counting on other's expertise - Tractor newbie

[RoyJackson]

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...

Well, it's your money...
Buying a tractor with all the goodies is going to cost you considerably more then the deal you're looking at. I don't know what your finances are like, so you have to make that type of decision.

As far as freezing the boys off...I wear heavy coveralls, parka and an insulated hat (Mad Bomber hat) and definitely good thick gloves. In your area, I'd go for a snowmobile suit. Remember, you can always take breaks. I'm not big on cab tractors, but I don't have to spend hours upon hours on a tractor.

 

[mboulais]

It sounds like an ok deal and enough tractor for the job. A front mount snowblower might be available for that size too. If it isn't exactly what you want, you could trade it in later to go up a size and get a cab.

 

[jbrumberg]

I wear bib style snowmobile pants and whatever combination of hat, gloves, and clothes/coat for the conditions in winter. I have not damaged the "family jewels" yet . I am a firm believer in goretex products. Jay

 

[DrainPondDesign]

McZook,

Welcome to running a tractor in northern NY during winter.

I have only one winter experience with our new tractor here & this is what I've learned.

I have searched for & found no universal textbook on tractor operation, it appears to be get in the seat & teach yourself. Most manufacturer's impliment literature is concerned with safety & liability rather than use.

Start early in snow removal & go slow, a rear blade extends past the wheels quite a bit which gives it leverage to push the tractor sideways when plowing with it angled. If your location is remote then have a plan B just incase you can't plow yourself out.

Most rear blades rotate 180 degrees so you can drive over snow pulling the blade or reverse it so you push the snow while backing up.

Cold, dry fluffy snow is easy to plow & gives good traction but heavy wet or refrozen icy snow can give poor traction.

Got slopes?

Tractor parking brakes do not seem to work very well, dropping the blade to the ground makes a nice anchor when getting off the machine.

Go to your tractor manufacturer's web site & download or buy an operator's manual for your model & read it cover to cover. All those safety cautions are for real, a tractor is not an automobile & there are many ways to get hurt that may not be obvious to you.

Good luck.

 

[flusher]

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.

The JD 4115 has a Yanmar diesel that produces about 20 hp at the PTO and weighs about 1700 lb. It was sold in 2003 and 2004 with a hydrostatic transmission.

A dealer would get about $12700 for one of these. Yanmar engines are top notch and if this particular tractor is a clean machine (everything works OK, no fluid leaks, sheet metal OK, etc) it's probably worth $12000 in a private sale.

I have 10 acres of flat pasture land that I mow and otherwise maintain with a Kubota B7510HST that has an LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket). It's a 21-hp (engine) and 17-hp (pto) machine that I bought new in May 2005 for $12,600 plus tax (10% down, 0% for 36 months). It handles a 4-ft wide rotary mower (brush hog) OK as well as a used 4-ft wide Yanmar RS-1200 rototiller and a 4-ft box blade. It will do OK with a middle buster plow and a single blade subsoiler in soft ground, but it's too small for serous plowing/disking. For that work I have a 1966 MF-135 diesel (45-hp engine).

 

[McZook]

Thank you to everyone for all of the advice. I plan on trying to negotiate with the current homeowner on the JD4115. I wanted to make sure that was the right thing to do.

I will check out the blade soon...

 

[Soundguy]

11k isn't bad for that tractor.

soundguy

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...

 

[BTDT]

Current property owner has and will sell:


Is the guy selling the tractor the one you bought your land from? Have you bought the land yet? If you are still trying to buy the land, can you just get him to add in the tractor and finance it all at the same time? As you have stated, if this is what he was using for this property, it should work for you. Later you could upgrade if your needs change.

 

[McZook]

Dealing with the current owner is proving to be ... difficult.

Given the current state of affairs:

What is an equivalent tractor as capable as the JD4115?
The job has not changed, I need to have some other options including a 60-72" mowing deck and plowing capability. FEL is a bonus.

Thanks!

 

[RoyJackson]

Dealing with the current owner is proving to be ... difficult.

Given the current state of affairs:

What is an equivalent tractor as capable as the JD4115?
The job has not changed, I need to have some other options including a 60-72" mowing deck and plowing capability. FEL is a bonus.

Thanks!

Go to the manufacturer's websites and take a look. You'll be wanting to see the specs...18 to 20 PTO HP. Deere and Kubota have models right up your alley...but they're probably going to cost more then $12500. Since a loader isn't mandatory, you shouldn't have to go too much over $12500. Add a FEL, you're heading for 15K plus. Is that within your budget?

Remember, just as you don't want to go "house poor", you don't want to over extend yourself buying a tractor/implements.

Then to the Kubota, Deere and New Holland forums. Read until you found what you want...

Piece of cake...

What do you mean the current owner is being "difficult"?