FARMTRAC 300DTC Engine 30HP / 26HP PTO

Jim57 · Aug 29, 2005

( ( This morning I talked with John Deere and they made me an offer of a NEW JD 790 with FEL for $13,995 two year warranty on tractor, three year warranty on drive train and 1 year warranty on FEL. OK you guys know the drill here... is this a good price? I am going to test drive today. They say it is 27 HP with a PTO HP of 24.

He also offered me a used 50HP with FEL for $16,300.00 which may be too large for my purposes and also too large for my truck Chevy 4X4 Scotsdale 1500 to pull.

This time I am looking at some real tractors. I want my investment to work... NOT be a "Yard Ornament"

Jim

)

The 790 seems a bit on the small side to me if you plan on doing much plowing and disking for your truck patch style garden project. )

That's what I needed to know. I have looked at the 990 as well... $20,000 for it. I somewhat figured I needed a 35 HP up to a 50HP to do what I wanted to do in my Project Listed Here At TBN. I am also looking at some used tractors as well. I wish I had more money to play with and I had the money back out of the, IMHO, JUNK that I purchased (Shibaura SD2200 4X4 with FEL) at $6,950.00. This is a major loss for me. Probably would be a major LOSS for most people.

Jim

Dargo · Aug 30, 2005

Jim, based on your experience, I definitely would not consider any of the 2nd tier tractors. You may get a good one, but you also may get right back into what you experienced. Your best bet to avoid that is to stay with a quality top tier tractor, even if that means buying a good used one.

Jim57 · Aug 30, 2005

( Jim, based on your experience, I definitely would not consider any of the 2nd tier tractors. You may get a good one, but you also may get right back into what you experienced. Your best bet to avoid that is to stay with a quality top tier tractor, even if that means buying a good used one. )

 You can bet I will. I will NOT be taken advantage of again.

Shame on them and the dealers that do people this way. GREED is the culprit in my opinion.

There has to be a dealer with a JD, NH Massey or possibly a Kubota that can get me at least a 35HP with shuttle shift and a FEL that can help me help others. New or Used. Any dealer here capable or willing to help me? Many people depend on me here now and now that the area in Mississippi, Louisanna, Alabama and other place that got damage from Katrina could also use my help. Surely there is someone that could use some good PR for their business and would be willing to help me help others. It's a thought any way. I so much DO NOT want to let these people down. I feel like a failure now. In fact... without a tractor I will be. My health will not allow me to take a walk behind tiller and do this. This is my Project to help others that is Posted Here at TBN

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions. I am sure God will make a way. The devil can't take this away from God with all these hurtles. I will NOT give up. There has to be a way.

May God be with each and every one of you here at TBN and your families.

Jim Bonham & Family

Keith_B · Aug 30, 2005

Jim, you may want to look at the Mahindra 3510 and 4110 or the Kioti DK35 and DK40 tractors. They fit the bill for what you will need for your project, but tend to be a few thousand less than comparable Kubota, NH, John Deere and Massey tractors. I would definitely not consider the Mahindra or the Kioti tractors to be second tier, as they are first rate machines.

There is a Mahindra distribution plant in Georgia, so you could probably get a super deal on one in SC or neighboring Georgia.

There are a lot of good brands out there outside of the JD, NH, Kubota and Massey; I encourage you to check them out.

What to avoid??? Gray market tractors, those that are shipped into the US and reconditioned, but designed to be sold elsewhere, tend to be hard to get parts for and the dealers are actually importers. There simply is no factory warranty that backs up a gray market tractor. A lot of these are good tractors, but you are taking a risk on getting parts and service.

If I were in your shoes I'd sell enough of those nice logs you cut to pay for the repairs on the Shibaura. This would give you a healthy down payment to use for a different tractor.

Jim57 · Aug 31, 2005

Too many lives and hungry people depend on what I am going to be doing to take a chance on a Non name brand I think. I have gotten burned by a mistake of mine. I am not willing to take that chance again I don't think. I have to have support if I purchase a new tractor. No way can I stand to chance losing money on another way of saving a few dollars. Either way I will have to pay... either in the initial purchase or in repair and down time. The people I am trying to help can not afford to wait on me for down time. Once I have started something I intend to do what ever it takes to complete it. I made promises I intend to keep even if it kills me.

As far as the logs... unfortunately they have already been turned into firewood. Glue just won't stick them back together. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But some way I will find a way to finance what I need to continue this project.

I have even called the Jeep place and offered them my Jeep back to get out of under it. I have had it two years and it only has 10,500 miles on it. If I get out of under those payments... I will have more money to work with to complete this project.

Jim

gmsssi · Aug 31, 2005

Jim,

I have followed your post and it appears you plan on sitting in the machine for extended periods of time. Did you sit in and operate the Farmtrac? It's hard for me to imagine anyone being comfortable on the Farmtrac unless your of small stature. I have no doubt's it's a fine machine but for me it was VERY uncomfortable and cramped.

Shop around more, there are similar sized tractors that are price competitive to the Farmtrac and JD that are much more comfortable.

Jim57 · Aug 31, 2005

( Jim,

I have followed your post and it appears you plan on sitting in the machine for extended periods of time. Did you sit in and operate the Farmtrac? It's hard for me to imagine anyone being comfortable on the Farmtrac unless your of small stature. I have no doubt's it's a fine machine but for me it was VERY uncomfortable and cramped.

Shop around more, there are similar sized tractors that are price competitive to the Farmtrac and JD that are much more comfortable.

)

I am still looking. I would like comfort surely. However... a little discomfort is no problem as long as God allows me to get the job done. God has a reason for all and I will follow the way God leads. This is in God's hands now. I have messed it up enough with my will. I will leave all this to God. If he intends me to do this and wants me to do this as I feel led to... he will make it possible. What ever God allows me to aquire to do this will be what I get. There will be someone to help me I am sure. God made this world and allowed me to have this land. God will make what ever I need work out. I am smart enough to do my part and God will lead me to the right person or persons eventually as I believe in his resolution. May God be with each and everyone in this country and other countries as well.

Jim

Jim57 · Aug 31, 2005

I think I have found a Great Deal.

Commercial Grade - L35 Kubota with 1200 hours, with Shuttle Shift with a Glide Shift Transmission, 4X4, FEL with standard bucket and extra lines for Clam Shell Control, a Clamshell Bucket for FEL, a BT900 Back Hoe with three different width buckets. 30 Day Warranty

All for $16,500.00

This place is only about 5 to six miles from me. A reputable company that has been there ever since before 1965.

What do you think? Is this a good Deal? Would I be getting into the same situation? Is 1200 hours a lot of hours on this particular Tractor.

Jim

Dargo · Aug 31, 2005

It certainly sounds like a much better deal for you than going with a 2nd tier tractor and taking a chance on having the same terrible fate befall you. I think your chances for the same problem would be minimal with this deal. Good luck with whatever you do!

Jim57 · Aug 31, 2005

( It certainly sounds like a much better deal for you than going with a 2nd tier tractor and taking a chance on having the same terrible fate befall you. I think your chances for the same problem would be minimal with this deal. Good luck with whatever you do! )

Yeah... I went to the John Deere place today and they priced a nice NEW 5105 4X4 (50Hp) with FEL... 6 foot JD Bush Hog and a 16 disc harrow all New for $23,500.00

However, I think the Kubota, even though no long warranty, ONLY a 30 Day Warranty, would be a better buy because of backhoe and the Clamshell Bucket and all the extra buckets.

The Kubota also had the shuttle shift the JD didn't have and supposedly the better transmission "Glide Shift Transmission" I like the four post ROPS on the Kubota and the large lid. I also liked work lights on ROPS (Two on Front and Two on back.) The 35HP seems very strong even with 1200 hours on it. It was purchased NEW at this tractor place and they have done all the service on it. The man that owned it builds homes and he used it in construction work. They tell me he was very good at servicing it as it needed.

Tomorrow I will go and take pictures of it. It is dirty and somewhat faded paint. Other than that... the controls seemed to work fine and so did the Clamshell Bucket on the FEL. You can tell it has been used but I do not think it was abused.

Jim