Anyone ever bought a tractor and then...

[PILOON]

I did the opposite:
Originally I bought a Deere 510 cw blower, cab and FEL for $2500., which was a good find at the time.
Prime use was to be snow work.
Even with the chains it had a hard time on snow and ice driveway due to hills.
In fact many times I could not climb my hill plus the 7' blower was much for the engine.

One day I spotted a nice used Mitsu 180D (48" blower & FEL) and offered $1000. + Deere in trade and the dealer grabbed at it. All I needed to do was create a cab which I accomplished for $250.
That was almost 12 years ago, and I never regretted the move.
The Mitsu had less than 500 hrs on it and proved to be so much more maneuverable that snow work was now a pleasure.
As time went on I found all sorts of small jobs that only a CUT could do that it more than earned its keep.
Probably 1/2 my hours earned me $50/hr just because I had it available to move truckloads of fill or topsoil for clients.
Then I added a tooth bar and suddenly I had a (almost) skid steer.

Would not change for anything!

 

[kuboman]

B4200 with loader to B2620 with loader to B3200 with loader to.....I see a trend here. I am looking at the new L3800 with loader. What I really want is the B3200 with a more capable loader. Seems to be the perfect size package just am not happy with the loader abilities.

 

[Jon Chanoski]

Heck, I don't need anything bigger, I just have a bit of tractor fever. Someone want to loan me their B3300 or small L for a few weeks so I can play a bit? LOL

Actually, if what I had were much bigger physically, I wouldn't be able to do what I'm doing with it. A tooth bar would help out tremendously, but after this chore is done, I wouldn't need it anymore. Anyone want to loan me their 4' tooth bar for a couple months?

Ian

I have one in the barn hanging on the wall doing nothing if someone wants to pick it up in western PA and brings a little cash. I have no use for it after upgradeing from my B7610 to my L3400

 

[bigbull338]

trading up on tractors is ok as long as you get what you need.but i would not trade for the fun of it,because you could loose money on the deal.

 

[Robb71]

I went overkill to start, so I don't envision getting another tractor unless I win the lottery and can afford to buy 1000 acres.
When my riding mower eventually dies I might consider a BXaby Kubota MMM for cutting the lawn and small tractor chores.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

I did what R71 did... overkill

I had bought a 6 cylinder Camaro once - I was trying to get one that had 'good' gas mileage. Ooops. I also bought an F150 2x4 (got stuck in mud) then an F150 4x4 (with 11" lift and 38's - couldn't tow anything) then I got my 6.4L F250 (losing money each step of the way)...

Thanx to the fine people on TBN and their recommendations I bought more tractor than I'll ever need... :thumbsup:

 

[dkostiha]

I have bought and sold 6 tractors in the past 3 years, I made money on 5 of them. I upgraded each time with a newer and bigger tractor until I have what I think I will keep for a awhile now. My motivation was buy low and selling high to get to the right tractor eventually with little out of pocket money. I started with a $500 tractor and added about $2k along the way and now have a $15k rig with a total of $2500 invested.

Finding the right tractor for your budget and needs can be frustrating at times, but I really enjoyed each tractor along the way. As your needs, budget and capabilities changes, so does your tractor. Good luck.

 

[Cat_Driver]

For me it was lift capacity. I never gave thought to lift capacity when I bought my first tractor and I didn't realize the things I couldn't do with my first tractor.

I double my lift capacity on my next tractor and have never looked back.

 

[gladehound]

I always wanted to go bigger. I think I started thinking of selling the smaller tractor (Kioti LB1914) and getting something bigger the day I bought the small tractor. For the first 2 years I kept thinking about a DK45s or 55s. Or perhaps a 40-50SE. Or any similar size good deal from another manufacturer. I was obsessed! I thought I needed more lift capacity and more weight to dig a driveway, a foundation and extract down trees from the woods.

Now, 3 year after getting the little tractor I just love it! A tooth bar, 1000 extra pounds, and lowering the tire pressure took it from a marginal digger to a good digger. Learning to push down with the loader arms while curling the bucket more than doubled the curl force at ground level for tearing up rocks and roots. And I've come to realize that it can get in and out of woods where a larger tractor never could. Ballast increased the stability and the FOPS made it feel like I was in a tank when going through the woods.

I no longer want a larger tractor. I don't think it could do what I do as well as my smaller tractor. My operating weight is now 4,700 pounds and that pushes a 4 foot bucket great. I may get a grapple to make the tractor even more useful in the woods. It's amazing how much difference proper set up and operating technique makes.

I plan on keeping my little tractor for many more years.

 

[alaskakubota]

Started with a bx 18 with mm even though I didn't have a lawn. I bought a loader for it and was too small for me. Upgraded to 3130 and worked good and I set it up with all my options I needed. Then I wanted a cab and, 60 hp is better than 30 hp. I wish I could have kept the backhoe. Now it might be better to buy a mini ex Instead of a backhoe.