Landscaper looking for some buying advice.

tslandscaping · Sep 24, 2008

I have had a small landscaping business for several years and lately I have been becoming more and more serious about purchasing a tractor.

I have been spending $600-$800 a week on labor costs that could be, for the most part, replaced with the purchase of a tractor. I also frequently rent equipment to do tasks that a tractor could do.

I will be using for many things:

1. Moving material (stone, mulch, plants, dirt etc.)

2. Digging out patio and retaining wall footings.

3. Drainage lines.

I have decided that I definitely want to get a bucket in the front and a backhoe.

My other problem is money, I know that I could save up enough cash to purchase the tractor in about a year but I do not want to miss out on all of the money that I could make in a year with that tractor.

So here are my questions:

1. Is it silly to buy a tractor new? (I am leaning towards new because of the 0% financing.)

2. What would be a sufficient amount of horsepower for the tasks I have in mind?

3. I do not have a trailer that can haul a tractor. I am however looking in to buying a large 6 or 7 ton dump trailer with loading ramps. Does anyone have any thoughts about this?

4. Any suggestions as to what models I should be looking at?

myyaz33 · Sep 24, 2008

My advice would be if the majority of your jobs are residences of 7000 sqft or less, seriously consider a good used mini skid steer like a Toro dingo, etc... I know this may sound odd coming from a tractor site!

tslandscaping · Sep 24, 2008

myyaz23,

I have considered a Dingo. I priced one out earlier in the summer but I thought that they were too small for what I wanted to do.

Most of my jobs are on relatively large properties. I do have to worry about leaving tracks on the pristine lawns though.

LBrown59 · Sep 24, 2008

ts land scaping said:
L B

1*I have been spending $600-$800 a week.
2* Is it silly to buy a tractor new?
I am leaning towards new because of the 0% financing.
L B

1*The total payment on my 2 tractors is $450 a month .
Sure beats $2400 to $3200 like you're spending each month don't it!
2*What's silly is to pay more for used than new due to the finance charges on the loan.
L B

flusher · Sep 25, 2008

tslandscaping said:
I have had a small landscaping business for several years and lately I have been becoming more and more serious about purchasing a tractor.

I have been spending $600-$800 a week on labor costs that could be, for the most part, replaced with the purchase of a tractor. I also frequently rent equipment to do tasks that a tractor could do.

I will be using for many things:

1. Moving material (stone, mulch, plants, dirt etc.)

2. Digging out patio and retaining wall footings.

3. Drainage lines.

I have decided that I definitely want to get a bucket in the front and a backhoe.

My other problem is money, I know that I could save up enough cash to purchase the tractor in about a year but I do not want to miss out on all of the money that I could make in a year with that tractor.

So here are my questions:

1. Is it silly to buy a tractor new? (I am leaning towards new because of the 0% financing.)

2. What would be a sufficient amount of horsepower for the tasks I have in mind?

3. I do not have a trailer that can haul a tractor. I am however looking in to buying a large 6 or 7 ton dump trailer with loading ramps. Does anyone have any thoughts about this?

4. Any suggestions as to what models I should be looking at?

I'd be looking at something like a Kubota B26 TLB--26 hp(engine), 19.5 hp (pto), hydrostatic tranny, 4WD, power steering, weighs 4000 lb with FEL and backhoe.

kubota - B26

I owned a new 2005 Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto, 4WD, hydrostatic tranny, power steering) with the LA302 FEL (4-ft bucket). Didn't have a backhoe on this tractor. Nevertheless, it is one sweet machine. Powerful, nimble, easy to operate in landscaping tasks. Used it to do the landscaping around my new house.

mjncad · Sep 25, 2008

tslandscaping said:
So here are my questions:

1. Is it silly to buy a tractor new? (I am leaning towards new because of the 0% financing.)

No, especially since it doesn't get any better than 0% interest.

You might get a used tractor for less than new; but if reliability and up-time is a concern, get new and you know the machine's history. Downtime fixing a tractor is money out of your pocket. Plus if you consider the value of your time time trying to hunt down a good used rig, you'll quickly burn through any savings in lost jobs by tractor shopping.

I've always said that I like to be the first one to **** up a machine, car or house.

sperry · Sep 25, 2008

I have a small Kubota 7610HST W/FEL and Woods 750 BH that is just perfect for the type of use you have. It's easy to move around with a small trailer like your thinking also. I recommend looking at this combo for your needs.

Botabill · Sep 25, 2008

The 0 percent financing is just a 'come on'. If you look at the fine print you will see that you can get a substantial price cut if you pay cash. What you need to do is calculate if borrowing $ from an alternate source and paying at the cash discount rate works out to be a better deal. Even at the 0 percent rate the companies usually ask for a cash deposit.

AndyMA · Sep 25, 2008

Having grown up on a nursery, currently having several tractors and been on machinery for over 40 years, I say get a Skidsteer type machine for what you are looking to do. Much more manuverable.

Andy

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Sep 25, 2008

AndyMA said:
Having grown up on a nursery, currently having several tractors and been on machinery for over 40 years, I say get a Skidsteer type machine for what you are looking to do. Much more manuverable.

Andy

Not good on lawns.

Check out the Mahindra tractor website.

Soundguy · Sep 25, 2008

Buy now, buy new, get attractive financing, and the money you save each week ( 600-800$ ? ) .. well each weak of savings could be up to 2 months of tractor payments. IE.. in just a couple months.. you could have paid for that year of tractor payments in labor savings.. and then the rest is gravy.. or you can reinvest and pay down the loan.. etc.

It's likely you will be wanting 20-30 hp.. with my guess being inthe 24hp area.. as a scut will be easier to maneuver in tight areas.... and any tractor with a hoe and bucket is better than a shovel, and wheel barrow and hired hand any day..

soundguy

tslandscaping said:
I have had a small landscaping business for several years and lately I have been becoming more and more serious about purchasing a tractor.

I have been spending $600-$800 a week on labor costs that could be, for the most part, replaced with the purchase of a tractor. I also frequently rent equipment to do tasks that a tractor could do.

I will be using for many things:

1. Moving material (stone, mulch, plants, dirt etc.)

2. Digging out patio and retaining wall footings.

3. Drainage lines.

I have decided that I definitely want to get a bucket in the front and a backhoe.

My other problem is money, I know that I could save up enough cash to purchase the tractor in about a year but I do not want to miss out on all of the money that I could make in a year with that tractor.

So here are my questions:

1. Is it silly to buy a tractor new? (I am leaning towards new because of the 0% financing.)

2. What would be a sufficient amount of horsepower for the tasks I have in mind?

3. I do not have a trailer that can haul a tractor. I am however looking in to buying a large 6 or 7 ton dump trailer with loading ramps. Does anyone have any thoughts about this?

4. Any suggestions as to what models I should be looking at?

woodlandfarms · Sep 25, 2008

Maybe a power-trac? Highly manueverable. Slim design. Not a great choice if you have abusive employees but a fantastic hybrid between a skid steer and a tractor... Also Gehl is very good, but bring your platinum card...

jeffinsgf · Sep 25, 2008

When I bought our place about 5 years ago, I bought a used skid steer. After about 6 months, I bought a new tractor. Shortly after that, I sold the skid steer. While the skid steer is better than a tractor for the "broad strokes", it is just too rough for the final finish. Implements are much higher, too.

Look at the John Deere 2000 series -- the bigger ones -- for your needs. I have a 4410, which is the predecessor to the 3320. There are times, doing yard work that I wish I had a slightly smaller tractor. I like the looks of the 2720. Lot's of power, but in a smaller frame.

LBrown59 · Sep 25, 2008

Botabill said:
1*The 0 percent financing is just a 'come on'.
2*If you look at the fine print you will see that you can get a substantial price cut if you pay cash.

I have purchased 2 new BX Kubotas.
1*Wasn't true with either of them.
2*Wasn't so here either.
There was only one price Cash or o percent financing.

tslandscaping · Sep 25, 2008

Thanks for the advice guys,

I am heading over to the Massey dealership this afternoon to try out their 2400 series.

Is this tractor powerful enough to scrape off a layers of sod from the ground with the bucket?

zionview · Sep 25, 2008

It should be plenty. Don't forget the toothbar on the loader if you're picking up sod.

GreenWannabe · Sep 25, 2008

In addition to the toothbar, check out a skid plate for underneath, to protect vulnerable filter, fan, hoses, etc. If you are getting a backhoe, you might also want a thumb. I believe both products are available fron Bro-Tek, which seems to have a good reputation and provides great customer service.

Good luck with your purchase, and happy shopping!

kthompson · Sep 25, 2008

Another thought:

Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac

JiminGa · Sep 25, 2008

tslandscaping,

I am in the business as well. I currently have a John Deere 2305 that is awesome at somethings, like tight quarters and small grading jobs. however, it's no where near enough machine to unload a pallet of sod or stone. if you have those types of plans then you really need to look at something bigger like a 4x20 series in the Deere line up, which is a large chassis compact. the other thing I have grown to dislike about the subcompact is I can't rent implements because the rental yards have equipment that's too big for my tractor....so if you don't need heavy lifting you probably still want to stay away from a subcompact. leasons learned the hard way.

john_bud · Sep 25, 2008

On the dump trailer as tractor transport. It should work. You just need to get a small enough tractor to fit in the trailer. Most 14k dumps are about 14 foot long. With the tractor in there, there won't be too much room for attachments.

Have you checked for input on places like www.lawnsite.com?

jb