TRACTOR NEEDED OR NOT?

spaceboy123

I have recently started farming on 34 acres, my farm is divided into 12 fields well fenced and watered, I currently don't have a tractor any sowing/cutting etc is done by a neighbour at 25quid per hour good enough value for the work that I have for it, but I would like to do it myself my budget is 5K I would like a 4wd if possible any ideas?

Nekarsulm

small zetor perhaps? also consider Case 1394 or older International model. Something light and handy. matched up with a transport and and a Vicon spreader and perhaps a two drum mower, would leave you quite self sufficient. Make sure it has oil immersed brakes, dry brakes are a pain. You will not get a massey, deere or ford at that money. Check out Same, Renault etc. Are you handy with the spanners?

grange mac

Why do you want 4wheel drive...have some high ground and was drawing in bales where another fella in his 4wheel drive would not travel.
Its all about value for money and for me I couldn justifi one...my 1980 ford 4610 does most my work...contractor puts out slurry, silage etc...but thats just me.

J.O. Farmer

Done Deal is worth keeping an eye on. Dealers advertise there as well as private. 5k will get you a 4wd.
It would be an older tractor but they would be good enough for the amount of work you would have. Also if you are dealing with a dealer you should be able to get a bit off the quoted price as you will be buying straight without a trade in.

munkus

Changed tractor 2 years ago from 2 we to 4 wd.

There are many disadvantages to 4wd. They are a fu#ker to turn, the bonnet is raised up so you've less vision directly in from of the tractor and they are a nightmare driving over any uneven field.

Overall happy, but they're pigs.

jimmy G M

munkus wrote: »

Changed tractor 2 years ago from 2 we to 4 wd.

There are many disadvantages to 4wd. They are a fu#ker to turn, the bonnet is raised up so you've less vision directly in from of the tractor and they are a nightmare driving over any uneven field.

Overall happy, but they're pigs.

What did you buy?

Zr105

munkus wrote: »

Changed tractor 2 years ago from 2 we to 4 wd.

There are many disadvantages to 4wd. They are a fu#ker to turn, the bonnet is raised up so you've less vision directly in from of the tractor and they are a nightmare driving over any uneven field.

Overall happy, but they're pigs.

The bonnet wont be any higher retrospective to cab wether your in 2wd or 4wd of the same model though...

munkus

Zr105 wrote: »

The bonnet wont be any higher retrospective to cab wether your in 2wd or 4wd of the same model though...

4wd front wheels are big, I assumed there'd be smaller ones with 2wd versions. Went from a zetor 5900 (I think) to a Proxima. Front wheels are twice the size in the proxima.

Zr105

munkus wrote: »

4wd front wheels are big, I assumed there'd be smaller ones with 2wd versions. Went from a zetor 5900 (I think) to a Proxima. Front wheels are twice the size in the proxima.

4wd Front wheels are bigger but the axle height remains the same, on 4wd the axle is inline with the centre of the wheel, but on a 2wd te centre of the wheel is below the axle! Id say your more noticing a difference due to it being a completely different model!

munkus

Zr105 wrote: »

4wd Front wheels are bigger but the axle height remains the same, on 4wd the axle is inline with the centre of the wheel, but on a 2wd te centre of the wheel is below the axle! Id say your more noticing a difference due to it being a completely different model!

Fair enough, but if the front wheels were smaller the front of the bonnet would drop. The bonnet looks curved but more of a hump than a curve down, which I assumed was from the wheels jacking it up.
Pain in the hole with the front loader attachments as you can see very little. Grand tractor other than that. Not one of the Zetor haters that frequent this site :-)

MFdaveIreland

Cud pick up older mf 3070 or something. Or even 690 or something like it, assuming mf is your preference. 4wd better looking at it than looking for it imo,

34 acres i think warrants a tractor, limited without in terms of timeliness of jobs

Livestockmad

munkus wrote: »

Not one of the Zetor haters that frequent this site :-)

The massey is classy.. but the zetor is better is what they need to learn ;-)

Zr105

munkus wrote: »

Fair enough, but if the front wheels were smaller the front of the bonnet would drop. The bonnet looks curved but more of a hump than a curve down, which I assumed was from the wheels jacking it up.
Pain in the hole with the front loader attachments as you can see very little. Grand tractor other than that. Not one of the Zetor haters that frequent this site :-)

2wd wheels will be smaller than the 4wd wheels for same model, but the tractor is designed so that the bonnet will be the same height on the correct tires whether its a 2wd or 4wd. Its not unknown for the front wheels of a 2wd to be either bigger or smaller than they should technically be as it doesn't matter, but it's very bad for a 4wd to have the incorrect sized wheels(unless all 4 are being upped a size) as it puts strain on the drive line

spaceboy123

Thanks for advice folks, I was thinking 4WD from the point of view drawing in round bales etc been on done deal some handy yokes on there alright

crackcrack30

After a certain point or time no-one likes going out in the fields regardless of tractor type/size, there are people round here farming 100+ acres (mixed quality) with 165's.....not ideal but getting things done...


I almost made the mistake this year of buying too big a tractor for my needs..

Timmaay

jimmy G M wrote: »

What did you buy?

Ford county???