I’m an American so I love over kill. My dream tractor would be new 90-95 horse, MFWA, rear diff lock, 4-6 speed syncro with high/low maybe even a torque amplifier, shuttle shift (lever for forward/reverse so when you are running a loader all you have to do is clutch and flip the lever instead of shifting from 1st to reverse, time saver) enough hydraulic outlets to run at least two different cylinders out back and a loader up front, throttle pedal, 540 and 1K pto, easy service air, oil, fuel, hydraulic and tranny filters, gauge cluster that is easy to read, muffler that isn’t too noisy or in the way, category 2 three point with sway bars and no cab, I’m not a sissy.
OK, that’s my overkill dream tractor. I’d settle for 60-65 horse but with all the other features.
One thing to consider, if your plots are miles apart you may want to trailer it so be sure you get one that doesn’t require a semi sized truck to haul it.
As far as color, I got no clue. I ran a New Holland TB100 (I hope it was TB) a few weeks ago, nicest tractor I have ever driven, but then you gotta know the pieces of crap I’ve had in the past. Only knock against it was the tranny. Non-syncro 4 speed but it did have TA that I forgot to use, but no shuttle shift and the shifter was kinda, well, I just didn’t like the feel of the shifter when engaging the gear. Felt kinda “mushy”. I ground the edges off the gears before I figured out it wasn’t a synchro. But it handled very nice, comfy ride and very nice tight steering. It was a booger to see the outside wheel of the rake. I had to lean way forward or way back to see it past the ROPS. Only rolled 30 acres of hay but my neck was stiff by the time I was done.
Only loaders I have run were dual controls, I haven’t run one with a joy stick so I don’t know. Get a loader you won’t have to worry about breaking. In other words, heavy duty. Oh yeah, with quick attach bucket.
I have always been a believer in buy local so check out the local dealers first, but if they are jerks or don’t wanna deal, shop around. If you buy one you can haul you might save enough on the purchase price to more than make up the cost of hauling it.
Mower, get as big a mower as you can maneuver on your land. If you are mowing small plots then a regular sized 6-7 foot three point unit. If you are gonna do waterways or big CRP fields or large clover fields get as big a bat wing type mower as your tractor can handle. The fewer passes the less compaction, tire tracks and time.
Anyway, the sky is pretty much the limit when you’re talking tractors and implements. If there are any farm shows in your area go sit on a few. Pick up their DVDs then plunk down your money.
The ‘Bonker
