Good Starter Tractor?

I am looking for something that won't set me back a ton to purchase, parts readily available, easy to work on, etc. In other words nothing too expensive or delicate. I also want to occasionally use the tractor for light work such as cultivating and rough mowing.

From the looking that I've done, M tractors are readily available, especially Farmall's, and I really like the looks of them (late 40's & early 50's). Is the Farmall M a good tractor to meet the needs I mentioned above, or is there a better option out there? What should I look for? What should I stay away from?

Any help you can give me is very much appreciated. Thanks.

Joe

I have had a 1952 Ford 8N with the Sherman two speed for about 13 years and it does most of what I need on my about 7 acres. It will plow, disc and will even pull a 48 blade 3 pt. tiller in low range. It bush hogs good but you need an over riding clutch.

Recently I bought another Ford, a 1962 801 Powermaster 861 Diesel. It"s about twice the tractor as the 8N and the diesel is a sipper. I got it in good running condition for $3000.00 and now the little 8N wonders why I don"t use it as much. But I"m keeping both as I now have a 15KW PTO generator for the 861 and I keep a blade on the 8N. 3 point hitch and live PTO are great.

Dwight

jim

jim

The M is a little big for the job.but it stays where you put it... The H easy to handle and can handle both jobs with ease ---(MY CHOICE)--- The C hard to hold in the row ,at high speed its a fight, mowing not to bad but a little light.

I enjoyed all three of them..I have a '46H, restored and a '51M, Iam working on..

Don S.W. OHIO

Ford N series tractors are also every where. Every part imaginable is available for them. Again they are easy to work on. They have 3 point hitches. They are on the light side for doing any serious work, but would fit the needs you described very well. The only draw back would be no live power, but I don't think the M does either. Once the bug bites there is no cure(lol)