What tractor #35967

[ImLost]

I know there have been similar threads run before, but the question varies slightly from thread to thread, so I thought I would start my own.

I have little clue about machinery and tractors, but it is looking likely I'll be needing one this winter.
All I really need it for at the moment would be feeding/bedding up cattle with round bales.
However, it would be a big outlay for what I am doing at the moment, so I thought I may as well get something that I can use to top/mow, pull a trailer with, muck out etc. General and simple farm tasks.

However, I have no real clue about makes and models. How many Hp do I need as a minimum? What is the maximum Hp I would really need? Would it be better for me to buy new so I have something with warranty as I don't have much clue about fixing machinery?
Localish dealers are new Holland and John deere.
I had thought about getting a mini digger with a grab on for moving bales, which I could then use to haul muck out of the shed at the end of winter, but that then limits my other uses.

 

[Netherfield]

I'm lost as well

 

[ImLost]

I'm lost as well

Pressed post before I had finished! Fat fingers lol.

 

[Highland Mule]

Horsepower doesn’t matter as long as you can lift your bales of feed. I’d say you could get off with a 35 or similar with an ancient loader (say £2-4k), but would do better with an older mainstream NH 35 series/ MF200/300/500 series or newer - probably a max £10k purchase with 4wd or a bit less (and less useful) in 2wd. If going more than £5k, make sure it’s comfortable lifting a tonne, so you can get feed in tote bags.

You only need more than 60hp if you’re cultivating or doing a lot of road work.

 

[Skintagain]

Horsepower doesn’t matter as long as you can lift your bales of feed. I’d say you could get off with a 35 or similar with an ancient loader (say £2-4k), but would do better with an older mainstream NH 35 series/ MF200/300/500 series or newer - probably a max £10k purchase with 4wd or a bit less (and less useful) in 2wd. If going more than £5k, make sure it’s comfortable lifting a tonne, so you can get feed in tote bags.

You only need more than 60hp if you’re cultivating or doing a lot of road work.

I would but a david brown 90 series with 4wd and a loader. Straight gearbox no hydrashift. Good old simple tractors with good loaders. 5-7k would buy you something nice. If you outgrow it you can sell it and move on.

 

[delilah]

Ask whoever is going to be fixing it for you. You will hopefully have someone in mind to be your mechanic, you don't want to be getting a red one and then spending the next 10 years having them saying "I bloody hate these things I wish you had got a blue one", or whatever.
After that, MF390.

 

[Nithsdale]

Horsepower doesn’t matter as long as you can lift your bales of feed. I’d say you could get off with a 35 or similar with an ancient loader (say £2-4k), but would do better with an older mainstream NH 35 series/ MF200/300/500 series or newer - probably a max £10k purchase with 4wd or a bit less (and less useful) in 2wd. If going more than £5k, make sure it’s comfortable lifting a tonne, so you can get feed in tote bags.

You only need more than 60hp if you’re cultivating or doing a lot of road work.

I would advise against the likes of an old 35. I think modern silage bales would be hell to shift with one of them.

If the op could afford a MF390 it'd be ideal... or drop one and go for the older 290, or a 590. Stick to 4wd with any choice.

 

[Highland Mule]

I would advise against the likes of an old 35. I think modern silage bales would be hell to shift with one of them.

If the op could afford a MF390 it'd be ideal... or drop one and go for the older 290, or a 590. Stick to 4wd with any choice.

Agreed for silage, but they would be okay for hay, I'd expect. Old chap used to use one for silage by carrying on a rear bale spike.

 

[ImLost]

Thanks for the replies so far. It helps to have some relevant makes and models to start looking at.
Been scouting ebay a bit too. Would the one in the link be worth looking at? To me it looks overpriced maybe?
What sort of things should I be looking out for with second hand tractors?

MF1540 Compact tractor w/Lewis 38QH Front Loader &Bucket | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MF1540 Compact tractor w/Lewis 38QH Front Loader &Bucket at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[milkloss]

Maybe work backwards a little. Which mower/ topper ? How big a trailer for muck? Height of buildings etc. Cab?

find someone that will help service and look after it and maybe they will help..... provided they’re trustworthy of course. Not sure a main brand dealer would be the ticket though.

 

[Highland Mule]

Thanks for the replies so far. It helps to have some relevant makes and models to start looking at.
Been scouting ebay a bit too. Would the one in the link be worth looking at? To me it looks overpriced maybe?
What sort of things should I be looking out for with second hand tractors?

MF1540 Compact tractor w/Lewis 38QH Front Loader &Bucket | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MF1540 Compact tractor w/Lewis 38QH Front Loader &Bucket at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

I'd avoid any 'compact' tractor, and instead spend the money on a recognised older fullsize. Assuming that it fits inside your sheds, of course.

 

[ImLost]

I'd avoid any 'compact' tractor, and instead spend the money on a recognised older fullsize. Assuming that it fits inside your sheds, of course.

Because of the potential carrying capacity you mean?

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I would think you would be best to avoid a compact tractor. They might just about manage to do what you need but you'd probably always find everything a bit of a struggle.
They would be just as expensive to run and any attachments would probably cost the same if not more while being much less efficient and capable.
I shouldn't get to hung up on 'the perfect tractor' and be open to what's available. An old faithful from a retiring farmer would take some beating.

 

[ImLost]

I guess I'm just sh*tting myself about repairs with "old faithful". As I said, I have little clue, and the last thing I want is a 90 year old tractor dying on me in the pouring rain on a dark December night!!

I would think you would be best to avoid a compact tractor. They might just about manage to do what you need but you'd probably always find everything a bit of a struggle.
They would be just as expensive to run and any attachments would probably cost the same if not more while being much less efficient and capable.
I shouldn't get to hung up on 'the perfect tractor' and be open to what's available. An old faithful from a retiring farmer would take some beating.

 

[Highland Mule]

Because of the potential carrying capacity you mean?

No, because they're generally a design compromise and being less common are more tricky for spares availability etc.

 

[ImLost]

Another example I have found, looks cheap and cheerful, what am I missing?

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[primmiemoo]

If going down the MF35 or similar route, do put a roll bar on it. What @Highland Mule says about round bale hay on a spike is correct (a 35 copes with haylage, too), but it can rear up, or a bale could be dislodged.

 

[Highland Mule]

Another example I have found, looks cheap and cheerful, what am I missing?

Please view this ad:

Renault 681 S 2wd loader tractor trima joystick loader c/w bucket low hour genuine tractor no vat,

Used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for Sale | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for sale ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Price: £ 4,950

Download the application from the Google Play Store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gumtree.android

4wd, and I'm unclear what the loader would be like for changing attahcments, but otherwise it's a better buy than the compact.

I'd maybe steer clear of the small ads like ebay and gumtree though and have a word with a local dealer or two and see what they know about. There's one in Yorkshire that's generally avoided, I understand, but Quite Frankly I have no personal experience.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I guess I'm just sh*tting myself about repairs with "old faithful". As I said, I have little clue, and the last thing I want is a 90 year old tractor dying on me in the pouring rain on a dark December night!!

Don't buy a 90 year old tractor.

A tractor from the 80's or 90's would probably be best.

I'd want 4wd but you are in much drier part of the world.
I don't know much about values but I'd have thought the Renault you posted would be a good shout.

 

[primmiemoo]

Another example I have found, looks cheap and cheerful, what am I missing?

Please view this ad:

Renault 681 S 2wd loader tractor trima joystick loader c/w bucket low hour genuine tractor no vat,

Used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for Sale | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for sale ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

Price: £ 4,950

Download the application from the Google Play Store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gumtree.android

How easy is it to take off the loader? How near to the sea has it lived?