Compact Tractor Suggestions

9n · Dec 26, 2008

Hey folks, looking for some suggestions on buying a compact tractor. I have about 3500 dollars to spend. Main purpose for buying the tractors is cutting grass (3 acres with a walkout basement). Also need to clear snow. 560 ft gravel driveway with a few very small hills. The hills are big enough that in deep snow my 4x4 pickup gets a little sideways (could be the driver J). I would to have a snow blower attachment.
I do have a garden so I would like a three-point hitch. Ideally it would be able to pull a very small plow and tiller. For what I have to spend old iron is fine. Any suggestions would be helpfully.

bo · Dec 26, 2008

For a modern compact 4x4 in decent shape with all the stuff you want, you'll to at least triple your budget.

buickanddeere · Dec 26, 2008

$3500.00 makes a good deposit on a JD 3038E. DO NOT go out and purchase a Ford 8N,2N or 9N and think you are getting something.

ericlb · Dec 26, 2008

the ford N's will do the job,BUT for that money you can get up into the hundred series or thousand series if you watch the ads, then you get more power a little bigger tractor, and live hydraulics and pto, a really wonderful thing to have when mowing, 'course a otc on a N series will sort of do that to and a zane live thang gives live hydraulics but then you have spent the money to have bought a larger newer unit again, beware of "grey market" jap tractors for that price range, regular imports are good though

9n · Dec 26, 2008

Why not the 2000 series?

Mark

davpal · Dec 26, 2008

For $3500 dollars I would get a 7ft plow for the 4x4 pickup for $1000 so you can do the massive driveway. For the extra $2500 I would get a Ford 8n and a disk and plow. If you ever decide to move sell the blade for $1000 and the 8n and disk and plow for $2500. Its like having money in the bank.

davpal · Dec 26, 2008

I can't believe the moderator of this board lets you post on here. Your information is insulting and useless.

buickanddeere · Dec 26, 2008

Because unlike you blind loyalists to the 8N, 9N and 2N. She knows for similar money. You can bring home something with live pto, high volume live,hydraulics and have a proper fixed drawbar. Maybe even diesel power, factory 12V alternator and diff lock
More usable and less likely to crush the operator.
A 24HP 2305 M4WD for $11,000, 31HP M4WD 3032E for #13,619,or 37HP 3028E M4WD for $14,869.
They all have warranty,simple diesel engines, hydrostatic trans so amateurs are going to smoke the clutch or break gears.12V alternator electrical systems, diff loc, M4WD, high volume/high pressure hydraulics with remotes. A real fixed drawbar, three point hitch and live pto. A rops,seat belt sealed beam lights for and aft, warning lights etc.
That's a lot more tractor for the extra money. And any will drag a 8N,9N or 2N around like a toy.
The old 8N, 9N 2N had a place in their day when nothing else was to be had any better.Tractors and operators are a long way from 1939-1953.
Sorry to speak honestly about your favorite sacred cow.

Gun guru · Dec 26, 2008

I bought a new Deere 2305 compact utility, it was $10,500, 0% interest financing. This machine plows lots of snow, cuts the grass and pushes out small stumps, grades the gravel drive. I wanted something reliable so I bought new. $3500 buys a new small cub cadet with a blade and mower. I dont know where you are but the snow can get deep by me.

Fawteen · Dec 26, 2008

Sure would like to know where you're getting a plow for $1000. I'd be all over a deal like that!

davpal · Dec 26, 2008

Problem is moron he said he wants to spend $3500 dollars and this is a yesterdays tractor board. If he buys the $14,000 dollar MFWD with a back blade he won't be moving snow any better than a 9n with chains. My cousin has one. He will have to have a loader and now he needs $20,000 dollars. If you want to talk $20,000 dollar compact utilty tractors there is probably a forum for that. Please go there. And most of the people on there will probably not be lobbying constantly for JD. There are many better choices in small utility tractors. Sorry I said that about your sacred JD cows but it's true.

glennster · Dec 26, 2008

wow, you're asking a lot from a single tractor on a tight budget, but, here is a thought. massey ferguson 35, about a 38 hp tractor, 3 point, pto. you can scare up some implements at local sales and prolly be in your budget. for a mower tractor you can get a 3 pt mount finish mower, used. snow eremoval will be a cjallenge. either a rear mount blower or back blade. a front end loader will add a lot of weight for mowing. you should prolly opt for turf tires with chains instead of a traction grip (tears the lawn up), then add chains for snow duty. here is a link to tractor house with some samples.
poke here

9n · Dec 26, 2008

Hey guys, thanks for all the information and help. My truck is only a 1500 Chevy 4X4 and snowplows are over 2k new and very hard to find used (not many people have plows on ½ ton). I went to the dealer and got a quote. The Sno-way and Fisher Homesteader. My goal is to keep things as simple as possible. I need to be able to fix and transport the tractor myself. That is one thing that makes me nervous about the Xn Fords. If I need tires I must go the shop. I prefer to be able to fix things with the tools I have at home. I think a Ford or similar size tractor is too big for what I need. They make a snow blower attachment for my garden tractor but it is belt driven and many folks complain about the belt slipping off in heavy snow. I have thought about a 4 wheeler but I do not feel they have the weight to plow. I am in Michigan and last week I came home to 12 inches of snow and currently have piles of snow several feet tall. What ever I get I would like to have a snow blower not a plow. I feel that anything short of a ¾ ton truck with ballast in the back and you better off with snow blower than a plow. Thanks everyone.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 26, 2008

I have a 8N with a front blade that will push as much snow as I can put in front of it! I certainly do not claim it to be any better or even as good as a newer compact utility, but it does everything I have ever wanted it to. In the summer I plow, disk, brush mow, sickle mow, etc. In the winter I plow lots of snow, skid whole trees out of the woods, pull a hay rack full of firewood, etc. Certainly not the only option, but a very able tractor despite what some might say. Have a great day!

9n · Dec 26, 2008

(quoted from post at 23:09:43 12/26/08) I have a 8N with a front blade that will push as much snow as I can put in front of it! I certainly do not claim it to be any better or even as good as a newer compact utility, but it does everything I have ever wanted it to. In the summer I plow, disk, brush mow, sickle mow, etc. In the winter I plow lots of snow, skid whole trees out of the woods, pull a hay rack full of firewood, etc. Certainly not the only option, but a very able tractor despite what some might say. Have a great day!

Hey Erik, do you use chains and weights? You use a front blade? I was thinking of using a blade in the rear if I went the 8N route. MN, you know what snow is!

Thanks,
Mark

Crem · Dec 26, 2008

I have a 1951 TO-20 Ferguson that is close to the same thing as an 8N Ford and I bet that I can work circles around your little compact tractor. With a box blade, scoop and Landscape rake I can do a dirt moving landscape job a lot quicker than one of those compacts or a clumsy larger tractor. The same thing with a rotary mower or a finish mower. That being said, the 4WD is nice for backing up when loading a scoop because of the traction. Forward it doesn't make much difference. It is also nice for holding back traction when going down a steep hill such as a logging road. The live power and hydraulics are also nice but I can easily work around them for what I do. Beggars can't be choosers. One thing that I don't like about the hydrostatic transmission is all of the power that it uses to run it. It is nice for easy reversing though. I was using my sons compact with a scoop for hauling a pile of dirt and because of the power loss with the hydrostatic, I would have to go in a lower gear to load and for any incline then stop and shift to the next gear for the flat area. With my Ferguson which I shift on the go I would have been long gone.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 26, 2008

How can you compare a tractor that costs at least $11,000 to one that costs $3500? I used to run an 8N and it did pretty good in the snow with a rear blade. If the snow was really deep, I just turned the blade and pushed backwards. I think with chains an 8N would do a great job clearing snow. The fact that there are so many of them still running, proves their reliability beyond any doubt. They are still sought after. For the prices you suggest, he could get a good used skid steer and also a good used commercial mower that would do circles around any thing else. Honestly speaking, the small JD's aren't even made by mother Deere. They'd probably be so expensive that no one would buy them if they were actual US made JD's. Dave

Traditional Farmer · Dec 26, 2008

I have a Yanmar 1300 4WD (16HP) that I paid $1250 for it and a tiller.Its surprising what it can do but would be a little small for your snow removal.Great mowing and gardening though.You could always get a small tractor like the Yanmar and then something like a WD Allis for snow removal they usually sell pretty cheap and will work circles around the N Fords

Ryan - WI · Dec 26, 2008

Have you thought about a larger garden tractor rather than a compact? Something like a 318 or 400 John Deere. They are built like a tank, easy maneuver and cheap compared to a compact. You should be able to get a tractor, snowblower and plow or tiller for within your budget. They have an available 54 and 60" deck (don't quote me) so it would take a bit more time than a 72 behind a tractor, but it would get the job done.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 26, 2008

Hi Mark,

Yes my rear tires are loaded with calcium chloride (I am hoping to replace it soon with a non-corrosive liquid). I also picked up a set of used chains which work great too. The blade is a front mount I found on Craigslist over the summer equipped with an 12v electric winch to lower/raise. That way I still have my 3 point open for something else if need be.

If you would like other pics let me know!

Right now I am keeping it up at our little hunting cabin for snow removal for our quarter mile driveway. The only problem is that it takes only one pass down and one back and it is done. I want to play with it more (or in the case of the picture, my dad wants to play with it more)!

Anonymous-0 · Dec 27, 2008

Sorry Mark,

Forgot to write - I also have used a back blade turned all of the way around as well as in the forward position driving forward. That also has worked great for pushing snow for me. I just enjoy looking forward more than turning my head around thus the front blade!

9n · Dec 27, 2008

Thanks to everyone for all the great information. This forum has always been helpfully but this really gave me a ton of GOOD information to consider. At this point I am leaning towards a large garden tractor. Only because I have the equipment to repair it, the room to store it indoors and I can transport it with my truck. I can sell my current garden tractor to increase the budget and have one machine for everything. Next step is to determine which JDs used a shaft driven snow thrower. I do not want a belt driven. Thanks again everyone. All the replies really helped.

Thanks,
Mark

buickanddeere · Dec 27, 2008

Per dollar the $11,000 2305 Deere is a better value than the old pre 1960's Fords.

buickanddeere · Dec 27, 2008

Blind Ford loyalist. Does the poster want something that works? Or an antique fix it project that can never compare? Which tractor is he going to be happier with in 5 years? Which can he add a useful loader, mower or tiller to?
If you can't find a 3pt hitch snowblower for under a grand. You need glasses.

buickanddeere · Dec 27, 2008

Blind Ford loyalist. Does the poster want something that works? Or an antique fix it project that can never compare? Which tractor is he going to be happier with in 5 years? Which can he add a useful loader, mower or tiller to?
If you can't find a 3pt hitch snowblower for under a grand. You need glasses.
The guy has to find out that his projected tractor budget is 75% too small.

davpal · Dec 27, 2008

Go take your meds and lay down little man. You completely missed the question.

buickanddeere · Dec 27, 2008

Problem is 9N wants $15,000 of equipment for $3500.
Walk into your local truck dealership with $3500, ask for a $15,000 vehicle and guess what you are going to be told.
Over the next few years 9N with a 1939 to late 1950's vintage Ford. He's could well be in the price of a new tractor with tires, rims, electrical, clutch, engine work on his old Ford.
And still only have an old Ford that's worth $2500 when he's done.
That is if he hasn't flipped it on himself by pulling from the 3pt hitch. Or rolled it into a pond or ditch due to the transmission driven pto while bushhogging. Brakes are no prize on those things either.

Ryan - WI · Dec 27, 2008

(quoted from post at 09:05:46 12/27/08) Thanks to everyone for all the great information. This forum has always been helpfully but this really gave me a ton of GOOD information to consider. At this point I am leaning towards a large garden tractor. Only because I have the equipment to repair it, the room to store it indoors and I can transport it with my truck. I can sell my current garden tractor to increase the budget and have one machine for everything. Next step is to determine which JDs used a shaft driven snow thrower. I do not want a belt driven. Thanks again everyone. All the replies really helped.

Thanks,
Mark

Sure is getting hard to find the content through the pissing match.

Anyway, this site will be helpful for John Deere Garden Tractors. www.weekendfreedommachines.com

I can tell you though that Deere's larger tractors (300 series) use a shaft driven snowblower, but that shaft is driven by a belt driven mule drive.

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