Buying Used Compacts and Compromising

[RichNJ]

After looking at everything from Ford 9Ns to new compacts and talking to alot of people about my needs for the tractor I knew that I needed a 40+ HP compact tractor. Went thru same stuff as everyone else. Basically nothing used (experienced) was either way to high priced or was junk. So, buy a new one. BUT, the price was too much. A new Kubota L4310HST w/FEL was 22 to 24 grand depending on the dealer. Holy Cow Batman! For that kind of money I could probably buy the batmobile. But after looking at old batman flicks I noticed much to my dismay that the batmobile does not have a 3Pt hitch.
I decided to wait another year ( I had been waiting 4 years already) and depend on others to do the work for one more year when I met a farmer who was trading his L4310 in for a bigger Kubota. He had already signed all the papers so I waited for the dealer to get the L4310. Called the salesman and bought it for $15,800. The dealer gave me a new left tie rod ($144 value). The original had one bad ball joint.
So, I got exactly what I wanted for the price I could afford. I've had it for about 1 month now and has 1000 hours on it. It has been fine with no problems. Changed all filters and fluids. Repainted the fenders and did some other touch up. It looks almost new now. And as a bonus the guy that had the tractor is going to bale the hay next year. I can take that time and do others tasks.

 

[geneP]

I'm probably just to cheap to buy a new one. I can't justify a new tractor to use 60-80 hours a year. I've been using tractors around my small acreage (22+) for more than 30 years. I started with a used TO-20 Ferguson and have traded up every few years, always to a newer used one. I've never had any major expense with a used one.

What am I willing to compromise to buy used? Shiney paint, warranty, brand loyalty, the latest technology, maybe some less important options, and effort to clean/make small repairs.

I was looking for a +/- 25 hp tractor to use primarily to brush hog my open, grassy areas and sometimes run a box blade.. I really wanted a Kubota, but had about given up on finding one in my area so I had begun to consider a grey market Yanmar. On my way to look at a Yanmar, I passed a dealer with a Kubota on his lot. It turned ou to be a 900+ hr 26 hp unit with power steering and a 2 stage clutch. After checking it out I forgot about the Yanmar and took the Kubota home with me. I've had it for 14 trouble free, enjoyable months now. Unless my tractor needs change, it just might be my last one.

 

[RichZ]

I was planning on buying a new tractor when we bought our place last year. We even had it narrowed down to an NH TC29D with all the bells and whistles. Then one of our trucks needed replacing, and we couldn't afford 2 loans on top of a mortgage. We looked for used tractors, and they weren't much cheaper. So I had to set my sights to a vintage tractor in good shape, and did alot of research. We got a 1951 Ferguson TO-20. It's been great for everything we needed it for, and has never needed ANY maitenance. Of course I change the oil and have tuned it up. I really enjoy my old Fergie. The only thing I miss, not having is an FEL. But so far, I've been able to exist without it.

Rich

 

[heehaw]

seems like a lot of us started out with a TO-20; mine came with the place, it was sittin out in the middle of the 17 acres. I could clean the plugs, start it and get @200ft before it started missing again. I pulled the head, dropped the pan and pushed the pistons out, the bearings looked great, so i just put in new rings, and it worked great. i couldn't hit the starter and get off of it fast enough to keep it from starting.
i am curious where the "compact" term for a tractor stops, a previous post mentioned a 40hp compact? i now have a JD 1020, 38hp, an i don't consider it a compact, but maybe i'm wrong?
heehaw