Price Check Buy slightly used with attachments or new from dealer?

[s219]

Tractors will go for thousands of hours. 64 hours is *nothing*. I would not hesitate one bit if the previous owner took good care of it, which sounds like the case. Heck, if it was garaged and washed, it might be in better shape than a new one that has sat out in the sun/rain on a dealer's lot. I'd say jump on it while you can, those deals do not last long on Craigslist if the price is fair.

 

[Bluegill2]

Buy used! Pay cash. No debt...

I saved 3 grand when I bought my L3800 with 14 hours on the meter. Never was concerned with warranty at all.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks guys. The used one is sounding much better but I will still check out Barlow's. Tax is a killer on these things.

 

[Parkanzky]

How much land are you trying to maintain? How long is the driveway? What sort of loader work?

Those are the things that will determine how much tractor you should be buying. Don't worry about how old it is. If it has the features you want and it isn't rusty, then age is almost completely irrelevant. I would rather buy a 10 year old tractor with 200 hours than a 1 year old tractor with 2000 hours on it.

That said, don't worry too much about hours either. A tractor has thousands of hours of life in it if it is properly maintained. Let's say that you're not using it to make a living, so it's just for home maintenance and some "hobby work." We'll assume that you're spending two hours mowing a big yard every week and the same amount of time clearing snow in the winter, with no break in between. Obviously, this isn't realistic, because around here you will have long stretches where you're not mowing and it hasn't snowed and I've cleared our 600' driveway three times this past week and put way under two hours on the tractor. Regardless, that's only 100 hours a year! So let's say that you really love your seat time, and spend four hours every Saturday out messing with your tractor (engine running) regardless of rain/sleet/snow/etc. on top of your mowing/snow removal time. That's another 200 hours a year. So 300 hours a year if you really run the heck out of it. In fifteen years, your tractor would have 4500 hours on it. If you maintain it, you probably have at least another 20 years at that rate before you're starting to wear any major stuff out.

I'm 37 years old and just purchased a new tractor. I think that it can be the last tractor I ever buy unless my needs change.

 

[davesl708]

I bought a seven year old BX2200. Included FEL, MMM, 5ft tiller, 5ft rear blade. 1180hrs. Short of a hyd. hose and a front pivot seal no issues. The tiller is at least 40 years old Japanese. No leaks and breaks sod just fine. Redid my front lawn with it. I have no regrets buying used and saved $10,000 over buying this equipment new. I put about 100hrs per year on it. After threes years of pushing brush, logs and snow still works fine.

 

[DHD]

I am pretty set on a new or near new BX1870. I got a quote from a local dealer for a new one with 54" deck, grill guard, and loader for $13,800, including tax. I then found a guy on Craigslist selling a BX1870 that he bought in May with 64 hours for $11,500. 50hr service has been done and it would include all of the above (minus grill guard), a carry all attachment, plug aerator, and sprayer. Tractor looks new and after talking with the guy he is the type that waxes the mowing deck, if that says anything.

Which would you go with? Build up your relationship with the dealer and try to have them come out at $13k flat or go with the slightly used one and try to get it for $11k? Thanks!

Did the seller mention why he was selling it ?

I can only assume he'll be getting something else to take the place of his BX1870.

 

[C4Ranch]

Check Barlows and ask what they would give as a trade in. Armed with that info try to get used even lower.

I've always bought used tractors thus getting more for your money.

 

[jeff9366]

I can only assume he'll be getting something else to take the place of his BX1870.

Two scenarios:

1. Buyer dead or disabled.

2. Thought a tractor and implements a great idea until he had to mount implements on the Three Point Hitch. Got that OK, then discovered how difficult and greasy it was to connect the PTO shaft to the tractor splines. (Urban buyer, always avoided greasy hands before.)

Gave up on the tractor idea. Sixty-four hours is about right.

The second happiest day in a man's life is when his boat is delivered. The happiest day in a man's life is the day when the boat is sold and gone.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My 2 cents is used.

Didn't you have an 8N? Did you get rid of it? Or was that someone else.

 

[varmint]

Some good advice here- the sales tax is a big item, the savings off new is a big item, and like was noted, 64 hours is nothing. A couple of years is nothing- take care of it, and 20 years is nothing, really. Maybe a battery, but store it out of sunlight, and rubber items will be fine for many years. The 50 hour service is worth something, and if it had manufacturing issues (unlikely...) they should be taken care of. Stuff that breaks usually happens fairly early, I figure. I would go used in a heartbeat, based on what you said. Buy more useful accessories with the difference, and smile while using them. Hey, the waxed deck is worth something, come to think of it!