Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input.

Like I said, Im going to have get something going soon as my yard looks like something from the Discovery Channel.


Rich

 

I have a 73 Ford 2000...perfect machine for me..probably for you as well as our needs seem to be about the same. Small, but enough hp for most implements, easy to trailer, easy to find parts, work on, etc etc.
I even found a NOS grill on ebay for 35$..sorry for the digress...
Mine came with a Flail Mower & does an awesome job when I run it thru the woods & underbrush.
A former State Road dept machine it was taken care of very well. 4000+ hrs...runs like a champ still.
I have discovered it was a more desirable machine, as it has power steering, a must should I decide to add a front bucket.
Good Luck with your search-( Dont be so afraid of a Blue Oval)- Drew

 

If you're going to get a tractor with enough size for a front-end loader, definitely get it. It's one of those implements that you can think of a couple of uses for right now, but when you have it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. It's amazing the versatility the loader adds to the tractor.

 

Exactly, our Massey Ferguson 383(around 60 or so hp) has a front end loader on it, and we use it for everything, from cleaning up trash in the yard to pulling up small trees, to of course loading up dirt. We are very happy with our Massey Ferguson, although there is not a dealer for parts close to our home town, so I have to pick up parts when needed when coming home from college(which is RARELY). I want to say its either 60 or 65hp, dont know right off the top of my head, but it does good pulling a small 4 row disk, a box blade, or bushhog. We put some 315 tires on the front of it, I was going to use them for my old truck, till I came home to find 2 of them mounted on the tractor one day Oh well, didnt need them anyways, and they were free.

Oh yeah, dont forget you can use the loader to lift somebody up to cut down dead branches out of trees so hurricanes dont make them into a missle into your house Not fun to be the guy in the bucket when the operator of the tractor decides to pop the clutch

 

Yeah, I've wondered about that myself.
Ive been watching my nieghbor use his tractor from time to time and your right, he uses that loader for all kinds of things.
If I can find one thats in the right price range, yes, I will get the loader. (or at least get a tractor that can take a loader in the future).

Ive also seen a couple ads in the paper advertising tractors with "lifts".
Excuse the ignorance guys, but is a "lift" refering to the loader?

Rich

 

My guess would be that "lift" is referring to the 3-point hitch in the back for pulling small implements. I've heard of the 3-pt being called a variety of names before, but never heard of the loader being called a "lift".