my working life and I never heard the term skip loader until just a few years ago here on this site. Never anyplace else. I have no idea what you are talking about with the term skip loader. Somebody please explane it to me.

used red MN · Dec 1, 2023

Hello HG welcome to YT! A few more details on exactly what you will be doing and for how long would be helpful.
For poor Leroy that cannot seem to turn on his ..Google machine.. a ..skip loader.. is by general modern terms an industrial tractor with a loader and a box blade. You probably have not heard the term because it applies to a machine used mostly on construction sites. Here is a link to a ..fishy.. website that gives some possible explanations. I do not think the site really has much to do ..professional earth movers.. due to it shows a skid loader moving a round bale and calls it a skip loader. Probably not the best example.
The link

BarnyardEngineering · Dec 1, 2023

If it was somewhere in the time frame of 1979 to 1983, maybe early 1984, I'd say your nearest Ford tractor dealer.

Now? For that specific make and model of tractor with specific attachments? There is no specific place to look. You need to look everywhere. Tractorhouse, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace are a few places to start.

There are also newer updated models, the 445A, 445C and 445D according to tractordata website.

If you widened your search to one for a ~50HP industrial tractor with a loader, PTO, and 3pt hitch, you'd have a much better chance of finding something in short order. Does it even need to be industrial? Adding in farm tractors you should be able to find something in the 50HP range right away.

sandcastle1 · Dec 1, 2023

Skip loader is not a farm tractor term. Most common version is a John Deere 210. 4x4, front end loader with a built-in box blade, no PTO are the most common traits. Mostly used for landscaping. Moving mulch, grading things of that nature.

Help on tractor purchase

HarleyGuy99

New User

caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

Tony in SD

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

cdmn

Member

Leroy

Well-known Member

used red MN

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

sandcastle1

Member

Similar threads