Buying a tractor.

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Buying a tractor.
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Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 8:12 am Post subject: Buying a tractor.

I have to buy a tractor. We sort of fell into our last one, and it was grand, although not big enough. I need one which can haul round bales of hay (I have rear forks), and a front loader bit would be handy for pushing crap about. I don't need much else. I've a budget of between ï¿½2-3000, I suppose.

As always, eBay is full of them, and there are farm auctions weekly roundabout. What are the bits I need to check on any tractor? I'm thinking starting, brakes, PTO, hydraulics and a dipstick test.

I'm planning on avoiding the Chinese imports, and looking at MF, Ford, David Brown, International.

This sort of thing, I guess, but I confess I'm lost. Anyone got tuppence worth to share, please?

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 8:43 am Post subject:
If you want a fore end loader I would get a machine with power steering. Our old MF 165 was a pig to steer with the loader on.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45708
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 9:19 am Post subject:
That's a lot cleaner than Richard's one (forgot to ask him ) Do you still want me to ask him?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 9:22 am Post subject:
I thought the nagging PM was a clue. However, if I wasn't clear enough, YES, please. Louise is looking for an excuse to visit you, anyway...

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 9:46 am Post subject:

Tavascarow wrote:

If you want a fore end loader I would get a machine with power steering.
Our old MF 165 was a pig to steer with the loader on.

With a front loader you really need 4 wheel drive too.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 10:13 am Post subject:

RichardW wrote:

Tavascarow wrote:

If you want a fore end loader I would get a machine with power steering.
Our old MF 165 was a pig to steer with the loader on.

With a front loader you really need 4 wheel drive too.

Why? He's only moving a few bales around & some other stuff occasionally, and with a budget of up to ï¿½3k. Those things would be nice, but not essential. It'll save him money on going to the gym, too.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45708
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 10:16 am Post subject:

Nick wrote:

I thought the nagging PM was a clue.

However, if I wasn't clear enough, YES, please.

Louise is looking for an excuse to visit you, anyway...

Alright let me check

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45708
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 10:22 am Post subject:
He says no. We've bought a hedge cutter (non flail type) which is going to be tricky to get on/off our little Ferrari so he's going to stick it on the International. It'll save him coming and swapping implements for the missus. (But you're still welcome to visit)

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 11:24 am Post subject:
OK, no drama. Thanks. And, as for 4WD, my land is wet, but not boggy, and flat. The most demanding job will be moving large hay bales in the snow.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 12:27 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

And, as for 4WD, my land is wet, but not boggy, and flat. The most demanding job will be moving large hay bales in the snow.

Trust me, even when moving bales (ok so it was silage so a bit heavier than hay) around the yard on hard standing we would get the MF165 2wd stuck in winter. Actually taking it in a field in winter was guaranteed to get it stuck. A large rear weight would help. But with your budget you will be very lucky to get 4wd & a loader any way. After a couple of years with the MF165 we bought a MF590 4wd. So much easier to get the work done.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 12:32 pm Post subject:
How much did you pay for the 590? I admit, on soft ground using a loader on soft ground can be challenging, but how do you manage to get one stuck on hard going?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 12:50 pm Post subject:
I lifted them on the back of a Ford 1100 last year, and didn't get stuck once. Pulled the odd wheelie, despite as many weights as I could fit on, tho, hence the requirement for something a tad larger. Front loader would really be as a bit of a bull dozer to move gash about when needing to.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 2:03 pm Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

How much did you pay for the 590?

I admit, on soft ground using a loader on soft ground can be challenging, but how do you manage to get one stuck on hard going?

It was about ï¿½3500 inc del (bit of a bargain) from a dealer Devon / Cornwall way. They often did runs to Holyhead so could drop it off when coming this way empty. Round here 4wd & loader = ï¿½5k plus vat minimum starting price for a wreck.

Used to get it stuck lifting silage to feed the cattle as the rear end would lift as they weighed so much. The yard was loose slate stone as well so the lowered weight on the rear would loose enough traction especially when wet / icy. You had to stop very gently or you would over balance. Should really have had a 1/2 ton weight on the back or antifreeze filled tyres.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 2:05 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

I lifted them on the back of a Ford 1100 last year, and didn't get stuck once.

Weight on the back helps with traction. Weight on the front reduces it.

Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 11 2:09 pm Post subject:
pfffft our JD is 2wd and our land flat and wet as it comes but I've not known Paul get stuck with it! Perhaps you just have to be a skillful driver damn paul won't be reading this so it's not even asif I'll get any brownie points!

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