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View Full Version : Tractors... buy used or new?



O.S.O.K.
06-13-2011, 10:43 AM
I am going to need a tractor or the property. A compact 4x4 would work the best. I'll need it for the food plots, trial maintenence and general use. I will get a front-end loader for sure. I had one on my little Ford 1210 that I had previously and it was very handy.

My buddy is saying to buy new - that they have good deals on packages and financing... I'm leaning that way.

Tractors hold their value really well, so the used ones are damned near the same price as new. So, I figure, get new and know that the thing will good to go for some time - and of course, there's the warranty.

What do you guys think?

Am I missing anything here?

How about tractor brand? What have you guy's had good luck with?

I'm thinking Kioti or maybe Mahindra. My buddy has a Kioti and its been a great tractor for him. Kubotas are higher priced - ditto for John Deere, Massey Fergusson, New Holland, etc.

El Laton Caliente
06-13-2011, 02:26 PM
I bought a 19HP 2wd Shibura used gray market tractor...

If I had to do it again, I'd hold out for a USA model not gray market because of ease of getting parts and manuals. I would only do gray market if they sold exactly the same tractor here.

If using it for home I see no problem in buying a good used tractor, they don't wear out and low hour used make great tractors. What you are looking for is some retiree moving from his ranchet to assisted living!

Kioti (Korea), Mahandra (IIRC India?), Ford/New Holland (Japan), Kabota (Japan), Massy-Ferguson (?), Case (?) and JD (Japan) are all good brands. Realize ALL the compacts are built overseas.

Kioti, Mahandra and Kabota are built by their respective companies. Ford and New Holland compacts are built by Shibaura in Japan. JD's compacts are Yanmars from Japan. I can't remember but I think either Massy or Case are Mitsubishi.

You can get some great deals now on new tractors with package deals and great financing (down to 0% interest for short term). It really is in how much you want to spend and how hard/long you can look for a used deal.

Dieselbuilder
06-13-2011, 02:44 PM
My dad has a Kubota that they use on the ranch and it does real well. Haven't had any problems with it that I am aware of.

planerman35
06-13-2011, 06:56 PM
kubota is a good strong tractor will last long time if maintained.my buddy bought a kioti with low hrs and has taken it to hell and back and no problems but he does the proper maintenence on it thats the key to any of them take care of them an it will last a long time

coppertales
06-13-2011, 08:35 PM
called "tractor trader", like auto trader. Pick up a copy or look on line to get an idea what tractors are going for. I have been looking for a tractor with a mower for my camp, to cut light brush, but I am being cheap about it. There appear to be deceint tractors in the 4-5 thousand area with attachments. The most important thing to look at is the tires, they ain't cheap. Years ago I had a Massy Harris 22 that I used to snow blow my 1/4 mile long driveway. I bought is very used but it did the job. UP winters suck.....chris3

O.S.O.K.
06-13-2011, 09:38 PM
Yeah... I'm not sure if I want a new one or a used one- partly it will depend on what I really want - modern 4x compact or older model with no front hydrolics capability...

You can do a lot with a box blade I know but a good front end loader is the schitz.

coppertales
06-14-2011, 08:32 AM
good used tractors with any attachment you might want out there. Get one with a wide front end though.....chris3

O.S.O.K.
06-14-2011, 09:18 AM
You mean, not one with the two wheels on one swivel?

I'll probably go with a 4x4 - just too many places to get bogged down on my property.

sksAL
06-14-2011, 11:09 AM
loader backhoes are all over the place pretty cheap now with the bad economy. id look around, theres nothing like a full size machine to knock out projects. i like being king kong at the turn of a key. can dig out a pond in nothing flat with a used case extend-a hoe, and diesel tractors last forever. my dad has a 67 construction king he will not part with. made millions with it.

El Laton Caliente
06-14-2011, 12:50 PM
I don't need a loader on my tractor, but I have a back hoe and a BIG skid steer... If you are not going but with one, the loader for the tractor is a must. It is your fork lift, crane, hay & firewood mover besides diging & loading dirt & rock. A box blade cannot MOVE dirt like a loader can.

One good tractor and attachments can replace a lot of equipment, but specialized equipment can do a better/faster job of certain tasks. Look at everything you think you will be doing and make a plan before you go shopping.

Another factor is used construction equipment is pretty cheap right now and generally is heavier duty than compact tractors.

O.S.O.K.
06-14-2011, 01:00 PM
I hadn't thought of getting a yellow tractor... I'll look into that too - thanks.

El Laton Caliente
06-14-2011, 01:18 PM
http://www.machinerytrader.com/
http://www.ironplanet.com/
http://www.mytractorforum.com/
http://www.southeasttexas.com/classifieds/

Also your favoite craigslist.org search engine.

I have a couple more I'll try & "dig up".

http://www.tractorhouse.com/
http://www.equipmenttraderonline.com/

O.S.O.K.
06-14-2011, 01:22 PM
Wow. I know nothing about comercial tractors... any advice on this?

What kind of prices are we talking? I really want to stay under $15K or so if possible. And that may require financing at that - depending on how things progress financially.

El Laton Caliente
06-14-2011, 02:01 PM
Commercial tractors are used to make skip loaders, back hoes, Hubbard makes (made?) a tractor based small motor grader and more. JD, Ford and Case are likely the most common. Kabota now has a commercial line. They generally have a little more HP, a higher flow/volumn hydraulic pump and maybe a beefier frame and more weight.

State and County Road departments regularly sell off units that are about ten years old. With the down turn, a lot of the smaller (and a few bigger) construction companies are selling off excess equipment. Most or all of this equipment has been on very regular maintenance, but can be heavily used.

Backhoes are everywhere, but almost all do not have a PTO and are not designed to remove the hoe unit for other tools & attachments. What you are looking for is a general purpose commercial tractor with a PTO and 3 point hitch. These are used primarily for mowing and box blades. Many or most come with loaders.

As for pricing I've seen units from $3,000 to $15,000 or a little more for a ten to twenty year old unit. Age on used tractors matters little, I see even pre-WWII tractors mowing fields in my area.

This would be typical: http://www.machinerytrader.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=7784999&
Note it does not say it has a PTO; that is an option on these tractors, so be careful.

Another option is a Skid Steer. You can do almost anything with one you can do with a tractor. The attachments are more expensive because they are hydraulic and not PTO which gives them more power. Right now I have a root rake/grapple, a set of forks and a brush cutter (mows up to 3.5" trees) for mine. I plan on adding a tiller, stump grinder and GP (general purpose) bucket, maybe a log splitter.

O.S.O.K.
06-14-2011, 02:24 PM
Thanks - interesting. Funny what you find out when you ask a few questions! I wasn't thinking of this at all. But that would most definately do the trick for me.

El Laton Caliente
06-14-2011, 02:59 PM
Watch out, yellow equipment is as addicting as AKs and a LOT more expensive. I buy used so I don't take the hit on new equipment and figure I can sell it for about what I bought it for. Educate yourself, get a friend that knows equipment and find a good heavy equipment/diesel mechanic.

Between my running buddy boss & I we will soon have engough to do small road jobs and land clearing or more so we can go Gault if need be, or suppliment retirement if not.

El Laton Caliente
06-14-2011, 03:03 PM
I'm thinking about this or similar for this summer's purchase:
http://www.machinerytrader.com/images/Machinery/fullsize/82346750.jpg

An eight foot blade grader...

El Laton Caliente
06-14-2011, 03:18 PM
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/ElLatonCaliente/Rolling%20Stock/TerramiteT7.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/ElLatonCaliente/Rolling%20Stock/3na3od3p25Y25W45P1a4rccbc82d842f710.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/ElLatonCaliente/Rolling%20Stock/Bobcat005.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/ElLatonCaliente/Rolling%20Stock/Bobcat006.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/ElLatonCaliente/Rolling%20Stock/Bobcat002.jpg

abpt1
06-14-2011, 05:07 PM
good used tractors with any attachment you might want out there. Get one with a wide front end though.....chris3
^
this.


Used is much better if you know what your buying too bad your not local... I would come with you to look at them I used to be a tractor repair guy ..... So go find a few used ones you like take some pics and we will go from there... I like New Holland

O.S.O.K.
06-14-2011, 05:25 PM
Again, thanks!!

I know that one thing I will be looking at are the hydrolic lines - I had one burst on me with my old tractor = not fun. I had to laugh afterwards as I was OK but man that scared the shit out of me. It also cost me as I replaced all fo the lines after that.

sksAL
06-14-2011, 06:02 PM
Wow. I know nothing about comercial tractors... any advice on this?

What kind of prices are we talking? I really want to stay under $15K or so if possible. And that may require financing at that - depending on how things progress financially.

5-6k and your done. 10 and its an investment.can always sell and get something else. AND... get a oil breakdown if you can. tells the amount of brass, babbot etc.