Buying Advice Buying advice

[FatTire]

What I am missing here? Practically new tractor for the same price as a 10+ year old machine with 1500 hrs? If your friend/neighbor doesn't understand why you'd go Orange, he isn't much of a friend. Or give him the opportunity to knock his price down.

 

[majorwager]

Fat Tire,
Sometimes friendships are a bit more complicated, especially when they are neighbors. Also, it isn't clear that the friend owns the dealership, may not have the latitude you suggest.

 

[atsah]

I have seen many older JD tractors is very nice condition selling for WAY over what they are worth, some people will pay it because that is what they want, some people don't shop like the OP did to find out if they could spend there money more wisely, I try to make the most of my money and that 12 year newer Kubota would be in my garage without even a blink of the eye..

 

[dotScott]

What I am missing here? Practically new tractor for the same price as a 10+ year old machine with 1500 hrs? If your friend/neighbor doesn't understand why you'd go Orange, he isn't much of a friend. Or give him the opportunity to knock his price down.

It's a tough call. He's just the turf sales manager, not owner. I can try to get him down a bit or through in or highly discount some attachments.

JD is almost 1100 lbs heavier, has twice the fuel capacity (heavier). Still a decent price. I'll see if I can get some pics. Looks like new(ish).

 

[oosik]

Scott - - Welcome to TBN and the forum. I would recommend the 2017 Kubota and here is why: 1) its a new tractor and still covered under warrantee 2) unless you are holding back on us - you are new to tractors and probably not a diesel/heavy equipment mechanic - makes the warrantee even more important. 3) ANY brand of tractor that's ten years old could start having problems, here and there. There is no such thing as a cheap repair on a tractor. 4) Any tractor with such few hours, as the Kubota, is essentially brand new and not even broken in yet.

In My Humble Opinion - IMHO - the 2017 Kubota is, by far, your best bet. Friends may come and go but with proper maintenance - that 2017 Kubota will still be doing its job for you when you croak.

 

[wagne223]

I learned the hard way and now I never buy things from or sell things to people I know.

Tell your neighbor thanks for the offer but you are not comfortable making a major purchase from someone you know.
You want to remain neighborly and that will end if that JD happens to break down 1 week after you buy it.


Go buy the Kubota!

 

[dotScott]

Scott - - Welcome to TBN and the forum. I would recommend the 2017 Kubota and here is why: 1) its a new tractor and still covered under warrantee 2) unless you are holding back on us - you are new to tractors and probably not a diesel/heavy equipment mechanic - makes the warrantee even more important. 3) ANY brand of tractor that's ten years old could start having problems, here and there. There is no such thing as a cheap repair on a tractor. 4) Any tractor with such few hours, as the Kubota, is essentially brand new and not even broken in yet.

In My Humble Opinion - IMHO - the 2017 Kubota is, by far, your best bet. Friends may come and go but with proper maintenance - that 2017 Kubota will still be doing its job for you when you croak.

Haha, yeah my friend wouldn't dig the hole to bury me in. Not holding back on you, I have some mechanical skills but never heavier equipment. Mostly motorcycles, cars, and my 1 ton P42. Which BTW is for sale with funds going toward my new tractor ;-)



Thanks for everyone's input, I'm definitely leaning toward orange now!

 

[ericm979]

The 3350 had some problems with it's emissions system. That's what I originally wanted to replace my B7100. Even the dealers were not keen on selling them. I ended up with a Branson 3725 which is much larger. Other than one tight place I mow the extra size over the 7100 has not been a problem and even in that place I can mow it faster with the Branson... just gotta make a lot of turns and be careful.

I also have a lot of motorcycle and car mechanical experience and not much tractor. But I replaced a PTO seal on the 7100 with no problem and have been doing the maintenance service on the 3725. There's more systems to learn about like hydraulics but the info is readily available.

 

[dotScott]

The 3350 had some problems with it's emissions system. That's what I originally wanted to replace my B7100. Even the dealers were not keen on selling them. I ended up with a Branson 3725 which is much larger. Other than one tight place I mow the extra size over the 7100 has not been a problem and even in that place I can mow it faster with the Branson... just gotta make a lot of turns and be careful.

I also have a lot of motorcycle and car mechanical experience and not much tractor. But I replaced a PTO seal on the 7100 with no problem and have been doing the maintenance service on the 3725. There's more systems to learn about like hydraulics but the info is readily available.

Yeah, I read that. Lots of regen issues. Seemed to be solved in this version. Still a problem with cold start but I don't plan on using it during the winter. That may change but for now, not the plan.

 

[searcyfarms]

how about one of these? just got it today, haven't even gotten it dirty yet - I have to ask, why would you need a backhoe on 6 acres? I would save the $ on the backhoe. If you have a sizeable excavating machine for some project/task you can do whatever you need to do in a days time rental than it would take you a year to do with a small backhoe. It doesn't make sense unless you just have a lot of time to waste.