OK, just found the forum and hopefully I can get some useful opinions.
I have a 2005 Farm Trac which I bought 02/06 w/ a FEL. 2WD. no cab, base tractor. I traded an old 1977 Ford Industrial 335 that had a 4 way blade on the front and was a war horse I used in cleaning this raw wooded land. It was getting quite tired through 2005 and when we suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Rita she just wasn't up to the task so I traded her in on the Farm Trac. All my neighbors have longs of varying ages and this was a product of Long Agribusiness so I felt comfortable with my purchase and the price was very good.
Well, obviously I got a tractor that suffered quality control issues. I had several failures (hydraulic seal on the axle assembly and the 3 pt hitch lift). Plus numerous other issues (power steering leak(s), starter failure, poor wiring(breakage), etc. Well, I am getting out from under this poor buy on my part. I have a buyer that I'll get about 20% equity out of the tractor. I want to get in a new 4WD and I want to make an informed decision. (Presently cleaning up from Hurricane Ike too). Thanks for listening to the vent.
Local dealer just picked up New Holland(12 miles). I think I want a Kubota (40 miles to the 3 nearest dealers). Other possibilities are Kioti which I know of no owners but have heard scant good things about them. MF dealer is 50+ miles away but is possible. JD dealers at 40 and 50 miles away. These are my "local" new dealers.
My work is mostly bushhogging/mowing (10 of my acres and on the deer lease to keep roads open), working a 1.5 acre garden (initial ground breakup), working on cleaning up the woodlot(s) on the place, some grader work on the road/drive in which is about 900', and some dirt moving with the bucket for small projects. Probably 50-75 hours a year. Budgeteer says keep the price under $25K.
How about it ... I gotta have a strong dependable tractor in the 45-50 HP (engine) range with a strong loader. My only life experience has been with Fords and the Farm Trac (grew up with a Ford 4000/gas w/ Allison tranny).
Thanks in advance!
Bob
I have a 2005 Farm Trac which I bought 02/06 w/ a FEL. 2WD. no cab, base tractor. I traded an old 1977 Ford Industrial 335 that had a 4 way blade on the front and was a war horse I used in cleaning this raw wooded land. It was getting quite tired through 2005 and when we suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Rita she just wasn't up to the task so I traded her in on the Farm Trac. All my neighbors have longs of varying ages and this was a product of Long Agribusiness so I felt comfortable with my purchase and the price was very good.
Well, obviously I got a tractor that suffered quality control issues. I had several failures (hydraulic seal on the axle assembly and the 3 pt hitch lift). Plus numerous other issues (power steering leak(s), starter failure, poor wiring(breakage), etc. Well, I am getting out from under this poor buy on my part. I have a buyer that I'll get about 20% equity out of the tractor. I want to get in a new 4WD and I want to make an informed decision. (Presently cleaning up from Hurricane Ike too). Thanks for listening to the vent.
Local dealer just picked up New Holland(12 miles). I think I want a Kubota (40 miles to the 3 nearest dealers). Other possibilities are Kioti which I know of no owners but have heard scant good things about them. MF dealer is 50+ miles away but is possible. JD dealers at 40 and 50 miles away. These are my "local" new dealers.
My work is mostly bushhogging/mowing (10 of my acres and on the deer lease to keep roads open), working a 1.5 acre garden (initial ground breakup), working on cleaning up the woodlot(s) on the place, some grader work on the road/drive in which is about 900', and some dirt moving with the bucket for small projects. Probably 50-75 hours a year. Budgeteer says keep the price under $25K.
How about it ... I gotta have a strong dependable tractor in the 45-50 HP (engine) range with a strong loader. My only life experience has been with Fords and the Farm Trac (grew up with a Ford 4000/gas w/ Allison tranny).
Thanks in advance!
Bob