I've been shopping for a tractor most of the summer and finally came across something I think might work but there are a couple shortcomings. My "dream tractor" was a wide front 4x4 diesel with live PTO, quick release front end loader, power steering, 3 point hitch and ROPS. Needless to say, those were more than a bit pricey with new ones in the mid twenties and used about half that.

Since looking at those prices, I've really been all over the board looking at different things. I did come across an old gas powered wide front Ford 3400 industrial model with power steering, 3 point hitch, PTO and front end loader. My big question is how important is a live PTO on a tractor? How big of a deal is it to mow with a bucket? I've never owned a tractor and don't want to buy a known problem. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), September 01, 2001

Answers

Don't know the difference between live PTO and whatever the other option is. As for mowing with a loader, no problem. I brush hog the pastures with it on. I have a newer JD with quick release loader, but in four years I have never taken it off. It provides front end weight for the front wheel drive to dig in. Without the loader I would need front weights. I use the tractor for tilling, mowing, augering, and moving trailers, firewood, compost, etc..... in some fairly confined spaces. I have learned to maneuver with the loader without much problem.

-- Skip in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), September 02, 2001.

As far as I know Gary, terms like 'live PTO' refer to whether the PTO continues to turn when you put the tractor clutch in.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 02, 2001.

Live PTO means the tractor has 2 clutches and most of them have a leaver to put it in groung or live. When in groung the PTO is connected to the drive wheels and the bush Hog will push you when you try to stop, sometimes right through the fence. Live, the POT is off when you push the clutch clear down.I had a old tractor without live PTO and I mowed a few things I didn't aim to. I think on the Ford you are talking about if you check in behind your left foot you will find the shifter for ground and live. As for the bucket I have a Massy 245 and I never take the bucket off.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), September 02, 2001.

Live PTO is usefull when running things like a baler. If you want ease into a windrow you can do that without the pto stopping. Or if your about to choke out the bushhog you can push in the clutch and stop the tractor or shift to a lower gear without the mower coming to a stop. All my tractors have what is called "independent power" The pto clutch is not operated by the same control as the tractor clutch. It is a totally different control. But in the end is the same result. The old timers made out without live power. They got used to slipping the trans. out of gear in a tight spot. Nowdays, everyone without live power just slips a overrunning clutch on the pto before they hookup to a mower. They cost less than a hundred bucks and stop the push effect of the driven implement when you try to stop in a hurry.

With a good heavy tractor the bucket is not to bad. It will bounce when you hit ruts. I have taken of my bucket for such jobs. Not a hard job when you get used to it. Maybe 5 minutes to take out 4 pins. If you set it on a couple of old tire it gives a bit of flex to help align the holes to hook back up. If you got help its even less of a chore. I don't so takes a bit longer.

The worse thng is a little tractor with a too big loader. They look like they would be a real work horse, but the weight on the front is too hard on them. The industrial model will have a far better front axle than a farm tractor. Its made for loader work, where a farm tractor is just barely getting by. Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), September 02, 2001.

You can mow with the bucket on (I do; I raise the bucket on my Ford 3000). A live PTO is a good thing. Most importantly: Buying a used tractor, you can get burned, so try to get a trusted tractor- experienced person to look at this before you buy it. Changing a rear tractor tire can become a really backbreaking all day job.

Caution: Take care, ok, with running the tractor on sloping ground, muddy areas, etc. If you're not experienced with a tractor, learn slowly and be sure you know how all the controls work. I don't want to sound like Mother Hen, but look, our neighbor was killed when his tractor rolled over on him.

-- June Walters (homesteader2001@onebox.com), September 03, 2001.

Gary- I've been researching the same questions for a while. I found these sites useful:

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/kb13/TF_home.htm http://www.ytmag.com/

-- David P. Leach (owlhouse2@cs.com), September 05, 2001.