What tractor for ploughing 15 acres?

tommydog

Member
Arable Farmer
I have just purchased a property with 15 acres of land and am interested in growing crops (animal farming does not interest me). I know I could hire equipment / get contractors in, but I want to be as independent as possible. What tractor would people suggest I buy? Ideally I would like an older tractor that is simple to maintain myself. Something like an old Ford maybe? Ideally I would not want to spend more than 10k. What would people suggest?
 

glasshouse

Member
Location
lothians
I have just purchased a property with 15 acres of land and am interested in growing crops (animal farming does not interest me). I know I could hire equipment / get contractors in, but I want to be as independent as possible. What tractor would people suggest I buy? Ideally I would like an older tractor that is simple to maintain myself. Something like an old Ford maybe? Ideally I would not want to spend more than 10k. What would people suggest?
I can sell u an international 72 hp for £9,999
 

tommydog

Member
Arable Farmer
But be warned: it’s going to cost you an absolute fortune for just 15 acres! Not just a tractor and plough, but all the other equipment too.

What other "expensive" equipment do you feel is a necessity? My main motivation is to do this as a hobby, so I'm not trying to balance the books and make it commercially viable. Whatever it costs me it costs me (within reason!)
 

Cowabunga

Member
Location
Ceredigion,Wales
Something reasonably modern with 60 to 75hp, auto trailer hitch with trailer brake facility plus two independent spool valves [four rear quick release couplings] would give maximum versatility. Good used ones are very expensive because professional farmers trade very few tractors this small any longer. They are out there though. Something like an MF375 or 390, Ford 4610, JD 2040 or newer. No need for 4wd unless your land is steep or boggy, although from 1990 onwards the majority will be 4wd. Have a look at a new MF global series or Kubota in the 70hp region and you might be tempted. Bit of overkill but a safer bet for your cash than many.
 

MrNoo

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Cirencester
A decent MF35 or even a T20 TEF would do everything, after all what did they use use in the old days???
We had 3 Super Dexta's and 3 TS-59 ploughs to do the whole place 400ac. Modern stuff is fine and dandy, expensive for 15ac, at least the old stuff is easy to fix
 
There are people who take part in ploughing competitions but have no land to practice, you need to contact them
Regarding buying tractor all you need is basic Machine ... I know one person who is IH expert who would help you find suitable tractor
 

tommydog

Member
Arable Farmer
A decent MF35 or even a T20 TEF would do everything, after all what did they use use in the old days???
We had 3 Super Dexta's and 3 TS-59 ploughs to do the whole place 400ac

Out of interest what would your preference be? The Super Dexta's or the MF35 or T20?
 

bravheart

Member
Location
scottish borders
You will need a tractor, harrow, seed drill, roller, sprayer and perhaps a fertiliser spreader depending on the grain drill you buy. That'll get you to harvest time then a decent grain trailer will be required to keep up with the contractors combine (don't even think about buying your own).

And what do you intend to do with the produce from this 15acres?
You will need to be a member of a quality assurance club before anyone can buy it. Also spray certificates will be needed.

Buy a tractor and plough if you want but stop there you will have a much easier and healthier lifestyle letting a contractor take the strain.
 

tommydog

Member
Arable Farmer
Ideally, you need to learn how to plough first.
Yes that's a good point. I have many years experience of growing vegetables over 1/4 acre (I used a rotovator for that), but I have no experience of mechanised farming whatsoever. Can anyone recommend any books / videos which are aimed at the beginner and show you where to start? Also I am not sure if there are any short course over a couple of days? Most of the courses I see are serious courses for people wanting to learn commercial farming and gain qualifications.
 

Bogweevil

Member
I have just purchased a property with 15 acres of land and am interested in growing crops (animal farming does not interest me). I know I could hire equipment / get contractors in, but I want to be as independent as possible. What tractor would people suggest I buy? Ideally I would like an older tractor that is simple to maintain myself. Something like an old Ford maybe? Ideally I would not want to spend more than 10k. What would people suggest?

Plant an orchard. Farm crops are unremunerative. Fruit and nuts might be.
 

MrNoo

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Cirencester
Out of interest what would your preference be? The Super Dexta's or the MF35 or T20?
I have both MF35's and Tef20's, the 35 has live drive hydraulics which is useful both will still do a good days work. I do a lot of match ploughing with my TEF20 so actually favour that but then biased!! We plough all the gamecover plots with Tef20's and match ploughs just for fun.
The other day I had a 7ac part field that is due to go into Countryside Stewardship so got a couple of my match ploughing friends over, they had it done in a couple of days and were as happy as pigs in shite!
Trouble is non of it is "trendy" and yet Ferguson has everything to produce and grow grain, plough, cultivator, drill etc etc
 

tommydog

Member
Arable Farmer
You will need a tractor, harrow, seed drill, roller, sprayer and perhaps a fertiliser spreader depending on the grain drill you buy.

I may be missing something, but for old / vintage stuff on Ebay I have seen relatively cheap seed drills and harrow's (for a couple of thousand pounds). Or is that equipment no good? It's only 15 acres, so it will not get much use.

As for sprayers, that's not a heavy task, so would a quad bike not be up to that? It's only 15 acres and I have seen sprayers for quads.
 

puppet

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
sw scotland
Old 2wd for £4000. 3 furrow conventional plough, not reversible for £1000.
Small set of mounted discs £1000. Drag harrows £300. 8 foot roller £400. ( I have one worth less than that but too far away).
Round about £7k should get you some fun. Don't try spraying, fertiliser or seeding as you will just make a bliddy mess. Whereas your messy ploughing will be hidden by the discs before all the neighbours start laughing.
Don't bother with courses, find a friendly farmer who will enjoy setting it up - and that bottle of whisky.
 

Stock

Member
I may be missing something, but for old / vintage stuff on Ebay I have seen relatively cheap seed drills and harrow's (for a couple of thousand pounds). Or is that equipment no good? It's only 15 acres, so it will not get much use.

As for sprayers, that's not a heavy task, so would a quad bike not be up to that? It's only 15 acres and I have seen sprayers for quads.
Crop clearance.....................................................................................
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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