small farm tractor purchase

[billybowlegs]

I am hoping to obtain this forums excellent advice.........since I am a complete beginner with tractors.
I have 215 acres which I need to a tractor to keep on the property to use for bush hogging, grating roads, maintaing a few acres of food plots and planting perimeter plants to support wildlife around a 40 acre field. Also use for posthole drilling, and other miscellaneous chores.
Tractor use will be light throughout the year. I want something reliable, possibly with a cab...not sure what size, brand is recommended, should I get 4x4 etc. Looking to spend 15,000 or less....is this reasonable.

Thanks.
Bryan
 

[Jerry//MT]

For your stated purposes, a 35-45 hp gas tractor(MF-35, Ford 4000 Series) would probably do everything you"re talking about on relatively flat ground with some margin in case you want to add some heavier tasks later.

Cabs are a pain in the woods but really nice in bad weather in open country.
I think 4WD would be good if you plan on doing lots of loader work.
And you should be able to find something like this for well under $15K.
 

[billybowlegs]

Thanks for your input. With the price range I indicated, do you recommend a new vs used tractor...and if used how old/hours use should I look for?? Basically, what shape/age tractor can I expect to get for 15,000 or less.
Thanks.
 

[Ken Macfarlane]

Around 40 hp, in 2wd open station, no loader you could get a new one. With a loader and 4wd probably a few years old. With cab too, probably not gonna happen unless you go way old and are happy working on machines.

How much hills, how wet, and how much time do you have to do the work?

Don't buy a cheap chinese tractor. You will be kicking yourself for it.
 

[RodinNS]

I'd suggest something like a Ford 3930 or 4630 at 45 and 55 hp.
FWD is a must if you want a loader, and you probably should have a loader.
Find one with the dual hydraulic pumps and the 8x8 transmission.
An open station should be found with the loader for under 15K. With a cab you'd be banging pretty hard on that 15K but you might find one the way things are today...

Watch the hydraulics on thsoe things that they work normally when it's warmed up, no knocks or oil consumption on the engine... jack the front end up with the loader (if it's a loader tractor) and check the wheel bearings in the hubs by rocking the wheel. Check the king pins... then rock the axle fore and aft to check the axle pivot bushings. All are known wear points....
Run the transmission through ever gear and make sure it shifts right without any grinding on the 8x8.

If you want to go a bit older then the 3910 and 4610 are similar tractors except they have a differnte (8x4) syncro transmission and have power assist steering instead of the the hydrostatic on the 30 series. Otherwise they're much the same tractor and you inspect the same things...

If you wanted to go larger or cheaper then you could look at 2 wheel drive 5610's, 6610's or even a 7710.
My preference of the lot is the 7710 if it's got a cab because it's simply easier to work on, both for routine maintenance or big repairs.
Any of the smaller tractors I listed are somewhat difficult to repair... and with a cab are pure nightmares.

If you want to stay smaller and cheaper then the older models of that class like the 4000, 4600, 5000, 5600, 6600 are all tough reliable old tractors. Just don't expect any big hydraulic flow from them... and the transmissions are all 8x2 crashboxes, so that will require some skill at shifting. Otherwise very good tough tractors.

Rod
 

[billybowlegs]

Thanks for your input!! The land is gently rolling hills, not severe hills. Certain areas could be muddy...so a 4wd might be best. I prefer to spend less time on the tractor and more time enjoying the property.

What are your thoughts on a MF 1540?

Thanks.

Bryan
 

[billybowlegs]

Wow, Great info!! Thanks for all your advice and pointers on examining prior to purchase.
 

[Jerry/MT]

If you buy new you"ll basically get a compact tractor. Personally, I think your money would be better spent on a bigger, older tractor for the occasional use you claim you want it for. As I said, the Ford 4000"s(4000, 4610, 4630, etc) would be my choice but I"ll admit my bias ahead of time. Price will vary because of hours mechanical condition, appearance, part of the country,etc. You just have to do the research/ Go to www.tracorhouse.com and see what you can find there. You"ll get a good grip on price and appearance, hours etc. All makes of tractors are listed. Spend sometime looking and think about it. Unless you are hard over for a cab, you can get what I think you are talking about for under $10K less you want 4 wheel drive. i recall seing 45-50 hp tractors (2WD) with loaders for around that price range.
Tractors

 

[billybowlegs]

OK, if I purchase an older tractor, when I look at how many hours are on it, what type of overhaul, replacement/servicing of trans/clutch/hydraulics etc is customary.

Basically, how long between major servicing should I be looking for.....how long since brakes serviced, trans etc.

I guess I want a ballpark on about how long these items can last, so I will know if I'm going to buy something that will require major work in a short time.

Not sure if you can answer this but hopefully some insight.

Thanks.

Bryan
 

[RodinNS]

10 and 30 series Fords don't need much service if the regular maintenance is done.
Brakes are wet and lifetime (10000 hours) if they have the correct grade of oil on them. Clutch should do 10K unless it's a loader tractor. IN that case 4K is probably about it.
I've never done any major hydraulic work other than a pump on one and that was not normal wear... but a freak thing. Split case, probably from impact.
On the 10 series and older the steering linkages are probably about the biggest semi regular repair item followed by the three point lift arms and balls if it does a lot of heavy lifting... and by heavy I mean routinely up to the lift limit, and made to carry it.

If you get into a loader tractor, then front axle parts are a more common repair. With MFWD's, the items I outlined before are probably in the 3-5000 hour range.
Two wheel drives are really too light for much loading... so that stuff tends to get busted at inoppertune times. Don't look for service life from it.
You can also probably bank on a water pump about every 10-15 years on those engines, so if you can't remember when it was last done, it's probably about due... You just keep an eye on the fan for play and the front cover for a coolant track coming from the pump weep hole. Mine have always shown the weep... but I changed one last winter for a guy who didn't catch the warning sign. That ate the fan and rad...
The starters also start to get lazy on them over time, depending on how much starting you do with them. Hard to put an hour figure on that, but it's not a big deal anyway. They can often be tuned up for ~50 bucks or a new one installed for 150-200 bucks.
Those Ford's from that class were very robust tractors. They were made to work hard for a long, long time. If you keep the fluids and filters changed as per recomended intervals, keep grease to the front end and don't run it like a dozer ~every~ day, it will outlast you.

Rod
 

[billybowlegs]

Great information. I appreciate your detailed response. This will definately help me in my selection.

I've looked over used tractors online and if I can find a Ford 4030 4wd with a loader close to where I live then that seems to be my best choice.

I live in Southern Alabama and haven't seen any close to where I live.
Thanks for your help.
Bryan

If I find one without a loader....how difficult to add and how expensive??

Thanks.