Maibox
Silver Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2012
- Messages
- 125
- Location
- Winona, MN
- Tractor
- Kubota L3940; 1942 Farmall H (for sale)
Hi there. I'm fairly new to this board and a tractor noob (first tractor I've run is the 1942 Farmall H that came with the property). I found the board while researching the possible purchase of a tractor to replace the perpetually in need of repair Farmall. The information has been very helpful. This is a little long, but I hope it will help you all provide the best advice.
Some background: We've got 43 acres that is mostly wooded. The house is at the back of a narrow valley in a bowl with the hills that are about 300' higher than the house. We have an acre or so around the house, 1/3 mile blacktop driveway (with 8-10' of grass on either side and some larger areas of grass) that climbs 120 feet from the road to the house--most of the climb is in the first 3rd of the driveway from the road. We have a 2 acre pasture, mostly flat, on one side of the driveway where the 4 stall horse barn is located. The other side is about 1-1.5 acres of grassy pasture and another 3 or so acres of currently overgrown "wooded" pasture. The rest of the area is steeply wooded old forest. Our neighbor is currently rotating two horses through the 2 acre pasture. We will likely get 2 horse of our own and rotate our horses between the two pastures (we will only have the two horses--neighbor's horses are short term).
We have a tremendous amount of brush/downed trees on the property. Previous owner would just block the trees and pile the brush on the edge of the woods or in the middle of the pasture. The fence around the larger, wooded pasture needs to be rebuilt before we can use it (lots of down trees, plus barbed).
I'm looking for an all around tractor, with FEL and enough PTO power to run a 6' rotary cutter. Planned use is to brush cut the pastures a couple of times a year; haul manure and wood chips; reclaim the 3 acres of wooded pasture, clean up brush (may get a chipper) and other general maintenance (fencing). Eventually, I'd like to use it to clear the driveway.
Through research I had sort of settled on a new L3800. I've got quotes from two dealers for a basic L3800, R4's, FEL with QA, and a LP RC1872. One quoted ballast box, the other has recommended but not quoted filled tires. Both are around $23k finance price and $21,500 cash. The only thing I think I'd like to have that the L3800 doesn't is Mid PTO in the event I want to go with a front mounted snowblower (although more expensive, I think it would be easier to operate on our driveway). Then again, I don't know what I don't know.
I was doing a little craigslist shopping, however, and found a 2008 L4240--FEL with 72" standard bucket. He's asking around $19k but said he's a little flexible. Has a post hole digger he'd likely throw in.
I realize its a bit of apples to oranges since the L4240 is larger, more full featured tractor compared to the L3800. I'm worried it may be a bit too large for maneuvering around in the woods. Plus I like the idea of buying new and getting a warranty. However, the additional PTO horsepower would help generally and with running a chipper. Lastly, while I don't need to finance, I like free money and using the cash for other purposes (fencing, etc.) would be nice.
So, looking for some advice. Are the prices from the dealers in-line? What's the L4240 worth? Would either of these tractors be better for my planned use? Should I worry about warranty/no warranty? If I decide to buy used, what kinds of things should I be looking out for (I've bought used cars many times, but I'm a tractor noob).
Appreciate any advice you all are willing to give, including recommending other models if you think I'm barking up the wrong tree. I am looking to buy soon.
Thanks in advance.
Some background: We've got 43 acres that is mostly wooded. The house is at the back of a narrow valley in a bowl with the hills that are about 300' higher than the house. We have an acre or so around the house, 1/3 mile blacktop driveway (with 8-10' of grass on either side and some larger areas of grass) that climbs 120 feet from the road to the house--most of the climb is in the first 3rd of the driveway from the road. We have a 2 acre pasture, mostly flat, on one side of the driveway where the 4 stall horse barn is located. The other side is about 1-1.5 acres of grassy pasture and another 3 or so acres of currently overgrown "wooded" pasture. The rest of the area is steeply wooded old forest. Our neighbor is currently rotating two horses through the 2 acre pasture. We will likely get 2 horse of our own and rotate our horses between the two pastures (we will only have the two horses--neighbor's horses are short term).
We have a tremendous amount of brush/downed trees on the property. Previous owner would just block the trees and pile the brush on the edge of the woods or in the middle of the pasture. The fence around the larger, wooded pasture needs to be rebuilt before we can use it (lots of down trees, plus barbed).
I'm looking for an all around tractor, with FEL and enough PTO power to run a 6' rotary cutter. Planned use is to brush cut the pastures a couple of times a year; haul manure and wood chips; reclaim the 3 acres of wooded pasture, clean up brush (may get a chipper) and other general maintenance (fencing). Eventually, I'd like to use it to clear the driveway.
Through research I had sort of settled on a new L3800. I've got quotes from two dealers for a basic L3800, R4's, FEL with QA, and a LP RC1872. One quoted ballast box, the other has recommended but not quoted filled tires. Both are around $23k finance price and $21,500 cash. The only thing I think I'd like to have that the L3800 doesn't is Mid PTO in the event I want to go with a front mounted snowblower (although more expensive, I think it would be easier to operate on our driveway). Then again, I don't know what I don't know.
I was doing a little craigslist shopping, however, and found a 2008 L4240--FEL with 72" standard bucket. He's asking around $19k but said he's a little flexible. Has a post hole digger he'd likely throw in.
I realize its a bit of apples to oranges since the L4240 is larger, more full featured tractor compared to the L3800. I'm worried it may be a bit too large for maneuvering around in the woods. Plus I like the idea of buying new and getting a warranty. However, the additional PTO horsepower would help generally and with running a chipper. Lastly, while I don't need to finance, I like free money and using the cash for other purposes (fencing, etc.) would be nice.
So, looking for some advice. Are the prices from the dealers in-line? What's the L4240 worth? Would either of these tractors be better for my planned use? Should I worry about warranty/no warranty? If I decide to buy used, what kinds of things should I be looking out for (I've bought used cars many times, but I'm a tractor noob).
Appreciate any advice you all are willing to give, including recommending other models if you think I'm barking up the wrong tree. I am looking to buy soon.
Thanks in advance.
