Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a good all-rounder tractor for all shorts of jobs on 13 acres of land. Anticipated uses over the next few years are:
- compatibility with a good backhoe that's not rare to find used, to dig 8-9 feet around the house for foundation repairs - also dig foundation for house extension
- trenching for installing cables and irrigation around the yard
- pushing dirt for grading
- moving junk and building materials around
- ability to receive a wide variety of attachments
- working the vegetable garden
- snow clearing in the winter
- mowing / bales
- installing posts
- reliable and with affordable spare parts
- not rare
What would you recommend?
I have a JD2010 in the yard, but it needs a motor. Also has a JD50 backhoe attached: it needs some welding on leg supports, main piston has some light pitting, not sure what else it might need but I've been reading that it's not a good hoe because of the type of sideways swing. It might be a good idea to choose a tractor that can receive it, just in case it turns out to be working and prove good enough? But don't know what tractors are compatible with it.
I also have an International 4166 that runs and drives great, but needs work on the hydraulics. It does not have a 3pt hitch nor PTO, not sure if I can add them and at what cost. Also, not sure if I can add a loader / backhoe to it, and of what suitability / performance. Ideas are to try upgrading this tractor, or try swapping it.
Land is mainly flat. I have mechanical aptitude and worked on cars before, but very new to tractors and farming. For example, a home-made 3pt hitch for the 4166 is beyond my abilities. Any help appreciated.
Thanks!
I'm looking to buy a good all-rounder tractor for all shorts of jobs on 13 acres of land. Anticipated uses over the next few years are:
- compatibility with a good backhoe that's not rare to find used, to dig 8-9 feet around the house for foundation repairs - also dig foundation for house extension
- trenching for installing cables and irrigation around the yard
- pushing dirt for grading
- moving junk and building materials around
- ability to receive a wide variety of attachments
- working the vegetable garden
- snow clearing in the winter
- mowing / bales
- installing posts
- reliable and with affordable spare parts
- not rare
What would you recommend?
I have a JD2010 in the yard, but it needs a motor. Also has a JD50 backhoe attached: it needs some welding on leg supports, main piston has some light pitting, not sure what else it might need but I've been reading that it's not a good hoe because of the type of sideways swing. It might be a good idea to choose a tractor that can receive it, just in case it turns out to be working and prove good enough? But don't know what tractors are compatible with it.
I also have an International 4166 that runs and drives great, but needs work on the hydraulics. It does not have a 3pt hitch nor PTO, not sure if I can add them and at what cost. Also, not sure if I can add a loader / backhoe to it, and of what suitability / performance. Ideas are to try upgrading this tractor, or try swapping it.
Land is mainly flat. I have mechanical aptitude and worked on cars before, but very new to tractors and farming. For example, a home-made 3pt hitch for the 4166 is beyond my abilities. Any help appreciated.
Thanks!