Dithering over which little old tractor

[Mr. Ed]

I’m reluctantly being persuaded that I want the red one because it’s cute and has a number plate that’s close to my heart, and that the Ford is the sensible choice. Do people ever complain of too much power? 

[spuddog0507]

You cant have to much power, there is a few angles of how to look at this with old school kit,

1,, they are not to expensive to by now, for your budget you would get something that is fairly decent,

2,, this age of machine was built when the UK was booming in engineering and most things back then tended to be made out of proper steel and not tin foil, most machines of the 50s/60s/70s tended to be vastly over engineered and thats why they are still about and in use,

3,, most machines of this era tended to be very simple and in my book simplicity is reliabilety, and with them being very simple it makes repairs very easy to do and parts do seem to be very cheap,

4,, electrics on the older machines tended to be very very basic as well and dont tend to give any trouble,

5,, what ever money you spend today on a older machine will be a wise move as it gives you a machine to work with and that machine will be going up in value as you use it so its a win win situation,

i have a old 1970 David brown 780 that works round the yard, it had loader on front and fork lift on the rear only let me down once in 11 year when some arsehole ran it out of diesel but back up and running in about 10 mins, all ways starts even in the coldest weather and when the beast from the east came lad in yard next door has 4 fast tacks a few loadalls and a old Bonnser side loader, he managed to get one load all going and the bonnser was the only one that started on its own, my 780 started ok, its nothing fancy but it does the job it was bought for and for me its worth its weight in gold to me as it really makes things very easy for me,

The other tractor i have is a 1990 Kubota l3250 which is of simular size to a grey fergi but the Kubota has a bit more going for it, again it is very simple on the mechanicial side, its 40hp, has 4WD, very manoverable in tight woodland, pulls very well, has a shuttle gearbox which makes life very easy in a woodland, it has a full cab with all glass, it has a cab heater and best of all it has a wireless fitted that works, all in all for me the Kubota wins hands down but that is for what i am doing with it,

Going back Fordsons where the first choice by many people to work in forestry the old green standard fordson then the E27N then the Majors and then later the countys which are still being used by many today, this should tell us something that the Fordsons/fords stood up to the abuse a lot better than many other makes did, 

 

 

 

[Peasgood]

I doubt you will lose with either but the 35 is a damned good little tractor.I much prefer to use a  tractor with no cab (but wouldn't use one without a rollbar).

Ford is more powerful but I too would still prefer a 35. I have a 35, been here since new, recent engine rebuild and used on my farm for what it was made for. Extremely useful little tractors.

[lux]

The Ford 4000 is the better machine out of the two there. Both look in very tidy nick.

[Mr. Ed]

35 minutes ago, Peasgood said:

I doubt you will lose with either but the 35 is a damned good little tractor.I much prefer to use a  tractor with no cab (but wouldn't use one without a rollbar).

Ford is more powerful but I too would still prefer a 35. I have a 35, been here since new, recent engine rebuild and used on my farm for what it was made for. Extremely useful little tractors.

You b*****rd! Just after consensus had been established ....    
I would rather buy the MF for handiness but am going to go for the Ford for power. I’ve just measured from maps and the land rises some 80 metres over a straight line distance of less than 350, and although the lane down the hill winds very sinuously and elegantly I could imagine the lighter machine struggling a little. And the cab will provide a dry place to eat lunch in...

Edited January 12, 2021 by Mr. Ed

[Khriss]

Buy them both then you will not be dissapointed. K

[Mrblue5000]

1 hour ago, Mr. Ed said:

You b*****rd! Just after consensus had been established ....    
I would rather buy the MF for handiness but am going to go for the Ford for power. I’ve just measured from maps and the land rises some 80 metres over a straight line distance of less than 350, and although the lane down the hill winds very sinuously and elegantly I could imagine the lighter machine struggling a little. And the cab will provide a dry place to eat lunch in...

With a day like today in Ireland you made the right choice. Just watch out for stray branches in the radiator/fan area. A nose guard would be good too. Change the oil in the back end once a year, engine every 150 hours and that tractor will be a family heirloom. Best of luck with it.  You even have room for the chainsaw down beside the clutch with the guide bar along the mudguard.

Edited January 12, 2021 by Mrblue5000
sppplleeng

[Mr. Ed]

2 hours ago, Khriss said:

Buy them both then you will not be dissapointed. K

That’s exactly what I told the disappointed gin seller I’d like to do..,,

[Mr. Ed]

11 hours ago, spuddog0507 said:

You cant have to much power, there is a few angles of how to look at this with old school kit,

1,, they are not to expensive to by now, for your budget you would get something that is fairly decent,

2,, this age of machine was built when the UK was booming in engineering and most things back then tended to be made out of proper steel and not tin foil, most machines of the 50s/60s/70s tended to be vastly over engineered and thats why they are still about and in use,

3,, most machines of this era tended to be very simple and in my book simplicity is reliabilety, and with them being very simple it makes repairs very easy to do and parts do seem to be very cheap,

4,, electrics on the older machines tended to be very very basic as well and dont tend to give any trouble,

5,, what ever money you spend today on a older machine will be a wise move as it gives you a machine to work with and that machine will be going up in value as you use it so its a win win situation,

i have a old 1970 David brown 780 that works round the yard, it had loader on front and fork lift on the rear only let me down once in 11 year when some arsehole ran it out of diesel but back up and running in about 10 mins, all ways starts even in the coldest weather and when the beast from the east came lad in yard next door has 4 fast tacks a few loadalls and a old Bonnser side loader, he managed to get one load all going and the bonnser was the only one that started on its own, my 780 started ok, its nothing fancy but it does the job it was bought for and for me its worth its weight in gold to me as it really makes things very easy for me,

The other tractor i have is a 1990 Kubota l3250 which is of simular size to a grey fergi but the Kubota has a bit more going for it, again it is very simple on the mechanicial side, its 40hp, has 4WD, very manoverable in tight woodland, pulls very well, has a shuttle gearbox which makes life very easy in a woodland, it has a full cab with all glass, it has a cab heater and best of all it has a wireless fitted that works, all in all for me the Kubota wins hands down but that is for what i am doing with it,

Going back Fordsons where the first choice by many people to work in forestry the old green standard fordson then the E27N then the Majors and then later the countys which are still being used by many today, this should tell us something that the Fordsons/fords stood up to the abuse a lot better than many other makes did, 

 

 

 

Brilliant analysis. Thank you so much. I do think it’s absolutely great that 50 year old machines are still practical and useful. Can you talk me through the forklift on the back of your yellow machine? I imagine that’s just the thing for moving and stacking in the yard. 

[Khriss]

Even some big farms are refitting their fleet instead of buying the latest tractors. Old is the way to go. Most spares on yr doorstep in under a week. K