Tractor to spread fertiliser & do a bit of topping

Siamsa Sessions

Hi all,

As the title says, I'm looking for a small tractor to help keep the show on the road. Wouldn't be putting a loader on it or anything like that.

To be honest, if I could spread fertiliser and do the topping with something behind the car, that'd do me! So, that's the type of machine I'm looking for.

Looked at a quad but it seems a more expensive option, including the spreader and topper.

Any recommendations would be gladly received.

Thanks.

Markcheese

Do you need to/want to put a bale spike on the back...

Siamsa Sessions

Markcheese wrote: »

Do you need to/want to put a bale spike on the back...

Wasn't planning on it, no. Won't be feeding anything more than sheep over winter.

Username John

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

Wasn't planning on it, no. Won't be feeding anything more than sheep over winter.

But do, or would you ever, feed the sheep silage bales?
It's no bad idea to get a tractor that might be able to do so?

I know fcuk all about machinery - but there seems to be a lot of items you didn't mention... 2wd? What size topper do you have? Are you willing to buy a wreck and do it up yourself? Comfort - what level do you want, if any at all?

Best of luck with it...

Nekarsulm

Something like this would be a start.

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/ford-4000/15662311

f140

what do you want to spend? This will answer most questions. If its 2.5k it will be a 2wd 40 year old tractor with 3 cylinders and about 60hp. If its 25k it will probably be 4wd with 4 cylinders and many luxuries.

lakill Farm

if its a bit of fert and topping id just get a local farmer to do it for you.

probably a handful of hours a year. sure the tractor insurance would be more than what it would cost.

Mooooo

Have a look around your area, got a lad with a quad and spinner to spread ground we had rented, if there is a lad offering those services contact them first.

Siamsa Sessions

Thanks for the replies folks.

It doesn't really suit to get a neighbour to do the work. Our paddocks are small and I can't really ask someone to come in and top an acre or two at a time whenever the animals move on to the next one. Same for fertiliser - would like to follow grazing around and have more control over things.

Re luxuries: I'm thinking of a cab that keeps the rain out more so than air-con or spring-mounted seats

I'll have a look at the link on DoneDeal and try work from there. The budget is tight (when is it ever any other way???) so as f140 said, this will dictate a lot.

Thanks again.

Bass Reeves

You have not mentioned a budget but I expect that it is less than 5K. Really you are looking a 2wd tractor . If you are willing to go without a cab you will get a one that is restored for tractor runs something like below

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/david-brown-880/15256482
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/tractors/15683206
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/ford-4000-tractor/15649392
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/john-deere/15666511

You come accross zetors, imternationals and older MF in that price bracket as well. If you are going down below 2K you will find little as anything that is fairly good in that range the exporters have picked up

Attie

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

Thanks for the replies folks.

It doesn't really suit to get a neighbour to do the work. Our paddocks are small and I can't really ask someone to come in and top an acre or two at a time whenever the animals move on to the next one. Same for fertiliser - would like to follow grazing around and have more control over things.

Re luxuries: I'm thinking of a cab that keeps the rain out more so than air-con or spring-mounted seats

I'll have a look at the link on DoneDeal and try work from there. The budget is tight (when is it ever any other way???) so as f140 said, this will dictate a lot.

Thanks again.

Siamsa
You could do worse than try looking here
https://www.donedeal.co.uk/tractors?model=8011&make=zetor
They are fairly bullet proof breaks not great especially if doing road work.

Siamsa Sessions

Thanks again for the replies.

Tis hard to put a value on the advice people offer here, and I mean that in a good way! Before I posted the question, I was swimming around making no headway but thanks to all your replies I have a grasp on what options are out there.

We're on shifting sands at home too (gradually "taking back" what we'd leased out for last 15 years) so the workload will change every year for the next few years. This is making it a little harder to figure out exactly what we need machinery-wise (if any!).

Thanks again. I've gone from being very confused to just slightly confused now and that's good progress in my book

lakill Farm

I would be a fan of a little international 785xl.

few on donedeal lately for under 4/5k

_Brian

Bass Reeves wrote: »

You have not mentioned a budget but I expect that it is less than 5K. Really you are looking a 2wd tractor . If you are willing to go without a cab you will get a one that is restored for tractor runs something like below

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/david-brown-880/15256482
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/tractors/15683206
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/ford-4000-tractor/15649392
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/john-deere/15666511

You come accross zetors, imternationals and older MF in that price bracket as well. If you are going down below 2K you will find little as anything that is fairly good in that range the exporters have picked up

The 880 in the first link is a fantastic tractor, great to top and spread fert, we had one here when I was growing up and it really was a work horse, If i had a few euro kicking about I'd be hankering after that myself.

However, the JD in the last link ticks so many boxes including having a decent cab, which like it or not we all like, its no fun feeding on a cabless tractor when blowing sleet is cutting the face of ya.

Willfarman

That John Deere is great value if it checks out. But bass has the cream of done deal there in fairness.

selectamatic

A man would want very good land to be going topping and spreading fert with a 2wd six pot jd.

Imo itd be complete overkill and one of the least fuel efficient ways of carrying out such light farm work.

It does appear to be very clean though.

Bass Reeves

selectamatic wrote: »

A man would want very good land to be going topping and spreading fert with a 2wd six pot jd.

Imo itd be complete overkill and one of the least fuel efficient ways of carrying out such light farm work.

It does appear to be very clean though.

Did not realize it was a 6 cylinder. I just filtered 2-5K on tractors on DD and picked a few. The DB and the ford are back around sub 50hp. Just saw the JD and taught it would be around 80hp see it is nearly 100hp. OP did not give a budget but sub 5K you have little to select. Yes she be heavy on juice even for a JD but unless you were doing a lot of work with her it should not be an issue.

Willfarman

Ah the big girls need lovin too lads!