Used tractor

my ford tractor built in 1982 can be hard to find parts for, only China aftermarket on many items. Luckly it's a good machine that almost never needs repair.
I'd only buy a major name brand , that Zetor tractor is going to be trouble.

 

There was a bunch of those Zetors around here 30 years ago-a cheaper option than major brands. Don’t see many of them anymore and the ones I do are pretty rough.

 

The fundamentals will be the same, but that's about where the similarities end...IMO the real problem would be getting parts, but if he researches and finds that to not be the case, then check it over real well and decide. If he is a 25 year mechanic then he should have a good idea what to look for...right off the bat I'd scrutinize all the fluids, real well!

 

Site called Tractor House might be a place to look and compare asking price on this one. Also might be a good place to do some general window shopping.

 

Except for all the pollution crap on new tractors. No thanks. If anyone is offering farm-size diesel tractors without the DPF systems (and associated problems), please let us know. I don't know of any at this time, but definitely could be wrong.

 

Except he wants a 50 + hp

 

50 H.P. 4X4 New Holland Cab Tractor Loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale - craigslist

 

With his experience id say you should be fine. Zetor made a decent no frills machine and if it was taken care of and not abused..... Look for cracks, test every gear, check for play in the steering and front axle. Open the air filter housing, pull all the dip sticks ect. Price is everything take pictures and good luck!

 

Why?

That's a ton of power and more than necessary for "forest maintenance". Not to mention most 50+hp tractors aren't going to be maneuverable in the forest anyway.

 

When I was shopping for our big tractor, I had pretty much decided on a JD 5055E, or Kubota of that size, I think a 6060, I don’t remember. In talking to my dealer when I went to look at them, he convinced me that I wouldn’t be happy with a 5 series in the woods. Turning radius and the length of the loader in front of the machine, and the overall size of the 5 series. He pointed out the 4R series, and showed me one parked next to a 5 series. My 52hp tractor with spacers on the rears is 7’ wide, and I try and make my trails 12’ wide to have some room. There’s a few spots where it’s only 9’ wide and I thread it through tight trees, and can turn it around in a 3pt turn on the 12’ section of trail. I don’t think I’d go bigger frame size unless I widened the trails some.

As for the Zetor, I’d walk away from that thought, parts won’t be fun to find or cheap. There’s usually a Long or Deutz come up for sale in the 50-100 hp range with a loader and winch once or twice a year up here. I thought about getting one until it was clear I’d need to work on it almost as much as run it, and chances are higher it would leave me stranded in the woods.

 

Hey Dave. Did you guys look at that tractor?

 

He wound up buying it.
Engine ran well.
The hydraulic lines were newer.
He lifted the front axle off the ground with the bucket at held it in place for a few minutes.
We didn't notice any leaks anywhere.
The bucket needed some welding.
Back blade had some dirt on it but other than that it looked new, no scraps or anything.
He got it for $8500 so I don't think too bad a deal. We also found a Zetor dealer about 2hrs from the farm. So hoping that'll help with parts when needed

 

Nice! Pics, or your full of horse manure!

 

The first is my Cousin driving it out of the barn the rest is before we started it up

 

Looks a lot nicer than the ones around here! Good to hear there’s a delaer relatively close. Didn’t know they were still sold.

 

Looks to be in nice shape, and like it will make a good workhorse. Good for him!

 

Looks great, congratulations!

 

I’m with the others….appears to be in very good condition hopefully everything functions as it should and he gets many good hours out of it

 

That looks to be well cared for, at least nobody beat the chit out of it.