talk to me about cheap tractors

[scooters]

Business grows and so does our site which is a number of farm buildings, at the moment we move plant and jobs around using the trucks or vans as tows, this eats clutches and wastes time and fuel.

Therefore im in the market for a tractor. Budget will be about 1200 quid, deisel and unsophisticated so it can run on veg or kerosene. Now, whilst there are loads of 2nd hand 20 year old wrecks for sale for 500 quid, it occurred to me that getting an old classic tractor might be better fun. So I was thinking MF, International Harvester, fordson etc. I know bugger all about this. Tough simple mechanics and the ability to tow 2 tonnes. Not any hurry here but anyone got any advice?

[dollywobbler]

Would a Landy not be a better bet? Get an old Disco, keep it in low box, front-mounted tow bar, sorted. Even better, you can use it for other stuff too.

[scooters]

Nah, need a pto or a flywheel. Already got shite trucks, classic tractor a lot smaller than a truck as well so more versatile.

[M'coli]

MF35s and 135s are highly desireable, so I'd advise to steer clear of them, especially as they fit on the back of small trailers and flatbed vans.

Oddly enough, my old boss never had any problems with a 1970s Leyland that he'd used as the front-loader tractor up until he bought a Zetor 4wd job in 89/90. It had a backhoe fitted on it when I worked there in 92, and it was re-used as the front-loader when the Zetor started to split in two around about the gearbox mounts. It never, never, failed to start, even after being unused for 6 months or more.

[michael1703]

Paint 'Trotters Indepandant Trading' on this

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electricars-T ... 2a27dd2f51

[Albert Ross]

Up your ante just a tadge, and get this. Fordson Super Major. Heavy Duty, start well, powerful, good parts availability, and too heavy to lob on the average trailer.

Also, it's in Bonnie Scotland already. and it's a BIN.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fordson-Super ... 337f428126

[scruff]

That Major's a barg. Look for a shot engine and knacked hydraulics at that money but they are dead simple and you can buy everything for them. I believe the pumps on them are grot-fuel friendly too; most MF stuff will be Perkie powered and run Lucas CAV pumps as will Leyland.

Personally I would be looking for a International, Leyland/Nuffield or as suggested a Zetor which is surely the shiteist's tractor (they are actually pretty good). A Leyland's a great tractor with proven BMC engine and running gear. If you want a front loader my advice would be buy a tractor that's never had one and then buy a loader to fit; most small classic loader tractors are well and truly shagged out.

A Belarus is even more shite but I guess a bit modern as you've mentioned "cla55ic".

Go and buy one of the many tractor mags and have a browse.

[M'coli]

Shouldn't you be able to legitimately run a tractor on cherry?

[HillmanImp]

Did you hear about the magic tractor?

 

It turned into a field.

 

http://instantrimshot.com/

[hairnet]

Shouldn't you be able to legitimately run a tractor on cherry?

 

loophole gone long time sadly

 

farm work only now

[scooters]

Yeah, thanks folks, saw that fordson the other day. Might go and check it out, only 5 miles away.

Will report back!

 

good call on leyland as well, I have heard they are very tough.

[trigger]

That Fordson's £1500 + VAT so It's over your £1200 budget, you'll struggle to get much cheaper though.

[trigger]

I doubt you'll do much better then this, and it's just up the road.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/David-Brown-1 ... 257a0477bc

 

With a 3584cc Diesel engine. http://www.dbtc.co.uk/index.php?module= ... ew&pid=102

[cort16]

Scooters you should get yourself up to Wilsons Auctions in Dalry (Ayrshire) on Saturday as there's a plant auction on selling all kinds of useful stuff.

Like this tug

 

http://www4.amstock.co.uk/wilsons/stock/StockDetail2011.aspx?lot=n/a&sale=134601&stock=comm&site=dalry&regno=PL-325519&f=0

 

or this

http://www4.amstock.co.uk/wilsons/stock/StockDetail2011.aspx?lot=n/a&sale=134601&stock=comm&site=dalry&regno=PL-325535&f=0

 

http://www.wilsonsauctions.com/plant-machinery-location/50