Tractors

[Montmorency]

Can anyone please offer advice? I am looking to buy a tractor as we are on clay and can never get farmers or contractors out when the fields are ready to be harrowed, rolled etc so by the time they can come we've missed the boat to do any meaningful repair. Consequently 2 are in a dreadful condition.

I'm looking for one to harrow, roll, run a 5/6ft topper over what can be very long, rough grass/reeds/heather in places. Ideally be able to rake the school at a push although I realise the bigger tractors might not be able to do this well.

Advice seems conflicted on whether to get a compact tractor or a smallish normal one. I'd rather not pay much more than £4000. I've looked at a local ford 4000 which had a fuel leak and a ford 4600 which was nice but is really bigger than I was initially thinking of.

I'm guessing the lighter the tractor the earlier we could get on to the land to roll? Or is this not a correct assumption?

And do you have any advice on what I, as a complete tractor novice, should look for when viewing? I could get a mechanic to look but they can't always do it at short notice.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[paddy555]

I have a new holland compact a 24hp. It is a brilliant little tractor, 4wd, and great for running the fertiliser spreader, pulling a small roller and a small set of harrows and the paddock cleaner. It would be great for raking in a school. My fields are sloping but in good condition so it is not too hard work for it. I am thinking of a 4ft topper for it. You can get compacts up to 45hp in the New Holland range and presumably most other makes are the same.
I got mine from a dealer and it was more that 4k. It was however in excellent condition and I left them a list of what I wanted doing (service wise). I did trust that dealer as I had dealt with them before. One thing to consider with a compact is the tyres. Many probably come with turf tyres which would be nice for going around the lawn but for working in a field you need tractor pattern tyres. I had to have the full set of tyres changed which was expensive. There was also the consideration as to whether the wheels would accommodate tractor pattern tyres. It leaves a lot less marks on the field than a larger tractor so yes, you could get out to work earlier however I would query unless you were going to get a much more powerful one whether it would do what you are describing especially over rough ground. Mine wouldn't. I have a large 4wd case for the rest of the work and I only got the compact to do the smaller stuff and to leave less marks on the field.

If you are considering a proper size tractor then consider if it is 2 or 4wd and decide which you need. Also look at the tyres. Tractor tyres are expensive. Make sure they are good enough for the work you want to do and will last a reasonable time. Look for oil leaks and in fact leaks of any of it's bodily fluids. Tractor parts and repairs are expensive so I would make sure you get a mechanic to check it over. I recently sold an old tractor. It was within your price range however I sold it for the simple reason it had so many faults. Unless you were a mechanic it would have cost a lot to get into reasonable order. (the person who bought it knew tractors inside out so not pulling the wool over their eyes) However I am sure there are many similar cheap tractors which need work doing on them.

The other thing I would consider before buying is whether the tractor comes with a loader. Loaders are very useful at handling dung etc. It is sometimes worth paying a bit more for one. OTOH you many not want one. Sometimes however with a tractor you get one and think how useful it is and how much more work it could do for you.

 

[pennyturner]

My 1963 MF35 hasn't missed a beat, and we have used it for everything from topping to bulldozing. Parts are readily available, and it won't lose value like a new one.

No cab though, so you need your thermals in winter!

 

[DD]

Zetors are good. if you have any kind of slope go for a 4WD whatever make you buy.

 

[Landcruiser]

We bought an old (1964?) MF 165 from a farm auction for £2500. It's been great, pulls a 6 ft topper and a big heavy roller with ease, anthough it does get stuck if the ground gets too wet. Like you OP, we are on clay, and only have 3 narrow acres so farmers big tractors do more damage than good. It's a basic machine with no hydraulics and no cab, but solid and parts are readily available. Just bought 2 new back tyres and hoping this helps it hold the ground.

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

My Dad has a passion for old tractors, as a result my cousin has a little grey Fergie that is used for rolling and topping on her land. Old tractors like that seem to go on and on.

 

[OWLIE185]

I have 80 acres of grassland and hedges to maintain but I don't own my own equipment as most the time it will be sitting around doing nothing.
I use a 'Grassland Contractor' to maintain my land rather than a farmer or farming contractor.
The Grassland Contractor has specialised equipment including cut and collect machines, rolls and specialised harrows etc. which are far better for maintaining grassland and are able to work in small paddocks.

 

[turnbuckle]

How many acres have you got to do?

And...beware...once you have one new bits of kit become irresistible!

 

[Pen]

We have a Siromer 20hp compact tractor. It was relatively cheap and is not the same quality as more established brands but we use it very successfully with a topper, mower, muck spreader, harrows and transport box. We also have a very ancient International 434 with a loader and this has been invaluable despite being extremely heavy on the steering. With smallish paddocks to tend your own small equipment is definitely the way to go.

 

[Montmorency]

Thank you for all the advice so far.

paddy555- Thank you for the long reply. That is what I was worried about with a compact, that they aren't really man enough for the job. . And I know we wouldn't find a decent one anywhere near the budget. Regarding a loader, one of the ones we looked at had one attached but I don't think we'd use it that much- and I was very aware of having to allow extra room for it in the front.

pennyturner- no cab is fine. Possibly even better as it could then fit in the barn. I'm finding some of the old MF35s are even more expensive though as they are wanted by all the classic tractor people.

Downton Dame- we are very flat so hopefully 2wd will be ok. I had heard zetors were good but there aren't many around (that I can find).

Owlie185- the trouble is that contractors can't necessarily come out when the ground needs it. Because of the clay you can't predict much in advance when it will be ready and then they are all booked up. And we have springs in the fields so when one part is ready it doesn't mean it all is. If we had our own machinery I could do the different bits as and when they dried up enough.

turnbuckle- only 9/10 acres. And I can imagine it gets addictive!

It's a pity I don't know anyone who is mechanically minded. I might have to go to night school to learn!

 

[Achinghips]

I have a compact tractor, it's lovely. Great at doing the arena too as its weight seems to help with depth in the corners. Also have a topper, scarifier, seeder and sprayer to go with. Be aware that you will need all that stuff too in time, though we hardly use the topper now as we enough horses for our land ... Three heavies on five acres. We don't use it for muck as that's trailered away so don't have the scoop attachment, you could spend forever!
It fits in our barn as it isn't that high. It's used about once a month so there's very little wear and tear and maintenance costs.. It was a good investment. Less nickable too than a quad.

 

[turnbuckle]

Compacts seem to trade at a premium, I would have thought anything 35hp to 50hp would be more than enough for you. Fuel leak shouldn't be too hard to fix - see if you can get a price for having it done?

Worth asking round local farmers to see what they have lying about....and loaders are a pretty useful thing to have. Honestly most older tractors are pretty bombproof - again, ask farmers to suggest a decent mechanic.

Remember to factor in cost of a topper and roller. And a harrow. And a post-rammer. And when you have it why not take another 10 acres for hay? You'll only need a mower and a tedder and a baler.....

Do implement sheds need planning?

 

[Dry Rot]

I've an MF135 and have had it for about 25 years. Get a decent one (and £4,000 should do that) and look after it and it will actually appreciate in value.

There are plenty of parts out there, all the equipment you will ever need, and loads of enthusiasts and advice.

Do take someone experienced with you when you view as tractors are like horses. It's not the pretty ones that are always the best value!

 

[case895]

Compacts are fine if your land is flat as they are notorious for rolling over on banks.

Get a mounted spring time harrow as they really get down in to the soil.

Loader arms are fab - forks and bucket.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I've got a kubota 35hp compact tractor. No cab. It's great. It has grass tyres on it which make less mess and a loader with bucket. Very handy. I have a small flail mower for it and chain harrows. Would like a roller. It's very reliable and idiot proof.

 

[Achinghips]

If you have clay, you probably won't need a roller due to the problem of compaction, In fact, with clay an aerator would be better. Harrows level it and break it up. You may need additional fine tine ones to pull out the moss and thatch.

 

[ironhorse]

Look for a good Korean/Chinese/Japanese brand - Kubota, Kioti, Shibaura etc - the old MFs and Fords have become very collectable which pushes the price up - ideally with a loader. Local farming mags or websites are a good place to ask, or go to a tractor dealer and ask if they know of anything. 40/50hp is ideal for paddock work.

 

[TTK]

My 1963 MF35 hasn't missed a beat, and we have used it for everything from topping to bulldozing. Parts are readily available, and it won't lose value like a new one.

No cab though, so you need your thermals in winter!

We are on clay and have a Massey Ferguson 35X 1963. It cost me £3.8K and is in as new condition. Does everything, harrowing with 8' folding frame harrow, topping with a 6' topper, sand school with a 3 row of tines, 2 crumb roller grader. And it pulls fallen trees across the field, tows the double axle caravan out, etc. Starts every time. You won't be sorry if you buy one. Don't buy a compact, they are not man enough and can have suspect electrics.