$10-15K budget for mowing purposes, what tractor?

[ShowroomShine]

I'm toying with the idea of getting rid of my 2022 Case IH 75C with cab/loader in favor of a simple open station tractor that is cheaper and with less electronics. I've got a CTL and excavator so the 75C only really pulls my mower at this point.

So my brain has me thinking, what would you guys recommend with the below requirements? I'm mainly using it to pull a 12' batwing clipping pasture grass in the Virginia mountains. We've got a few steep areas but most of my area is just "hilly".

- $10-15K (stretching to $17.5K) budget
- Open Station
- 4wd would be real nice for my mountainous terrain but 2wd loaded with spread axles would likely work just fine.
- Shuttle or Hydrostat would be preferred
- Rops so I can put a canopy on
- Between 40-85hp ish
- Between 1970-2005 ish

I was thinking things like a Deere 5000 series, IH 84 series, MF 261, Kubota M or SU...things like that. Not brand loyal, I like them all.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evening Showroomshine,

I was thinking things like a Deere 5000 series, IH 84 series, MF 261, Kubota M or SU...things like that. Not brand loyal, I like them all.

Actually any of those tractors will do what your looking for, the question would be what is average in your area and is the price right ! Of course testing out whatever your looking at would be a big plus also !

 

[tacticalturnip]

Are you sure you want to go open station on a dedicated mowing machine? I understand the appeal of simplicity for sure, but cabs have filters and climate control.

 

[oosik]

My Kubota M6040 is open station - but I don't mow with it. I've been allowed to help my neighbor more than just a couple times. I've used one of his big row crop tractors to do tilling. Boy - was I ever glad it had a cab - air filters - air conditioning.

The clouds of dust roil up so bad - loose sight of where you are going. The absolute worst is when the dust cloud is pushed by a breeze that makes it keep right up with the tractor. You can tell I'm a novice - I just stop the tractor - dust cloud blows on by - I see where I am and start up again.

 

[Blue Mule]

Neighbor has a 2000ish model Deere 5000 series. I like it because we were able to turn the wheels around for her and widen the stance and it made the tractor more stable on our hillsides. It's also a very reliable tractor. It's a better tractor than her other two new-ish 5075Es.

 

[rScotty]

I'd say at least consider an older JD B series or Farmall M. Either would do those jobs just fine. Both are very low center of gravity and have the ability to spread the wheels out farther than modern tractors.

Later models of the JD 2 cylinder A & B series had good power steering, extendable front and rear wheels axles, and fully suspended seats with springs and damping. They had optional rear remote hydraulic outlets, optional loaders, and decent lighting. That would be my choice - the last of the JD A & B were known as the 620/30 and 520/30 series. They are real usable field and mowing tractors even by today's standards.

They have a heavily built 3pt and a PTO designed to work forever. In fact the whole tractor was designed to go forever with minimal attention. Canopies, a modern seat, and an efficient muffler make open tractors surprisingly comfortable.

At any tractor show or old tractor event you will see examples of both of these - and others - all restored to like new condition and some with modern upgrades. Prices are reasonable and parts are very available.

rScotty

 

[Rmart30]

you should be able to pick up a 60-70 hp M kubota pre 2014 (no emissions) in your range.
I got this one on the low end of your budget a week ago. 2wd should be very easy to find a nice one on your range.