ruready1
Member
Hello,
The neighbor is in a similar situation as us - needs a tractor, wants a CUT, lacks cash to buy new. I sent him to this site and some classifieds/auction sites. He's come back asking about two very different tractors. I have to admit, I thought it was a no-brainer until I did some research. Now, I know it's beyond my knowledge level.
Here's his question: given a choice, which would you choose/recommend? The first tractor is a 2001 AgraCat 250 with 150hrs, paint fair (been sitting out), runs great (supposedly). The other tractor is a Shibaura SD1803, year unknown, 1500hrs roughly, looks great (refurb?), also (supposedly) runs good. Both tractors are diesel & 2WD (he lives in the valley, NO hills. Grrrrr
) and would be used to mow and do light grading.
At first I thought it was a simple choice: Chinese vs. Japanese? Chinese tractors seem to be good little units, and that's what we'll probably end up with, but against Japanese engineering, metalurgy, etc? Then, I found out that Shibaura parts and service can be hard to secure. So what would you recommend? Go with the AgraCat (Jinma) with lower hours and better parts availability (again, Jinma parts) OR the Shibaura with higher hours, refurbed in the hopes that with the higher quality the parts scarcity won't be an issue?
The tractors would be used in Southern Indiana (cold winters), so cold starts are important. I know the Ford/Shibaura 2cyl tractors were extremely cold natured according to local dealers and owners. Are the later 3cyl units better?
Thanks all!
Mike
The neighbor is in a similar situation as us - needs a tractor, wants a CUT, lacks cash to buy new. I sent him to this site and some classifieds/auction sites. He's come back asking about two very different tractors. I have to admit, I thought it was a no-brainer until I did some research. Now, I know it's beyond my knowledge level.
Here's his question: given a choice, which would you choose/recommend? The first tractor is a 2001 AgraCat 250 with 150hrs, paint fair (been sitting out), runs great (supposedly). The other tractor is a Shibaura SD1803, year unknown, 1500hrs roughly, looks great (refurb?), also (supposedly) runs good. Both tractors are diesel & 2WD (he lives in the valley, NO hills. Grrrrr
) and would be used to mow and do light grading.At first I thought it was a simple choice: Chinese vs. Japanese? Chinese tractors seem to be good little units, and that's what we'll probably end up with, but against Japanese engineering, metalurgy, etc? Then, I found out that Shibaura parts and service can be hard to secure. So what would you recommend? Go with the AgraCat (Jinma) with lower hours and better parts availability (again, Jinma parts) OR the Shibaura with higher hours, refurbed in the hopes that with the higher quality the parts scarcity won't be an issue?
The tractors would be used in Southern Indiana (cold winters), so cold starts are important. I know the Ford/Shibaura 2cyl tractors were extremely cold natured according to local dealers and owners. Are the later 3cyl units better?
Thanks all!
Mike
