Buying Advice Dear tractorholics - need used purchase advice for under $20k

[Buxus]

Thanks for the responses. As to who would do the repairs on an older tractor, I (perhaps naively) figured the local JD dealer would work on an older JD, the not too local New Holland dealer would work on Ford, etc. but davrow's point is well taken.

I had noticed that older machines in 4wd with a FEL were uncommon/rare, as GManBart pointed out.

As everyone else suggested, going with a newer used tractor (last 10 years) looks like the best way to go. I will update my TBN data, cont to watch Craigslist, use the other sites as well, and hope to make out like Newbury did.

 

[GManBart]

Thanks for the responses. As to who would do the repairs on an older tractor, I (perhaps naively) figured the local JD dealer would work on an older JD, the not too local New Holland dealer would work on Ford, etc. but davrow's point is well taken.

I had noticed that older machines in 4wd with a FEL were uncommon/rare, as GManBart pointed out.

As everyone else suggested, going with a newer used tractor (last 10 years) looks like the best way to go. I will update my TBN data, cont to watch Craigslist, use the other sites as well, and hope to make out like Newbury did.

Up to a point you should be able to get the big name dealers to work on their machines, but at a certain age it becomes more hit and miss. Any time budget comes into the picture, compromises have to be made. For example, if you were willing to go with 2WD, something like this would work pretty well and keep you under $10K:

JD 263� tractor loader, 77hp

A little more expensive (still under $20K) but this would fit your requirements pretty well:

Kubota M73SU tractor loader 71HP

Now just pick one and get TSO (member here) to haul it to you