pretendfarmer
Silver Member
Hi all. I have been reading here quite a bit, and it seems the more I learn, the more overwhelmed I have become. I have been searching Craigslist in a 250 mile radius to see what is available. I have 4 acres of land. A little about what I intend to use tractor for:
Mowing brush and grasses
Spreading gravel
Grading and maintaining driveway
Drilling fence post holes
Carrying soil
Dragging around heavy objects such as railroad ties
Running cement mixer
Now, from everything I have read, most people suggest getting the largest tractor one can afford. My price range is "as little as possible." Hah! Isn't that everyone's goal? Now, I have had to adjust my expectations because I have found prices to be shockingly high. I was at first considering a Ford 8n. But, I thought about it and would like something a bit newer, that wasn't built before my mother was born. I have not completely given up on the 8n, but I would like a 4wd diesel with loader if I could have my way.
I have found a few older Japanese brands available in the $5k-$6k range (Yanmar, Mitsubishi, etc.) They all seem to have one thing in common: Lots of use. The whole search is becoming overwhelming. I feel like I need to narrow it down a bit. There are so many models within each brand that I cannot even keep track. I have been searching tractorhouse.com to try to find info and pricing.
So, my question is, given a budget of say $6k: What would everyone recommend insofar as an entry level used 4wd diesel tractor (I want to stay away from expensive John Deere, etc.)? Is there a minimum HP I should consider? I could use a little bit of direction here. Thank you.
Mowing brush and grasses
Spreading gravel
Grading and maintaining driveway
Drilling fence post holes
Carrying soil
Dragging around heavy objects such as railroad ties
Running cement mixer
Now, from everything I have read, most people suggest getting the largest tractor one can afford. My price range is "as little as possible." Hah! Isn't that everyone's goal? Now, I have had to adjust my expectations because I have found prices to be shockingly high. I was at first considering a Ford 8n. But, I thought about it and would like something a bit newer, that wasn't built before my mother was born. I have not completely given up on the 8n, but I would like a 4wd diesel with loader if I could have my way.
I have found a few older Japanese brands available in the $5k-$6k range (Yanmar, Mitsubishi, etc.) They all seem to have one thing in common: Lots of use. The whole search is becoming overwhelming. I feel like I need to narrow it down a bit. There are so many models within each brand that I cannot even keep track. I have been searching tractorhouse.com to try to find info and pricing.
So, my question is, given a budget of say $6k: What would everyone recommend insofar as an entry level used 4wd diesel tractor (I want to stay away from expensive John Deere, etc.)? Is there a minimum HP I should consider? I could use a little bit of direction here. Thank you.