big and used or small and new

[D7E]

For 7 acres i would like something like a ford 5000 or MF 165 or IH574 , Old and simple and run forever...

 

[flusher]

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.

My place is only 10 acres of flat hayfield/pasture. My go-to tractor is a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, power steering, 8F/2R gear tranny partially synchronized) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft bucket, 2950 lb lift capability). Cost about $18K new. I need it to put in my oat hay crop and for general utility work around the place.

The 5525 is pulling my restored Minneapolis Moline P3-6 grain drill (10-ft wide, 20 drops, 6" row spacing) in this photo.



If you have a use for a 40-60 hp tractor, amount of acreage is not relevant. Go for it.

I drive the Panhandle frequently (87/287 and 54) from the Amarillo airport to Guymon, OK to visit my son, DIL and the grandkids.

 

[powerstroke444e]

For 7 acres i would like something like a ford 5000 or MF 165 or IH574 , Old and simple and run forever...

And always have something to work on when you want to get something done.

I like old tractors as much as next guy but really like newer tractors to work with. Find a nice size 35-40hp with cab new or slightly used and have fun.

 

[D7E]

And always have something to work on when you want to get something done.

Then you bought the wrong one , We have tractors from the 60's and 70's that have 7-8000hrs on them and still do 200hrs a year and if i had to sit down and work it out the new ones are more trouble and have more "down days"...regardless of wether they are 60hp or 360hp.

 

[jenkinsph]

If you are anywhere near to Spearman there is a good Deere dealership there.

 

[bdog]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Leaning toward used. Going to go look at a few tomorrow.

I have searched tractorhouse until I was cross eyed. Are there any other good online sources to browse used tractors. I also checked craigslist and ebay.

 

[bc realtor]

try ironplanet.com I have found some resonable peices on there and may even find some local stuff. I think it usually is alot cheaper than a dealer and you get a oil report and a inspection report.

 

[20 20]

Bdog; Try a search for machine trader. They have boat loads of stuff, and you can narrow your search to money, area, machine type etc.....

 

[wolc123]

One thing I am noticing on used tractors is big differences between asking prices and sell prices. Dont be afraid to go low with your offer. Lots of panic selling going on now in this teetering economy. The problems with used is it is tougher to get exactly what you want and there will be more gamble on future maintenence costs. If you are mechanically inclined and not real fussy then it is probably the best way to go these days. When and if the economy gains traction, things will swing back over to new.

 

[chrisdvorak]

i am going through the same thing now except i am in the 12,000$ range and i think i am going to buy a used john deere with loader because you can get more done faster and you have the extra power when needed.