FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Hello TBN!
I've been reading a long time and getting close to purchasing my first CUT. I plan to purchase used and would like any advice or strategy for locating the perfect used machine. I'd entertain new as well if the savings on a used machine are negligible.
I am building a home that will be completed in November on 17 1/2 acres. We have a 1000 ft white rock driveway I will maintain with the tractor as well as snow removal in the winter. My home is in the 46706 zip code and we can get up to a foot of snow overnight here (unusual, but possible). 10 acres are wooded and I want to clear a couple trails and maintain them. I also have the ability to heat my home entirely with cord wood so I'll be moving wood around with the tractor.
I plan to keep a small lawn (1 acre or less). I have a Toro Z Master ZTR that my wife likes to use so there's no need for a finish mower on the tractor. However, I plan to flail mow the areas outside of the lawn. The Caroni flail mower discussed on this site seems perfect for my needs.
I split as much wood by hand as I can but some wood is just too unruly for a maul so a 3 point mounted hydraulic splitter is on my wish list. The TSC model (~$700) seems adequate for my needs.
My brother lives 2 counties away and I'd like to be able to trailer the machine occasionally with a half-ton pickup. My dream setup is a Ram Ecodiesel with a dump trailer I can haul the tractor with. I'll need to play the lottery more often to achieve this, but its good to have vision just in case. I have a single axle trailer and half-ton pickup now. Food for thought, one of the local Kubota dealers is also a PJ trailer dealer...
Must Haves:
- SSQA loader & pallet forks
- HST (Want the wife and kid(s) to be comfortable on it)
- Means of snow removal: Loader might be fine most of the time, want 3 point blower for deep/heavy snow
- R4 tires
Wish List:
- Rear remote(s) for splitter, future power beyond
- Bucket spade
- Ratchet rake
- Friend or neighbor with a rototiller I can borrow (won't need one often enough to own it)
- Flail mower
- Box blade
We have many local dealerships. Kubota, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, LS (Bobcat dealer), & Mahindra are all a quick drive from my home. I also have a Cub Cadet dealership around the corner I've done business with that will work on "anything that fits through the overhead door". He doesn't sell CUTs so I can't buy a Yanmar from him. I've had equipment serviced by both the local Kubota dealer and the local Mahindra dealer just to see how their service departments perform. Both were easy to work with. My experience with the local Deere dealership has been less than impressive. I've purchased a Honda generator and a Stihl chainsaw from them and they seem to feel it's my privilege to shop there. I've called the Massey dealer to work on my ZTR but their service dept. is always 4 or more weeks behind.
I'm thinking for my needs I'm looking at roughly 30 HP. I could get by with smaller, but I plan to take the sage TBN advice that tractors get smaller when you get them home. I'm not loyal to any brand but I'll admit I have an affinity for orange paint.
With this information in mind, where should I start my search? Is it worth my time to price new then look for used as a comparison? What are the best venues for used sales? I'm willing to be patient and travel to acquire the right machine for the right price.
Thanks in advance!
I've been reading a long time and getting close to purchasing my first CUT. I plan to purchase used and would like any advice or strategy for locating the perfect used machine. I'd entertain new as well if the savings on a used machine are negligible.
I am building a home that will be completed in November on 17 1/2 acres. We have a 1000 ft white rock driveway I will maintain with the tractor as well as snow removal in the winter. My home is in the 46706 zip code and we can get up to a foot of snow overnight here (unusual, but possible). 10 acres are wooded and I want to clear a couple trails and maintain them. I also have the ability to heat my home entirely with cord wood so I'll be moving wood around with the tractor.
I plan to keep a small lawn (1 acre or less). I have a Toro Z Master ZTR that my wife likes to use so there's no need for a finish mower on the tractor. However, I plan to flail mow the areas outside of the lawn. The Caroni flail mower discussed on this site seems perfect for my needs.
I split as much wood by hand as I can but some wood is just too unruly for a maul so a 3 point mounted hydraulic splitter is on my wish list. The TSC model (~$700) seems adequate for my needs.
My brother lives 2 counties away and I'd like to be able to trailer the machine occasionally with a half-ton pickup. My dream setup is a Ram Ecodiesel with a dump trailer I can haul the tractor with. I'll need to play the lottery more often to achieve this, but its good to have vision just in case. I have a single axle trailer and half-ton pickup now. Food for thought, one of the local Kubota dealers is also a PJ trailer dealer...
Must Haves:
- SSQA loader & pallet forks
- HST (Want the wife and kid(s) to be comfortable on it)
- Means of snow removal: Loader might be fine most of the time, want 3 point blower for deep/heavy snow
- R4 tires
Wish List:
- Rear remote(s) for splitter, future power beyond
- Bucket spade
- Ratchet rake
- Friend or neighbor with a rototiller I can borrow (won't need one often enough to own it)
- Flail mower
- Box blade
We have many local dealerships. Kubota, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, LS (Bobcat dealer), & Mahindra are all a quick drive from my home. I also have a Cub Cadet dealership around the corner I've done business with that will work on "anything that fits through the overhead door". He doesn't sell CUTs so I can't buy a Yanmar from him. I've had equipment serviced by both the local Kubota dealer and the local Mahindra dealer just to see how their service departments perform. Both were easy to work with. My experience with the local Deere dealership has been less than impressive. I've purchased a Honda generator and a Stihl chainsaw from them and they seem to feel it's my privilege to shop there. I've called the Massey dealer to work on my ZTR but their service dept. is always 4 or more weeks behind.
I'm thinking for my needs I'm looking at roughly 30 HP. I could get by with smaller, but I plan to take the sage TBN advice that tractors get smaller when you get them home. I'm not loyal to any brand but I'll admit I have an affinity for orange paint.
With this information in mind, where should I start my search? Is it worth my time to price new then look for used as a comparison? What are the best venues for used sales? I'm willing to be patient and travel to acquire the right machine for the right price.
Thanks in advance!