Does Anyone Buy Used Tractors?

[ArlyA]

Ease of machining aluminum is why its used in some parts. Without fins, I can't imagine how its heat dissipation would be enough to warrent its use.

 

[WinterDeere]

Ease of machining aluminum is why its used in some parts. Without fins, I can't imagine how its heat dissipation would be enough to warrent its use.

Most cooling is by conduction (~240 W/m°K), passive convection is relatively weak (eg. 25 W/m°K). So while fins can help, especially if you force air across them, most cooling is by transferring heat from the source to the pump mounting or frame. Iron does this as well, but it's only 36 to 52 W/m°K for non-ductile and ductile cast iron, respectively.

My job revolves around designing and cooling high power transmission lines, so my mind always goes in this direction.

 

[rScotty]

Apparently not by the number of pumps I see in aluminum housings. Many of them on scrap piles. Seen a few other spots where aluminum is used instead of cast iron, too.

Well, that makes perfect sense. Aluminum looks attractive to a designer when the brief calls for a machine built to be replaced rather than repaired - so of course you see them in scrap piles. They are doing what they were designed to do - to be used, scrapped, and replaced.

The advantages we listed for cast iron are not advantages unless designing a machine that is built to last and to be rebuilt indefinitely. The problem I see is that repairing means we have the infrastructure in people, parts, machine shops, and educated mechanics that is focused on continuing a machine's usefulness. From the user's side, repairing machinery takes time. So it also requires that users have that spare time for repairs.

All those things used to be true when cast iron was king. But not so much so in today's world.

rScotty

 

[WinterDeere]

Well, that makes perfect sense. Aluminum looks attractive to a designer when the brief calls for a machine built to be replaced rather than repaired - so of course you see them in scrap piles. They are doing what they were designed to do - to be used, scrapped, and replaced.

Exactly, and justifiably. Remember 1990, when your mechanic told you it was going to cost more to rebuild your master cylinder, than to just replace it, due to the hourly shop rate? When the hourly cost of a repair is higher than replacement value, replacement is the logical path, and repairability becomes distant concern.

The backyard mechanic in all of us wants cast iron, since our time is free to us, and we are willing to rebuild. But I'd guess what happens with some 2nd or 3rd owner of a machine, 30 years after its date of manufacture, is of little concern to the manufacturer trying to survive in a competitive market against cheap offshore options.

 

[rScotty]

I'm having this same dilemma now. I just bought a new home and have 20 wooded acres that was timbered the past year. So I have a lot of clean up to do that the logging company did. Have been looking at and researching tractors heavily the past two weeks. I only have one dealer in my town which is a Kubota dealer. But the prices are absolutely insane! I am struggling with buying new or used. I certainty don't want to end up with someone else's problem tractor. I have set a cash budget for $35K for a tractor. That 35K doesn't buy much in the way of a Kubota, it would buy a decent Branson model and there is a very good dealer for the Branson but he's about 60 miles away. I also have an LS dealer about 30miles away and I have bought all my chainsaws off of for 25 years and really respect him. I am a guy who can fix just about anything so a used tractor doesn't freak me out. Just not sure which way to go...

I urge you to start another thread with reclaiming recently timbered land as the subject. Because a lot of TBNers have done that, there is a lot of knowledge here on TBN to help you decide how to go.

To sum up what you are going to hear, $35K for a tractor is the minimum you can expect to be spending for a used larger (not new) tractor AFTER you have paid a crew with bulldozers and excavators to go through and do the heavy work. Otherwise that cleanup will take you forever.

 

[JeepHead]

I urge you to start another thread with reclaiming recently timbered land as the subject. Because a lot of TBNers have done that, there is a lot of knowledge here on TBN to help you decide how to go.

To sum up what you are going to hear, $35K for a tractor is the minimum you can expect to be spending for a used larger (not new) tractor AFTER you have paid a crew with bulldozers and excavators to go through and do the heavy work. Otherwise that cleanup will take you forever.

Thank you! I plan to add a skidding winch to help with the work I want to do. I certainly don't plan for the tractor to do the work of what timber machines are designed to do. The work on my land isn't work that needs to be done, it's to have something meaningful to do outside so that I am not sitting on a couch watching TV. Not a fan of being inside the house except to eat and sleep. A tractor will be there to help with some of the things I will be doing. Mostly, that will be getting things to an area to saw up, split, stack, and sell. I can get a new Branson or LS that will fit my needs in the 35K budget but I worry not having a dealer 10 mins away. I could jump up my budget to buy a new MX Kubota but, I am uncertain if I am willing to pay the extra money JUST to have a closer dealer. I have lots to decide....

 

[jjeff]

Imo there's a reason why better snowblowers, 3 point implements, and even some lawn tractors advertise they use cast iron gear cases and front axles. My best guess is I'd never own 2 40 yr old tractors if key components were made of aluminum, or at least I know I probably would have broken them due to my learning curve.

 

[5030]

Thank you! I plan to add a skidding winch to help with the work I want to do. I certainly don't plan for the tractor to do the work of what timber machines are designed to do. The work on my land isn't work that needs to be done, it's to have something meaningful to do outside so that I am not sitting on a couch watching TV. Not a fan of being inside the house except to eat and sleep. A tractor will be there to help with some of the things I will be doing. Mostly, that will be getting things to an area to saw up, split, stack, and sell. I can get a new Branson or LS that will fit my needs in the 35K budget but I worry not having a dealer 10 mins away. I could jump up my budget to buy a new MX Kubota but, I am uncertain if I am willing to pay the extra money JUST to have a closer dealer. I have lots to decide....

Far as I'm concerned, having a dealer close by is paramount because at some point you will need dealer intervention, how it plays.

 

[WinterDeere]

...cast iron gear cases and front axles. My best guess is I'd never own 2 40 yr old tractors if key components were made of aluminum...

Wow, jjeff! Are they actually making axle castings out of aluminum on some tractors, now? A pump housing, I can understand. But an axle is a vastly different situation.

 

[ArlyA]

Wow, jjeff! Are they actually making axle castings out of aluminum on some tractors, now? A pump housing, I can understand. But an axle is a vastly different situation.

I can't recall right now but seems there was some JD compacts with an aluminum rear housing years ago. Any help here folks?