Tractor Loader Options

Bazzer007

Hi guys,

Looking for opinions on the most suitable machine for feeding cattle, pit silage plus bales & some feeding crimp grain. Have 2wd 390 Massey with a loader & 399 for fertiliser & topping etc. The 390 is pushing on & does a hell of a lot of yard work. She was out of action for over a week last year before & we had no other machine to feed cattle so need another option. We use a 135 to clean the yard.

Have a small budget of 10 grand max. Thinking about a skid steer, industrial Massey or 2cx. Although another tractor would be handy too. Don't think putting a loader on the 399 is an option, lock isn't great but have the space in the yard alright. Probably cost the bones of €5,000 anyway.

Would like a shuttle to make life a bit easier. Skid Steer is tempting as could also clean the yard & push in silage if I can get the right implements.

Hoping to buy in the next few months.

Cheers lads.

kerry cow

I'd buy brackets for 399 as a back up .
Feck spending money on iron .
Go buy a few cattle instead .your money will always hold in stock.or land .
Skid steers are over rated toys .

Bazzer007

Thanks Kerry cow. I would normally agree with your point, but we're fully stocked. I know most lads love machines & invest mad money instead of buying land or stock. We've always have invested in land & stock. I work full time outside of the farm & work with the old man in the evenings. Need something to make life a bit easier. Current loader wouldn't be the best, done a lot of work.

cute geoge

I am thinking you could easy sell 390 and put the 10 k with it to buy a decent modern 4 wd with power shuttle .There is another tread on about buying loader tractor for 25k

J.O. Farmer

Something like a massey 30e is a good little yard loader. Very maneuverable and well fit to lift a bale of silage. I know a fella used a shear grab on one. They have a forward and reverse shuttle too.
The likes of the below will come in well inside your budget. The only downside is you'll need concrete or at least hardcore round the yard. It won't travel well if ground is even a little bit soft.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-30e-loader/15702279

Nekarsulm

Or keep what you have, and buy one of these.

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-50b-digger/15477525

If you aren't doing roadwork, the Torque gearbox is the business.

You can take off the back arm if you don't need it / have low doors and put a good weight on instead.

My neighbour done this job with a forklift counterweight.

J.O. Farmer

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Or keep what you have, and buy one of these.

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-50b-digger/15477525

If you aren't doing roadwork, the Torque gearbox is the business.

You can take off the back arm if you don't need it / have low doors and put a good weight on instead.

My neighbour done this job with a forklift counterweight.

The bigger better version of the 30E.

Bazzer007

cute geoge wrote: »

I am thinking you could easy sell 390 and put the 10 k with it to buy a decent modern 4 wd with power shuttle .There is another tread on about buying loader tractor for 25k

Thanks Cute George! That's another option we're considering. We put a new clutch & pump in the
390 recently. I hate using it for loader work, old 3 stick model. Might get between €8,000-€10,000. Needs small tidying. Bought it new. A nice 4wd with power shuttle would be great but might be hard to get a decent one for €18,000.

The part time boy

I be trading the 390 in for newer tractor .

If your buying something new do you really need 4 tractors ?

Bazzer007

I was thinking of a 30e as well. Saw a 50e with a refurbished grab for €5000 has a cab. Yard is 90% concrete. No passage work. I'm going to hire a skidsteer to see if one would suit. Be great to have a yoke that can feed cattle, clean cow sheds, lift down cows & push in silage. Would like to retire the 135

Massey loader defo meets the budget criteria. If not trading in the 390 will go this route.

Doing silage today so will get back to the search next week. Thanks for your input.

kerry cow

Well what did you buy now the nights are closing in ?

st1979

I bought an old volvo l30 and have to say it's brilliant machine for yard work. Seen the older type which seems to be very similar called a 4200 for about 5k up north on donedeal a while back. Might be another option plus it has a relatively nice quiet cab

Bazzer007

Hey lads! Ended up putting a Rossmore Loader on the 399, second hand one & bought a new tine grab plus brackets. Cost 5k. I saw a few clean loading shovels on DD for nearly the same money but I know very little about them & was worried I'd buy a lemon. Hired out a Skid steer & found it very handy although took a few hours to learn how to handle it. The old man found it hard to get in & out of it so that ruled it out. Might pick up a JCB one with a side door if I see a good deal & after I save up again. On the lookout for a clean UTV at the mo. It never ends but I work off farm so anything that helps reduce labour costs. Bought a second hand AG mini spreader for liming cubicles for 300e recently hoping it will be of use. Have a Vink spreader but found it slow.

kowtow

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Or keep what you have, and buy one of these.

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-50b-digger/15477525

If you aren't doing roadwork, the Torque gearbox is the business.

You can take off the back arm if you don't need it / have low doors and put a good weight on instead.

My neighbour done this job with a forklift counterweight.

The counterweight needs to be 2.8 tonnes to make up for the missing backhoe.

It's quite a chunk.

mengele

Bazzer007 wrote: »

Hey lads! Ended up putting a Rossmore Loader on the 399, second hand one & bought a new tine grab plus brackets. Cost 5k. I saw a few clean loading shovels on DD for nearly the same money but I know very little about them & was worried I'd buy a lemon. Hired out a Skid steer & found it very handy although took a few hours to learn how to handle it. The old man found it hard to get in & out of it so that ruled it out. Might pick up a JCB one with a side door if I see a good deal & after I save up again. On the lookout for a clean UTV at the mo. It never ends but I work off farm so anything that helps reduce labour costs. Bought a second hand AG mini spreader for liming cubicles for 300e recently hoping it will be of use. Have a Vink spreader but found it slow.

totally off point would you notice the extra power between the 390 vs 399?

lakill Farm

mengele wrote: »

totally off point would you notice the extra power between the 390 vs 399?

Yes anytime I drove them . 399 is 6pot. 390t be similar to 399.

Bazzer007

The 399 feels bigger to drive and is more powerful as the 390 has no turbocharger. You'd need plenty of space for loader work as the lock isn't the best. Our 390 is 2wd drive so obviously better lock but not as powerful. I've driven the 390T as well again very similar to the 399 and 398.

timmiekp

im in the same boat looking for a loader for a 7610 4wd atm.have a 50b but the torque is leaking not worth spilting nd the steering is a disaster.been looking for a fermec 860 for ages but nothing decent. least with your 399 you know what you have