I am thinking about getting a tractor for the shop. I need something to pull cars and motors around with. Any suggestions on brands or models to look for? Is it a pipe dream I could get something for under 4 grand?
tractor help needed
- Thread starter Drillbit
- Start date
The little diesel Kubota's are pretty tough units but can be pricey because people hold onto them for that reason. I used to have a couple old farm tractors (Farmall and International) when I was in CT that could be fitted with front end loaders and such. The Ford 8N is a nice old one that you can get loaders for and $4k isn't a bad price for a good non-show piece model.
I also know people that have purchased the Northern Tool (yes - made in China) tractors and beat the snot out of them with no issues. They are a bit pricier but are also 4wd and delivered right to your door.
Might also want to look into a Gator or Mule with a bed and mount an engine crane or hoist in the back to make a mini-wrecker.
I also know people that have purchased the Northern Tool (yes - made in China) tractors and beat the snot out of them with no issues. They are a bit pricier but are also 4wd and delivered right to your door.
Might also want to look into a Gator or Mule with a bed and mount an engine crane or hoist in the back to make a mini-wrecker.
Under $4K is not going to be the easiest unfortunately, but.... I had a Satoh Buck for a while, and it was awesome. It had a 3-Cylinder Diesel engine, four wheel drive, rear diff lock, and a front end loader. Mitsubishi bought Satoh in the early 80's and they were sold under both names for a while. Check out http://www.satohparts.com/ . You can usually find them in the $2K to $4K range.
Ditto the Ford 8n or 9n. I've got a '39 Ford 9n. It still runs, I can still get any part I need for it, and they can be bought all day long for around $2500. I don't think it would "lift" a whole truck but it'll pull damn near anything.
How would an 8N be in mud? The lot behind my shop gets pretty sloppy when it rains and I need something that can drag itself out.
8N/9N are nice tractors, probably close to worn out. I wwouldn't suggest a john Deere, ford or kubota
The 8N could be problematic in deep/gooey mud as it is rwd only. It does have the typical split rear brake system so you can walk yourself out of most anything but if it's really gooey on a regular basis, you may need to consider 4wd ones which are newer and pricier. Chains can help in mud too. Depends on what you want to spend...
Under $4k = pipe dream.
FWIW, I bought a skidloader less than a year ago. This translates into me never picking anything heavy up ever again. If I were you I'd get a skidloader. It will do everything you want it to do plus more. But in mud you probably want a track loader and not a wheel loader unless you get a set of chains for it. Track loaders cost more than wheel loaders. Expect to pay $8k+ for a used wheel loader. I got a used Gehl wheel loader with Bobcat controls and 62hp n/a CAT motor for $13k. I don't know how I lived life without it. One of the best things I've ever bought.
FWIW, I bought a skidloader less than a year ago. This translates into me never picking anything heavy up ever again. If I were you I'd get a skidloader. It will do everything you want it to do plus more. But in mud you probably want a track loader and not a wheel loader unless you get a set of chains for it. Track loaders cost more than wheel loaders. Expect to pay $8k+ for a used wheel loader. I got a used Gehl wheel loader with Bobcat controls and 62hp n/a CAT motor for $13k. I don't know how I lived life without it. One of the best things I've ever bought.
If you feel like a road trip, you could go for one of these: http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...=vehicle&searchPg=Main&rowCount=10&StartRow=1
You can get something that will work for $4K. You don't need as big of a tractor as you might think. If these are cars/trucks with wheels on them that actually turn you can get away with a 2wd all day long. 8/9N, gas Case, etc is fine. Don't bother with a Kubota, JD, etc. There are plenty of very solid 8/9Ns to be had for under $4K all day long. Especially down your way.
We ran Ford/New Holland 2000 series 2wd tractors a lot on a farm in MD. I only got one stuck once with a 8' bush hog on the back along a really wet area I never saw. These should be available in that price range too.
You could always stick with the British theme and get a Leyland tractor. They had some decent tractors in the Ford 9N/2000 series size.
But stick to a sub 40HP tractor. You're not pulling big hay wagons or round bailing quite yet there big boy.
We ran Ford/New Holland 2000 series 2wd tractors a lot on a farm in MD. I only got one stuck once with a 8' bush hog on the back along a really wet area I never saw. These should be available in that price range too.
You could always stick with the British theme and get a Leyland tractor. They had some decent tractors in the Ford 9N/2000 series size.
But stick to a sub 40HP tractor. You're not pulling big hay wagons or round bailing quite yet there big boy.
We had an older think around the early 90s 2-wheel drive Kubota compact tractor when in NY.
Sold it for $3,500 with rear brush hog type mower when moving to Europe.
Deals can be found.
And also only got it stuck once in the 4 years I owned it.
At the same time got my 4wd JD stuck in PA in an unseen wet area and that was a bear to get out - in was easy...
Sold it for $3,500 with rear brush hog type mower when moving to Europe.
Deals can be found.
And also only got it stuck once in the 4 years I owned it.
At the same time got my 4wd JD stuck in PA in an unseen wet area and that was a bear to get out - in was easy...
Definitely. My little old Farmall Cub was pretty tough and not much bigger than an oversized lawn tractor was able to pull a surprising amount of stuff. My IH 404 was 40hp and was quite a bit larger than the Farmall. Tractors get a lot bigger with more HP.
Now I think I want an old tractor again...
Definitely. My little old Farmall Cub was pretty tough and not much bigger than an oversized lawn tractor was able to pull a surprising amount of stuff. My IH 404 was 40hp and was quite a bit larger than the Farmall. Tractors get a lot bigger with more HP.
Now I think I want an old tractor again...
I like the little Cub lowboys, sub compact IHs and the like. Far more versatile tractor than the bigger ones. I guess it's in our DNA, but most people think bigger is better. Anything over 2500lbs or so is more than you need and only will get stuck a lot easier.
This is an great little 4wd tractor and will do a lot more than you think for under $4k. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/grd/4410669908.html Get a little finishing mower for it and use it around your double wide Marty. I still think a good 2wd is the way to go. Lighter weight and less maintenance.
I bought a Kubota BX series lawn tractor and even with the "turf" tires on it, it will go thru dam near anything. My large Deere bit the dust this last winter, so a new L3880 Kubota now sits where the deere used to be.
I use my simplicity legacy 24.5 3 cyl diesel garden tractor for pulling everything around my shop. Its only rwd but it has a locking rear dif. 4x4 garden tractors are fetching 5k+ I agree with the ford 9n its just finding one thats not beat to death