Buying Advice Hobby Digging 5 acres Cheap Gentlemen Farmer

[McPierson]

Hi,
Thanks for the forum. I've been all over it for a while, but I've got too many competing goals and too little experience to id problems in my "plan." Please help, but also let me have it if I'm being stupid. Also, specific models that should be looked for would be helpful in seeing what I need (specs).

Abstract:
I'd like an older (cheaper) tractor that I can get parts for and has a solid community.
This tractor will have a loader and diesel power.
My budget (currently) is around $6000 (cash deal more than that turns into financing).
Option A: Smaller 4x4 tractor
Option B: Larger 2x4 tractor.

History:
I'm an excellent mechanic, but have little tractor or diesel experience. I'm an engineer and an excellent fabricator. I've wanted a hobby tractor like an 8n or something to tinker around with for a long time. I own a JD 455 with 3 point and it's a great mower, light pulling, boxblade work.

Location:
We have 5 acres of park like (mature trees spread out) flatish property with a small pond. Soil is 3 inches of topsoil followed by clay with gravel to cobbles.

Uses:
I like working on stuff, so this will be more stuff, hopefully not too much.
I'm regularly moving trees for firewood. Always a brush pile.
Brush hogging might happen, but currently I can also just mow once a year with the MMM on the 455 (it eats it up ).
I'd like to use the loader and BB for moving some soil for light leveling a 33' diameter above ground pool. 2' deep max.
I have the idea, I may regret, of building a backhoe for any tractor I get (I considered the 455, but it's just too small and I like how it mows). It would be smaller in capacity like 10' depth 14' reach 12" bucket to help dig the pond deeper. I know this is not the most efficient, but I like little BS projects that I can spend free time on.

Alternatives:
I looked at renting a backhoe for the pond, but I would come out a head just contracting a doser to come out.
I've looked at a skidloader, but they are all used hard and I like the idea of a tractor's resale and multi-use nature.
I could sell the 455 and expect to get $3-4000 actually saw one for $6,500 during my hunts.

Tractors:
I'm not opposed to any brands. In this price range I'm not seeing anything other than Kubota, Deere, and Ford (stray Kioti) that also seems to not be totally abandoned imports.
The most of the following are a bit over budget and all have loaders.
Deere 301 Backhoe
Kubota L2900
Kubota L355ss
Deere 790 MFWD
Mahindra 3505DI 2x4
Deere 950 2x4
Ford 2000
Deere 2020 2x4
Kubota L2500 4x4
Ford 3000 2x4
Ford 5000 2x4
Kubota L2600DT
Kubota B7500 4x4

I don't expect people to comment on all or even any of these. I'm just looking for a warning before I dive into shallow water.

Thanks again, I hope to be able to contribute to this great community in the future.
Matt

 

[Tompet]

It sounds like you have a plan and skill set, you just have to go for it.

I did not quite follow your reference to an 8n after you outlined some points, but a Massey 135 diesel or some other tractor as you listed would be preferable over an 8n for various reasons. Anyway, my suggestion would be to spend a little more now, if required, to get a solid FEL as they are extremely handy. And secondly adaptable for a BH from your reference. Btw, I知 one of those that love having a BH. I did look up a JD455 and saw some with FELs.

Your reference of building a BH idea...you have to look up a thread (I think named homemade backhoe) by member bfreaky that has built one and now another one in progress. The most outstanding fabrication skills I have seen on this site.

Maybe you should job out the pool excavation out if analysis paralysis is setting in and is preventing that project from happening? Then wait on finding a tractor that fits the bill.

 

[jeff9366]

Location:
We have 5 acres of park like (mature trees spread out) flatish property with a small pond. Soil is 3 inches of topsoil followed by clay with gravel to cobbles.

Abstract:
I'd like an older (cheaper) tractor that I can get parts for and has a solid community.
This tractor will have a loader and diesel power.
My budget (currently) is around $6000 (cash deal more than that turns into financing).
Option A: Smaller 4x4 tractor
Option B: Larger 2x4 tractor.

2-WD tractors are handicapped trying to push a Loader bucket into dirt.
Very generally, you set bucket angle with FEL hydraulics, then push bucket into dirt using wheel traction.
The low-forward FEL unloads weight from the drive-producing rear wheels.

2-WD, non-Loader tractors do pretty well pulling Dirt Scoops, a pre-Loader age implement.
VIDEOS: TRACTOR DIRT SCOOP PAN - YouTube

And, you have clay, one of the toughest of soils to excavate.

 

[jaxs]

I don't expect people to comment on all or even any of these. I'm just looking for a warning before I dive into shallow water.

Ok,here's a warning. Which make and model isn't near as important as condition they are in. How you might ask "can I find a goodun". With experience under your belt or hiring someone with experience to go shopping with you. Another option is buying new.

 

[McPierson]

Thanks for all the comments... a agree with all of them...

The 8n thing is to show interest in a proven old tractor vs newer, though I don't feel like the 8n is right for what I'm after.

I've seen the 455 loaders. It's just too much money to buy one of the 40 loaders ($3,000) and then I"m stuck with a heavy loader that's too light to do any work on my 2x4 mower. FWIW My uncle-inlaw has a 40 loader on his 445 and he loves it. I've not got the chance to see it in action, but this whole thing actually started with me planning on building a loader for my 455... It's just not the right fit. (Convince me i'm wrong!)

Totally agree with jaxs. I'm planning on taking my time and not focusing too much on chasing the "great deal" because I tend to get caught up. Rather I'm planning to look at a few that are at a dealer and see what "market rate" tractors look like, good, bad, and ugly. Maybe buy one of those, but maybe just use that as a learning experience.

I'm most interested in Jeff's comment. As there seems to be a trade off between weight and digging ability also. i.e. heavy 2x4 vs lighter 4x4...

I appreciate the time it takes to read all this. Thanks!

 

[McPierson]

double post. sorry.

 

[McPierson]

Alright... I've been really digging at this problem and I've closed some doors.

Right now a Deere 955 or 4200 with hydrostat is the right combination of size and 4x4 with a loader.

Can people point me toward other models that have ~2000lb weight, 4x4 and hydro in the circa late ninties to save upfront cost?

I'm really trying to stay under $7,000, but it seems less and less likely.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think you are at a price point, where that or less will end up costing you much more in money and aggravation, and a little more would be money well spent. You know, you pretty much get it back anyway. So, buying the cheapest equipment out there is almost always foolish. I like EX municipal equipment because it is rarely ever allowed to get leaky and sloppy, or allow for anything not working.

 

[McPierson]

Good advice... and the value stability is true, but I also don't have any intentions of selling so it's more of a bite to take finance versus cash.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have just seen the misery and despair of friends that bought the cheapest worn out tractors they could find, and they never realized ANY value out of them AT ALL. Only further expense and liability.

A tractor is worth less than nothing, if it is not fit, and ready to do a days work.