mini tractor V quad V older tractor

scub_a

Hello,

I have 13 acres (just got it) on a fairly steep incline and am wondering which way to go on machinery. I’d have very light use at the moment topping, fencing and carrying bales.

I’m thinking mini or quad as they’d be perfect size for the yard and smaller shed to store them in.

Don’t know if a mini would have the power to make it up the hill with a mower? Field rises 30 meters in gradient.

Quad accessories are expensive and for the field in question guessing I’d need something like the quad-x http://www.quad-x.com/ie/ATV Power Shredder Mower to handle the surface.

And then there is the more traditional route of a normal tractor like a david brown 996 or ford 4600 which I know I can buy or borrow accessories for handy enough. But would they make it up it when the field is wet (don’t know if I’d ever need to – but maybe) and if it hasn’t been used for a few weeks am I just looking for trouble with an old tractor.

Cheers,
J

maidhc

Ford 4600/MF 165/DB 996 all the way.

Mini tractors and quads are only toys!

You will pick up things like a 5'6 mower, bale spike and a handy trailer for next to nothing. And those old tractors go forever, largely give no touble, , and a cheap to fix and parts are everywhere. My preference would be a Ford 4600, but that is just what I am used to.

denis086

id probably go down the old tractor route myself and for dealing with the hills id just widen the track width and make sure the differential works for those few wet days we get :rolleyes:
try to get one with a cab and take the doors off if you find it awkward even though i wouldnt and if do end up on your side id prefer sitting on the side window of the cab than a quad on my chest but maybe thats hjust me.
Ive tried both and a quad seens great at the start but they have limitations and dont take abuse like a tractor would and repairs are costly. A tractor has more uses and can be cheaper to repair now that you an practically build one from the parts on offer for them and implements can often be found in the corner of a shed or yard and cost you very little to buy and maintain as apposed to a prices for the some quads implements
we have a mf165 that just does light work around the yard i just put a loader on it and so far its been very handy for cleaning out low or tight sheds that anything else would struggle to get into and it worked out very reasonable to buy, the price a a couple of new sprongs from the coop and beats forking it out by hand i can assure you :rolleyes:

JohnBoy

a 4000 or 4600 is probably the way to go.

great parts availability, good reliable simple machines that are easily worked on, and of little "vintage" value so can be bought fairly right.


If you can spare the cash I'd try and plump for a Q cabbed 4600 if you could.

scub_a

Thanks for that!

I was leaning that way, the quad looked a handy option but I hadn't considered parts/servicing of it. The extras for them are crazy price.

The ford 4600 look a tidy tractor. I can see the oh eye rolling now lol when I tell her I 'NEED' a tractor.