[AT] Misc tractor recommendations?

[jtchall at nc.rr.com]

Unless I'm confused, the M you have is WAY too nice to get dirty. Having 
said that, other than towing a trailer around, there isn't much you can do 
with it. The one here is only used for field work, no farm chores, just too 
cumbersome.

For maintaining the property, I would want something fairly modern--3pt, 
live PTO, 12 volt, power steering. Also it would have to be something 
reliable and that parts and a knowlegable mechanic are available locally. 
Green, Red, Blue or Orange, you need the same work machine as everyone else 
in the neighborhood.

Every tractor here is older than me except one. It is a chore sometimes to 
keep all of them ready and reliable at a moments notice. We got in a 
situation just a few years back in which all the lawnmowers were ancient and 
worn out (dad had amassed 3 Deeres and 3 Cadets). Not having enough money to 
put them all in top condition, I got dad to sell 3 and I bought a huge 
Cadet. He never complained and I don't have to help fix a lawnmower every 
week. Plus it covers 3 times the grass in the same time frame.

If you really want an old tractor to maintain the place, look into one that 
has been rebuilt from the radiator to the drawbar, or get a fixer-upper and 
do the work yourself.

Woods makes a great finish mower. My cousin mows his 2 acre front yard every 
week with one, aprox 7 foot cut, behind a 35-40hp Deere. It has 4 gauge 
wheels heavy enough to carry the mower completely. It cuts as pretty as any 
lawnmower ever built.

Just my $.02
John Hall



-----Original Message----- 
From: Dean Vinson
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 7:19 PM
To: 'Antique tractor email discussion group'
Subject: [AT] Misc tractor recommendations?

My rural home-hunting plans are proceeding, and it appears we may have a
deal on a very nice old 35-acre place.  That's prompted me to consider what
types of equipment I'll need, and I'd be happy for any advice you folks on
the list can offer.

Going in, my lone piece of equipment is a 1953 Super M Farmall, which
besides being just cool as heck will no doubt serve nobly on a whole range
of general chores--but isn't ideal for some of the things I'm considering.

First up is plowing snow.  This place has a moderate-length gravel driveway
(couple hundred yards maybe) that according to the current owners tends to
get drifted over pretty deep now and then during the winter.  Any
recommendations on how to handle it?  I'm thinking 3-point rear blade on a
utility tractor, which would be a useful combination anyway.

There's also a sizeable amount of lawn to mow, more than I'll want to do
with my trusty walk-behind push mower.  The current owners use a Kubota ZD28
zero-turn mower which they might sell rather than haul to their new home.
I'm tempted, especially if the price is right (don't know yet), but I'd
previously envisioned something like a Farmall Super A with a mower deck.
Any ideas for an old-tractor option that would let me finish mow in the
summer and do some light snowplowing in the winter?

(An Oliver OC-3 with a dozer blade and a flail mower, maybe?  Can't blame a
guy for trying).

Dean Vinson
Dayton, Ohio
www.vinsonfarm.net


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