I think I spent about six months total before buying. About the first four months I spent looking at used skid steers and used tractors, but I eventually gave up. Most of the used machines down here are pretty well beat up, and many are being sold by junk dealers who go to auctions and buy a trashed tractor, throw on a new paint job, and then try to sell it for big bucks. I have alot of stuff to finish, and I didn't want to buy something that I had to work on regularly. Looking at nice used tractors owned by individuals, I realized I could just buy a new one for a couple thousand more and get a warranty, so that's what I did. I actually bought a new tractor that's alot smaller than the used ones I looked at, but I'm happy with the decision to go small. My property doesn't justify a large machine, the BX23 does everything I need, and fits between the 40 fruit trees on my property. A large machine wouldn't fit between those trees, as they are close together and growing in random places. Also, I can tow it with my girly-truck, a Toyota Hilux. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
How long did you Shop before buying
- Thread starter goodoleboy
- Start date
- Views: 3224
fishman
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, I can tow it with my girly-truck, a Toyota Hilux.
)</font>
Hey, that ain't no girly truck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif When I was a young teen my dad had a '69 Toyota Hilux and that truck could haul anything you put in it's bed. It finally rusted into oblivion.
As to the thread topic, I bought by tractor about a year after I started posting on TBN. I don't know if one would consider reading info on this site as shopping, but I certainly found out more here than at any dealer.
)</font>
Hey, that ain't no girly truck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif When I was a young teen my dad had a '69 Toyota Hilux and that truck could haul anything you put in it's bed. It finally rusted into oblivion.
As to the thread topic, I bought by tractor about a year after I started posting on TBN. I don't know if one would consider reading info on this site as shopping, but I certainly found out more here than at any dealer.
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
A few months at least. Looking at price.. support.. options.. needs.. attatchments.. finance.. etc.
Considering my last 2 'big' purchases, usually in the end right as i was driving down to 'sign papers', an amazing deal would pop up and totally hose the 2 months of work I had done.. and I'd ended up getting the 'deal' tractor.
Soundguy
Considering my last 2 'big' purchases, usually in the end right as i was driving down to 'sign papers', an amazing deal would pop up and totally hose the 2 months of work I had done.. and I'd ended up getting the 'deal' tractor.
Soundguy
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hey, that ain't no girly truck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif When I was a young teen my dad had a '69 Toyota Hilux and that truck could haul anything you put in it's bed. It finally rusted into oblivion.
)</font>
I agree, my Hilux has done more work than most could imagine. One time I drove it out of Home Depot, and there was so much weight in the bed, that the front tires came off the ground a little when we hit a hump, and the truck wouldn't turn, it just went straight. Loading it like that was a mistake of course, hindsight is 20-20. We drove the three miles home REAL slow.
I was just poking fun at another thread you may have seen. It's the one in the related topics forum, where many are upset that the new Tacoma won truck of the year. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif A few have challenged it to a 15k lb cross country towing competition, which of course, is something that the Toyota mini trucks we never designed to do. Hence, the "girly truck".
)</font>
I agree, my Hilux has done more work than most could imagine. One time I drove it out of Home Depot, and there was so much weight in the bed, that the front tires came off the ground a little when we hit a hump, and the truck wouldn't turn, it just went straight. Loading it like that was a mistake of course, hindsight is 20-20. We drove the three miles home REAL slow.
I was just poking fun at another thread you may have seen. It's the one in the related topics forum, where many are upset that the new Tacoma won truck of the year. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif A few have challenged it to a 15k lb cross country towing competition, which of course, is something that the Toyota mini trucks we never designed to do. Hence, the "girly truck".
drm
Silver Member
I took 2 to 3 months of looking, reading, and talking to anyone who would listen. Since I had never been around tractors before the most important aspect for me was determining the capabilities of CUT's vs what I would need to do with the machine. I have 11.5 acres most of which was farmed for feed and needs a lot of work along with a new 1/4 mile gravel drive to maintain.
I should have spent more time playing with attachments. The dealer I bought from was the most helpful with suggestions and took a lot of time going over tractors, options, etc.
Good luck, it is a major investment but worth it if you get the right machine.
Derek
I should have spent more time playing with attachments. The dealer I bought from was the most helpful with suggestions and took a lot of time going over tractors, options, etc.
Good luck, it is a major investment but worth it if you get the right machine.
Derek
Bluecheck546
Silver Member
Needed to replace JD850(was leaking oil) it took about 2 month to change color /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
rpeter
Silver Member
I am at three months and counting. I need to buy around the end of March so it will be 6 months total. I just will not have the time to do any riding on seats until then. I just do not know if I will ever be able to make up my mind. Guess I will have to let my wife decide. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Bob_K
Bronze Member
Boy oh Boy you all sound like inpluse buyers. As for me it took me over 3 and a half years to make up my mind, Or was it the Boss that took that long.
I drove menny models and even had one break on me, And that was only a test drive.
Would have I waited long ...... for the most part NO. I was ready and so was the boss. our garden tractor was getting older and started to stick a few to menny $$$$'s into it.
As for being happy with my choice YES I AM. Though would'nt we all second guess our desetions?
I drove menny models and even had one break on me, And that was only a test drive.
Would have I waited long ...... for the most part NO. I was ready and so was the boss. our garden tractor was getting older and started to stick a few to menny $$$$'s into it.
As for being happy with my choice YES I AM. Though would'nt we all second guess our desetions?
I looked at all the sub-CUT's for about a year online. This website was invaluable to me.
When I finally got the ok from the "Boss", I then went to dealers to look and test. By that time had it narrowed to the Kubota BX2230 and MF GC2300. This took about a week before I pulled the trigger on the GC2300.
When I finally got the ok from the "Boss", I then went to dealers to look and test. By that time had it narrowed to the Kubota BX2230 and MF GC2300. This took about a week before I pulled the trigger on the GC2300.
SKOALMAN
Bronze Member
I was like KiotiJohn and spent years dreaming about getting back to the farm and buying "My Own" tractor.
I got to seriously looking and reading about three years ago and joined this site a little over two years ago. Kept lurking and reading. Looked at many brands and all colors were FINE Tractors.
In May of 04 I decided that it was time to leave the Army and wrapped it up 1 Jan 05! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I started terminal leave and when I arrived here in Tennessee and saw how GROWED up the Fields were I knew it was a NEED now, instead of a Dream.
I bought my "Ole Blue" 31 Dec 04. Very Proud of it and Needed it. So like others dreamed and then necessity required it!
I got to seriously looking and reading about three years ago and joined this site a little over two years ago. Kept lurking and reading. Looked at many brands and all colors were FINE Tractors.
In May of 04 I decided that it was time to leave the Army and wrapped it up 1 Jan 05! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I started terminal leave and when I arrived here in Tennessee and saw how GROWED up the Fields were I knew it was a NEED now, instead of a Dream.
I bought my "Ole Blue" 31 Dec 04. Very Proud of it and Needed it. So like others dreamed and then necessity required it!