What small tractor to get?

Don"t really need one, just want one to tinker with, haul some cord wood, maybe plow the driveway and mow a small field ~ 1 acre. I"m thinking the field would require a bush hog for there"s all sorts of stuff growing in there, not big stuff, just not pure grass. I"m not sure if a belly mower could handle that stuff or not. Don"t need a loader.

I"m mechanically inclined, I can fix brakes and bearings, waterpumps, timing belts, etc on cars but I"m not a mechanic. So I really don"t want to get involved with a full tear-down rebuild project.

These are the tractors I"m considering;

Ford 8N, Allis Chalmers B, Farmall A or Super A

The Ford seems like a good choice for easy parts availability and the 3-point system for a bush-hog. Since I"m a newbie at this don"t know enough about the Allis"s or Farmall"s if you can hook up bush-hog or not. I"m thinking it may be possible with the Farmall"s but don"t think they have the typical 3-point hitch system. Wouldn"t need a huge bush-hog for this field. I don"t think you can hook up a bush-hog to the Allis, but I really don"t know. Maybe a belly mower would be fine, but I honestly don"t know.

There"s a 8N and Farmall A for sale in my town, Ford has a loader on it, but I"ve read that can cause a lot of wear and tear on the front end. The Farmall has a cord-wood saw on the back, but no 3point, just the U shaped draw-bar. Not really sure how the cord-wood saw attaches, Seems to be bolted to the draw-bar and attached to two upper bars. The A is $500 more than the 8N, however it is in good shape, no rust, good tin, good tires, not show/parade quality, but in good shape.

Any tips/advice/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dp

I'm assuming they're a little more difficult to get parts for?

Too big?

Here"s a cooky idea.

Not quite to my original thinking, but how about an old Cub Cadet with a mower deck? 12hp? I know they could easily haul a cart load of cord wood. Would the mower be up to the task?

Or an old IH Cub or Cub Low Boy with a belly mower?

Just thinkin" of alternatives.

The Ford sounds like the most versatile rig for my intended uses. The easy trailering/garaging is an added bonus.

Thanks for the replies.

• here

Reasons to buy the Ford:

Bit more HP than the A
Easy on/off to get to the seat on the N
3 point hitch
Availability of parts
Low price of replacement parts
Better 4 speed transmission gearing
Great availability on implements

Reasons to buy the Farmall A over the N:

Great view from the offset seat

My opinion and nothing more...both tractors being in equally good repair. You will accomplish more work easier on the N, than you would be able to with the A.

Usually it's bigger HP that gets used around our place...but the two little tractors we have on the farm are an 8N and an A. When the overhead doors roll back for anything under 40HP...it's the 8N, not the A that comes out.

The only negative I could ever place on the 8N, is that it's reverse gear is pretty d*mn tall... but that's all that really comes to mind.

Billy