Buying Advice Priorities?

[FlawlessFarms]

Hoping to find some good advice here. Looking to buy a used compact (or somewhat larger) tractor, with the ideal being something around 1,500 + pounds bare weight, 20+ HP, 4WD, and a front loader. After doing quite a bit of looking online, it seems unlikely I値l find all that for my budget of $6-7K. I know I値l need to compromise on something, but not sure what. FEL is a must have, but what are your thoughts about either a subcompact with 4WD, vs. a larger, heavier, 2WD tractor? Lots of older 2WD units out there to be had.

Tractor will be used on 17 acres, about 2/3 wooded, relatively flat terrain. Primary needs are bush hogging, snow removal, clearing vegetation, and lifting/dragging downed trees. Located in southern Michigan.

Thanks!

 

[CMV]

Used to do what on those 17 acres2/3 wooded? Big difference between need to move round bales from a trailer to just run a bush hog

 

[FlawlessFarms]

Updated my original question with thise details. Thank you!

 

[kthompson]

No idea how on line your are searching in but craiglist and ebay have crooks on them offering great deals. NOT ALL ads are crooks but be careful with any purchase but I would not buy if could not put my hands on it. If you are using the big tractor sites they can be good. Prices are not firm most of the time but again unless I can see the tractor would pass on it.

Now can you find what you are asking for, maybe but not easy. For fel loader 4 wheel is nice but not a must. Will demand good rear ballast for traction for 2 wheel drive. Four wheel drive is really good in certain soil conditions such as very sandy or wet and slopes. Are you sure of the need for the fel? Is there another option for you at lower price? If you do not have to lift for such as loading dirt could you use a rear "scoop"? Should be lot lower price.

For 17 acres the size tractor you are looking for with fel ... what are you wanting to do? There are some good solid old (over 30) tractors out there that have lots of life in them. If you don't know tractors find a friend who does or even hire mechanic who works on them to look at it before buying.

 

[oosik]

Flawlessfarms - you just might find what you seek. You are NE of the Mississippi R. Out here where I am - NE WA state - it's akin to looking for a large glacier in the Atacama dessert.

For over ten years I looked for a larger used utility tractor. It doesn't exist out here. I gave up and in 2009 I bought a new Kubota M6040. It's the same here for any used implements.

I swear - - the word out here is: "if you must sell, take it East of the Mississippi, first".

 

[jeff9366]

FEL is a must, but what are your thoughts about either a subcompact with 4WD, vs. a larger, heavier, 2WD tractor? Lots of older 2WD units out there to be had.

Tractor will be used on 17 acres, about 2/3 wooded, relatively flat terrain.

Primary needs are bush hogging, snow removal, clearing vegetation, and lifting/dragging downed trees. Located in southern Michigan.

Subcompact tractors have only 7" to 9" ground clearance. Not enough ground clearance to work in woods.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers.
Heavier tractors are built with thicker steel to withstand greater stress. Heavier tractors have larger diameter wheels/tires, increasing ground clearance. Heavier tractors with large diameter wheels/tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

Subcompact tractors only have two-range HST transmissions. You need a three-range HST or a gear transmission for a low range/low gear transmitting enough power to pull logs.

VIDEO: Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

I recommend a heavier tractor vs. a subcompact tractor.

If you add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE, so it shows in every post you author, a member in Michigan may inform you of a quality used tractor for sale reasonably near. This happens regularly.

Used tractor prices are lowest when snow is on the ground. This is a good season to shop.



Here are tractors for sale on eBay within 500 miles of Battle Creek, Michigan:

TRACTOR in Business and Industrial Supplies | eBay

 

[Diggin It]

Your location isn't relevant.

I'm not sure 25HP is really enough for 17 acres. I'm not sure 4WD is necessary for mostly flat ground.

How mechanically inclined are you? What kinds of tools or shop do you have? Older machines are more likely to need service and repairs more often. Are you able to handle that?

Use extreme caution with shopping anywhere on the web for this kind of thing. Many have done it without problems, but there can be trouble. Check out more local ad services if possible Also check local AG/farm equipment auction houses.

 

[FlawlessFarms]

Great points, and kind of what I知 trying to determine; which is greater value, 4WD in a smaller lighter tractor, or extra size and weight, but only 2WD? Hadn稚 considered ground clearance factors, though. Thanks!

 

[Oldoak]

That's a tough decision to make within your price constraint. I would think which ever tractor you find first in good mechanical condition and in your price range. I have done a lot years ago with two different 2-wheel drive tractors, both using chains on the rear tires at times. (a 35 HP IH 354 and a 55 HP J.D. 2350). However once I switch to a 4-wheel drive tractor I never looked back. (Kubota L4200 and currently an L5060)

In your case, even with 4WD, I would consider a 24 HP as a bare minimum and definitely more if you choose hydrostatic drive. Of course that's jusant my thinking.

 

[CMV]

Just scanned my local CL and really nothing. Hopefully your area has better asking prices on used machines. Nothing there - any size - under $10k that would meet your needs except a 1980s off brand which would carry a lot of risk of ever fixing what breaks...

$6-$7k is going to be a very limiting factor, unless your used market is pretty soft. I think that will be the expectation that needs reset. Most of the smaller machines you won't even find a 2WD variant. The subcompacts need 4wd because the rears are going to break traction - add a bucketful of something out front and the rears are real likely to break traction. Just the corner of a bush hog catching a high dirt spot would have me spinning rears at times on the 25HP machine I had & it wasn't the smallest. So unless you're wanting a larger older tractor, probably retrofitted with an aftermarket loader, crossing 2WD off the list doesn't really do much for you.

The little subcompacts are neat. They can do a lot. But reality there is just some stuff you're not gonna get done (in a reasonable amount of time, or physically incapable). Kubota BX 2380, JD 1025, MF GC1715, LS MT1, etc - everyone makes one. So they are "real tractors" - not just a glorified lawn mower. But you still have to have reasonable expectations of what the limitations are and realize they will work above their limitations, but will break doing so. But even at that, at least around here, you're looking at $9kish for a decent used one. Any less is a scam or something really broken.

From there, prices just go up, unless age, condition, bazillion hours, etc warrants a smaller price.

So.....what options that leave you? If that $6-7k is stuffed under your mattress, hit up the auctions, especially estate auctions. Otherwise, spread the word if you're in no rush. Friends, family, co-workers, church members - someone you know knows someone that has a tractor they'd consider selling. Might find an older machine in good shape and with a loader that way. I woudn't want a tractor without a loader. Primary reason I even have it is to be a dirt-mover. However, the tasks you listed can all be done w/o a loader. Boom pole & carry-all can do some of what a loader can, maybe just not as convenient. Heck, think of how much you could really do with an 8N in good shape and large assortment of implements....

From the limited info we have on your needs & situation....to me I'd think something similar to a Kubota L3301 would be about the smallest you'd want. Maybe get by with smaller, but around there is where it's really starting to meet your needs in capability. So that means you're looking for something along the lines of an older Kubota L2650 or thereabout....