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John (MO)
09-13-2006 07:43:18
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Re: I need help with tractor purchase. Mowing 7 ac in reply to AceandGary, 09-12-2006 19:57:48
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Not having any idea what kind of money you are willing to spend, there isn't much way to be too specific about makes and models of tractors to consider. However, there are certain features that I think you will want or need. I would suggest you consider tractors of around 30 hp, they have the power to do lots of things and also have the weight to accomplish these tasks. Sometimes is is actually cheaper to buy even larger tractors, because the 30 hp range tractors are so popular. You will want either life or independent power to the tractors PTO and hydraulics. So older tractors do not have this. In other words when you use a clutch to stop the tractors movement, you will cut all power to what ever implement you are using. With live or independent power, you will have either a 2 stage foot clutch or some sort of hand clutch that will allow you to stop the tractors forward (or rearward) movement while still allowing the PTO and or hydraulics to continue to work. In my opinion this is a must have item. Something else you will want is a 3 point hitch system to be able to use modern equipment. Lots of older tractors did not originally have a 3 point hitch system, but had some other hitch system that was unique to their brand. Almost all these tractors have been or can be converted to 3 point hitch, so just make sure that is an option if it hasn't already been done. There is nothing at all wrong with most of these other systems of hitches that tractors used. They work fine with equipment that was designed for it. Today however you can`t buy new equipment like a finish mower that will fit many of these other hitch systems. If you find a tractor that has a conversion that allows both the use of it`s hitch system as well as 3 point equipment that would be a fine choice, because you can often buy older equipment for very little money. Also, try out and make sure what ever you want to buy is in good condition and that everything about it works as it should. Hire someone with more experience to help you with this is if necessary, it will save you lots of money in the long run. Tractors 50 or more years old can be fine usable equipment it they have been taken care of or fixed up well, if not they are constant headaches and bottomless money pits. Let me give you one example of a brand that can be a good buy and that has some of the features you will want. The D series Allis Chalmers tractors came out in the late 1950`s. There are models from about 20 hp up to 60 or more hp: D-10, D-12, D-14, D-15, D-17, D-19... Most of these models came with an Allis Chalmers hitch system called a snap coupler, and there were all sorts of implements made for these tractors and this hitch. It is very simple to put a few extra pieces onto the drawbars and lift arms of these tractors so than they can use not only the snap coupler implements but 3 point equipment as well. These Allis Chalmers tractors have what is called a power director. It is basically a shift on the go, high/low range secondary transmission. With the power director you put the transmission into one of the 4 forward gears and you have a high side of that gear and a low side that you can switch between on the go. You also have a neutral in each of the 4 main gears that you can go to without touching the foot clutch. This neutral allows your mower or other PTO powered tool to continue to get power from the tractor and do it`s job while the tractor stops it`s forward motion. Same deal with the hydraulics. You can stop the tractor, raise or lower your mower and start again without touching the main foot clutch. Many other brands of tractors have different types of hand clutches or foot clutches that will allow pretty much the same control. I think you should be able to find tractors from around $1000 to the sky as a limit, that can do what you will want to do. Just make sure you know what features any tractor you look at either has or can have and what condition it really is in, before you buy.
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