First tractor - did you buy too big or too small?

[LBrown59]

First tractor was a B7200D, gear, turf tires. Great size, never really lacked for horsepower (not to say that I wouldn't like more, mind you) but recently sold it and bought a B8200D gear, ag tires, loader. I don't think I made a mistake on size, but I did make a mistake in not getting a loader right away. Without a loader, particularly with turf tires, it was a big lawn tractor. With the loader, it's a tractor, at least for me. I would like some of the modern conveniences of a new tractor, but like a previous poster mentioned, the 8200 is a tank, particularly when compared directly to anything current in it's horsepower/size/FEL capacity category.
whodat

Back in about 1984 I missed a good deal on a new Kubota B8200
HST
With
Power Steering
Four wheel drive
AG tires
FEL
Back Hoe
And rear mount finish mower.
$21500 but I shopped around several dealers and took the invoices back to the first dealer and he beat the lowest dealers deal by cutting his price to $12500.
That was a steal I couldn't pass up so I signed the papers.
Unfortunately the financing fell through and I lost the buy of a life time.
Try to buy a Comparable New Kubota today with FEl BH and a rear finish mower for any where near $12500.

 

[LBrown59]

As some of the others have said, you really need more then one tractor. We bought a Ford 4000 for next to nothing and traded it in on the TN65 as the main chore tractor. Then we added the 1920 to get into smaller places and also to work in the city on some jobs. Then as the farm expanded we added the 7710-II and a Ford 640. The 7710-II took over most of the heavy task that the TN had to do which freed the TN up to be the chore tractor again. We always try to have one tractor free to do whatever might pop up so usually the TN or 1920 are sitting in the barn waiting as they are the two loader tractors and the most all around useful tractors we have if we need to load material or help out a neighbor or friend.

Best advice to most people who have any amount of land is to buy a good middle of the road tractor and make due with it but to always keep your eye open for a nice used tractor to help out. It is nice to not have to borrow a neighbors tractor or equipment for whatever reason.

Rite: It takes more than one to make A team

 

[ducati996]

Rite: It takes more than one to make A team

Got any pictures of this A-team?

 

[ducati996]

Have 5 lookin for #6 but plan on selling 1.

I'll buy the Cub 2544 with the differential lock you described earlier. i will give you more than what you paid for it

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

both, which is why I now own two...

 

[BTDT]

First "new" tractor from dealer was a Ford 1300, '83 model. It was just right. Small enough to get between trees on our place for trails and landscaping, big enough to plow garden (4 wheel drive), and mow 15 acres. 2cyl diesel, 3speeds+ reverse, 4 ranges.

 

[RobJ]

Back in about 1984 I missed a good deal on a new Kubota B8200
HST
With
Power Steering
Four wheel drive
AG tires
FEL
Back Hoe
And rear mount finish mower.
$21500 but I shopped around several dealers and took the invoices back to the first dealer and he beat the lowest dealers deal by cutting his price to $12500.
That was a steal I couldn't pass up so I signed the papers.
Unfortunately the financing fell through and I lost the buy of a life time.
Try to buy a Comparable New Kubota today with FEl BH and a rear finish mower for any where near $12500.

I'm not sure what I'm more confused about, a B model going for 21500 in 1984 or a dealer marking a tractor down from 21500 to 12500. I must have read it wrong, even 12500 sounds high for 1984 bucks.

rob

 

[AndyM]

Got any pictures of this A-team?

 

[ccsial]

I bought an 18 horse Economy Power King with an end loader when I had a half acre lot. I guess it was considered as too big. My neighbors said I was nuts. I got tired of my neigbors and bought 30 acres. The thing was too small now. I bought a Ford 1910 (still have it) and it was perfect.

 

[AndyMA]

Too Small

First JD750- not much more than a garden tractor
soon traded on Ford 1710 used several years
traded on Ford 2120 have had that one since 1987 (same size as TC48/55)
added TN75D in 2001
added Hitachi 44,000 lb excavator in 2002
along with antique tractor to play with.
now need a dozer- about 450 size and a small excavator
The New England rocks are just too much for TN
Once you have multiple machines you'll never go back.

Andy