Buying used old vs new

[Jeepflambe]

Im shopping around for a replacement for my good old MF255 (open station). Im getting to be over the hill and Id like some comfort when snowblowing or bush cutting.
anyways to make a long story longer Ive been looking online for a good used tractor, researching different models obsessing like anyone does.
Ive been looking at some smaller 35 HP kubotas but when I research the models everyone is saying 3000 hrs is wayy too much and the tractor is worn out. My old 255 has 7000hrs and still runs strong starts well, shes a gool ole girl but no 4x4,no cab etc etc.
would I be smart and look for an older pre-electronic tractor or are these newer machines with plastic hoods good for more than 3K hours?
If I should go older which years would be good to look at?
thanks everyone
PS I can fix basic stuff myself but i couldnt rebuild an engine etc etc

 

[Hay Dude]

Check out the Case-IH DX series.

 

[dieselscout80]

Check out the Case-IH DX series.

They are the same as the New TC series.

 

[arto98607]

3000 hours should not be a big deal, what matters is how was it used and serviced!

IE. Has it been it abused & worn out or is it well maintained and not abused?

 

[jeff9366]

Massey Ferguson 255​

1975 - 1981 200 Series Row-Crop tractor

Massey Ferguson 255 Power

Drawbar (claimed)	42 hp 31.3 kW
PTO (claimed)	50 hp 37.3 kW
Drawbar (tested)	43.49 hp 32.4 kW
PTO (tested)	52.68 hp 39.3 kW

Mechanical
Two-wheel drive
Differential lock	mechanical rear

Massey Ferguson 255 Weight
Diesel Shipping	5850 lbs 2653 kg
Diesel Operating	6415 lbs 2909 kg
Ballasted	7310 lbs 3315 kg

 

[LouNY]

No idea were your from but here is a link for a search of 60-90 hp cab with a loader;
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...ck&Cab=1&Loader=1&Horsepower=60*90&Year=*2012

 

[jeff9366]

Im shopping around for a replacement for my MF255 (open station). Im getting over the hill and Id like some comfort when snowblowing or bush cutting.
Ive been looking online for a good used tractor, researching different models obsessing like anyone does.
Ive been looking at some smaller 35 HP kubotas .
If I go older which years would be good to look at?

Unless you intend to replace your snow blower and rotary cutter with lighter, narrower models you will need at least 55-horsepower at the PTO to replicate the performance of your open station MF 255 in a cabbed tractor with air conditioning.

A cab weighs 700 pounds. Cab A/C requires 4-5 horsepower to power in hot weather. You may wish to consider 55 to 60 PTO horsepower.

Are your existing implements Category 1 or Category 2 at the Three Point Hitch?

 

[5030]

Any brand pre T4 with documented maintenance records would be a good candidate.

 

[jeff9366]

If I go older which years would be good to look at?

Stricter Tier IV off-road diesel engine emission reduction standards phased in dealer tractor inventory during 2009 - 2012, impacting tractor prices.

Tier IV emission standards require tractor manufacturers to add or revise pollution reduction technology on new tractors generating over 19 kW power = 25.4794 horsepower.

DPF is used by the majority of tractor manufactures for emissions control on OVER 24.4794 horsepower tractors.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) captures exhaust particulates (soot) in a ceramic matrix. When tractor engine runs sufficiently hot, accumulated particulates burn off periodically without operator intervention. If engine is not run continuously hot long enough to burn off particulates, diesel soot accumulates in the matrix. Once heavy soot accumulates in DPF the tractor forces soot clearance with the tractor parked and throttle open to about 2,200 rpm for about sixteen minutes, which makes the DPF REALLY HOT to burn off all accumulated soot. Burning off accumulated soot, either during operation or parked is called REGENERATION.

The pollutants emitted by a TierIV technology tractor are about 1% of the pollutants emitted by a pre-Tier IV tractor.

Regeneration is an infrequent DPF event with my Kubota three cylinder, 37-horsepower engine. Generally once every sixty engine hours. (Very consistent in Florida due to warm weather.)

60 hours X 60 minutes = 3,600 minutes.

16 regeneration minutes /3,600 = .00444 = 4/10s of 1% of engine time is consumed during parked regeneration.

Fuel cost for sixteen minute parked regeneration @ 2,200 rpm ~~$1.00.

Forty percent of my regenerations occur during operation, sixty percent parked.

The average residential tractor operates eighty engine hours per year, according to industry surveys.

3,000 hours DPF Life / 80 hours = 37.5 years of residential use prior to DPF replacement.

Diesel Particulate Filter supersedes tractor muffler.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.

 

[Hay Dude]

They are the same as the New TC series.

I like the older pre-2012 ones. No DPF