Bota or Yanmar?

[teach]

I have a dilema. I currently own (I have had since last July) a 1983, Kubota B7100 manual shift, 16hsp, 4x4, 2000 hours, in good shape, runs great. I use the following implements; york rake, scraper blade, rear dirt scoop, forks (carry-all), 42" brushhog, rear tire chains, and I have, but have never hooked up, a front mounted snowblower (the scraper blade did just fine, even in the "Blizzard of '05"). BUT I don't have a loader or trailer! I found a dealer in Mass., about 2+ hours from where I am in RI, who has a loader for my tractor which will run me about $2,400 installed. BUT he also has a Yanmar, 186(?), 4wd, loader, 18 hsp, 1000 hours, a 9" posthole digger, and trailer for $7,500. I have 6 acres, largely wooded that I am working on clearing out, an upcoming landscaping project this spring (moving/spreading loam, moving stone for wall and a walkway), a 300' steep driveway to plow, and occationally use my tractor to skid trees out of the woods for firewood on some other property that I maintain. I have a Bota' dealer just up the road, but I don't know about a Yanmar dealer/mechanic, nor do I know much about Yanmars. Do I just buy the loader for Bota' or...do I buy the Yanmar?
HELP!
Teach

 

[Henro]

Teach,

Sounds like you have a tractor that runs well and that you know well.

Why trade it for a used tractor which has 1,000 hours on and which could hold surprises for you later?

I'd probably be inclined to either trade in on a NEW tractor with warranty, or to keep what I had, and to buy a trailer, and the loader you mentioned.

 

[GerardC]

I'll ditto Henro. Why take a chance if you don't have to. Stick with what you have and know. Gerard