BarryinMN
Platinum Member
I work 33 acres. We have had a JD A for the last 35 years here. 38 PTO HP about 5000 lbs. 25 years ago added a 60 HP TLB Industrial 2wd about 6500 lbs weight, digs down 12'-14', & loader lifts a 1/2 yard +. Started looking at a newer tractor 2-3 years ago.
Ended up with a need list of 3K lbs loader lift, quik tach, (tired of climbing over TLB arms for maintenance) hydraulic grapple bucket, (tired of chaining stuff to loader bucket) Forks, 3-4 yard snow bucket, 3PT CAT 2 with max lift to hoist an end of a 40' storage container (home made 3pt lifting tongue.) MFWD to deal with mud & snow & front wheel braking ability on slopes. ROPS, Seat belts, etc. Lights (with an alternator big enough to run them.)
Want list included cab heat & air, kid seat, reliability durability etc.
Found the slightly used & new CUT pricing high. Even at auctions these little tractors are hot items similar to ATV's around here!
Big three smaller utility class tractors took a jump in price & cab used versions are made of unobtanium. They sell faster than CUTS & ATV's!
The 10 year old gold standards JD 6300 6400's are priced in the category above but used with 2300 hours into a 10000 hour life. Almost bought one of these except the turning radius on older design frame takes 2 acres to turn around. Did I mention the old JD A will spin around in it's own wheelbase?
I felt the CUT size was simply too small for what I want to do, decided on a JD 5105 until I drove it also way too light. With my slopes I'd have daylight under the rears all day long!
I ended up buying a new Zetor 65HP class, 5 tons with iron wheel weights. Covered the needs & wants lists at the price point of a high end CUT. The kid seat has been coveted by kids up to age 70!
Snow removal that took 3-4 hours with the TLB now with the Zetor & 4 yard bucket takes 45 mins! It has out pushed a JD 350 dozer moving boulders although I wouldn't make a habit of it.
Have fun searching!
Ended up with a need list of 3K lbs loader lift, quik tach, (tired of climbing over TLB arms for maintenance) hydraulic grapple bucket, (tired of chaining stuff to loader bucket) Forks, 3-4 yard snow bucket, 3PT CAT 2 with max lift to hoist an end of a 40' storage container (home made 3pt lifting tongue.) MFWD to deal with mud & snow & front wheel braking ability on slopes. ROPS, Seat belts, etc. Lights (with an alternator big enough to run them.)
Want list included cab heat & air, kid seat, reliability durability etc.
Found the slightly used & new CUT pricing high. Even at auctions these little tractors are hot items similar to ATV's around here!
Big three smaller utility class tractors took a jump in price & cab used versions are made of unobtanium. They sell faster than CUTS & ATV's!
The 10 year old gold standards JD 6300 6400's are priced in the category above but used with 2300 hours into a 10000 hour life. Almost bought one of these except the turning radius on older design frame takes 2 acres to turn around. Did I mention the old JD A will spin around in it's own wheelbase?
I felt the CUT size was simply too small for what I want to do, decided on a JD 5105 until I drove it also way too light. With my slopes I'd have daylight under the rears all day long!
I ended up buying a new Zetor 65HP class, 5 tons with iron wheel weights. Covered the needs & wants lists at the price point of a high end CUT. The kid seat has been coveted by kids up to age 70!
Snow removal that took 3-4 hours with the TLB now with the Zetor & 4 yard bucket takes 45 mins! It has out pushed a JD 350 dozer moving boulders although I wouldn't make a habit of it.
Have fun searching!
