Help Please

[WINGNUT]

I am new to this and I just started my own lawn care business. I have the chance to buy one of the following and I need 'ya'll's help on pricing/values, ect---1.)Oliver 500 w/2321 hrs.-running when parked 2 yrs. ago. 2.)Ford 4000 Select-O-Speed with 2539 hrs.-running when parked 2 yrs. ago. and 3.)Ford 3910 Diesel with 964 hrs. It also has front and rear hydraulic hook ups on it-still running. My uncle had a farm and he died 2 yrs. ago and this stuff is still sitting there. I would like to be able to bush hog, use a snow blade and grader box. Any help would be appreciated. Also, would I be able to pull one of these with my truck-it's a 97 GMC 1/2 ton 4X4 with a 3.73 rear, 305 cu.,8 ft. bed and a five speed trans. THANKS.

 

[UNISCAPER]

The Ford 4000 was one of the best landscape tractors on the market in the late 60's early 70's. I would be somehwhat reserved about buying a gasser that is that old, parts should be obtainable, but, you are not going to get the production rates you are from a diesel.

The 3910 diesel is also a good mid sized machine, not as good as the 345, 445, 545. In my opinon, the Ford 545D 4x4 with an 8x8 shuttle shift is the ultimate landscape tractor. They will lift a house, and run for years with little more than scheduled maintenance. We would hook a 40" Hawk bucket to one and pop tree holes out all day long. You hook up a box scaper of Harrows rake and they grade very well.

 

[olderthandirt]

WINGNUT
Ford 3910 Diesel will make you a good trac but I don't think you want to be towing it with a 1/2 ton, at least not much.
the 4000 I would be a little scared of with the selecto speed they were and are know to have trouble. What kind of money for the 3910?

Mac

 

[WINGNUT]

I needed some pricing info. too. The 4000 is in poor to fair shape along with the Oliver as they have both been sitting outside for over two years now and have not been run. Both would be in need of cosmetics badly, but as well as I can remember, neither one leaked any fluids. The 3910 has been in a pole barn and one of their neighbors has kept it on a charger and turned it over every once in a while.

 

[xcopterdoc]

Buy all 3, keep the 3910, fix up and sell the other two to offset the cost. Lots of folks are looking for older tractors to play with. Parts for the 3910 are still readily available thru your local dealer.

 

[olderthandirt]

I would not even want to guess on the 4000 or ollie it would depend more on mechanical than cometics on what there worth.
The 3910 with out seeing it $7000 up and thats just a guesstimate. Why don't you look at a compact with a loader on it? You could get by with a 25 hp. till you saved up some $$ to get a bigger truck and tractor. I know around here you can get a ford 1720 4x4 with loader around 1200 hrs for $7500-$9000 27hp. 12 speed, will do you good for a few yrs

Mac