Tractor: New vs. Old

Lee Brown · May 6, 2009

I have a dilemma and I'd like your opinions. My fiancee and I are purchasing 25 acres of rolling land with a stream. Twenty acres are lightly wooded, and 5 acres are open. We intend to build a house, put up some fence, and keep a couple of beef cows. We need something to mow the grassy areas, and to clear some of the wooded area.

My question is: do I use my Case 430 and get a bushhog / finish mower, or should I break down and buy a new compact tractor with a belly mower? The 430 is a good tractor, but I don't know if I'd need power steering, 4WD, hydrostatic transmission, or other options that are available on the new ones. On the other hand, I could put a little money into the Case and a mower and not have any payments. Your thoughts? And if you suggest getting a new one, please let me know what you think the best brand / size is for what we're doing.

Thanks very much for your time and opinions!

r aiken · May 6, 2009

A Case is good enough. I mowed my yard with my Case 430 and Woods 6' finish mower.

Cub n M in OR · May 6, 2009

If you were relying on a tractor for income, I'd say get a new one. For only part-time/ hobby use, I think the one you've got is fine. Besides, it'll give you a reason to tell the lil woman you need to build a shop. Every man needs a shop. Place to drink a beer, tinker. Good for-to maintain sanity.

Ben

buickanddeere · May 6, 2009

How many tools do you have, what kind of a shop, mechanical experience, spare time and cashflow?
Ask 10 people and you will get 10 answers on what the "correct" tractor is. This question rates 3rd, just after politics and religion.

Pair-a-dice farm · May 6, 2009

I"m biased in my opinion because a 430 Case is one of my all time favorite tractors. If it"s in fairly good shape then I"d keep the Case and build a shop. Even if you did decide to buy a tractor, I"d look at a newer low hour tractor instead of a new one.

Sid · May 6, 2009

"or should I break down and buy a new compact tractor with a belly mower?" That is an expensive lawn mower. I"d keep the Case and get a bush hog for mowing pasture and wooded areas. If possible I"d rather have a sickle mower to clip pasture and a brush hog for the woods.

Sid · May 6, 2009

"or should I break down and buy a new compact tractor with a belly mower?" That is an expensive lawn mower. I"d keep the Case and get a bush hog for mowing pasture and wooded areas. If possible I"d rather have a sickle mower to clip pasture and a brush hog for the woods.

ericlb · May 6, 2009

keep the case its already a better quality tractor than you can buy in the compact line now

Doug in Illinois · May 6, 2009

The only reason I would consider a "new" tractor would be something with front wheel assist and a loader.

Even then, I would NOT buy brand new.

I would stay away from the "cheap" tractors some of the farm supply stores sell. Stay with any of the long time manufacturers like JD, Case, IH, Ford, MF, Kubota would be OK, and the like.

The other thing I could suggest is getting a used skid steer WITH A GOOD ROLL CAGE. My preference on skid steers is in this order, I have ran them all: 1 Case. It has the most break out power and is heavy. 2 New Holland. The arm design basically allows a more near vertical lift. 3 Bobcat. The parts are a little high, but good machine. 4 Deere.

I would recommend at least 40 HP or so with a 48 or 54 inch bucket if you get a skid steer. DOUG

GRJ · May 6, 2009

If you are going to graze it, why do you need to mow????

Gun guru · May 6, 2009

I bought a new compact deere tractor a year ago and I dont regret it one bit. I wish I would have bought it 5 years ago. The main reason I need the tractor for is my 900 foot gravel drive, grading, snow removal. Grass cutting is better then walking behind a mower, I have the rear scoop which is nice for placing rocks and boulders. The nice thing with a new machine is Warranty, pricing is nice with interest free for 3 years.
I would also stay away from the Chinese junk or the Korean stuff. Stick with known brands, Deere, New Holland, Massey ferguson, Kubota. $12K will buy a good compact tractor.

oliver power · May 6, 2009

I've run a 430 case quite a lot years ago. stay with the case, it's payed for.

GordoSD · May 6, 2009

When I bought my acreage (47 ac) I intially had about 5 acres of "lawn". I went crazy mowing it. and spent a lot of money on fuel. After 10 years on the property I have les than 1/2 acre of quality lawn which I mow with a Cadet. The remainder has been planted into alfalfa, trees planted, 4 wildlife food plots, large sweet corn plot, Christmas tree grove, and coming soon a melon patch. Anything that gets mowed gets baled and sold!
If you are going to feed cattle you need to produce your own feed or it's a loss for sure.5 acres of corn and 5 acres of alfalfa would be a nice figure.
That said, I get a 70hp tractor for pulling trees, a loader, for pushing them over, and enough to run a good baler and planter.
You gotta have a three point for hyour post hole digger, and mounted mower. We're talking minimum DX55.

GordoSD · May 6, 2009

When I bought my acreage (47 ac) I intially had about 5 acres of "lawn". I went crazy mowing it. and spent a lot of money on fuel. After 10 years on the property I have les than 1/2 acre of quality lawn which I mow with a Cadet. The remainder has been planted into alfalfa, trees planted, 4 wildlife food plots, large sweet corn plot, Christmas tree grove, and coming soon a melon patch. Anything that gets mowed gets baled and sold!
If you are going to feed cattle you need to produce your own feed or it's a loss for sure.5 acres of corn and 5 acres of alfalfa would be a nice figure.
That said, I get a 70hp tractor for pulling trees, a loader, for pushing them over, and enough to run a good baler and planter.
You gotta have a three point for hyour post hole digger, and mounted mower. We're talking minimum DX55.

GordoSD · May 6, 2009

When I bought my acreage (47 ac) I intially had about 5 acres of "lawn". I went crazy mowing it. and spent a lot of money on fuel. After 10 years on the property I have les than 1/2 acre of quality lawn which I mow with a Cadet. The remainder has been planted into alfalfa, trees planted, 4 wildlife food plots, large sweet corn plot, Christmas tree grove, and coming soon a melon patch. Anything that gets mowed gets baled and sold!
If you are going to feed cattle you need to produce your own feed or it's a loss for sure.5 acres of corn and 5 acres of alfalfa would be a nice figure.
That said, I get a 70hp tractor for pulling trees, a loader, for pushing them over, and enough to run a good baler and planter.
You gotta have a three point for hyour post hole digger, and mounted mower. We're talking minimum DX55.

kyhayman · May 6, 2009

I cant fathom any reason to get a new tractor with payments for 25 acres. A lot of people disagree with me but I cant see making payments on anything that will depreciate. Keept the Case, save the payment, and when the Case is worn out use the payment money to pay cash for something else.

Anonymous-0 · May 6, 2009

What I would do..
Keep the Case [money better in your pocket]and {GRJ}why cut the grass when you are going to get cattle, if they can't keep up buy another one. Natural slashers {bush hog]
Don't have a lawn, extra work. put in a vege garden and get some value.
Use the KISS principle.

prawnfarmer · May 6, 2009

By a mower for the Case. Lease a skidsteer with bucket and a root rake/grapple to clear with and then turn it back in when you're done with it.Dig a small pond to water out of and level a spot for a future barn. Hardly any money tied up.

olgentdc · May 6, 2009

ya got the best rite now

GA Dave · May 6, 2009

Lee,
The 430 has around 34 HP at the PTO so get a 6' HD rotary cutter to do the woods and fields. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish. David...............

DBAF · May 6, 2009

I think I would keep the case and look into buying a good used skid loader.Some decent deals right now on used skid loaders with the slow down in building.

davpal · May 6, 2009

If you have to make payments to buy a new tractor you already answered your own question. Keep what you got.

Lee Brown · May 7, 2009

Wow! All great suggestions, and thanks! I am partial to Cases, particularly the 30 series, so I think I'll put a new seat on my old tractor and look for a decent bushhog / mower. I am particularly interested in and thankful for your ideas about what to do with the land. I have 10 acres now but no fence, so I end up spending lots of weekends mowing a good portion of it. Having the cows, garden, and tree groves are wonderful ideas! Everyone have a great weekend! Lee

Jeff-oh · May 7, 2009

I had an aquantance in a similar situation as yours. I advised a mid-60's to mid 70's Tractor as they had all the major "real" needs niceities. power steering, live PTO, Live Hydro, and enough power for most modern implements that would be used.

He went with a $7000.00 Chineese brand with loader 4 wheel drive hydro etc....

He had to sell it within 3 years as the transmission started to act up. oil leaks, engine issues etc. The person who picked it up was happy to get such a new tractor for $4000.00. For how long????

Anyhow. Even if the case does not meet what you "need" then you certainly can find it in an older tractor for a lot less than brand new.

Bret4207 · May 7, 2009

Stick with the Case.

Billy NY · May 7, 2009

I can understand the situation, there are times I like the newer stuff, easier and quicker to operate, we have a late model compact challenger, but for the grunt work, an older utility tractor in reasonable shape can provide a lot of service life, you can and will encounter repairs, but it sure is nice to avoid that payment. In comparison my old ford 850, to the challenger, the Ford just has that heavier built feel to it, loader is stronger and I've done more work with it than I ever imagined, I've also done some work to it, but it don't owe me a dime. Even if you need more than the case, you find a 40-60 HP utility tractor 60's-70's in reasonable shape, you are miles ahead. A loader is a necessity I think, so is 3 pt and PTO.

pete black · May 7, 2009

i own an older gear driven ford and a new hydrostastic drive kubota tractor so here it is from that prospective. 1st. age, physical well being and purchasing power all factor in to the purchase. hydro driven tractors typically have a lower and more level working platform that makes getting on and off the tractor a lot easier at the end of the day. this becomes more critical as you age. also, newer tractors can be wife friendly as well. 2nd. belly mowers are probably good for small and well kept spaces, however, they typically come on a smaller tractor than your 25 acres will demand. 3rd. buy a good size and quality tractor that will meet your needs now and well into the future, you will be money ahead. i would avoid a chinese made tractor as well since i have never heard of a quality made chinese tractor. as stated, front end loaders justify the extra cost, you will be using it a lot. 4th. i keep the older ford for the fun and challenge of operating and maintaining. in addition, the sound, vibrations and working traits of an older tractor just can not be reproduced in the newer tractors. some good advice, build you some kind of protective building for the tractor. sun and rain is the enemy of tractors and have reduced the value of many a tractor. all told, just getting into the developing of your property, i would purchase a good rotary cutter for the case, use it for a while to see how things work out and then look into the purchase of a new tractor.

Alex.C · May 7, 2009

Our first tractor is our JD790 good utility tractor very user friendly to any body. The second is my 1952 Minneapolis moline(MM) BF(gas). The BF is a good work horse but after along time of driving both I noticed something, the BF has the ability to lug down and fight its way out. Most of the newer tractors DON'T HAVE THAT CAPABILITY!!! Plus the BF is American made. Our 3rd is my Oliver 1900 90HP tractor built in 1960(American made) I'm trying to get it running again and getting the starter rebuilt soon. If you find that the Case won't do the job don't look at the ford N series, look at the others out there. IH,JD,MM,Case,Oliver,Ford(non N series)Allis-Chalmers and Massey Ferguson made good small-medium tractors, but if you are going to have cows you'll need something that can move a 1,200+ round bale, 45+ HP might be need. The older tractors are cheaper and generally a little more HP than rated all most the complete opposite of the new ones. The choice is up to you. Have fun.

Tractor: New vs. Old

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Similar threads