Help! Need Inexpensive Tractor Suggestions

[Bob_Trevithick]

Folks, I think you mis-read Wayne's request. He is asking specifically for inexpensive suggestions. I only charge $0.02 per suggestion. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Sorry, just in a goofy mood..

Wayne,

I don't recall you specifying a price range, but I would look into the Deere 90 series. The 790, for example, comes in at around $9.5K new with 30 HP (25 at the PTO), and all the other things you listed except, as far as I can see, the Hydrostatic. These look to me like 4000 series but without the bells and whistles. Probably a real workhorse, and with that great Deere resale value. Who knows what you could pick up a used one for...

HTH,
Bob

Bob Trevithick

 

[Jeff396]

Here are some prices that came from Carver's via email. That BX1800 ought to come in just right if you can 86 the loader. With the snowblowing task I think I would stick with a hydrostatic trans. At least that seems to be the overall opinion on this site anyway.


New BX 1800, 18 HP, 54 inch deck, loader $10,999.
2001 BX 2200, 22 HP, 380 HR, 60 inch deck $8,249.
New BX 2200, 22 HP, 60 inch deck $ 9,650.
New BX 2200, 22 HP, 60 inch deck, loader $11,599.
2001 BX 2200, 22 HP, 380 HR, 60 inch deck, loader $9,599

Steve Carver
Carver Equip.
PO Box 670
US 301 S.
Dunn, North Carolina
Telephone .. USA Callers 910 892 7171
Telephone - NC callers 800 733 7171
Fax - 910 891 7171
Email: dec_sale@carverequipment.com
Email: carvequip@aol.com

Hope this helps or at least clarifys things a bit.

Jeff

 

[GlennT]

I'd like to reinforce Snowman9000's advice. I have a John Deere 670 without much of anything--no power steering, no live axle, no hydro. I have both a finish mower and a shredder and I get along just fine because I normally just chug along in a circle without any need to stop, back up or maneuver in tight places. HOWEVER, I also have a 20 HP, 50 inch hydro lawnmower for tight places. If you are going to do much mowing around buildings, trees, bushes, fences, etc. you would really appreciate (my personal priority order): 1. live PTO, 2. hydrostatic drive, and 3. power steering.

 

[r0GuE]

You wanna save money?
Really?
Give up the 4wd, get a Kubota TG
Or save alot of money, get a t1760
You'll just have to address traction issues (chains?)

Rogue

 

[PaulT]

Before you write off power steering completely, look at the economics of the design you are specifying. You want HST, but you don't want power steering. I think you will find this only in older used models, like the 7400 or 6000 series Kubotas (but I could be wrong). The reason is that the cost of the power steering is all in the pump. Yes, on the B series Kubota uses 2 pumps, but the two pumps are really well integrated. Other tractors just use the single pump for all hydraulic needs, (power steering, HST and implements).

I used to mow 4 acres with obstacles (trees, house, swingset, berry bushes, pond, etc.) with a JD LX 172 manual transmission. The hardest part about that was the constant tugging at the steering wheel. It would take me about 3 hours to mow, and my arms were beat when I was through. Now I have power steering and HST and I can finish in half the time (primarily due to a larger deck), and my arms aren't bothered at all. I would probably give up the HST before I would give up the power steering if I wasn't going to get a FEL. Seriously, the HST is not that big an advantage when mowing, since I usually maintain a constant speed when mowing, except when turning, and the clutch/momentum in neutral is usually fast enough to swing me around, then I just let out the clutch and go the next pass.

PaulT

 

[TerryinMD]

Wayne,

You are in the same quandry as me about 10 months ago.

Skip the blue, green, orange thoughts and use the basic parameters you mentioned as your starting points. Looks like you've done some of the homework already.

If you want, order Muhammads compact tractor book or wake up early some rainy/snowy morning, brew a pot of coffee and cruise this web site. Best source of info around. It's winter, start cruising the dealers. Get to know them. Ask questions, kick the tires, take a test drive. Don't worry about the price yet. I was trying to stay around $10k and ended up spending $16k with a FEL, MMM, and 58" rototiller.

Terry

 

[TresCrows]

You ask for opinion so here on TBN you get'em--you do need power steering you just don't know it! It is not a problem area on any of these tractors and with a FEL----you do need it. Do you need a FEL? --yes--or why bother with a "real" tractor---just my opinion. J

 

[Nuru]

Terry, almost the same here, I started out looking to spend $7000 and almost doubled that with tax, but I do feel much better I did, as I probably will be able to get at least $7 - 9k in 10 years on a trade.

Nuru

 

[Nuru]

Yep!

 

[hwp]

For what its worth, Wayne, I'll add my two cents worth. I was in a similar position a year ago and after looking at numerous options, decided to get a front mount mower. I ended up getting a F2400 that had been owned by a small town for about 10 years. It came with a 60" mower deck, a 52" two-stage snowblower(with hydraulic chute direction and deflector controls), a 50" dozer blade (with hydraulic angle control) and a metal and glass heated cab that I take off in the summer. I got the whole package for about $US6000. There are lots of good used machines out there at similar prices if you look around. The machine was in good mechanical condition but needed some TLC. After a fair bit of puttering, nothing more serious than an alternator, some sheet metal, some bondo to smooth over the welds and some paint it looks almost new and runs like new. To say the least, I am very satisfied with it. What is on your list that my machine won't do at the moment is sanding, but I have ordered a Buyers SUV tailgate spreader (about $US600) for that purpose. The spreader comes with a cab controller! The F2400s are built like a tank but are very manoeuverable thanks to the rear wheel steering. Having the mower and snowblower in front of the tractor makes it very easy to control. The hydro transmission and selectable four wheel drive are useful for mowing sidehills and plowng snow. I don't need chains regardless of how much snow there is. Anyway, something for you to think about.