Thread: Thinking of getting a tractor

If I were to get some land again I think I would buy a 2-3 ton excavator first off, certainly before buying a dozer. And if your planning on building your own house definately the excavtor.

On my 15 acres I had an old Chamberlain 9G with a nasty frontend loader.

I have always thought that the older bigger tractors that aren't in high demand from the hobbie farmers are better value if you have room for them.

Years ago a wheatbelt cocky told me if the tractor doesn't have airconditioning on it now it's worthless.

Originally Posted by disco2_dan

And the property I'm now looking at is only 40acres mostly cleared with some steep stuff behind the house and one bit right up the back...

It will be used for everything from slashing to grading to fertilising to spraying to seeding to rotery hoe for the veggie garden drilling fence post holed, mulching, really the only limit for work will be what attachments I don't end up with

That changes it a bit..... Double your original $5000 and add some! For a 40 acre block with hills, you need a decent size (50/70hp front wheel assist (4x4) tractor with decent loader and ROPS......

Originally Posted by Sitec

That changes it a bit..... Double your original $5000 and add some! For a 40 acre block with hills, you need a decent size (50/70hp front wheel assist (4x4) tractor with decent loader and ROPS......

Now we know a bit more totally agree with Sitec

It is a legal requirement ( Vic anyway ) that all tractors have ROPS.

Minimum 50 hp tractor with front wheel assist & loader.

I have an 80 hp Daedong Very happy with it

Gary

Originally Posted by 33chinacars

Minimum 50 hp tractor with front wheel assist & loader.

Dont under estimate the capability of the old MF135. Mine would do more than asked. I cant recall the exact width but it was about a foot either side wider than the tractor and it would go down a foot and a half deep without a problem. The tractor had a reasonable % of slip but more than enough power with the 3 cylinder Perkins.

The MF135 is a very good tractor. Hence why people pay so much money for such an old tractor.

Happy Days.

And I wouldn't say it's hilly as much as a gradual slope up to tge house... I would drive a ride on sideways across it no worries

FWIW the tractors owned by my relatives (they are/were all happy with their choice):

My grandfather until recently had a Fiat 411 on ~20 acres of rolling hills.

My uncle on 700 acres of VERY steep country has:
Fiat 880 4wd - air cond cab
MF 285 4wd
Ford 3600 diesel 2wd

Fiats are pretty good tractors and are at the cheaper end of the market. We replaced a MF 135 petrol with a Fiat 640 special on the Farm when I was a kid and it was a good solid performer and would certainly do anything that you require on your block including having full flow remotes (one set only)
With Fiat tractors the special label refers to the fitment of a seperate PTO clutch.
To give an idea of value we bought a 980DT 12 months ago for our 300 acres. It cost $14500 and I've spent about another $2500 on repairs and fixing the aircon since but it is a reliable and very capable tractor but too big for a small block ( 100 HP and 5 tons )


Regards,
Tote

Tote, I've not seen one of those for ages! We used to own one in Ireland when I was a kid, and you're right, they're not a bad tractor. From memory the 6 pots were a 6 litre engine down rated, so reliable for ages... Same engine in the 7.5/10 tonne older Ivecos.... Good for 160hp+ if played with...