How many hours is "heavily used"?

[Turbys_1700]

Is 2500 hrs. the point where one would expect to start having problems?

We've got AG tractors with over 6,000 hours...

I would expect a compact to be good for over 4,000 hours...

One thing I've noticed is that my old Yanmar 1700 counted hours at 2550 RPM's...

My NH 1720 counts them at 1850 RPM's...

That's a 38% difference...

I used to put 50 hours a year on the Yanmar...

I expect I'll put around 80 on the NH...

 

[neverenough]

We got this one from the local dealer and feel he should make good on it, especially since I think he gouged us on the price back in 2000 ($18k @ 1900hrs., FEL already attached).
Thanks,
Joan

I tried to respond to this last night, but we were having power outages....again.

I'm curious how you figure you got "gouged". New, in 1999 the tractor alone listed for $27,000. Add in the loader and you have a $30,000+ tractor new, and you got it for $18,000 with 1900 hours. I would say that's not a bad price at all. I would guess the tractor is a '93 or '94, but your dealer can tell you for sure.

Yes, there are a few things the dealer can and should check over like cranking PSI for the cylinders along with leakdown. They should also run the tractor through all the gears. They should also at least check the hydralic PSI the pump builds. There are many things the dealer doesn't check. And they sure as heck won't tear into a tractor just to check wear. It sounds to me like you just happen to get a well abused tractor. You could trade to new, or trade to another used one. Nothing wrong with being scared off the brand becouse of a bad experience, but then again, there is nothing wrong with giving them another chance too. Just like cars, some stay brand loyal through the good, the bad, and the ugly, yet others live by the motto "screw me once shame on you, screw me twice, shame on me". It's your choice, and what you feel comfortable doing with your $$$.

 

[2manyhorses]

Again, thanks to all for all the info!
We run the 6' Bushhog on the apprx. 40-50 acres that are cleared or in the process of being reclaimed. Have an ancient manure spreader, so rusted I can't read the name, that the neighbor virtually gave us...8 horses and counting-I do rescue. Use the FEL (w/spike)for round bales, and for moving everything from large rocks to mulch and gravel. Also have a 6' heavy duty scrape blade and a 6' box blade (half mile gravel driveway... washboard summer and up to 2' snowdrifts winter). We have major hills and feel better with a 4WD. If I could get away with a smaller tractor, would be thrilled!

 

[Bob_Young]

Doesn't sound like there's anything there that couldn't be handled by a Kubota L4400, Joan. That would probably be the low-end, in terms of size and cost, that would serve your needs. You might want to go bigger to have some reserve in case heavier work come along. For example, if you get into baling hay on your own, you might want a heavier machine...maybe something from the Kubota M-series or a New Holland TN. Still, 50 to 60HP would probably be enough unless you go into it big time.

You might also look at something with features that make the work easier, like Hydrostatic Transmission. The type of work you have would be well within the capability of an HST. The L5030 from Kubota would be a good choice; but would probably cost a good $6K more than an L4400.

I think the point here is that it's time for you to get something that works that's within your budget. There's no point in trying to figure out whether the tractor is a lemon, whether it's worn out, whether more money should be thrown at it, or whether the dealer has issues; that'll just waste more time. Best to put the whole thing (tractor and dealer) behind you and move on to something that gets the job done. That's what tractors are for.
FWIW
Bob

 

[flusher]

Is 2500 hrs. the point where one would expect to start having problems?

I bought a 1966 MF-135 diesel last July. The tractormeter shows 4600 hours and appears to be working OK. The seller told me that the engine was rebuilt around 3500 hours.

It was an orchard tractor used for mowing and light work with a disc harrow. Looks like it wasn't worked too hard at a little over 100 hours/year on average. That's about what I'm averaging with my little tractor, a 2005 Kubota B7510HST.

 

[knute_m]

Joan,

From your profile and your description of the land, I'm assuming that you are dealing with the Massey shop in Marshall. If you've been going past there, have you noticed that there is a New Holland, with a cab, at the gas station 2 blocks west of Smith's? I don't know anything about it, but it looks like it is pretty close to new, and it has been sitting in the parking lot with a for sale sign for about a month.

I lived in your area for over 30 years, and still work there. If I were looking for a new tractor, I'd head out of the county to do serious shopping, except maybe for a New Holland.

My dealings with the local Massey shops (same owner for both) have always made me feel like I'd been robbed ($18 for an ignition key, $22 for an O-ring, $38 for an air filter, and the list goes on.) They are nice people, but they sure get a premium price for everything -- however, I've got to say, they always had what I needed. The local Deere and Kubota, well . . . I'd look outside the county.

If you are partial to the red and silver colors, I can highly recommend D&G Equipment in Augusta, WV ( http://dandgequipment.com and about 25 miles west of Winchester). They sell the smaller to medium sized Mahindras and the medium to large size McCormicks. Lots of new, and lots of good used implements. Excellent service, and they pickup and deliver.

There are a lot of good dealers up and down the I-81 corridor from Southern PA down to Southwestern, VA. Just about every tractor brand is represented more than once in that stretch.

You shouldn't have any problem selling your present tractor. A free listing in the Valley Trader is generally all you need. Used tractors, even if they need some work, seem to sell real well in this area.

Unless you are real particular about a specific dealer, or brand, most all major tractor brands that have forums on this website are going to be good reliable tractors when purchased new. Just make sure there are a couple of dealers within 75 to 100 miles in case you need major warranty service.

If you can't do most of your own routine maintenance, ask around, and you should be able to find several good free-lance tractor mechanics in the area.

Good luck,

Knute

 

[2manyhorses]

Good advice, Knute. We've used both the one in Marshall and the one just below Warrenton and concur, they've always taken care of me (I think) but at a premium! Will check out the Ford though.
Thanks,
Joan

 

[Jay4200]

Is 2500 hrs. the point where one would expect to start having problems?

I'd say not normally. I bought my L4200 with 2300 hours on it. It was stored outside for the 10 years of it's life, so it looks a little shabby, but is mechanically sound, other than a bad tie rod end (I do need to change that some day - the new ones have been laying in my garage for 6 months). It appears to have been maintained well through it's lifetime, so I don't expect any major mechanical failures any time soon.

As another point of reference, I just had a new septic system installed last week - not only did the guy doing the work let me run his excavator for a bit (and the Tom Sawyer jokes were flying, let me tell you), but he also told me that he buys a new one every 4000 hours, which is when he feels that reliablility is compromised. An excavator is not a tractor, but whatever.

Jay