Tractor change?

clonagh

I've got a MF135 (1977) which has served me well. It's mainly used for topping and moving bales of silage. It struggles if the bales are any way heavy and the pto shaft for the topper rubs on the topper frame when I lift it. I can continue as I am but was thinking about getting a slightly bigger tractor. Any suggestions that won't break the bank

893bet

if you don’t put up your budget then it’s impossible for lads to give you advice.

kk.man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058419930/tractor-change

Whatever tractor you decided to buy, don't sell the 135 you'll regret it.

weatherbyfoxer

How much have you to spend?

cal naughton

Obvious next step up without breaking the bank would be an MF 290

Tileman

Get a 390 or similar. 375. Grand wee tractors. Very easy to fix or get parts if required.
don’t sell the 135 you will regret it

clonagh

Budget of around 17k. I wouldn't like to sell the 135 but will need to to part fund new tractor.

lmk123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647581#Comment_123647581

id second that, I have one, lovely tractor for the money and it’ll lift any bale no matter how wet / heavy. Should be able to pick up a good one for around €10k.

clonagh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647693#Comment_123647693

Thanks

Bass Reeves

A Case 4210/4220/4230

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-international-4210-c-w-loader/31808357

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-4230-xl-c-w-quicke-loader/39827432

Or a CX 80/90 in a 2wd would ve in your budget as well if you come accross one.

You probably get a fairly modern 2wd like this at the upper end of you budget as,well

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/forde-tractors-galway/39984983

Bass Reeves

You be be buying a 20+ years old tractor. Allow 2-3 k of the budget for repairs in first year or two. Consider buying a tractor with a warranty usually 3 months or 300 hours and get a lad to check the tractor well out in that time.

Try and get a clean tractor some may have gone around the clock so check the hours clock carefully. A lot of newer post 1995 tractors the tractors colours in running time as opposed to hours work @1800 revs on older ones

_Brian

Would weight frame and weights sort the problem with the 135 and the bales.

I know some lads like a newer bigger tractor but if the 135 is good maybe a smaller amount spent on that would do. Lovely new cabs available and a weight frame might get you away. Are there not locks on the quadrant you can set when topping that ensure you don’t lift too high and damage anything.

A 135 in its best capacity is a good wee tractor and maybe every bit as good as something second hand that you don’t know the history of, and likely more expensive on diesel and repairs.

€5-7k spent on the 135 should make a savage tractor and leave you with €12k to invest on other items on the farm.

Cushtie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123655254#Comment_123655254

The 4WD Case with the loader in that post is a nice looking tractor Bass. What do you reckon it should be making?

Bass Reeves

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656489#Comment_123656489

ItIt's With McHughs in Galway, they're supposed to do a fine job on any tractor they sell they are fairly pricey but not considering how well they do stuff up. It's probably outside his budget.

The 4210 looks over priced if there is vat on it. It's off farm condition as,well. It's needs a decent seat about 6-700 euro and God knows what else. It's probably a 10ishk euro tractor. Looks like the loader needs work as well

But with a bit patience you will buy something decent in the 15k bracket.

Limestone Cowboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656710#Comment_123656710

I was up there with a friend a few weeks ago looking at a tractor with a fella. You'd want to be looking a bit closer than the pictures on the donedeal ads is all I'll say.

WoozieWu

not a fan of painted tractors

you have no idea of how it was treated by the previous owner

Cushtie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123656785#Comment_123656785

Yeah, she looks smashing on the ad alright, but that doesn't take away it's 31 years old. Would need to know what to be looking out for on yokes that old.

Tileman

that’s interesting as they always do have them spotless and done up to a tee. I though the extra expense was because they put everything needed into them.
just shows you

GNWoodd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123655659#Comment_123655659

The 135 won’t lift the heavy bale irrespective of how much weight you put up front . Been there done that !

The choice is either have the contractor stack them in as part of the baling or upgrade the tractor.
I find it hard to understand lads buying second hand tractors. Why would anyone sell a good one ?

WoozieWu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657226#Comment_123657226

it wasnt so bad maybe 10 years ago you would pick up something nice from the uk that likely was minded and changed for tax reasons

we did it a couple of times and got on ok

buying secondhand in ireland is a total minefield in general now

if i cant justify a machine new i wont buy it and stick with a contractor

Silverdream

If you could stretch to 20k the selection of tractors is far better and newer.

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/landini-power-farm-95/40134388

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/2005-massey-ferguson-5455/39083734

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/landini/39794627

_Brian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657226#Comment_123657226

Fair enough.