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Kaydee
Farmgirl at Heart

6 Posts

Kelli
Texas
USA
6 Posts

Posted - Jul 28 2011 :  11:38:40 AM  Show Profile
I loved the article a while back on tractors but was wondering if anyone had specific recommendations on their easy to use tractors. I'm looking in the 35 HP range but haven't yet decided on one. Hope to find a good used one! I have never operated a tractor before so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is the meaning of success. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl

1675 Posts

Megan
Paint Lick KY
USA
1675 Posts

Posted - Aug 01 2011 :  6:54:47 PM  Show Profile
My husband who used to work at a JD dealership (recently quit) says that's a tough call because for ag use you want to stay away from hydrostatic. Many of the tractors in that range are hydrostatic. JD makes a D series which would be a 45D-they only make it in 2 WD. It's also an import tractor. (read: cheap)

He also wants to know if you're looking for PTO horsepower or engine horsepower. A tractor that has 35 PTO horsepower will have 45 engine horsepower. :)

Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl

1675 Posts

Megan
Paint Lick KY
USA
1675 Posts

Posted - Aug 01 2011 :  7:00:56 PM  Show Profile
He says you should look at some of the small ag tractors from the early 80's made by John Deere. They hold their value well and are workhorses. Most were made in Germany. 2040 was a popular tractor, but may be a bit oversized for what you need if you're looking for just a tractor and don't want to buy anything new. Keep in mind that if you buy new, your tractor depreciates 25% as soon as you pull it off the lot!

Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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gathered herb
True Blue Farmgirl

87 Posts

Patty
Ormond Beach florida
USA
87 Posts

Posted - Aug 20 2011 :  3:32:44 PM  Show Profile
I too have been looking at tractors. I only have 5 acres. I mostly need it for mowing?? looked a JD today... Looking at JD because I can get a discount. Plus, I am alone... need something I can depend on... any suggestion? patty
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl

1675 Posts

Megan
Paint Lick KY
USA
1675 Posts

Posted - Aug 21 2011 :  5:15:31 PM  Show Profile
I'll ask him when he gets back in from the field. :) What else would you use it for? I mean, if you're ONLY going to use it for mowing, he'd probably tell you to get a mower ;).

Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl

1044 Posts

Paula
Holt Missouri
USA
1044 Posts

Posted - Aug 22 2011 :  06:18:29 AM  Show Profile
Don't forget the 4 wheel drive option when looking at tractors. It will get you out of trouble time and time again. You will need it on grassy hillsides in the Summer, in the mud in the Spring, and in the snow in the Winter.

Paula

Farmgirl Sister #3090
A Beehive is the ultimate Home Sweet Home
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gathered herb
True Blue Farmgirl

87 Posts

Patty
Ormond Beach florida
USA
87 Posts

Posted - Aug 23 2011 :  08:44:26 AM  Show Profile
Thanks... I think you are right on Megan. It is cheaper to hire the heavy work out... so I started to look at bigger mowers. I still like the john deere... Lowes seem to have the best selection to look at... My land is pretty flat... & then I could buy a wheeler... or gator to get around with. My mail box & garbage is almost a mile away...
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Kaydee
Farmgirl at Heart

6 Posts

Kelli
Texas
USA
6 Posts

Posted - Aug 23 2011 :  09:19:34 AM  Show Profile
Love all the information! Still looking. I think most of our heavy work will be sporadic also and can be hired out but we will need to do a little road grading yearly and I want to have an acre planted in cantaloupes/watermelons in Spring. Would really like to find a good used one but the used ones that are 3 or 4 years old are almost as much as the new ones. I have a Polaris Ranger to get the mail and take the garbage out--it has been a great purchase.

Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is the meaning of success. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl

1675 Posts

Megan
Paint Lick KY
USA
1675 Posts

Posted - Aug 23 2011 :  12:49:14 PM  Show Profile
If anyone else needs tractor recommendations my husband is really very talented in picking out one that will work for you-so let me know!

Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl

267 Posts

Jeanna
Franklin NC
USA
267 Posts

Posted - Nov 04 2011 :  7:06:15 PM  Show Profile
My husband was/is a tractor mechanic and salesman for Massy dealership. We had an older Massy and my husband said that old ones were fine unless they have a million hours on it. My suggestion is to look at the older ones and if you find one you like have a tractor mechanic look at it before you buy it. It might cost a little money but losing a little is better than buying a tractor that falls apart shortly after you buy it. Good luck.

Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl

652 Posts

Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts

Posted - Nov 04 2011 :  7:34:54 PM  Show Profile
We absolutely adore our Kubota. No really- it's in some of our wedding photos. We have the M59, and hubby bought it for many factors, one being that it's the largest you can have, load on a trailer and pull with a standard (equipped) pick-up. We have 10 acres and it's the perfect size for everything we need. It's built roads, culverts, downed trees, cleared brush, plowed the drive I don't know how many times, etc. It's a workhorse just like us. It's a 59 horsepower, so bigger than what you're looking for here, but if you have a local dealership, I'd check out their smaller models. We get the best customer service at our dealer :)

~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs.
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl

1675 Posts

Megan
Paint Lick KY
USA
1675 Posts

Posted - Dec 05 2011 :  07:40:15 AM  Show Profile
We've got the Kubota in some of our wedding pics, too! I miss it. We have a JD now.

Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl

235 Posts

Shari
Beryl UT
USA
235 Posts

Posted - Jun 17 2012 :  06:58:51 AM  Show Profile  Send therealshari a Yahoo! Message
We have a really small (JD2210) utility tractor. I think it's a Class 0 which means it's a little tough to find implements. It's hydrostatic, and is awesome for us. We use it to move hay, and anything else we put in or hang on bucket. It also has a box that we use to pull our sand around. We're thinking when it's paid off next year, we're going to add a Gator. After that, we'll trade up the JD for a Cat 1 so we can get more implements.

We're not getting any younger, so gotta make machines do as much as possible.


Shari Thomas, back after a 2 year break for heart issues. Ready to get on with life now.Four Country Gals
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Joey
True Blue Farmgirl

1868 Posts

Joey
Gulf Coast FL
USA
1868 Posts

Posted - Jul 14 2012 :  10:35:36 AM  Show Profile
I know nothing about tractors but my son-in-law who farms 1200 acres only uses the red tractors. He says they last longer than the green ones. Hope this helps. Joey

Well behaved women rarely make history.
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl

2045 Posts

Brenda
Lucas Ohio
USA
2045 Posts

Posted - Jul 17 2012 :  5:36:22 PM  Show Profile
Suddenly my husband, who previously collected keys, and then safes, has now for some unknown reason started collecting tractors. Specifically, Ford 8N tractors from the 50's and 60's. I am not sure how many horsepower, but they are small tractors.

I have a JD Gator, he does not want me to pull downed branches out of the orchards with it, says it is too much load, but I can pull them out with one of the 8Ns.

I understand an 8N goes for about $1200 to about $2000 depending on how much repair work is needed.



You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blogs at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com (farming) http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com (knitting) or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow
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