Buying Advice Narrowed it down - Do I talk myself out of this?

[jrbarnard]

Well, financing came in. I do not care to have my credit pinged all over the place, so since I have done research for... well, a long time now.. heh.. I need to "talk it through one last time..."

My other post is a little on this topic, just adding the numbers and decision here to discuss other options, so chime in if you feel the same way as before, please.

I narrowed this down to LS and Branson. I liked a lot of the others, but these seemed to hit the price points I wanted with the options and quality at that price point.

I am having a real hard time saying "no" to the larger cab.

So, I only have 2 acres here at the house. Yes, I have a ranch that is 330 acres, but 5 hours away and, let's be honest, I will probably only take this to the ranch 1-3 times a year.

If I sell the ranch, I will either buy another one closer and THEN.. yes, I will use this more there, but, for now....I am really focusing on the house and that is, at most, 2 acres, and I will be mowing it a lot.

What else will I do? Well, I have posts I want to add, large trees I want to add, landscaping, driveway, etc.

At the ranch, when I take it, it will be to repair roads, and plant seeds for the deer in less than an acre.

I will also, I suspect, help others when needed....just to feel better about my choice.. lol

Could I get by without a cab? Sure...The ONLY reason I am looking at the Branson 3725HC is because it has A/C...period.. end of story... oh.. well, it DOES let me use a 6ft brush hog instead of a 4 or 5 ft, that makes the grass go easier, right?
So... the two models I could get: Branson 3725HC with a 6ft Box Blade, 6ft Brush Hog, 9" Post Hole Digger - $460 a month

Model 2: 2400H Trailer, Post Hole, 4ft Box Blade, 4ft Brush Hog, Backhoe - $340 a month

Looking at about a ...$120 a month difference. OH... both include delivery.. will discuss that aspect here:

I own a 2018 Dodge Pickup. It is the V6, not the V8...has twin turbos and SAYS it has a towing capacity of like 8200...don't get me started on the different ways to decipher the towing.. bottom line is....it would tow either.. but it would not like the larger one and, frankly, towing is not a major concern.. I can get it where I need if I have to with friends etc.. but...throwing that in.

Options:

I COULD drop the backhoe on the smaller models and drop a heck of a chunk of the price as well....but I like the option of a backhoe, if I give up the A/C... for digging tree holes etc, but I could not use that at the ranch, too much rock there.

I could upgrade to either a 3015 or maybe a 3510? A little in between.. get bigger, but those only do 5ft box blades etc I think.. the 35 may do a 6ft....but, at the cost of A/C

Question: Am I being silly for thinking that the A/C is worth the extra $120 a month? I mean... with ANY of the other models.. I give up A/C...I can get anything "I" need done around the ranch or my house with anything smaller....going to look sorta silly mowing my 1-2 acres with this big boy...but they would be looking at me...being silly, but not HOT.. lol

Smaller models means I get the trailer and can tow it and do it all myself, vs the larger one, no trailer.. so, would need to rely on others till I get a new trailer OR...if my truck cannot tow it.

But heck.... there is absolutely nothing I could not do with that 3725...I know, small compared to all you farm guys.. and if I was closer to my ranch, heck.. this would not even be a debate...

My wife would love if I debated this for a few more years.. you know.. 20.. lol.. but, I think I have debated it and, well.. I can afford either. Sure, would be a little tighter for a few months if I got the larger one.. but, only for a few months and then it would not matter. AND.. if we actually did sell the current ranch and got a new one closer.. heck.. it would be paid off anyway.. heh.

BUT.. if we keep the current ranch....this is going to be a big fat a/c lawn mower for 1-2 acres 90% of the time.. lol.. well, I do have a TON of things I want to DO in these 2 acres.. and I need a tractor no matter what.

So, adjust when I do stuff and get the smaller one? Adjust what I spend and get the A/C?

I know where some will go heh...and again, sorry to repeat a few of the last post, but needed to "spell out" the questions keeping me awake tonight with the new numbers.

Russ

 

[searcyfarms]

Many things to ponder here, - I will hit the highlights............

bottom line, you are in texas and mow a lot more than most of us due to the climate - looks like you get a fair amount of rain too so quite a consistent bit of mowing - since you say the $$ I really not an issue, I would spring for the A/C - it will also help with resale if you get a ranch closer and use it even more OR if you sell for something different. If momma likes to mow or likes the new tractor, you might get her on it to help while you are doing something else, fat chance w/out A/C here.

Only thing I would think about is the backhoe, with it primarily a mowing machine, how difficult is it going to be to remove/install so you can mow? how often will have to remove/install it ?

I wouldn't be concerned with the hauling and weight, 5000lbs ish is way under your towing capacity even with the trailer weight added. Unless u planned on hauling it with the backhoe/loader/mower all piled on then you would be pushing the capacity if not going over a weee bit. Sounds like a good size and fit for your needs.

Not sure what kind of landscaping projects you are planning but 90% of mine have been loader sufficient. I have only had one occasion in the past 10 yrs that a backhoe would have helped burying pipe. I have planted all my trees with a shovel or loader work. All of my backfill/grading/foundation with a loader. Burying drain pipe is what the backhoe was needed for however, renting an trencher/auger was way less intrusive and messy for the work and far quicker.

not knowing how many trees and what your landscaping will consist of would better determine the justification for the backhoe - I would be hard pressed to justify a backhoe when I can rent one a couple times and have my jobs lined up and get them done. I can rent a small excavator/backhoe attachment for 200/300 per weekend so that is easy math rather than having a larger payment for several years. I cant imagine on 2 acres you would have that many holes to dig to justify the backhoe vs renting something as needed. You said you would be mainly mowing and too much rock work at the ranch for a backhoe.

Just my thoughts russ, you know far better than me but..........just going by what you typed - hope I didn't sound too negative, just thinking outloud......

 

[fried1765]

Many things to ponder here, - I will hit the highlights............

bottom line, you are in texas and mow a lot more than most of us due to the climate - looks like you get a fair amount of rain too so quite a consistent bit of mowing - since you say the $$ I really not an issue, I would spring for the A/C - it will also help with resale if you get a ranch closer and use it even more OR if you sell for something different. If momma likes to mow or likes the new tractor, you might get her on it to help while you are doing something else, fat chance w/out A/C here.

Only thing I would think about is the backhoe, with it primarily a mowing machine, how difficult is it going to be to remove/install so you can mow? how often will have to remove/install it ?

I wouldn't be concerned with the hauling and weight, 5000lbs ish is way under your towing capacity even with the trailer weight added. Unless u planned on hauling it with the backhoe/loader/mower all piled on then you would be pushing the capacity if not going over a weee bit. Sounds like a good size and fit for your needs.

Not sure what kind of landscaping projects you are planning but 90% of mine have been loader sufficient. I have only had one occasion in the past 10 yrs that a backhoe would have helped burying pipe. I have planted all my trees with a shovel or loader work. All of my backfill/grading/foundation with a loader. Burying drain pipe is what the backhoe was needed for however, renting an trencher/auger was way less intrusive and messy for the work and far quicker.

not knowing how many trees and what your landscaping will consist of would better determine the justification for the backhoe - I would be hard pressed to justify a backhoe when I can rent one a couple times and have my jobs lined up and get them done. I can rent a small excavator/backhoe attachment for 200/300 per weekend so that is easy math rather than having a larger payment for several years. I cant imagine on 2 acres you would have that many holes to dig to justify the backhoe vs renting something as needed. You said you would be mainly mowing and too much rock work at the ranch for a backhoe.

Just my thoughts russ, you know far better than me but..........just going by what you typed - hope I didn't sound too negative, just thinking outloud......

It is YOUR money ....not mine!
So...... buy the bigger tractor,..... with backhoe of course.
Don't put yourself in the position of buying a tractor, selling/trading a tractor, and then buying another tractor.
BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR for all your future needs!

 

[Tigershark]

AC in Texas is a plus I don't know all your projects but for 2 Acres I think a backhoe would be hard to justify when you can rent a mini for under 250$. You can rent or pick up a Post Hole digger for tree planting. We planted over 70 at our farm and ended up borrowing a Dingo from a friend and rented a 30 inch bit really made things go pretty quick. Don't think my tractor could have done a 30 but the PTO could have run a smaller bit. Have you considered a finish mower if this is for a lawn ? a bush hog isn't going to leave a clean trail behind. I think the 3725 Cab would be a good choice, don't have any regrets

 

[jrbarnard]

Will the tires tear up my lawn?

Agreed about the finishing mower. I will be asking about that today when we talk and nail down the specifics.

Now that you mention it, I should call the local rental places and see what a backhoe attachment costs to rent.

Thanks fellas

Just really hard.. the "cheap/frugal" side of me says "dude.. be happy you GOT a tractor and get the 2400 and be done!"


But the other side thinks like all of you..."If you get it....you will USE it.. and getting home at 5:30 pm in July when it is still 101 degrees outside and you want/NEED to mow that yard.... now.... fire up the A/C and enjoy the ride..." lol

I also need to call Dodge today and ask them, specifically, what this will tow. Maybe I need better shocks and/or whatever... it should tow it, maybe I can make it tow better.

Thanks again!

R

 

[jrbarnard]

By the way guys, thanks for letting me ramble and for all the help and input. My first tractor. Driven a few that other's had or I rented, but....just a big decision when it is yours and the product of like 2-3 years of wishing and waiting and....

Big choice.. heh. So, I appreciate all the advise.

BTW... I will be asking a lot more I am sure.. lol

R

 

[searcyfarms]

u don't have a tractor for the ranch acreage?

 

[shooterdon]

Buying something like a BH that will see limited use is not smart. Sometimes it makes sense to pay for the work. My neighbor talked me out of getting one for that reason. Nice to have but a lot of money. In the six years I have lived here, I have spent $500 for BH work. Your circumstances may differ.

 

[jrbarnard]

Searcyfarms - No sir, for the past 7-ish years, my buddies have always brought their tractors out and I am very thankful for that, but it is one of those things where I am at the mercy of when they can make it, when they are willing etc. I go and I see all this work I can do, but did not have the means to do so.

Now, that being said.... without the ability to tow it myself, I would still be at their mercy... asking Dodge what the REAL towing ability of this truck is and then looking at the REAL weight of the rig is, and will adjust if I need to.

BUT, having said that, it is a lot easier to get a friend to tow MY rig than to bring theirs.

Shoot: I totally agree with that and I have weighed that as well. A couple things that lend me to buying is I still have to place 12 very large posts (cedar and 8" diameter deer fence posts) just at the house for my future garden. I need to have dirt dropped off so I can build up the area for the lean-to off the barn, then build the garden, and a few other things.

To have all the work done, just the labor alone would be well over 5-6k dollars.

That is if I do not count the driveway I want to expand... heh.. so, you bet...I toyed with the idea of paying, but when you factor in the ranch...it made more sense.

Now, we may sell that ranch this year. Does it still make sense to buy if so? Well, if we sell, we will try to get a place to roll that money into that is closer and THAT place will need a lot more work and be able to be worked more than the current one.

If we sell it and decide not to get anything.. well, maybe I downgrade.. but maybe I enjoy the fact that I can mow in comfort and the monthly bill is not an issue anymore.

I don't know if I will ever have a good answer for that, hence why....I am just "talking it through" with folks here...people I am sure have gone over this a lot more than me... and trying to figure out which way I will feel more comfortable going.

I can go "low end" and get a 2400H with a trailer and auger, and mower, and loader and forget the backhoe and be under 300 a month.....or I can do the big honker of a tractor and ride in comfort...marvel at the universe, and enjoy the ride.. heh.. or I can find something in between.

Not sure there is a right or wrong answer....or I would not be here now.. heh

R

 

[searcyfarms]

well that sheds a little more light on things............ praise the lord for buddies and their time/truck/trailers/tractors!!!!! - either way I would go with the biggest w/cab I could get, you will need to be mowing and doing work with the tractor at the ranch more especially if closer. If the towing weight is indeed 8500 lbs, most trailers that would haul that would be in the neighborhood of 2500lbs and with cab/loader you would be fine - you can mow with a 5 to 6 foot rear mount and have your loader along as well.

With 6000lbs capacity you should be good with that setup. per branson, 4195 weight for tractor - 1037 for loader/brackets/bucket - the leaves u room for the mower and probably the post hole digger.

personally from what you have said, I don't see the justification for the backhoe - I agree you could do all of the other work with the tractor/loader/post digger and rent a backhow/excavator for the tree planting. I can get a 6000lb mini excavator delivered to my house for 350/weekend it will reach 15 feet and dig like a beast and I could plant enough trees for an orchard in a weekend and dig hundreds of feet of trench with that thing so buying a backhoe seems moot for your situation. spend it on the trailer to haul the tractor on to the ranch. here are the towing specs for dodge pickups - Ram Trucks - Towing & Payload Capacity Guide looks like most are around 7500lbs towing for the gasser v6 with the appropriate rear end gears - the v6 diesels are more around 8000 lbs or over