counting on other's expertise - Tractor newbie

[McZook]

I've been doing some research here and other sites. I am in wayyy over my head here and need assistance quickly. I have had lawn tractors, but nothing like this!

new owner of 8.5 acre property -
~ 3.5 acres to mow
~ 5 acres to brush hog
loonnng hilly gravel road/driveway to snowplow and keep gravelled

Current property owner has and will sell:
JD 4115 - I beleive it is less than 250 hours
5' plow
60" mower deck
brush hog
cart
there is no FEL or Cab
Tire type unknown

Owner claims resale value of $12,500

first of all - is this JD what I really NEED to get the job done? if so, what is a FAIR price to offer?
Can I do everything I need to do with something in a lower price range?

Financially, I need to be smart about this. I don't necessarily need the Lexus solution if I can get the job done just as well with the Buick.

 

[DrainPondDesign]

McZook,

There are others who can answer your question better than I but while you are waiting here is a link to the JD "Machine Finder" web site for used 4115s centered around zip 12969. These are dealer prices which I would expect to be higher than private sale prices.

Search for Used Agricultural, Farm, Heavy, and Lawn Equipment - John Deere Machinefinder.com

It will help to let other TBNers know your location as used tractor prices can vary by local demand.

 

[jbrumberg]

McZook:

Welcome to TBN ! The HP range of the JD 4115
(24/20) seems to fit your reported property size and uses. I suggest that you share more about your location, terrain, as well as your short and long term projects. A FEL is a very useful tractor attachment, but expensive to add to an existing tractor. Jay

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd prefer a little bit bigger tractor, but I think that's a pretty fair deal for the 4115 and those implements. I also think the tractor would be a good fit...after all, it's been used to maintain the property.
Even if you add a loader (which are very handy), you'd still be doing good. Figure the loader to go for about $3000.
You might even do better if the machine was purchased from a local dealer.

I'd offer $10500 to start.

I don't know where you're at, but if you're in the snow belt, you will want to start plowing by the time the snow gets 5-6" deep. That plow, if it's the one I think it is, doesn't angle.

 

[McZook]

I am in the Rochester NY area, so yes - snow will be plentiful!

as far as terrain, there is some hilly area that will need the attention of the hogger, but the mowing is mostly flat.

I don't have much planned in the way of projects - yet. I need to get a handle on the day to day first...

Thanks for all of your kind help!

 

[Soundguy]

I'm with roy.. I'd offer around the 10K level and go from there.

Also.. I'd 're-map' my property so that I had about .25ac to mow, and 8.25 ac to hog.. (grin).. especially if this was a rear finish mower.. then i'd sell the rfm, and buy a push mower for that 1/4 ac.. and be hundreds of bucks Plus on the deal.... if it's a MMM.. then keep it.. and perhaps keep more of it lawn.. and you can run more MMM than hog anyways..

Soundguy

 

[daTeacha]

If you buy the tractor and if the snowplow does not angle, consider investing a couple hundred in a back blade, too. You can do a whole of driveway work with a back blade.

Another option to consider is a box blade, depending on how badly the driveway tends to erode. The major drawback to the ones I am familiar with is that they do not angle from side to side so don't work real well for snow work, althoug there are those who would argue that point with some degree of effectiveness.

A lot depends on how much snow a person has to deal with and what happens to it in between snow events. If it tends to melt and then snow again it's different than if the stuff just sits in piles waiting for spring. In the latter case you need to be able to move it around some or plan ahead and clear a really wide path early in the season. Where I lived in Michigan, some people would plow the entire front yard and by the end of the snow season would have just the driveway and a yard full of snow piles.

 

[McZook]

It is a MMM if that means a MidMountMower - (you tractor guys have almost as many acronyms as us computer geeks!)

I know nothing about the snow blade at all other than it APPEARS to mount in the back. How can I tell?

I will be taking a look at this equipment again soon, is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[RoyJackson]

It is a MMM if that means a MidMountMower - (you tractor guys have almost as many acronyms as us computer geeks!)

I know nothing about the snow blade at all other than it APPEARS to mount in the back. How can I tell?

I will be taking a look at this equipment again soon, is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks again for all the help!

If the blade looks like the one in the attached pic, it's a rear blade and they do angle (or pivot). They work fine for plowing snow, but if you get a lot of accumulation, the Loader comes in handy to pile the snow. If you don't get a loader yet, you'll just have to plow early and often to keep the snow pushed back.

As I wrote in my first post, the owner has been using this tractor for maintaining the property you're buying...so, it should do the job.

As far as the tractor itself...you could ask the owner where he bought it and to see any maintenance records. But if it pulls good when you try it, it's probably OK.

 

[McZook]

I will attempt to post a pic of the snow blade soon... I hope that will help.

I was also concerned about the lack of a cab - am I about to freeze the boys off?

figuring I offer 10k and settle at 11k... would I do just as well to buy a different tractor with exactly what I need on it? the right blade, a cab, FEL, etc?

good point though - The current owner IS doing the job with this one...