[Farmall] OT: Compact tractor needs

[South Mountain Pharmacy]

You probably should also think about live PTO as well.  Nothing worse than 
mowing with a non-live pto tractor of course Hydrostat is better yet but 
hard to find in an "older" tractor.

Lane Freeman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark" <mark at ironacres.com>
To: "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Farmall] OT: Compact tractor needs


> 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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