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Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 11:51 a.m.

I need a kind of all around machine.  Right now it'd be used for stump pulling, low level clearing, and general usefulness in moving heavy stuff.  I'd like for to be able to bushhog a 800x40 foot ditch also.  I'd love to be able to custom make attachments for a three point.  What kind of machine am I looking for?  Tractor with a front end loader?  More of something like this that I guess I can remove the backhoe and make it more of a tractor later?

https://gainesville.craigslist.org/hvo/d/gainesville-1970-ford-backhoe/7583121259.html

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
2/20/23 12:13 p.m.

That's just a backhoe, it doesn't have any of the tractor bits on the back that would allow you to do tractor things.

Ford does make a tractor from the same Era that will do what you want and can take a backhoe attachment. 

Have a look at my "pulling the ripcord" farm build thread to see the Kubota we have.

Stick with a 50hp machine at least. I wouldn't want one any smaller than ours.

If you can't buy at least 50hp, its better to rent.

So many of my friends buy cute little machines with front buckets and a rear mower and within a year they are back at the dealer up grading.

When you mention "stump pulling" you start talking about a real "hoss".

If buying used, you really need to put the hydraulics under a load to see if the controls are still good to work with.  Many times the valves are worn out and the controls get wonky to do good work.

93gsxturbo
93gsxturbo UltraDork
2/20/23 1:26 p.m.

Man that machine looks like it needs $15k in work to be serviceable.  Only reason someone is selling something like that is it has a major problem that is more to fix than its worth.  Otherwise why sell a super cute, handy little unit like that?  

Typically a machine like that would need every soft hose replaced, either one at a time or all at once.  The cylinders will need to be rebuilt.  If they are not leaking its because it hasnt been used and as soon as it sees real use it will leak.  Most of the pivot points will be egged out and cracked and rewelded at least once.  Parts are shockingly hard to come by in some instances.  Just because it says "Ford" on it doesnt mean that the agriculural Ford dealer can get parts, so check into parts availability and price before making the jump.

A decent amount of those midsize tractors were imported from Europe and those were usually a lot harder to get parts for than the USA built ones.   

Keep in mind the industrial machines like the one in the ad rarely or never have a PTO or adjustable width axles.  Those features may or may not be important depending on what you want to do with it.  Any agricultural work and you will want a PTO and adjustable axes.

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 1:57 p.m.

I'm not wanting agricultural work. Long term it would be for mowing the ditch and having a mobile machine with useful hydraulics for lifting or moving things. Sounds like I might be better if with a basic tractor and not go for a do it all poorly machine. 

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
2/20/23 2:00 p.m.

Remember, if it's so worn out that the farmer doesn't want it anymore, you don't either.

Check for used machines at your local ag dealer.

If you're mowing ditches, you want a brush hog on a 3-point hitch, not a belly mower.

hobiercr
hobiercr GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
2/20/23 2:27 p.m.

Mike, we had discussed you maybe needing a generator at some point. With a 3pt hitch and 50hp you could easily get a generator that your tractor could grab and drive to wherever you wanted it.

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 3:09 p.m.

In reply to hobiercr :

Good point.

TJL (Forum Supporter)
TJL (Forum Supporter) Dork
2/20/23 3:44 p.m.

The belly mowers arent worth it. They get in the way for normal tractor activities and they are pricey. If you need to mow, a finishing mower for the 3 point is the way to go. 
 

i have a LS MT125 tractor/loader/backhoe(TLB).  Its a "sub compact" tractor with 25 hp.  
a loader alone is a big hammer. If you want to do more than scoop, have a backhoe too. I didnt have a great reason to get the backhoe but im glad i did. I use it WAY more than i thought i would.  For working over a little bit of wooded acreage, the backhoe is a necessity. 
 

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 3:59 p.m.

The ditch mowing will be the only part of the property that's actually mowed.  I don't want a lawn "tractor".  Sounds to me like something someone made up to get more money for a riding lawn mower.

NBraun
NBraun GRM+ Memberand Reader
2/20/23 4:01 p.m.

HP isn't the only thing. Weight is important too. That being said, everyone always says get the biggest tractor you can afford.  I run big tractors for work and our mid size tractor is a 110 HP 6430. I can without a doubt say its just too unwieldy for what I do on my property. I ended up going with a a 25HP "heavy" compact and it's really been nice. Gets in small spaces, does 90% of what I want it to do.

TJL (Forum Supporter)
TJL (Forum Supporter) Dork
2/20/23 4:39 p.m.

Its larger than a large riding mower, but its a real tractor, not a fancy mower. Yanmar Diesel, 4x4 high and low, all hydro, loader, backhoe, 3point, pto, etc. lifts about 1k with the loader. Ive pulled many stumps and cleared property with it. 
 

get the biggest/strongest thing you can afford.  When i got this, it was 16,500$. 

 

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 4:56 p.m.

Yeah this is what I'm talking about with the lawn "tractor".

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/grd/d/jacksonville-2006-husqvarna-gt-2254/7583329171.html

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 4:56 p.m.

I'm going a slightly different route here.  This is one area where HP isn't a big deal.  If the others are referring to the general size that is associated with a 50hp tractor, maybe, but you could do all of the above with 25hp... just a little slower.

Dad is on about year 5 of his New Holland Boomer, 40+ hp, pretty big.

2012 New Holland Boomer 40 Tractor - $23,900 | Machinery Pete

I'm also going to disagree politely with ShawnG.  When it gets too old for a farmer (who uses it twice a day every day), it's perfect for you.  Farmers upgrade typically because of features, safety, or they need something bigger, but on Dad's farm we have 13 tractors ranging from a 2015 (the boomer) all the way back to 1932.  All of them work and are fully functional with thousands (and I mean THOUSANDS) of hours.  The Boomer he has replaced a 1958 Ford 901 Powermaster diesel.  The only reason he replaced it was because he's getting old, and the hydrostat, ROPS, harness, and all the safety equipment on the newer rig.  Both were 40 hp and would do equal work.  The 8' brushog goes behind a 1947 John Deere G making 30hp.  The tractor itself looks like a pile of crap, but it never fails to run, and run well.

But to say that old is bad is just not really the case.  Most of the big name brand stuff will outlive you twice and never even burn oil.  We have a Ford 8N that mows about 100 acres 3-4 times a year, and hauls the firewood trailer all winter.  It is really hard to "wear out" a tractor.  Starting in the mid-80s, many of the big names (JD, International, New Holland) started switching over to becoming assemblers - meaning they built much of the tractor and increasingly started outsourcing engines, transmissions, drive components, hydraulics, etc.  There was a short period for each manufacturer that had a few growing pains, but they've mostly sorted it out.

Much like old cars, old tractors don't really die.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the old man has a safe tractor, but I'm also annoyed by the nannies... any of which could go wrong leaving you stranded in the field.  If you're looking in the new-ish realm, Mahindra and Kubota top my list.  If you're looking for something used in the 80s/90s, JD and Ford made some reliable stuff in the sizes you're looking at.  Prior to that, take your pick... if you're willing to give up some amenities.

I might consider something like a Ford 2120, JD 2040, or IH 533.  Those are 70s/80s models that have proven to be bulletproof, common, new and used impliments are available.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 5:01 p.m.

Another absolute workhorse we have is a 1978 or 9 Ford 1700.  It will not die, and it's our go-to for backhoe and bucket.  23hp doesn't sound like a lot, but it's geared so perfectly.

TJL (Forum Supporter)
TJL (Forum Supporter) Dork
2/20/23 6:30 p.m.

In reply to Stampie :

yeah those are a nice upgrade over a throwaway rider, they can pull a small plow. Otherwise they are lawn mowers. 

i recommend a backhoe, loader and 4x4. 
 

and financing tractors SUCKS. Terrible rates.

also, many of the older domestic branded tractors are actually from overseas. Not a problem really, just a thing.  EVERY small tractor is made in japan or south korea usually. 


 

 

 

JThw8
JThw8 UltimaDork
2/20/23 7:18 p.m.
TJL (Forum Supporter) said:

and financing tractors SUCKS. Terrible rates.

Actually I financed my Kubota at 0%, and they frequently offer that rate.

To the OP my question/concern with this whole discussion is the ditch you want to mow.  I guess it will depend on the size/slope of the ditch but I have a "moat" ditch the whole way around my property and short of a $$$$ specialty ditch mower or $$$ offset sickle bar mower there's no way to mow a ditch with my tractor, If I tried to get in there with my brush hog I'd be testing the ROPS real quick like.  Point being if you do need an actual ditch mower or offset mower then larger is better purely for weight, those things will easily drag a smaller tractor over on its side.

All that being said, I really struggled mentally with the cost of a good tractor when we bought this property but it has earned its keep over and over again.  Mine has an FEL and I have some cheap bucket forks for it so it does all the heavy lifting here, it mows 11 acres.   And the others are right 4x4 is a must, you'd be surprised how quick you can get stuck in soft wet ground without it.

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 7:40 p.m.

In reply to JThw8 :

Here's a picture.  Pretty mild. 

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
2/20/23 7:49 p.m.

Finish cut mowers are for nice, clean lawns without rocks, stumps and trash in them.

Rough cut mowers have hinged blades that swing out of the way when you find a rock with them. 

Instead of fixing a gearbox, you only have to sharpen a blade.

759NRNG
759NRNG PowerDork
2/20/23 8:15 p.m.

The experts have spoken STAMPSTER......do it

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
2/20/23 8:21 p.m.

Stay away from newer John Deere tractors. 

They're the Harley Davidson of tractors now. You get to pay more because it's green.

The local JD dealer could never get the correct parts for the machines my boss had, I don't know why he put up with it.

Stampie,

I mow a ditch like that with my big zero-turn every week. The same zero-turn i mow the lawn with.   But, I know you really want a tractor.  Who doesn't?  The property is just a big sandbox waiting to be played in, if you own a tractor.  smiley

Get a tractor.  Can I borrow it?

bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter)
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
2/20/23 9:57 p.m.

I had one of these.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/charts/backhoe-loaders/jcb/midi-cx/47495

It is actually a hydrostatic tractor with a drawbar and three point hitch behind the removable backhoe. It is around 50 hp. It has a bobcat quick attach and high flow hydraulics to the front. I got this one because it came with a cab, AC and a swivel seat but Yanmar and John Deere also make a version. 

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/20/23 11:10 p.m.
Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:

Stampie,

I mow a ditch like that with my big zero-turn every week. The same zero-turn i mow the lawn with.   But, I know you really want a tractor.  Who doesn't?  The property is just a big sandbox waiting to be played in, if you own a tractor.  smiley

Get a tractor.  Can I borrow it?

Zero turns are for city folks wanting to look country.  I'm trying to return to my roots.  You're first in line for borrowing whatever I get.

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
2/20/23 11:39 p.m.

In reply to bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) :

Sounds like our Kubota.

Being able to use skid steer attachments is great.

Hydrostatic transmissions are wonderful.

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