Help with choosing a tractor

[Mustangous]

Hello,
I have a small priperty (1.5acres) and was looking into purchasing a FEL with a Backhoe to get a lot of work done around the house. I will be basically moving a lot of material around, grading, digging out for retaining walls, digging some trenches for drainage and running utilities out to a future garage and what ever else i may need it for. This will be a project over the course of a couple of years so i figured it would be much more convientient and even cheaper to purchase a tractor used and to sell it when i am completed. I would rather work at my pace not of a rental places....

I was thinking about a compact unit and had seen a John Deere 4400 selling locally. This deere is in great shape, has 2000 hours, 35 hp, 430 FEL, about 80% life of the turf tires left and 4wd. Not sure 47 or 48 backhoe though. I may be able to pick this up for $13K. Would this be a good deal?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Finding units used around my area ( central nj) has been a little tough. THe dealers seem high in the prices so i have been looking at private sales. My price range would be as low as possible, but would like to get a unit that is in good shape so I wouldnt have to worry about it breaking. I also would like a unit that has a good resale value. I know i will lose money when i sell, but would like to keep it minimal.

If anyone has anysuggestions on what type of tractor or if i am heading in the right direction of tractor choices please let me know...

Thanks

 

[plowking]

Depends on if you want a hydrostatic or standard transmission. What do you need for a digging depth of backhoe? My Massey Feguson1531 digs to 6 1/2 feet. I think the Deeres and Kubotas dig deeper depending on what model. I had a subcompact before I traded to a machine that is 2000 lbs heavier. Subcompact was a litle tippy compared to larger models. The John Deere you are looking at sounds ok. There are a lot of deals at the tractor dealers this time of year. plowking

 

[Mustangous]

Depends on if you want a hydrostatic or standard transmission. What do you need for a digging depth of backhoe? My Massey Feguson1531 digs to 6 1/2 feet. I think the Deeres and Kubotas dig deeper depending on what model. I had a subcompact before I traded to a machine that is 2000 lbs heavier. Subcompact was a litle tippy compared to larger models. The John Deere you are looking at sounds ok. There are a lot of deals at the tractor dealers this time of year. plowking

I was thinking hydrostatic, that is what this deere is. From reading around here i heard the the hydrostatic is a little easier with loading and moving material around with the FEL....
Thanks for the reply...

 

[Soundguy]

Perhaps find a good TLB, use it, then sell it and then buy the right sized tractor for your property.

soundguy

 

[Mustangous]

Perhaps find a good TLB, use it, then sell it and then buy the right sized tractor for your property.

soundguy

Thats what i was planning on doing and was considering that deere 4400 for. Just havent really seen anything else arouind that price range that is in good shape yet.

 

[Egon]

Look for a commercial brand unit. It should resell.

 

[Whitey]

JD 4400 with a loader and a backhoe for about 13K seems like a good deal. I would be concerned about how the 2000 hours got there. Take a real good look at the hydraulic cylinders for leaks. Check the hoses for worn spots for and possible leaks. Ask about the history of the unit to judge if it was taken care of or not. I bought a used machine at a great price however after new tires, pins for the backhoe, hoses, cylinder rebuilds I added another $ 1,500.00 to the purchase price. Still a good deal! The former owner just did not want to go that far with it. That size of machine in good shape will serve you well.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

 

[Soundguy]

Look for a 3digit ford industrial.. like a 345.. etc.. they make good dedicated TLB's.. and should more or less be able to sell it for what you pay for it if you maintain it and don't demolish it..

soundguy

 

[Mustangous]

JD 4400 with a loader and a backhoe for about 13K seems like a good deal. I would be concerned about how the 2000 hours got there. Take a real good look at the hydraulic cylinders for leaks. Check the hoses for worn spots for and possible leaks. Ask about the history of the unit to judge if it was taken care of or not. I bought a used machine at a great price however after new tires, pins for the backhoe, hoses, cylinder rebuilds I added another $ 1,500.00 to the purchase price. Still a good deal! The former owner just did not want to go that far with it. That size of machine in good shape will serve you well.

Is 2000 hrs a lot for a tractor like this? I figured its 8 years old so thats about 250 hrs a year. I figured a lot of it is sitting and running from just using that backhoe. Am I wrong by a assuming this? The current owner bought to get some work done around a small farm and now he is selling it. I will have to take a closer inspection of everything. Is there anything else i should look out for when inspecting a tractor? Does anyone know of any issues i should be concerned with the 4400's?

I will look into the ford units...I have been keeping my options between a kubota(which not sure which model is comparable with the 4400 deere) and the deeres because with all the brands and models, its very overwelming. But i did want to stay around the size of the deere 4400 so i can get around different spots in my yard. Thanks for everyone responces...

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd look for a homeowner used Kubota BX22/23/24. Those things are perfect for 1.5 acres and they hold their value incredibly well.