I need recommendations on wich tractors will meet my needs.

[pgmrdan]

Yeah, I saw that! That's a real beauty.

[Eugene]

Dan. You have the correct location. Beautiful country.

Eugene

[pgmrdan]

Spencer Yost in Antique Tractor Bible says to keep to a tractor that weighs less than 3,000 lbs if you'll be running it over a septic system drainage field.

I've been considering a Cub but a guy at work mentioned today that he has a Farmall H that he could sell me.

How much does an H weigh?

Can you tell me the approximate HP of an H?

Can you give me a link to some specifications for an H?

Thanks,
Dan

[Bigdog]

All you want to know and more - right here:

http://www.farmall-h.com/

[pgmrdan]

Excellent! Thanks Bigdog. An H looks like more tractor than I want.

My list of things I want a tractor to do has grown slightly.

1. mow lawn
2. push snow
3. post hole auger
4. pull wagon
5. sickle bar mower

I think a Cub will do 4 of these but I'm not sure about #3. Is there a post hole auger that the Cub can handle?

Thanks,
Dan

[Bigdog]

Yes there is / was. But they are kind of rare and hard to find.

[pgmrdan]

I give up! I'm not talking any more to the 'experts' here at work.

One person here told me: "An H is too small. A tractor needs at least 100 HP or it's not worth buying." He works here 40 or more hours a week and does some hobby farming on the weekends on about 12 acres. He told me the model number of his big John Deere.

About 6 people have told me: "You'll need a front loader." "Why?" "They're so handy." "But I told you what I need a tractor for. Why do I need a front loader?" "They're so handy."

Of course, this is John Deere country so no one talks about anything else.

It's pretty entertaining to hear some folks talk.

[Bigdog]

Well, that holds true about anywhere. Even here. We are all cub owners or fanciers and are slightly prejudiced as well. Actually, for what you want something in the range of a Farmall A or maybe a Farmall C or even an 8N Ford would do. They are very dependable, plentiful and easy to find parts for. If you want something with independent pto and live hydraulics you will need to think a little newer.

[pgmrdan]

Yeah, I know what they (the guys at work) are talking about but they're sort of 'tunnel visioned' based upon what they think they would do with a tractor, not based upon what I say I want to do with a tractor.

Sort of like back in high school when all the guys said they had to have a Corvette while I said all I wanted was something to drive so I didn't have to ride my bicycle everywhere.

I just want something to do the job at hand.

[Eugene]

Agree with Bigdog. There are a lot of good small tractors out there. Something less then 30 horse power should do everything you want.

Comment on pulling a trailer with Cub. I am currently burning brush piles and picking up rocks - nice weather (70 degrees on 31 Dec 04) for such presidential activities. Any way. I'm guessing - my home made trailer weighs around 300 to 400 lbs empty. When I add tools, chain saw gas and oil, drinking water, rocks and some cut up fire wood, the trailer weighs more than the Cub. The Cub will handle the load - not well - lack of traction mostly.

Today I dug out one of my WD Allis Chalmers (4000 lbs - 30 HP) out of winter storage to tow the trailer.

[pgmrdan]

We officially had 13.7" of snow in about 36 hours. If we were living out on the new place I'd be wishing I had my tractor already. What am I saying? I already wish I had my tractor.

[Little Indy]

pgrmdan, please remember that when we say a Cub has 9 hp we are quoting the Nebraska Test Lab figures. They measured pto or pulley hp and drawball hp. Not engine hp. For example a worm gear might lose 50% of the power applied to it. I don't know a Cub's actual engine hp. Remember a Cub was designed for a farmer with 40 acres who worked it full time.