Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

buying a good used tractor

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
countryboy10

12-31-2003 09:35:37




Report to Moderator

Thanks for all the advice on buying a good used tractor guys. I feel a tractor would best suit my needs because I would also like to use it for clearing snow in my 50' driveway and other projects around the house. Most of the trees I'll be clearing would be 10" diameter or less. Are there any particular makes and production years that were particularly reliable? I know it sounds like "which is the better truck...chevy or ford?

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Brian

12-31-2003 21:16:25




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
If you can't fix it yourself- figure out who can work on what in your area. Live PTO & a decent loader on anything 40-60 HP sounds like your ticket.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
D.L.

12-31-2003 17:12:50




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
I'm a Farmall guy... I think I can buy a lot of tractor for a little money as compared with some of the other colors, yet parts are readily available... BUT, regardless of what your favorite color is... I'd have to agree with a previous comment... anticipate what you want to do and get a tractor with more power than you think you'll need today. Once you get one, you'll find yourself doing all kinds of things with it! A couple things I'd recommend... a 3 point (or 2 point) with hydraulic power both UP and DOWN!!! I've tried to dig post holes with 8Ns and 9Ns (which are nice little tractors), but without down pressure to drive the auger in hard soils, digging is darn near impossible! With my 400, I can just press the lever and send the auger through just about anything. My tractor also has an F-11 farmhand loader... VERY handy!!! And you'll want to ensure you have hydraulic remotes... many implements require, and, of course, you'll want to make sure you get a rig with a PTO! Good Luck!!!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
kyhayman

12-31-2003 17:09:35




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
You have gotten good advice here. I'd be leary of trying to clear any tree over 6" with any kind of tractor Get the little ones with it and then get rent a dozer/highlift/skid steer to get the bigger ones. Spend some time driving and talking to local folks, see what most folks like and who the best local dealer is. Around here it's mostly Ford (XXXX series) and JD with a good smattering of Case/DB's thrown in. Not much straight Case or IH and a few Massey's. I've been trading for over 20 years (wow, has it been that long :-) ). I like something that at least has a recent ancestor still in production, especially nice if there are plenty of aftermarket parts available. Dont let a pretty coat of paint fool you, $300 covers a multitude of problems.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
John A (TX)

12-31-2003 14:30:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
As someone else suggested, it's probably a good idea to do a little homework & find out what's popular in your area. If Ford or Green is the big dog & you have something else, getting parts and/or service and/or local advice can be tough to get. I guess another thing that comes to mind, especially with older tractors, is how mechanically inclined you are. Sometimes, an older tractor is a little tired. You might find yourself having to replace axle seals, rebuild a hydraulic pump, etc. If you're going to send it out for repairs for everything that goes wrong, then local service on what you own would seem to be a must.

In my area, there are plenty of the older Fords (N's, NAA's, 100-series, 1000-series) and so parts aren't any kind of problem. To maintain 20 acres (shredding, bladework, digging post holes) I've used an 8N (for 15 yrs) and now have a 601 Workmaster. No complaints with either tractor. I've never had to split either one (knock on wood!) but have had to replace axle seals on both, brakes, rebuild carbs, etc. Converted the 8N from 6V to 12V. (Already done on the 601 when I got it.) Mostly it's been "tune up" type stuff.

HTH .. Ping me if you want to chat further.

John A (TX)
j-adamson(remove)@tamu.edu .. remove the '(remove)' to make the addy work :-)

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
ShepFL - with link

12-31-2003 12:24:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
I don't have yrs. and yrs. of experience to speak from but my Oliver 550 has been an OUTSTANDING utility tractor. About 9 yrs. ago I narrowed my search down to MF and Oliver. I chose the Oliver over a MF just because it was diesel. I have been very satisfied. I now have other tractors but each of them for a specific task, my 550 is still my FAVORITE (until I find an Oliver 1650 WFE Dsl :) )

Of all the suggestions I would strongly recommend 2 things:
a) Get more HP than you need today
b) find some "color" that is favored in your area (my area is MF). Then if it breaks you have a ready source for parts or at least a knowledge base to become friends with.

Best of luck and let us know how you make out.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Alvin n Ms.

12-31-2003 22:00:45




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to ShepFL - with link, 12-31-2003 12:24:39  
Shep, I could buy a late model Ford 6610, for less money than you would take for your Oliver. I bet there is not another one that good any where else in the world. We bought a new 55 Oliver diesel in 1956, out on Cusseda rd in Columbus, Ga. It was a real bird dog pulling a (Massey Harris sorriest thing ever built) peanut picker combine with that independant hand operated pto. We previous had to rob an engine from an A/Chambers combine, before buying the Oliver. That pto is very unique. Shame they had to go out of business.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Paul in Mich

12-31-2003 13:58:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to ShepFL - with link, 12-31-2003 12:24:39  
Shep, While I'm basically a Farmall man, I have to agree with you that the Oliver 550 is a wonderful utility tractor especially the diesel version. If you have room for only one tractor in your scheme of things, and want something versatile, you cant go wrong with that Oliver 550, just as you cant go wrong with an IH 300 or 350 utility or Ford jubilee or powermaster or workmaster. It comes down to what is available for the price you're willing to pay.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mark in MO

12-31-2003 10:25:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
Allis Chalmers D14, D15, D17,WD,WD45. Used them for years, and they just keep running, running, running, but I was always an Orange fan. If it dosen't have 3PT, put one on, it makes equipment finding allot easier.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Alvin n Ms.

12-31-2003 10:00:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to countryboy10, 12-31-2003 09:35:37  
You didn't say what price range, age, so I assume you want an older tractor, that is still capable of having a little muscle. Massey Ferguson MF35- MF135- MF235.(3cyl. perkins diesel only) & Ford 2000- 2600- 3000-3600-3610- 4000- 4600s- all 5000s -all 6000s. These were(are) all very good. alvinnms



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Evan350

12-31-2003 13:31:59




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to Alvin n Ms., 12-31-2003 10:00:31  
Utility models to consider from International Harvester: 4x4, 5x4 (where x is just about any digit except 9 I think), 340, 350, 460.
These all have live hydaulics and PTO and optional diesel engine. The tractors dating from the late 1950's to early 1960's (340, 350, 460, 404, 504) might have a 2 point hitch instead of 3 point, but it can be easily converted if needed.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Alvin n Ms.

12-31-2003 12:11:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: buying a good used tractor in reply to Alvin n Ms., 12-31-2003 10:00:31  
I own a 6610 NH (Ford) that I like very much. It will do some serious pulling with water in the tires, and has a wider range of uses than most. alvinnms



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
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. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 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