[Farmall] OT: Compact tractor needs

[Mark]

Given all the great feedback, I'm starting to think maybe I should look at 
some other options. Specifically, I'm thinking about older utility machines. 
I did some reading on the Ford's (8N, Jubilee, etc). As a working tractor, I 
know what a pain it is to not have live hyd. Given that, I did some looking 
at Ford 601's. Anyone have comments / input / etc on the Fords? There seem 
to be lots of them out there and many with loaders. Is there a similar IH 
utility that would have live hyd, are abundant and have loaders readily 
avail?

Mark


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karl Olmstead" <olmstead at ridgenet.net>
To: "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 11:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Farmall] OT: Compact tractor needs


> As Mike stated, prices on 4wd diesel compact tractors are very high.  I 
> bit the bullet and bought one of the 100-hour rental units offered in CA. 
> The tractors are leased out for one grape harvest, no more than 100 hours 
> of use, and then sold at a significant discount.  The tractors are used to 
> pull wagons during harvest (often driven by children).  Even with the 
> discount, the 24-hp Kubota I bought with new loader and box scraper was 
> about $18K, ten years ago.  But if you own property, it's really hard to 
> get along without a tractor and loader.  As a back saver, a loader or 
> forklift has no equal.
>
> I realize that your need is fairly urgent, but my best advice to you is to 
> keep your eyes open.  Every year or so I see a fairly good deal.  Last one 
> I saw was on eBay; it was a 20hp Kubota with loader for around $5K up in 
> northern CA.  I almost bid on it, knowing that it could be resold for 
> thousands more.
>
> Diesel is the only way to go.  The tractor will sit for long periods 
> between jobs, and gasoline has far too short of shelf life.  You'd be 
> constantly troubled by gummed up carburetor on a gasoline engine equipped 
> tractor.
>
> In general, any of the Japanese brands are good.  If you've done any 
> research, it will become obvious that you're buying a foreign-built 
> tractor, regardless of the American-sounding brand name.  And John Deere 
> still commands a premium.  Must be the color.
>
> Incidentally, your list of accessories is right.  PTO, hydraulics, 3-pt 
> hitch.  And in a smaller tractor, 4WD is essential unless you want to 
> leave chains on it all the time.
>
> -Karl
>
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