Tractor

[Gareth J]

If you're veering into classic territory, you'll pay a premium. Especially if it's a classic that can do useful work. But also if it's looked after it should hold it's value.

Loaders are a tricky one. They quickly become poorly maintained and are loose as as a wizards sleeve long before the tractor is at the end of its life. Doesn't stop them working but does make things a bit knobbly to operate.

What do you want to do? Any fieldwork? A loader thats easy to take off is a real help if so. Time of year/ground conditions? Do you need 4wd? If not, do you need a tractor? Or a rough terrain forklift?

 

[Erie Fred]

What do the dogs think of the Ford ?

 

[Turbo]

Depends on what you want it for but that ford is a light duty tractor and you might find it underpowered. They are also blessed with one of the worst shift patterns ever designed. Its also way overpriced, they're aiming for the collector market.

That case would be my choice. It may not be as clean and higher hours but they are a well made robust tractor that will last you for years. It is more modern, nicer to drive plus it has a loader fitted.

 

[Blobber]

For £500 less you could have this.
Well thought of tractor from a well regarded seller

Pardon our interruption...

Its plus vat and delivery, it's massive for a 12acre small holding, but I like your thinking!

Depends on what you want it for but that ford is a light duty tractor and you might find it underpowered. They are also blessed with one of the worst shift patterns ever designed. Its also way overpriced, they're aiming for the collector market.

That case would be my choice. It may not be as clean and higher hours but they are a well made robust tractor that will last you for years. It is more modern, nicer to drive plus it has a loader fitted.

We're running 28hp at present so I'm thinking 50hp is a good increase, yep the shift pattern did look a bit crazy! Trouble is the more modern it gets they seem to be more complicated and specialised to fix?
Don't know I'm going round in circles at the moment!

 

[addjunkie]

Its plus vat and delivery, it's massive for a 12acre small holding, but I like your thinking!

We're running 28hp at present so I'm thinking 50hp is a good increase, yep the shift pattern did look a bit crazy! Trouble is the more modern it gets they seem to be more complicated and specialised to fix?
Don't know I'm going round in circles at the moment!

If in doubt….do nowt!

 

[Blobber]

If you're veering into classic territory, you'll pay a premium. Especially if it's a classic that can do useful work. But also if it's looked after it should hold it's value.

Loaders are a tricky one. They quickly become poorly maintained and are loose as as a wizards sleeve long before the tractor is at the end of its life. Doesn't stop them working but does make things a bit knobbly to operate.

What do you want to do? Any fieldwork? A loader thats easy to take off is a real help if so. Time of year/ground conditions? Do you need 4wd? If not, do you need a tractor? Or a rough terrain forklift?

It's for small bale haymaking, grass cutting and hedge cutting so I can imagine the loader would make stuff a bit difficult getting in the way, we really don't need 4 wheel drive but I guess it depends what turns up!

 

[More Amps]

Plenty of tractors out there - in your shoes, I'd be biding my time for the right tractor around 50 - 60 hp, and if you're worried about the loader then go for one that is easily demountable like Quicke etc

 

[addjunkie]

It's for small bale haymaking, grass cutting and hedge cutting so I can imagine the loader would make stuff a bit difficult getting in the way, we really don't need 4 wheel drive but I guess it depends what turns up!

A pal of mine does all that with an old massey 135.

 

[Gareth J]

It's for small bale haymaking, grass cutting and hedge cutting so I can imagine the loader would make stuff a bit difficult getting in the way, we really don't need 4 wheel drive but I guess it depends what turns up!

Then you're probably limited by the size of available bailers and trimmers. Minescule mowers and toppers can be picked up but I don't know if micro hedge trimmers or bailers will be easy to come by. A well matched size machine /tractor is important. If you want to trim in the conservationally acceptable window (winter) and you've any kind of hills or wet ground, you may well be glad of 4wd.

While the freedom to do what you want/need when you want to use hard to put a price on, it's always interesting to cost compare buying the slightly bigger kit needed to do a job yourself for x years and have to sit in the seat doing it, with just picking up the phone to a contractor.

i.e, if you decided to contract out the hedge trimming, for example, it might let you confidently get a smaller, cheaper tractor. The saving of which would pay for several years trimming. Hypothetically.

 

[chrismac]

Depends on what you want it for but that ford is a light duty tractor and you might find it underpowered. They are also blessed with one of the worst shift patterns ever designed. Its also way overpriced, they're aiming for the collector market.

That case would be my choice. It may not be as clean and higher hours but they are a well made robust tractor that will last you for years. It is more modern, nicer to drive plus it has a loader fitted.

does have the same shift pattern as the 5000's ? took a bit of getting used to if so right enough.
Definetly priced in the enthusiast price range though I would say, nice though, for the right money I'd have one even with the gearbox.

 

[More Amps]

A pal of mine does all that with an old massey 135.

But if you want tunes and a heater and a roof over your head...

 

[Turbo]

does have the same shift pattern as the 5000's ? took a bit of getting used to if so right enough.
Definetly priced in the enthusiast price range though I would say, nice though, for the right money I'd have one even with the gearbox.

1 2 4
3 R

The only thing going for it is 2nd and R opposite each other and handy for shuttle work like buckraking.

 

[chrismac]

1 2 4
3 R

The only thing going for it is 2nd and R opposite each other and handy for shuttle work like buckraking.

yep thats the same as the 5000 was, spend a few hours on one of the with an old loader and now power steering.... wow it would whip the steering wheel out your hand with a bail on the front if you weren't paying attention,

 

[Blobber]

Then you're probably limited by the size of available bailers and trimmers. Minescule mowers and toppers can be picked up but I don't know if micro hedge trimmers or bailers will be easy to come by. A well matched size machine /tractor is important. If you want to trim in the conservationally acceptable window (winter) and you've any kind of hills or wet ground, you may well be glad of 4wd.

While the freedom to do what you want/need when you want to use hard to put a price on, it's always interesting to cost compare buying the slightly bigger kit needed to do a job yourself for x years and have to sit in the seat doing it, with just picking up the phone to a contractor.

i.e, if you decided to contract out the hedge trimming, for example, it might let you confidently get a smaller, cheaper tractor. The saving of which would pay for several years trimming. Hypothetically.

We've a International harvester 440 baler and a decent turner, we've also a drum mower but the Leyland won't pick it up hence wanting a tractor a bit bigger, being at the mercy of contractors is what I want to avoid especially for the hay cutting, I've a hedge flail I can buy when I've something to put it on

 

[Blobber]

But if you want tunes and a heater and a roof over your head...

This!

 

[Blobber]

1 2 4
3 R

The only thing going for it is 2nd and R opposite each other and handy for shuttle work like buckraking.

But if you've nothing to compare it too is it going to be odd? I've not used anything apart from the Leyland so it might be OK?

 

[More Amps]

Give it five minutes and it'll be second nature.

 

[Turbo]

Give it five minutes and it'll be second nature.

I grew up driving David Browns since I was fit to reach the pedals.
In latter years I've driven masseys and I still get it wrong as 1st and reverse are the opposite way around from the db.

DB
1 3
R 2

MF
R 2
1 3
I think? ?

As for the ford box, it defies logic as the gears should go up sequentially across the gate like a car.

This is what it should be like.

R 2 4
1 3

 

[Geoffm]

I use 4wd quite often, say when pushing into a heap, but could get away without it. I wouldn't get a tractor in your case without a loader, as it is so useful to have. I would also make sure it has power steering as it makes maneuvering easier. Make sure it has rear hydraulic ports, preferably 2 sets. 3rd service hydraulic outlets on the loader is nice as you can run soft hands for bales, a grapple or a 4-1 bucket.
If it doesn't come with a eurohitch quick hitch, then plan on fitting one at some stage. You can get generic ones and fab mounts. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stuff-you-have-made-today.67127/page-966#post-1950795 it means you can swap attachments in a couple of minutes. Very handy to have pallet forks and buckets and grapples.

 

[Agrismith]

Its plus vat and delivery, it's massive for a 12acre small holding, but I like your thinking!

Clarkson has proved that impractically big tractors are the way forwards.
Plus bigger tractors are better on hedge cutters and you have to look after your own safety.
10hp per acre seems reasonable to me.