jwm171
New member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2012
- Messages
- 22
- Location
- Ringtown, Pa
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson/ MF165 Mahindra 4025 4wd
I've been reading the forum for years and I really appreciate all of the incredibly insightful information on the site. Now I have a question/dilemma.
I have an old MF165 with a loader that I use mostly for skidding logs on my property and loader/grading work. The machine has some issues and is in need of a major overhaul (the motor sounds like there are 2 little leprechauns hammering away inside). Even if a stick a few grand into the Massey, it's still not the right machine for me.
My property is mostly wooded and very hilly (about 26 acres) in NE PA, I have one low spot that is swampy and I do spend some time in that swampy area.
Now for my dilemma. I need a new machine and basically I think I have 2 options.
1) A small track loader (crawler) with a 4 in 1 bucket (something like a Case 350 or JD 350),
2) A newer 4wd tractor in the 45 to 55 hp range with a loader. I put about 100 hours a year on my MF165. I never use the PTO. The only 3pt implement that I use is a rear grader blade.
It appears there are a lot of track loaders for sale and it looks like a buyers market, I'm seeing them in $4000 to $10,000 range. I am very concerned with the cost of the under carriage components of a track loader, but I won't put that many hours on the machine. I'm not too concerned about labor; I have a pretty well equipped shop. It seems like I would pay at least double for 4wd tractor that is big enough for what I want to do with it. Also, I would like to put some trails in the woods.
Any thoughts?
Sorry if I posted in the wrong section.
I have an old MF165 with a loader that I use mostly for skidding logs on my property and loader/grading work. The machine has some issues and is in need of a major overhaul (the motor sounds like there are 2 little leprechauns hammering away inside). Even if a stick a few grand into the Massey, it's still not the right machine for me.
My property is mostly wooded and very hilly (about 26 acres) in NE PA, I have one low spot that is swampy and I do spend some time in that swampy area.
Now for my dilemma. I need a new machine and basically I think I have 2 options.
1) A small track loader (crawler) with a 4 in 1 bucket (something like a Case 350 or JD 350),
2) A newer 4wd tractor in the 45 to 55 hp range with a loader. I put about 100 hours a year on my MF165. I never use the PTO. The only 3pt implement that I use is a rear grader blade.
It appears there are a lot of track loaders for sale and it looks like a buyers market, I'm seeing them in $4000 to $10,000 range. I am very concerned with the cost of the under carriage components of a track loader, but I won't put that many hours on the machine. I'm not too concerned about labor; I have a pretty well equipped shop. It seems like I would pay at least double for 4wd tractor that is big enough for what I want to do with it. Also, I would like to put some trails in the woods.
Any thoughts?
Sorry if I posted in the wrong section.