big and used or small and new

[bdog]

I moved to town and sold my property and tractors about 3 years ago. We are buying a new place with 7 acres. It is flat as a pancake, no trees to worry about getting under,etc.

I plan on doing the typical stuff like mowing, maintaining road / gravel parking area, digging post holes, etc. I also like to hobby farm. At my old place I was running chisel plows, discs, grain drills, spraying, etc.

I used to have two tractors a 47 hp branson 4wd with loader and a john deere 4430 (125hp I think). The branson had a loader so I used that a lot but really I preferred the JD for most other tasks even if it was only plowing up a couple acres.

I have about a 20k budget to work with. I want to stay with green or orange due to dealer proximity. At that price it seems I am looking at around 40 HP or less and open station on a new tractor or if I went with a 80-90's model I could get something in the 65-100 HP range with a cab.

Just curious what everyones thoughts are? I know it seems like overkill to get that much tractor for only 7 acres but I could get things done faster and int he comfort of a cab.

 

[My2305]

If I had to do it all over again I would get the larger used tractor than a smaller new tractor. You can do more faster with a larger tractor and the problem I am having right now is that a used 2 or 3 bottom plow is about the same price and easier to locate than a subcompact one bottom in this area and it would be so much faster using a 2 or 3 bottom. However I do love having the backhoe where that would have been way over my price range on any other tractor. I can also easily cut around the house and barns with the smaller tractor without needing a seperate mower. The zero percent financing and warrenty are also a plus when buying new.

 

[MarkV]

You Texans sure like to do things in a big way. I can't imagine a 65-100 hp tractor on 7 acres if for no other reason than you get into Cat 2 implements and there expense.

MarkV

 

[20 20]

I don't think it as much of a question about size, 7 flat acres doesn't need a huge tractor, 30hp would be fine. I think a better question would be do I want to take a chance with hard earned dollars on some one else's head ache? 20k should easliy buy a nice new tractor for what you say your needing. It's your choice as to what brand{color} you want, but don't limit yourself if you don't have to.

 

[bdog]

Around here the Cat 2 implements is a good thing. They are actually cheaper then the cat 1. We are in a huge farming area and it seems that many years ago all the farmers used cat 2 equipment now they are running cat 3. I have been to several auctions and there is always a lot of cat 2 stuff that goes for cheap as it is too small for the farmers and too big for the compact guys. From what I have seen cat 1 stuff goes for a premium.

That being said I do agree that a tractor that big is overkill for 7 acres but I am just trying to figure out the downside of it. I have a zero turn mower I will use on the yard so no need for finish mowing, no trees really to worry about getting close to or around, no tight spots where it will not fit, etc.

 

[Dill]

One thing I have never been able to figure out is...Since compact tractors came out, somehow HP got tied to acreage. Which makes absoulety no sense. You can have 100+ acres but not need HP and I can think of things that take very little space and a lot of HP. What matters is the kind of work you thinking of doing. That's what's important. One day I was bored and walked into the local agco compact place. Evidently for my 7 acres at home I need 30hp?
Why? That won't be able to skid logs up a serious grade? Nor will it run my baler. Match the tractor to the work.

So what are you planning on using the machine for?
And I only go for used. Why pay for someone else deprecation. Yes there are deals for new. But I'm seeing more compact stuff being sold cheap. Plus why have a payment for something that isn't making you money?

 

[jinman]

I think in the Texas panhandle, a cab is the "trump card" in a tractor purchase. Any good tractor with a working cab with air-cond has got to be the best choice. If you are willing to travel a bit and haul in a used tractor, looking on craigslist in Oklahoma and Texas cities can produce some very good deals in larger tractors. I've seen 6 or 8 good Kubota and Deeres in the DFW area listings lately with cabs and advertised as having working AC. The problem is that you have to travel to see them and then travel again to pick them up unless you drag a trailer with you while you are shopping.

 

[Thomas]

Check out Kubota L series 30-35hp..just might fit your price range.

 

[jenkinsph]

bdog,
If you have been around tractors for quite a while you already know several things about them. I would think you would be better off in the long run buying a new 4320 to 4720 cab tractor. Use it as long as you are able and sell it when necessary. Set it up with top and tilt, IMatch and buy implements that match this setup. Most people don't like a lot of maintainance issues to deal with in retirement.

Do you need one this big? Absolutely not, but you most likely will not want anything smaller than this either. I am betting you miss your tractors and want to get back on them. Life is too short to have a crummy tractor.

If you just want to get a few things fixed and chores done then hire it out, that would be cheaper.

 

[Johndeere3720]

The only problem with the 4520 and 4720 cabbies is they cost around 30K. I would look for used equippment. Or maybe take a look at a used 5000 series Deere with a cab or even a lower 6000 series if you plan to do lots of pulling of ground engaging implements. That should treat you fine. I dont think acerage matters, its the job that matters. My mom sits on 4 acres of land, around here, people reccomend a 25-30 hp tractor. Due to my budget and low amount of tractor work, my 19 hp Yanmar gets the job done. Good luck with your search.