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.

 

[Whitey]

You know I don't what to say about the 2,000 hours. I once started a thread about just this question. (The 2,000 hour question) Most of the replies were it depends on the maintenance and the use. No kidding! The bottom line is good used TLBs are available you just have to be careful and patient. It took me about 8 months weeding through ads from all over the country to find one. It is all about price and condition. Like I said before you can get one like I did and replace a lot of small items or you can get one a little nicer and spend more. Take your overalls and crawl under it, look at the oil, hydro fluid, ask if the keep maintenance records the works! In the end you will save a bunch of money.

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

 

[Mustangous]

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.

About 2 years ago i was hot and heavy on getting a BX24 with the mmm, but in reality I couldnt really afford to keep it. Unfortunatly i am still in that situation. I can only afford to buy it and use it for the next 2 years and then sell it hoping to lose no more than $4K at the very most. So that is still an option, but I was thinking a little bigger than the kubota bx. we'll see. I have to keep looking and see if anything else turns up....

 

[Mustangous]

You know I don't what to say about the 2,000 hours. I once started a thread about just this question. (The 2,000 hour question) Most of the replies were it depends on the maintenance and the use. No kidding! The bottom line is good used TLBs are available you just have to be careful and patient. It took me about 8 months weeding through ads from all over the country to find one. It is all about price and condition. Like I said before you can get one like I did and replace a lot of small items or you can get one a little nicer and spend more. Take your overalls and crawl under it, look at the oil, hydro fluid, ask if the keep maintenance records the works! In the end you will save a bunch of money.

Yeah the 2000 hours is the only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger on the deere 4400, so ill just have to think about it. I am seeing a lot of of the same units without the bh and with a lot less hours for a lot more money. How much value does the backhoe add to this tractor??? So i keep thinking that i should jump on this but i am hesitant to because of the hours... How long does these Deere supposes to hold up for??? IS there usually a recommend hour range that these tractors usually last too? rebuild periods?

Thanks again for everyones feedback...

 

[IslandTractor]

About 2 years ago i was hot and heavy on getting a BX24 with the mmm, but in reality I couldnt really afford to keep it. Unfortunatly i am still in that situation. I can only afford to buy it and use it for the next 2 years and then sell it hoping to lose no more than $4K at the very most. So that is still an option, but I was thinking a little bigger than the kubota bx. we'll see. I have to keep looking and see if anything else turns up....

If you bought a used BX23 or 24 today I would bet you could sell it 2 years later for darn close what you paid for it. I think those things lose a bit on initial purchase then they cost about $12000-13000 for the rest of their lives. Too many homeowners looking to get the least expensive but small TLB with a good reputation for the value to drop much.

 

[Mustangous]

Ok have been driving around from dealeer to dealer and I think I am going to purchase the BX24. The sales man let me take it around and dig a few holes with it. I really like the unit. THey have 0% financing for 42 months and a some rebates on them. I think the bx24 will do altleast 90% of what i need it for. As for the 4400 deere i am very skeptical on the 2000 hours.

So is there going to be a bx26 coming out anytime soon? I thought i read somthing like that on here but couldnt find it again. Thanks for everyones suggestions...

 

[Cyberroc]

So is there going to be a bx26 coming out anytime soon? I thought i read somthing like that on here but couldnt find it again. Thanks for everyones suggestions...

Do you mean the THE BX2660?

Nice, at least the front tires are getting bigger...

 

[Mustangous]

Do you mean the THE BX2660?

Nice, at least the front tires are getting bigger...

YEah , but i dont see a bh & FEL...

 

[northwoodpower]

We have a 2006 Massey Ferguson GC2310 with 170 hours for sale $13,950.00. This is a hydro tractor loader backhoe.

 

[Max2310]

I had similar dilemma over two months ago. I rented a B21 (commercial unit) last years and was kind a disappointed when I saw it arrived thinking it was a very small machine. I soon forgot about its size when I start using it. Anyway, I got most off my planned work done in less than 3 days. Then I start feeling the need to get my own (new construction on its way). No way I was going to go with a smaller unit, but a B26 (replacement for the B21) was close to 40K (CND) new. Couldn't justify that!

Make a long story short, I discovered this site, discovered the sub-compact series (bx24, gc2310 and JD2305), read many reviews, bought the GC2310, put 115 hours is two months and still impressed and very satisfied with it. You will soon be looking at your neighbours to see if they need help with something. 1.5 acres for that little hard working machine is not a lot. I personally wouldn't feel as comfortable on a bigger machine around trees, septic tank, houses and all the other obstacles that are around. I simply love this toy/tool and I would not replace it by anything else except for the new GC2410. For me, buying new was easier at 0% interest for 60 months. To sell it!? This would probably be my biggest regret because right now, my only regret is that I should have bought this few years ago...

Good luck!

BTW, thanks to everyone on this site (first post -- not the last )!!!

 

[Mustangous]

Hey MAx welcome to the board and congrats on your purchase.

I just to delivery of my new BX24 today @ 12:30. I had to leave for work @ 2:00pm so didnt plan to use it much but i managed to knock over 5 5" diameter 3ft high tree stumps in under 5 min and pushed over a 30ft 6" tree with ease. I was very impressed. I also wanted to get some small peices of concrete out of the ground(where i dump) because its a pain to get around with my riding lawn mower. Well those peices of concrete ended up being huge and the bx24 handle it with ease. I will post pics when i get a chance...