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

Discussion Forum

What's a good tractor for a FEL

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
dbernie

04-28-2008 05:38:44




Report to Moderator

I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts on a good tractor for a front end loader.

Seems all I can find is comments on tractors that are NOT good for an FEL.

Don't need any frills, either, but of course they're nice
(power steering, live PTO, a 3-point, plentiful attachments, easy parts availability, etc.)

I would like more lifting capacity than my 9N;
it almost does everything I need it to do.

Gas would be nice, but diesel or propane is fine.

Cost is a concern, under $5000 if possible.

Of course, I want as much power as I can get for the least amount of money :)
If needed, I may be able to dedicate one tractor for FEL work,
and keep my 9N for other small chores.

If I could convince the wife, I'd build a bigger machine shed and have a tractor for every purpose :lol:
By the way, I don't mind working on my own equipment,
so I wouldn't be paying somebody else for repairs.

Thanks for any comments...

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Pitalplace

04-29-2008 08:55:51




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to TxFarmallFan, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
I have a 1969 Bobcat model 600 that I would not be without. A larger machine would be nice if you are going to handle large round bales. Otherwise this is my right hand and left hand. It is not to hard to work on and have not had any problems getting parts.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
dbernie

04-29-2008 05:40:51




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
There's a lot of good thoughts here, just don't know what direction to go.

Any comments here help with the wife, as well :)
Tools and diagnostic equipment for the new ones is expensive,

I like to have the ability to repair at home.

I have time to work with, and build more money up.

I am fairly new to tractors, and am finding the older ones addictive. They're was a W9 here locally, a W9 sounded classic, but then if it won't be good with the FEL work, my money is tied up in it, plus hard to get parts for. I would have to find an FEL for it, anyway. More power and a 3-point would be nice, too.

I almost bought an older skid steer a while back, it was priced right, maybe I should have.

I'll keep watching the ads, anymore comments are greatly appreciated.

Decisions, decisions.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Kippster

04-28-2008 17:04:17




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
Not to be rude or inconsiderate, but if you're handy with the tools, you might consider a small skid steer. Mine is an old mustang with the gas motor. They are powerful little buggers. I bought one that needed a motor for $1000. I put a 25 horse kohler v twin in it and its an animal. Quick attach bucket, remote hydraulics, bale spear, forks and everything. I had a few cars to move and I got tired of rolling the bales, so I built a weight rack for the back in order to move the round bales with the spear and not stand the thing on its head. I also successfully loaded a dodge powerwagon (the heaviest car I moved) onto my flatbed trailer. Just a thought. Kippster

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
tg in VA

04-28-2008 14:52:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
I bought a Massey Ferguson Industrial (MF) 20 a few years back. Had a MF32 loader, P. S., PTO, 3 pt lift, 2 speed rear. The loader ran off a front pump (19 GPM, I think). The front end (axle) was very substantial. Paid $4,500. It was a nice size tractor, easy to operate, easy to get on and off and the price was reasonable.

If you could find something similar, you would be satisfied and so would your wallet.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
showcrop

04-28-2008 14:44:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
Hi, don't be afraid to look at tractors that are a lot bigger than you need, since you're not afraid to work on it yourself. Of course it will use a lot more fuel per hour but if you are going to run it only 100 hrs per year it won't hurt that much. nobody will buy a tractor to work steady thats over 25 yrs old, and no hobby farmer will look at a tractor thats over 100HP. So for nothing more than a flat tire they sit in the weeds until they are junk.My neighbors let it happen to two in 15 years. You just have to look around. Good Luck! Rescue some old Iron!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

04-28-2008 08:02:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
An 801 series ford make a far loader tractor. I have used one on the place since the early 80s and would not sell it even if I could get 3 time the money out of it. Any more thats all it is used for but its used year round to more hay, clean up brush etc and to plow snow off the drive way. Mine is an 841 with power steering but no live PTO tires are full of fluid and I keep a heavy duty back blade on it with 6 suit case weights on the blade. With out the extra weight its help less

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
dangerdoc

04-28-2008 12:03:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to old, 04-28-2008 08:02:42  
I sold my old 801 series ford. I broke two spindles moving earth with the FEL. The spindles were spindly.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

04-28-2008 12:07:35




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dangerdoc, 04-28-2008 12:03:12  
Ya I've broke a few over the years. But we then had a heavy duty front end put under it and I haven't broke one since



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
dangerdoc

04-28-2008 12:21:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to old, 04-28-2008 12:07:35  
That's a good idea. I live on the side of a hill and I was worried I was going to break a spindle on a slope and die.

I looked at an old ford industrial but I ended up buying a newer tractor with FWA and rollover protection.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Walt davies

04-28-2008 07:47:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
I bought an older 1977 Kubota with all kinds of attachment scraper Bucket loader and plow and disc for $5900. It had onlt 600 hrs on it. But if I had to do it again I would get the 4 wheel drive these things are real light compared to older tractors.
Walt



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
rrlund

04-28-2008 07:05:45




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
I'm not really a John Deere man,but I've had a JD 1020 gas with a loader for better than 26 years now. I really can't complain. I use it everyday to load silage,several times a week for manure,load round bales in the field in the summer. I've overhauled the engine once,one clutch,had the pump rebuilt once. Not bad for over a quarter century of everyday use. Should be pretty close to your price range too.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Kentb of SWMO

04-28-2008 06:33:07




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
FEL and big roung bales has been the DEATH of many front wheel bearings on older tractor. This is why you are seeing newer tractor for FEL have front wheel assist to gain the larger bearing that can take the load.

Kent



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Billy NY

04-28-2008 06:28:55




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
You must be accustomed the the 9N size, and with that in mind, hundred series, thousand series fords, and or industrial model fords, even better. Any tractor in a utility size like these no matter the color/mfr, having an industrial or heavy front axle, properly ballasted, should work fine, just make sure to check the features on whatever you look at. If you follow the photo ads here, amongst many other places where tractors are listed, you'll see a lot of these utility type/size tractors, just make sure it has a pto and 3 pt and other options, some of them were delivered without a 3 pt and pto. You should be able to find something within that budget or close, I'd spend the extra $ for the right one.

We had a gasoline powered IH 460 with a fresh motor when I was in high school, with a heavy snowblade on it, twin double acting rams with down pressure, cab, no 3 pt or pto, one heavy utility tractor though, remember it had turf tires with chains and having the job of getting in unstuck once after hired help sunk it, front blade sure helped lift the front end out of the muck, would have been a good loader tractor too.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
buickanddeere

04-28-2008 06:09:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
$5000.00 is way low on the wish list. All those bargains have been long bought up by orchards, small farmers, hobby farmers, rural estate owners, horse stables, etc. Take the $5000.00 and make it a down payment on a Deere 5105 with M4WD. Raise for more $$$ by selling the Ford widow maker to somebody who thinks they are great. And will pay the price of a Massey 35/135 for a tractor that can't do 1/2 the work. After driving loader tractors with and without M4WD. You will not go back to 2WD after having 4WD.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Allan In NE

04-28-2008 06:03:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to dbernie, 04-28-2008 05:38:44  
Where are you located?

I'll sell ya one all set up and ready to go. Sweetest little loader outfit ya ever operated. Weighted, loaded, live power and power steering.

I just don't need 3 loaders around here. :>(

Allan

third party image



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Paul from MN

04-28-2008 08:18:49




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to Allan In NE, 04-28-2008 06:03:46  
Allan, are you serious about selling that H? If you are what are you asking for it?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Allan In NE

04-28-2008 08:28:36




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to Paul from MN, 04-28-2008 08:18:49  
Yeah, I'll sell it with the 8' bucket. Just don't need this many loaders.

She's ready to work.

Ought to be worth $6500 and I don't dance.

Allan



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Vito

04-28-2008 16:18:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to Allan In NE, 04-28-2008 08:28:36  
Anyone up for dancing lessons? LOL The trucking to CT would be a killer.Nice looking tractor though.
Vito



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jay-eye-see

04-28-2008 11:52:35




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to Allan In NE, 04-28-2008 08:28:36  
no wonder you have so many...



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Nebbluejeans

04-28-2008 10:29:50




Report to Moderator
 Re: What's a good tractor for a FEL in reply to Allan In NE, 04-28-2008 08:28:36  
That is not, and I say not a $5300. dollar loader. And I dont dance either.



[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