Buying Advice Woodslot tractor? 50-70hp

[Piper2022]

Any recommendations on buy a used 50-70 hp tractor for working in my woodlot? I would like to find a low hours machine for say 20k. But depending on the machine the hours could vary. I don't feel I need a cab. Just going to get beat in the woods. I like synchronized gear tractors, but haven't driven many newer hydrostatic ones.

My main criteria is(feel free to correct me if my priorities seem wacked):

1. Low ish center of gravity, nothing crazy but some of the utility tractors seem to be much taller than others.

2. Efficient controls including loader controls.

3. Effective in the woods without too much work. For example some of the newer 50-70hp tractors I have looked at have plastic fuel tanks that hang rather low. I would like a tractor that dosent have too much down low to damage. I know it's not a skidder tho.



Also what tires do you guys like in the woods? Ag or industrial?

Right now I have my eyes on the 50-70 hp range

Any input

 

[PapaPerk]

Any recommendations on buy a used 50-70 hp tractor for working in my woodlot? I would like to find a low hours machine for say 20k. But depending on the machine the hours could vary. I don't feel I need a cab. Just going to get beat in the woods. I like synchronized gear tractors, but haven't driven many newer hydrostatic ones. My main criteria is(feel free to correct me if my priorities seem wacked): 1. Low ish center of gravity, nothing crazy but some of the utility tractors seem to be much taller than others. 2. Efficient controls including loader controls. 3. Effective in the woods without too much work. For example some of the newer 50-70hp tractors I have looked at have plastic fuel tanks that hang rather low. I would like a tractor that dosent have too much down low to damage. I know it's not a skidder tho. Also what tires do you guys like in the woods? Ag or industrial? Right now I have my eyes on the 50-70 hp range Any input

Look at the grand L30 series Kubotas. I have a 3830.

You will want a loader for sure. Also check out the MX5100 kubota. That would probably be my pick for logging.

 

[GManBart]

Look at the grand L30 series Kubotas. I have a 3830.

He said 50-70hp....a 3830 would be a touch shy of that

 

[jbos333]

I recently purchased a 2007 New Holland TT60A 4x4 with approx. 400 hrs. on it for $16500 with NH quick attach loader. I also found a used Fransgard v-4000 winch to hang off the 3 pt. hitch. One of the reasons I liked this machine was- it will easily pick up 2000 lbs. on the loader- I palletize my firewood in 1/2 or 1 cord increments and 1 face cord of wet wood is in the 1 ton range. Also the front tires are quite tall for clearance. A lot of the 50 HP machines have smaller front tires.

It's a great size machine that will do whatever I need it to do, the only drawback so far is I miss having a f-w shuttle shift.

 

[Piper2022]

I really like that 60 horse newholland you are describing. The price seems pretty cheap for what you got, is that the going rate for a macine like that or did you luck out with a deal? The price in general seem really reasonable for the utility tractors such as yours on the used market. Everyone seems to want compacts

 

[dbaer78]

I have a Kubota mx5100 that I use for logging with a 3pt skidding winch. I love it and it will skid out some serious logs. From what it sounds like though you want something a fuzz bigger. If I were shopping for a larger logging tractor in the used market I'd find maybe a 4630 or tn65 new Holland, m6800 or m7040 Kubota, or an older 5000 series JD. Massey has a few as well. I wouldn't trade my ag tires for woods work. I'm also a proponent for skidding plating the bottom of any tractor that works seriously in the woods. I'm in the process of doing my Kubota now. It gives you much needed protection plus adds weight down low which is always a good thing.

 

[jbos333]

I think I did pretty well on it. I shopped around for quite a while and I was looking at all brands with local dealers, both private sale and dealers. This one was a private sale, I talked the guy down a little. He was looking to buy a compact tractor with a cab.

It is a bare bones utility tractor, though. That model is no longer made but to get into a similar new unit is at least $25,000 and most of the ones I checked out were on a smaller size frame and didn't have the loader capacity or taller front tires I mentioned.




Heres a couple pics, if they show up....

 

[dbaer78]

I might be wrong but I think the current new Holland workmaster 65 is much the same as the tt60a. When I was snooping last February that was around $30k in my area with loader new. Might be worth looking into though....

 

[Piper2022]

I wouldn't mind buying new, especially if there is low intrest financing. My father bought a brand new new holland 1920 and it had been flawless for the 1000 hours that I has on it. And some of those hours were pretty abusive lol. It ate an engine at like 3 hours but warranty covered it.

I like the idea of plating the underside. Either with steel or some very thick plastic. I am pretty careful in the woods and try to watch what I am driving through tho. Still peace of mind.

 

[dbaer78]

Piece of mind is what I'm after too. This will be the third tractor I've done this way. You might take a look at those newholland workmaster series. I'm pretty sure they're still running zero percent financing. My new Holland dealer says they've had good reliability from that series as well.