Farm Tractor ?

[GlennR]

Anybody know much about Chinese tractors? I need a tractor for maintaining my long, steep driveway and hate to rely on my neighbor.

Who sells them in the US? Which brands are best? What about ordering one direct? Etc. Any info or opinions welcomed.

[katoranger]

http://www.ctoa.net/ Looking is free, but they charge a fee to sign up.

I am a member here. http://www.mytractorforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=60

Don't have a Chinese tractor, but I think there is some decent ones out there. They are like the motorcycles and very widely in quality.

Also look at grey market japanese kubotas and yanmars.

[bogieboy]

Originally Posted by katoranger

http://www.ctoa.net/ Looking is free, but they charge a fee to sign up.

I am a member here. http://www.mytractorforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=60

Don't have a Chinese tractor, but I think there is some decent ones out there. They are like the motorcycles and very widely in quality.

Also look at grey market japanese kubotas and yanmars.

I KNEW i recognized your screenname from somewhere... Im bogieboy on mtf as well... I have one of the few remaining (one of about 20 as far as we have found Magna Corp. Magna-trac garden tractors... Mines a 1964...and a heck of a work horse too...

Theres a lot of grey market tractors out there, as well as chinese stuff, and a good bit of reviews on all of them on MTF....

[katoranger]

I have random tractors that I pickup. Currently alittle Ford 120 that we use in the yard. It pulls everything and get used alot.

I looked into the Chinese tractors, but not yet ready to make an investment. Dad is bringing his cubs down sometime. He is building one with a honda twin that will have a loader on it. Hydraulic steering, stretched frame, heavy duty front axle and larger tires. We already completed a tow behind tiller using an old lawn tractor and a 36" cub tiller. It has its own engine and a hydraulic lift that operates from the hydraulics on his cub 123.

[Weldangrind]

Wow! Kato, would you mind starting a thread on the Honda twin-powered loader? That piques my curiosity!

[katoranger]

Its still in the beginning stages. I will see about pics at Thanksgiving. I think he is having an adapter made for the driveshaft right now. The hydraulics will run off the pto shaft and the drive off the flywheel side.

He has the hydraulic steering almost done. I think we will be picking up a rotary valve steering column from a combine.

[GlennR]

After checking the prices on CL for tractors I've realized that it makes a lot more sense to just pay somebody to grade my driveway 1 or 2 times per year. That's all I'd need a tractor for. I have a pair of ATVs and motorcycles to play on, so I don't really need another "toy".

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by GlennR

After checking the prices on CL for tractors I've realized that it makes a lot more sense to just pay somebody to grade my driveway 1 or 2 times per year. That's all I'd need a tractor for. I have a pair of ATVs and motorcycles to play on, so I don't really need another "toy".

Yeah, they are on the pricey side... You can get the odd good deal if you keep your eyes peeled though. My brother in law bought a twin cylinder Yanmar diesel with four wheel drive, a lawnmower, and a rototiller for $500. It wasn't running when he bought it but he had it going in an afternoon. Does a beautiful job rototilling, that's pretty much all he uses it for.

[katoranger]

Thus the reason I only have the garden sized machines. The little ford I bought for $80.

[GlennR]

I guess I could try grading my driveway with a blade mounted on my ATV.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by GlennR

I guess I could try grading my driveway with a blade mounted on my ATV.

You can do a lot with an ATV: http://www.quadivator.com/