Price Check Is this 4240 a good deal?

[tpetty]

Finally got part of my 13 acres cleared. There is about 4 acres of current hayfield, the rest was woods/ravine -- but now I have another couple acres that is cleared, leaving only nicer/bigger trees. That will get seeded down this fall. I'll need to bush-hog that next summer to keep the thorns/hedge/etc from trying to re-establish. Ultimate plan is to build a house in a year or two, which will then have 1/4 mile driveway to keep level (until I ultimately blacktop it) and snowplow. Hoping to eventually buy the neighbor's additional 20 acres, but he doesn't seem real keen on selling at this time.

I know I'll need a tractor and FEL. I haven't seriously pursued this yet, but will probably need to do this by next summer, unless I look for a neighbor to bush-hog. I'd really like to get a tractor for next summer to help with additional land prep, though.

A tractor caught my eye on ebay. I've searched, but can't find an easy internet pricing reference. Is this a great deal? Seems like it, $10,000 off with 100 hours? If so, maybe I should buy it -- but if it's just the "going rate" then there is no reason for me to really purchase one until next year. would also need to factor in that I would need to have this shipped 600 miles. Don't really know what that would cost, but assume 1-2k?

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As best I can tell from perusing these forums, a 4240 should be enough tractor for me. Given that it's for driveway maintenance, bush-hogging, and odd jobs, any thoughts pro/con a tractor of this size?

 

[crazyal]

The 4240 would most likely do everything you would want to do on your property. I assume you only plan on brush hogging once or twice a year, if you are planning on doing it weekly then you may want something larger. What are your plans for the hay fields? That could also determine if the 4240 is large enough, I don't hay so I don't know the requirements.

I found a couple of things I would question. First (at least on my 4240 HST) there's a 50 hour service not 100. If it's just a typo then no big deal but if he put an extra 50 hours before doing the first required maintenance then I would be a little concerned.

If he actually paid $30k for it he must of paid retail. My guess is a good price back in 2008 for a GST 4240 with fel would have been about $25k new. $20k is not a bad price for that tractor but I think you could find others in that same price range. I think it would cost you about a grand to ship it. I would look around for someone who transports cars, I think they would give you a better price. If you wait until the auction is over and it doesn't sell maybe you could offer him $1000 or even $2000 less than he's asking. Of course your risking someone else buying it.

 

[om21braz]

I found a couple of things I would question. First (at least on my 4240 HST) there's a 50 hour service not 100. If it's just a typo then no big deal but if he put an extra 50 hours before doing the first required maintenance then I would be a little concerned.

+1 I'd want the info on that too. That said, IMHO, it is a fair price - but no bargain and I would certainly want to see it in person or have the right of refusal for any issues before buying/bidding on it.

 

[TripleR]

The 4240 definitely is a nice tractor. Do you have any experience with tractors?

 

[tpetty]

I grew up on a farm a couple decades ago, but no tractors like today -- we had a Super M, International 240 & 300, etc. Of course, now that all the kids are grown and moved away, Dad bought newer tractors with cabs, AC, etc.

I wouldn't plant on putting up hay myself. It would either become pasture, or hayed by a neighbor.

Since it's not a screaming bargain, I'll probably just pass and more seriously pursue one next year. Looks like some comparable tractors/prices on tractorhouse. Winter storage will be an issue anyway.

Also, I asked the seller, and it has no rear hydraulics. That seems to be a potential problem, depending on future use.

 

[tpetty]

Speaking of rear hydraulics, I guess I really need to get to a new tractor dealer and see what things are like. On the tractors we had growing up, all had hydraulics that could drive a cylinder on the equipment, for example to lower/raise a disk, etc.

This isn't standard these days? Just seems strange to me. Maybe it wasn't even standard on tractors built 50 years ago -- ours just had them installed?

So the ability to run a hydraulic cylinder on equipment these days is an OPTION on tractors, or am I missing something?

 

[TripleR]

Some makes/models come with rear remotes. The M Series comes with one set standard.

Our dealer has a minimum of one set on his 40+ CUTs and two sets on the M's.

Since you have experience with geared units, I would recommend trying the HST models out also, especially the HST+.

My primary tractors are a Hydraulic Shuttle Shift 12F/12R and a 50 HP HST. I like them both, but the HST is quite a bit easier to use with a FEL etc, that requires a lot of direction changes.

 

[art]

Hydraulics on the IH models you mentioned were optional! We sell many with out for the believe it or not column.

 

[PapaPerk]

Hey the shipping is only $20.00! Ya can't beat that with a stick! :laughing:

 

[kuboman]

I am a firm believer in excellent maintenance but I would not pass on a good deal because it is 50 over. It is 50 not 500 hrs and 50 over will not kill it or even hurt it.