Help! Tractor buying advice for new land owner

[Reg]

Brilliant. Thank you. I need to be looking for a SCUT with good lift capacity. Now I just need to figure out how much one of my typical trees weigh uncut for dragging, and cut for lifting with the bucket. the JD dealer said that the 2320 could only lift 800 lbs. Not sure if he was trying to upsell me or not as that sounds like not very much when thinking of fresh fallen trees. Not like I can rent a 2000 series JD and give a tree a try. I'll look on YouTube see if anyone with that size scut is dragging a tree or lifting big rounds to get an idea of what they can do.

Thanks again!

With all due respect - I think you need to get AWAY from that JD dealer if you want to preserve any sense of VALUE.

Those are homeowner scale driveway status ornaments, contract built tractorettes that won't last any better just because they have the ANSI standard JD green & yellow color paint on them. You might as well find out which Korean company is currently building them and buy the "off brand" from the same production line.

Yes, there will be upsell - You define a price bracket, they show you something, you ask about capability, they say next model up, you ask about hydro, they say that the current quote is for a gear drive - FEL and Hoe not included (add about 50%).

Try the JD build and price thing on line some time - wheels and tires are extras (-:

 

[jenkinsph]

I would pick the equipment sized for the job at hand, you can have a 1/2 acre lot and not be able to handle the task with a small tractor. A 2305 backhoe would be fine for working flower beds but useless for digging stumps.

As Reg mentioned you can buy a good used unit to fix up your place and sell it when done for close to the same thing you paid for it. Then buy an estate mower for long term. One of the good things about good used tractors is they seem to hold their value once the initial depreciation is considered. The cost of having a used 110tlb for two years should be minimal.

 

[SrChf]

As Reg mentioned you can buy a good used unit to fix up your place and sell it when done for close to the same thing you paid for it. Then buy an estate mower for long term. One of the good things about good used tractors is they seem to hold their value once the initial depreciation is considered. The cost of having a used 110tlb for two years should be minimal.

THAT is some sage advice. I love it. Your like the 3rd or 4th person that has mentioned a used JD110TLB. I will really look into that.

What is the best online resource(s) for finding used gear like this?

 

[powerstroke444e]

What is the best online resource(s) for finding used gear like this?

I would look at the jd110 or a kubota tlb like L35,l39 or maybe as small as a B26 you should be able to find something with 3-600hrs in your price range and get a nice set of tools with it.
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I like sticking to name brand machines myself but that is just me as I have always been able to get good money out of name brand equipment when I am done with it. Off brand stuffie something I dont see everyday or something sold by a dealer/person:confused2: that has not been around very long, has always seemed to come back and bite me, but that is just me and no agreement on mine is better or worse just is the way I do it.

Good luck on the search
and FYI in an average year I rent 8-10differant machines, because its cheaper than buying.:thumbsup:

 

[3rdlittlepig]

Interesting thread! Keep us posted as to your research and decision SrChf!! I am in a similar situation as SrChf ... I have 6 acres (3 1/2 wooded, 1/2 young brush and 2 cleared w/home). I'd love to post some pics and get advice as to best equipment (rent vs hire vs buy)... So my question to the experienced users on this site is should I just post specific questions to other threads or start a SPECIFIC one for myself? Knowing that 80% of the info I need is probably already posted somewhere on this great forum already (just not in one consolidated thread)?

 

[TripleR]

Interesting thread! Keep us posted as to your research and decision SrChf!! I am in a similar situation as SrChf ... I have 6 acres (3 1/2 wooded, 1/2 young brush and 2 cleared w/home). I'd love to post some pics and get advice as to best equipment (rent vs hire vs buy)... So my question to the experienced users on this site is should I just post specific questions to other threads or start a SPECIFIC one for myself? Knowing that 80% of the info I need is probably already posted somewhere on this great forum already (just not in one consolidated thread)?

I would think maybe a separate thread with pictures, specific tasks etc. Terrain can really influence a recommendation as some are more stable than others as well as the type and size of brush and trees, gullies etc.

 

[Localmotion]

SrCHF - I think you've got some great advice here, especially from Mark V and Reg...

If you really have to have a new tractor - shop around and choose something suitable to your average use. Hiring may seem expensive now - but just think how gutted you'll be to spend all your budget on a green tractor only to find you still need to hire something else in 6 months? Better to choose something cheaper and keep a bit of budget in reserve.

If you really want a branded tractor - consider second hand / private purchase. Unless you are on very good terms with your dealer, it is unlikely they will give you that "special deal"! When farming in the UK I used to trade very regually with our Case dealer, but only on new machines not second hand. Then when I came to Spain I purchased a second hand New Holland from a dealer here, and now remeber why I never used too!

Reading your replies I think you are on the right thought process - but rememmber it is only a small plot - I like a lot of Gary Fowlers advice but must say that four tractors to manage 42 acres is crazy - we used to run two 100hp Case tractors to manage 450 acres of mixed farm. Also please save your money and forget the telescoping link arms unless you are looking at a 100+hp tractor lifting a really large implement - it can take a while to get used to hitching up, but once you get it you'll hitch up first time everytime without having to move the implement!

My final word - enjoy. If a brand new JD is what you really want, then go for it and enjoy it - just don't kid yourself that you needed it! :laughing:

Also it would be great to see some pics from yourself and 3rdlittlepig! :thumbsup:

 

[3rdlittlepig]

Seems like everyone loves pics! Here are a couple. I will add plenty when I start a new thread ... I don't want to take away from ScHrf thread. I will posted new thread name here when I start it.
Pics 1-4
Im in Raleigh, nc area.... So mostly pine trees. Very dense wooded area .... And has gradual slope down (about 10' every 100 feet).

 

[SrChf]

After looking at some used JD110's, the 26k to 36k pricetags for used...and reading all your inputs, I have finally had a moment of clarity here:

My cleared acre is pretty much done as far as the big stuff is concerned. a few more stumps would be nice to remove, but those 'could' be cut to the quick then stump treated to accelerate decomposition.

The pioneering-into-the-forest-with-a-JD110 project is a 'nice to have' future operation that I, frankly, don't realistically have the time for anyway when I face the facts...and look at my unfinished basement and dreams of a Olde Galleon sailing ship wet bar (different forum) I still have a full time job for at least another year before I retire from the Military, while the immediate acre of ruts, weeds, mud, hills, bellies, bad/incorrect drainage is an immediate NEED that sounds like could be solved with a 19 to 25 HP TLB and a rear box grader and a separate riding lawn mower (once I actually have grass).

In hindsite, I should have just asked what the best unit/implement set would be for this 1st acre and come back once I was ready to forage into the wild back 4.0.

I guess I had just hoped there was some company that had truly designed an all-in-one, do everything TLB that can to heavy, medium and light duty/high finesse work...without crushing the lawn...all for under 25k.

Reality is to face, as head is to wall >> :mur:

Alright...so...opinions fellahs. Hit me with them. What TLB's have you own(ed) (or rented) that you loved that can do my 1 acre nicely who's new sticker price does not exceed my budget. If I find a late model, low hours used one, all the better. I'll put the money I saved into my sailing ship bar

Oh, and I will get the wife to take some pics. Dont expect much. Lookin at 3rdLittlePigs - I'm jealous already. Nice plot dude!

 

[Western]

SrChf, also I would thank you for your service, with all the Mil. folks in my family, you'd of thought I would catch that..duh

My Brother in law, recently retired MCPON :thumbsup: "Ask the Chief" is a household phrase, both in and out of the Navy".

Just a thought.
I would buy a he## of a yard mower and rent a tractor for the "fun" stuff. On 5 acres you could save allot of money, on your own time. If it cost $100 a day to rent a tractor and you rent one for 20 days over several years or whatever, that is only 2k + gas as needed. Then "size don't matter", rent what you need at the time for the job your doing. If for some reason you get "called" back, your not tied to tractor payment, (situational change).

Then use the extra cash for the retirement party