first time buyer

[ezzy]

I am a greenhorne and i need help I know next to nothing about tractors, what do i look for and how much is too much to pay seen a used shibaura with finish mower for 3500 plus shipping is this too much

 

[normde2001]

It's probably not too much; however it's probably a "gray" market tractor. Are you familiar with gray market's and their "inconveniences"?

 

[ezzy]

no i am not familiar with grey market please explain

 

[normde2001]

That is a tractor that is built for, and used in a foreign country, such as Japan or S. Korea, then sold used in the US. They don't have ROPS, (roll bars), seat belts, or pto covers. It's very dificult to get legitimate dealers to work on them and you need to be a little bit creative to find parts, usually on the internet and do your own work.

 

[ezzy]

thanx for the info on this, is there any advice you can give as to what i should look for, and if it is safe buying used equipment vrs new

 

[normde2001]

Treat it as if you were buying a used car, drive it as much as possible and check everything. Try to get a warranty.

 

[NIXON]

Jerry , Welcome to TBN ! There are a lot of good choices out there . You'll have to determine what you actually expect to do with your machine . gray market is what I looked at initially (price ) . But I eventually went with a new machine .
In no particular order , look at Kukje (branson, Century) Mahindra ,John Deere , New Holland , Kioti, Kubota, Massey.. The list goes on . Go to their web sites and see what's on offer . Some companies offer very attractive financing, and, most have machines to fit any use you might find .
You'll most likely find that the more you look the more questions you have /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I know I did . But then that's the great thing about TBN .... You'll always get good answers to your questions ! Just watch out for the JUNKMAN !!! He's crazy . I tried his idea of washing cats in the toilet . I'm still scarred up from that . Anyway , enjoy your search for a tractor,and again welcome ! John

 

[ezzy]

appreciate all the advice and help i can get. i have very little time to check things out so its mostly on the internet, what types of tractor should i be looking for and maybe what to watch out for

 

[ezzy]

thank you for the advice I have checked on some, I like the Kioti but i get very little feed back on it. I will do mowing mostly but i would like a bucket for some clean up I only have 5 acres with a little slope, but not sure of what horse power i will need, and dont know if the dealers will give the right info or just try and make a little extra money

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I like the Kioti but i get very little feed back on it. )</font>

Check out the Kioti section on this site. Lots of owner feedback.