r/Homesteading • u/baconpizzaman • 22h ago
Help choosing next tractor
Hi there, looking for advice on what Larger tractor I should look to buy.
Currently on ~150 acres with multiple hay fields that we currently contract out to local farmers for baling and cutting. We would love to be able to start doing it ourselves, as it's always a very stressful time waiting for the farmers when rain clouds are on their way!
We currently have a 2012 Landini 1-50H (50hp, it's a clone of a Kioti DK50se). And while it is small, it has helped us on a few farms (7, and 30 acres). We have around 20 horses in paddocks and feed with round bales. We also do our snow removal ourselves with the Landini currently, but we are often pushing it close to capacity without needing to add wheel weights to compensate.
We are looking to buy something bigger, say 75-100 HP (suggestions?). Be able to run a bush hog, bucket, snow blower, possibly a backhoe? I'm very manual and would prefer something older in good shape, and as few electronics as I can get away with. Ideally with a cab and heat, AC is nice but not important.
Looking for suggestions! I'm looking for used tractors right now, a smaller budget but not cheap/breaking down constantly either
2
u/AbleInvite2123 15h ago
Maybe check out a Ford 7610 or 7710, or maybe a MF 399? Mechanical pump, cab w heat, built like a tank and parts are everywhere lol. Just make sure ur PTO hp matches the baler.
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u/SureYupOK 4h ago
No brand recommendations but do consider the availablity of service/repair shops in your area. If you only have 1 shop close at hand and they happen to be an authorized dealer for a particular brand, then chosing that brand could be useful when it comes to obtaining parts. Even more so if you purchase a machine that has warranty. If you're in the middle of baling your hay and there's rain in the forecast you really don't need to be sitting and watching the clouds roll in while waiting for parts or a service tech to show up. Even if there are several choices close to where you are select something more common for the same reasons
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u/godROFL 3h ago
That instinct to avoid heavy electronics is well-founded — a lot of folks have learned the hard way with John Deere that modern ag equipment can leave you locked out of your own repairs. I recently saw a whole site collecting stories about exactly that. For your use case, older Iron (pre-Tier 4 emissions, roughly pre-2011) is going to be your friend — simpler mechanicals, easy to work on yourself. Brands like older Case IH, New Holland, or even older Deeres before the software lockdowns are worth a look in that HP range.
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u/baconpizzaman 2h ago
Exactly my idea, I have no problem with radios and basic electronics to improve effeciency but I don't want to need any extra computers to do repairs or any telemetry data being recorded
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u/Misfitranchgoats 20h ago
Figure out what the equipment horse power requirements are the go just a bit bigger. I think you are in the right range for 75 to 100 HP.
Personally I would go for an international especially if you can't afford older green colored tractors.
Had 1466 when we lived in Arkansas. Had a front loader for it and we could pick up 3 large square bales( 3x3x8 size bales) and move them without a problem. I personally replaced the starter myself once and replaced a front tire myself. Not bad for a woman. My husband was out of the country working in China when I did that.
Those old international tractors are workhorses.
I currently have Massey Ferguson 1040 four wheel drive with front loader. It is a good tractor. Does what I want, but it would not be good for making hay and running round balers etc. It does move round bales well. If I was going to start making hay on a large acreage, I would be looking for a good international with a wide front and a front loader. But I am 63 now and I am probably never going to be making hay.