For $7K can I even get a whiff of a new tractor...

memphis · Mar 17, 2008

and bush hog? I need something simple, no bells and whistles, to cut 5 acres of grass. I want new so I don't have to work on it other than usual maintenance. $7K is about all I can spend but it may not get me much.

Soundguy · Mar 17, 2008

7k and new generally drops you into the chinese tractor range.. however since you don't want to have to work on it.. that kicks you back out of the chinese tractor range..

I honestly don't see you getting a new tractor capable of maintaining 5ac, AND not having to work onit.

At best.. i'd get a newer / low hours trade / used model from the 'Big 3 ' dealers.. I've seen things like trade-in 1630's from CNH with 600-700 hrs on them, and a 4' mower for the 5500$ range..

soundguy

DonWorrell · Mar 17, 2008

memphis said:
and bush hog? I need something simple, no bells and whistles, to cut 5 acres of grass. I want new so I don't have to work on it other than usual maintenance. $7K is about all I can spend but it may not get me much.

Try Mahindra.com. They don't give prices on the internet anymore but find a dealer in your area. I own a Mahindar 3325, which is a 35 hp tractor . I use it for exactly what you want a tractor for mowing 5 acres of grass.

Mine is a 2006 and I bought it for under $9,000. They are offering 0% interest for 36 months or at least they were.

I was born on a farm and have owned John Deere, Oliver, Allis Chalmbers and International (Farmall). In my mind the Mahindra is as good as any of these. If you lived in middle Tennessee I did know of a Jinma dealer who went out of business and he had two tractors left. He was trying to sell them for around $5,000 each. But Jinma doesn't have the best reputation and parts might be had to come by. No matter whatever you buy make sure service and parts are availalbe.

For you a well maintained Ford 8N could work and you can normally find then for less than $4,000. A bush Hog can be as little as a few hundred to a couple of thousand just depends on your taste and needs. I use a King Kutter, I bought it used about 8 years ago I paid $300.00 it still work great today.

Just a few scattered thoughts.

Don

offroadr · Mar 17, 2008

DonWorrell said:
For you a well maintained Ford 8N could work and you can normally find then for less than $4,000.

Too bad you don't live closer I have a excellent 8n that I am letting go for a great deal (WAY less than $4000) since I have a new tractor on order.

Its a mowing machine!!

Treemonkey1000 · Mar 17, 2008

Hey offroadr it sounds like time for a "road trip" for Memphis. Hook up the trailer and head out your way.....
There are some good deals on used tractors out there if you shop around a bit. Craigslist might have some good choices. Drag someone along to help kick the tires if you do go check something out Memphis

pennwalk · Mar 17, 2008

Memphis, 7K is low for a new tractor but there are good used tractors out there in that range. I guess I have had my Yanmar 186D for around 6 years and all I have done to it is change fluids and filters and replace the battery. I payed around $5k for my tractor and it came with a couple of attachments. The thing is tractors are fairly simple machines and most home users don't put that many hours on them. Thats why you see lots of tractors that are 30/40 years old still working. If you were to read the past posts on the Yanmar forum you could get a lot of information about owning a Yanmar . I'll bet Soundguy could tell you which Fords to look for. Also I find working on my equipment is easy especially if I have the service manual. It is very satisfying when you get it fixed yourself not to mention how nice it is not to have to pay the John Deere dealer $90/hr to work on your equipment. I find that the attachments especially the mowers take more work than the tractor.

Chris

charliepff · Mar 17, 2008

Even if you use the 7,000 as a down payment. I understand too some people are on a tight budget. from what I have seen with the new 0% interest rates and the finance schedules now is the time to buy. Find a dealership around you and see what they can workout for you. I am currently working on moving to a different tractor due to wanting more capability and the fact of the interest rates being so low.

memphis · Mar 17, 2008

thanks for all the input

i really like the mahindra 2615 but it's more than $7K
i will probably use it to disk some food plots and maybe a big garden for a couple of neighbors.
I can sure think of lots of stuff I want to do with a tractor once I get one!

PBinWA · Mar 17, 2008

Craigslist is a great tool these days. I wish it was around when I was tractor shopping.

Kernopelli · Mar 17, 2008

I don't think $7000 is going to get you a new dependable tractor but there are many clean used models that will last many many years. I would be watching Ebay and Craigslist. I have seen many exceptional deals go by on Ebay. There are several reputable dealers that run only no reserve auctions like McGrew Equipment in Pa. and B & R Equipment in N. Carolina as well as others. B&R currently has a clean NH 1925 4x4 and 1 day left at $5600, McGrew has several Long tractors (Korean) --- a clean 280 DTC w/FEL and Mitsubishi 4 cyl. diesel engine and a dealer demo 320 DTC with 5 hrs on the machine (both are shuttle shift, power steering and 4x4's) any of these three will very likely go for under $7000.
I just mention these because they are sellers I trust and those are pretty common examples of what I see on their auctions. To me, if any of those close at what I think they will, they are bargains. Yes, most likely a seller may not be in your back yard but a weekend and a car hauler may be all it takes to bring one home. I am also a fan of many of the grey market tractors, Yanmar and Mitsubishi especially and while they aren't as cheap as they used to be, there are some great tractors out there at reasonable prices--just stay away from the "refurbished" units showing "5 hr".
Just my $0.02.