Help in getting a small tractor

[jaffab]

Hi all,

I need advice and guidance in picking a tractor. Been pricing some up, but there are so many options, that I need somebody to guide me in the right direction.

So here is the breakdown:

- Small holding (12 acres)
- Its main job will be for moving stuff (soil, mess, hay, straw, feed etc) - so front loader is needed
- Will take on other low impact tasks - cable laying using a mole - so standard hook-ups at the back
- I know nothing about tractors - so looking for something reliable. I want to spend my time working, not fixing
- Has to be nimble - i.e, nothing over big or over heavy thats going to churn up the ground or cause problems getting around in terms of space
- Might be used for light land management - not ploughing, or anything heavy
- Budget is around £12k all in (this is flexible, but dont want to go too high).

I have been drawn to the Solis 26 which seems to be in my price range, and seems nice and compact (easy to get around, easy to store). The only downside is that its lift weight is 600kg, and we *might* want to move the larger round bales which will be over this - not sure if some forks can be fitted to the back of the 26... and the next one up will blow our budget (new).

But then came across this thread - https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/tractor-advice-needed-please.158304/page-3 - which raised some interesting options (e.g. Tafe, who I had never heard of). But the guy here is also doing more land management than us, so it went a bit off track for what we are looking at, and many people suggesting a MF120/130/135 (which seem to be buckets of rust, or the ones I have seen on ebay/similar, which makes me worry about reliability)..

I could go for something used, but if I turned the key and it didnt start - I would not know where to start... so I am drawn to something with warranties etc whilst I get familiar with it.

Currently based in Hampshire (England) - but would be looking to purchase for delivery early to mid next year in south east wales.

So looking for recommendations of makes, models, and dealers.

Thanks all

 

[delilah]

Given the parameters you set out, I would be looking at the option of saving the jobs up and hiring one in on a day rate from a neighbour. Tractors are a money pit.
edit: are you vat registered ?

 

[Dave W]

£12k is a healthy budget but you're not going to see much warranty for that.
you can however take your pick of 80hp loader tractors from the 80/90's. They shouldn't give much trouble if you find a nice example and any half decent mechanic will know their way around it

 

[Matthew Britton]

I agree with @delilah but if your set on one then look at the tafe. I seem to recall they are based on old Massey designs which should be fine for all you need.

 

[jaffab]

£12k is a healthy budget but you're not going to see much warranty for that.
you can however take your pick of 80hp loader tractors from the 80/90's. They shouldn't give much trouble if you find a nice example and any half decent mechanic will know their way around it

Care to suggest some makes/models?

 

[Turnip]

600kg should be enough to move hay bales, even the larger Heston bales (120x120x240) shouldn't weigh more than that. A Stoll bale spike is going to add 60kg but it has a load capacity of 1000kg. So of your 600kg you lose 60kg still leaving a healthy 540kg for hay.

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You can also use the 3 point attachments at the back of the tractor if you don't stack bales on top of each other which probably gives you more capacity.

Bale spike for 3-point frame

Make fuller use of your three-point frame and attach a bale spike. Buy today from Kellfri.

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My advice would be to look at what you want to do and figure out the power requirements for those jobs. For instance the lifting of hay we looked at above. If you want to till your fields using a rotavator have a look at some and usually they will give you the required PTO power.

For brands, the advice I was given on here was to look at the dealers in your area as after sales support is going to be more important than the nice cup of coffee you might get from the salesman. Also if there are independent mechanics in your area get to know them and see which brands they can handle.

Don't take this as wisdom as it is just information I have gathered over the last couple of months researching compact tractors myself.

 

[TripleSix]

If you forget the mole ploughing job - hire a tractor for that task.

A loader or skid steer would suit your job, and be a lot better to use than a tractor with a loader on it.

It would even do paddock topping with a suitable mower attachment

 

[Moors Lad]

Good dealers in the area is VERY important for repairs, etc. Don`t go too small if you`re handling bales..

 

[Kidds]

A "rust bucket" MF135 will do all of that fairly easily, will be more reliable than any of the other suggestions and everybody apart from you would know how to fix it if anything did go wrong.
You will get a very decent one and have change from that budget. Don't be fooled by the rusty appearance, they are very good tractors.
I have an even older MF35 and I am confident that is going to start every time and will do all the work you mention apart from lifting silage bales (no loader on it), doesn't look as shiny as a Solis but will go up in value not down.

You will get 101 different suggestions on here, a better move would be to find a good local ag mechanic/vintage tractor enthusiast. They would advise you better and be on hand if you need them.
If you are set on a modern tractor then find a good local dealer, word of mouth/reputation counts for more than anything.

 

[michael N123]

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I was thinking the Ford 335 fits the bill

Sales – Page 3 – Richard Baggott ltd.

www.richardbaggott.co.uk

 

[JP1]

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[Muck Spreader]

Don't think you would go far wrong with a TAFE (MF) for a smallholding, although I don't know if they are now blighted with emissions gubbins. But thousands of Indian farmers can't be wrong.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

just because you have a smallholding does not mean you need a "small" tractor, I would look at something about 65 to 70 hp (and I know that is small, I used to work on an arable farm where the 97hp tractor was the run around tractor), but a normal sized smaller tractor with a loader and 4wd is terribly useful in the winter, and a normal tractor will support normal kit, rather than the dinky toys that are aimed at the mini tractor market.

 

[Dry Rot]

For TWELVE ACRES!!!!! (And I promised my mother I'd never post when drink taken, but really!)/

 

[Tomr10]

I was thinking the Ford 335 fits the bill

Sales – Page 3 – Richard Baggott ltd.

www.richardbaggott.co.uk

Looks nice that

 

[Tomr10]

For TWELVE ACRES!!!!! (And I promised my mother I'd never post when drink taken, but really!)/

Ha ha jfdi

 

[Dry Rot]

Get yourself a decent MF 135. And if you are considering anything else, do a Google for "xxxx problems" and "xxx spares" (where x is your modern foreign import). If the first comes up with a lot of hits and not much for the second, pass it by. Then go and look on APPRECIATION on MF 135's and DEPRECIATIOM on your foreign imports. My 1970s 135 starts first time every time, summer or winter, and is worth a hell of a lot more that when I bought it. Now why is that? BTW, it is not for sale.

 

[Classichay]

David brown 1394 there’s a ruck on eBay for 4K decent tractors and simple!

 

[dave mountain]

Care to suggest some makes/models?

ford 5640/6640 if you can find one