New Tractor Buyer - Where to Start?

[dodge man]

I'd say it all depends on your budget. Your talking at least 20k for something smaller and/or used, and it would be easy to get into 40k in a hurry if you buy a bigger tractor and a lot of implements. I would look at compact tractors in the 25hp to 40 hp size.

 

[shooterdon]

One way to reduce trailer length is to raise the FEL and park the UTV under it. You can use angel iron to fab up supports that can be attached to the loader rams so the FEL is not accidently dropped and they will keep the UTV safe if your cylinders bleed down.

I have had both on open station and cabbed tractor. With OS, you may find operation easier in the woods. I use my tractor year round, so having A/C in the summer and heat in the winter is nice. Do not buy a cabbed tractor without a A/C unless you can easily remove the doors...they are greenhouses.

I could not find a used tractor that was not beat up for less than 35% of new so I bought a new one to get the warranty. Some dealers offer 0% or low financing so consider that. If you can wrench, may not be as important.

BTW, wanted to add....Getting too small a tractor will result in attachments that may not be ideal if you ever trade up. Keep that in mind.

Good luck.

 

[fried1765]

Good ideas often times get washed out once the money starts coming into play. Brand new pricing on a tractor alone that was talked about above start around 20k, trailer to haul tractor and UTV would have to be an equipment trailer at probably $5k brand new for a 25ft trailer, possibly longer and possibly more money. Now your hauling around a 5k lb trailer, 3-4k tractor and 1-2k UTV, which now your tired 1/2 ton cant haul around 10-12k and your looking at $60k truck. This might not be the op but I see this all the time, a good idea morphs into $100k over night. Often times it means sacrificing in one way or another.

"tired 1/2 ton can't haul around 10-12K"

Where did that conclusion come from?
The OP specifically stated that he has a 3/4 diesel truck.

 

[nards444]

One way to reduce trailer length is to raise the FEL and park the UTV under it. You can use angel iron to fab up supports that can be attached to the loader rams so the FEL is not accidently dropped and they will keep the UTV safe if your cylinders bleed down.

Good luck.

have to be careful here, total height of FEL lifted, air drag pulling on the machine etc. Really probably not a good idea, considering you never see equipment transported in this manner. Better off spending the few more bucks to add 5 ft.

 

[christiansok]

Unless you are the real exception, you will probably get use your first tractor to learn what to buy next time. So lean toward popular brands with good resale for your first machine.
Good luck, and ask questions.
rScotty

Excellent point I hadn't thought about. Good thing to keep in mind on the first buy. Thanks.

 

[christiansok]

AIRBISCUIT:

CHRISTIANSOK: Are you considering a CAB tractor or solely OPEN STATION?

Not really considering a cab at this time. Due to added cost (whatever that would be) and also it would likely be stored inside and need to fit through a standard height garage door so I wouldn't want height to be an issue.

 

[nards444]

"tired 1/2 ton can't haul around 10-12K"

Where did that conclusion come from?
The OP specifically stated that he has a 3/4 diesel truck.

just an example of how things snowball, may or may not relate to the OP. But could be tired old 3/4 ton gasser, that would be the same thing. Who knows shoe fits wear it, if not then dont worry about it. My point was here that a 20k tractor could morph into 100k over night. See it all the time around here (now just an example but generally fits what I have seen), guy buys $40k boat, has some SUV that doesnt cut it, buys a $50k truck, buys accessories, etc etc etc. Two years later is dumping everything because he went to far with it. Just a precaution and somethings to think about

 

[christiansok]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

No one has addressed your desire to haul both a tractor with FEL and implement on the back AND your UTV in one trip. That's gonna take long trailer (thanks Captain Obvious) with special attention to load balancing. Get some lengths of tractors you are considering and add the length of your UTV plus some fudge factor for insurance, then start pricing trailers that can handle that length, and see how that impacts your budget. Trailers like that won't be inexpensive. Then consider if your tow vehicle is capable of that size trailer and weight, and what modifications you might have to make to your hitch, brake controllers, etc... it all starts adding up quickly.

True, a lot of factors to consider there. I may hold off on any sort of big trailer investment and size things up/test them out borrowing my in laws large equipment trailer first to see if I like it. I think it is a 25 foot deck plus dovetail but I'm not certain there. It may boil down to being too much hassle that the two short trips just works out better anyways.

 

[christiansok]

just an example of how things snowball

I understood what you were saying for what it's worth. The reason we have a 3/4 ton diesel now is to tow our camper we purchased and weren't that thrilled towing it with our 1/2 ton gasser haha. So I know exactly where you're coming from.

 

[christiansok]

Thanks for all the replies in general, a lot of good information. Makes for a good list of things to consider when buying and also helped narrow my scope a bit to look more seriously.