looking for another tractor

[mred2]

I lived in East Arkansas a long time, many years ago. If you wanted a large tractor, a good bit of 100+ stuff in east Arkansas. But not a lot below 100 hp. If you liked the New Holland, you may want to look at the LS. I purchased an XR4150 that I really like. The good thing today is there are a lot of great tractors being made. Look in your area and test drive everything. You may find, as I did, just some just didn't fit you right. Mine is a shuttle shift, non power, 16 speeds. 50hp. It does what I want it to do. I can let other people speak about the other brands, but most of them are good. Look at dealers, pick the good ones, if you want a close dealer. Test drive a lot and then check out that brand and model. Most, other than Deere, will come with SSQA FEL. I think you can now order one with Deere. I assume that your attachments are Cat 2. Good luck with the search. Take your time and have some fun shopping.

 

[airbiscuit]

If you go with the two tractor plan, sometimes the higher hp tractors can be real bargains. My neighbor has a Kubota M9540 and it's a real nice tractor. If you look around a bit, you can find them with a cab and loader for $35k or less.

 

[finn1]

I like my Kioti. For you, an NX or maybe even a DK series would be adequate. Consider a HST transmission.

But, before I panicked and ran out and bought a new tractor, consider taking you tractor to a dealer or independent repair shop for an autopsy and repair quote. You will get almost nothing for it as is, and an engine tear down is in order to understand what is required to get it going again. It may be as simple as a crank kit, or as bad as a remanufactured short block, long block, or complete engine.

In any event, it would be cheaper than a new engine.

When I do something dumb, I just consider it part of the mandatory stupidity tax.

 

[SenileTexasAggie]

Thanks, all, for your inputs. I did have the dealer quote a price for a rebuilt engine or an overhaul. The dealer said that the engine is no longer available, and that to rebuild it would cost $10-15K, and that there was a chance that it could not be rebuilt. I have not priced the larger HP tractors, so I may look into that. But I keep running into the question of whether I am buying a tractor or tractor model with a history of trouble.

Thanks again everyone for your inputs. I will let everyone know what I decide to do.

 

[Egon]

If the oil was blown out of the dipstick hole it is very possible the rings, cylinders were well worn and ready for incipient failure. Do not blame yourself. An overhaul was in the near future.

As for a different tractor a larger used farm tractor may work for you. Probably stay with one of the major brands and have it checked out by a competent individual before purchase.

 

[rScotty]

Thanks, all, for your inputs. I did have the dealer quote a price for a rebuilt engine or an overhaul. The dealer said that the engine is no longer available, and that to rebuild it would cost $10-15K, and that there was a chance that it could not be rebuilt. I have not priced the larger HP tractors, so I may look into that. But I keep running into the question of whether I am buying a tractor or tractor model with a history of trouble.

Thanks again everyone for your inputs. I will let everyone know what I decide to do.

Now don't give up yet. Stick with me for a moment, here.

What you heard from the dealer is exactly why I would spend a little bit of time looking for an older mechanic in an independent shop. You need a different job than the dealer is set up for. They used to do that work but don't much anymore. It's not the dealer's fault, their world is now new machines rather than repairs. The whole world is changing....but the old one is still hanging on.

I believe those old mechanics are still out there, do excellent work, and cost far less. I'll tell you how to find them, because they aren't online and don't advertise. My guess is around 6 to 8K for a rebuild if the block is good - and he will know that before he starts spending too much of your money. I did that kind of work for awhile and know the type of mechanic you want... in fact, I guess I was the that type. Jobs like yours are bread and butter. Don't you go giving up without even a try.

There used to be a mechanical shop like that in most rural communities. The mechanic I'm thinking of would have connections to an equally competent machinist and the local automotive machine shop - as well as an excellent network for parts that is not part of the standard dealership. He doesn't advertise because word of mouth brings him all the business he wants. You may find him by asking other mechanics - especially those at diesel specialty shops. But the best source of info I know is to ask the owner or foreman of the local automotive machine shop. He will know who brings him work. Auto machine shops are almost always independent shops as well. It's a vanishing breed, but not yet gone.
Good luck,
rScotty

 

[mred2]

Agree with rscotty. The place I work for, in office, replaces a lot of engines. Little rebuild is done anymore. A short block will have a good warranty from manufacturer. Today most mechanics just replace parts. And not a good machine shop left in town. Don't give up but nothing wrong with having two tractors.

 

[kthompson]

Sorry about the tractor damage. When you find the mechanic rScotty is talking about and they are out there, ask their recommendation. They know the brands in their, your area. In my recent search for a tractor found machinefinder.com to be the best just understand it is John Deere's. It is very good at searching JD dealerships, not others. As to Consumer Reports not aware there is any one who reports on commercial products in any line. There is a reason the brand names become brand names. I now own three Kubotas. From 27 to 68 hp. From very simple (M6800 basic open station) to very complicated (L6060 with cab), yet of the four tractors I currently own my favorite is a JD5525. More hp than you want but I can run that tractor all day, get out the cab as clean as when I got in the cab and not beat to death. Some of that difference is due to the larger size but still thoughts from my experience:

Weight is your friend. It helps with traction, stability and ride comfort. Smooth hydraulics. Can you raise and lower implements with full control? How does it handle running wide open on a road with heavy implement on it? How is the clearance? Is it easy to install or remove the front end loader if it has one and same for the 3 point hitch. What are the stabilizers, are they easy to allow the lift arms to swing for installing or removing an implement. If manual transmission is it synchronized, if not a pain in shifting.

I would suggest you find a tractor or two you like and visit that brands shop and talk with the shop manager. I think mechanics are honest on their experience. FYI I posted about hearing from three different JD dealerships there was issues with the 5000e model JD. One here took me to task, seem he took it personal. Any time I have three sellers of a product it has an issue I trust them. Had a Kubota dealer tell me same thing with two traded in with him they were less than 1 year old. Have a good friend who owns a tractor garage tell me same. He went further stay away from any "E" model of any brand.The exact model was and is built in India. Per JD website a few days ago they still are. There are other 5000 models that are some mighty fine tractors.

To me when you are looking at any item that is a price point item, they had to either cut something, use less expensive parts, less convenient operation. It is up to the buyer to determine if those differences are important to you or not.

 

[fried1765]

Yep, I liked them too. Especially those motors had a nice sound. That 12x12 tranny is hard to beat The balance was good..good loader too. The hydraulics won't be hurt. And better yet, that is the era before all the new emissions equipment became mandatory. All in all, a desireable tractor even with serious engine damage. Those are moving engine parts, and if it didn't absolutely let go, it's rebuildable. In fact, from that era they are pretty much infinitely rebuildable. There's a time I would have loved to have a chance at such a nice tractor that only needed some mechanical attention.

I'd get a really good diesel mechanic - maybe an good old guy in an independent shop - a chance to go through that engine. We could talk about that; it may not be all that bad. And I'd let him or you price out a whole new or reman engine. A good job is going to take a while. It might easily be a year.

And that's not all bad either, because it strikes me that with 160 acres and all those implements that's a place just begging for two tractors.
Do I wouldn't let this screw-up rob me of a chance to get a nice new machine. Then next year you can decide to keep them both.
rScotty

^^^^^^EXCELLENT ADVICE !!!!

 

[fried1765]

Now don't give up yet. Stick with me for a moment, here.

What you heard from the dealer is exactly why I would spend a little bit of time looking for an older mechanic in an independent shop. You need a different job than the dealer is set up for. They used to do that work but don't much anymore. It's not the dealer's fault, their world is now new machines rather than repairs. The whole world is changing....but the old one is still hanging on.

I believe those old mechanics are still out there, do excellent work, and cost far less. I'll tell you how to find them, because they aren't online and don't advertise. My guess is around 6 to 8K for a rebuild if the block is good - and he will know that before he starts spending too much of your money. I did that kind of work for awhile and know the type of mechanic you want... in fact, I guess I was the that type. Jobs like yours are bread and butter. Don't you go giving up without even a try.

There used to be a mechanical shop like that in most rural communities. The mechanic I'm thinking of would have connections to an equally competent machinist and the local automotive machine shop - as well as an excellent network for parts that is not part of the standard dealership. He doesn't advertise because word of mouth brings him all the business he wants. You may find him by asking other mechanics - especially those at diesel specialty shops. But the best source of info I know is to ask the owner or foreman of the local automotive machine shop. He will know who brings him work. Auto machine shops are almost always independent shops as well. It's a vanishing breed, but not yet gone.
Good luck,
rScotty

^^^^^MORE EXCELLENT ADVICE !!!!